Museum of the History of Science, Oxford. Open daily (closed Mondays). Free entry.

Details

Accessibility:

Parking is extremely limited near to the museum but there is some on-road pay and display parking with a few designated disability spaces. There are also car parks within Oxford city centre. Detailed information on all of these car parks and their current Blue Badge concessions can be found here: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/directory/8/car_parks_in_oxford/category/53/categoryInfo/10

The main entrance to the museum is off Broad Street and up a flight of steps, visitors requiring level access should follow the signs directing them around the left-hand side of the building where there is a platform lift which will take you down to the level entrance. The lift is staff-operated only, so you will need to use the buzzer to alert museum staff or call 01865 277286 during opening hours.

Unfortunately, the ground and first floors of the museum are inaccessible for those visitors who require level access. A floor plan of the museum is available here: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/media/global/wwwadminoxacuk/localsites/accessguide/images/buildings/historyofscience/Hisory_Science_Museum_Final_PDF.pdf

There is an accessible toilet on the basement level that can be reached through the small basement gallery. There is a fixed hearing loop on the main museum reception desk and a portable loop is available for use in the education room and the entrance gallery. A selection of audio guides are available and can be download here: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/visit/audio-guide/, plus there is a range of ‘virtual exhibitions’ available at http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/exhibits/.

Oxford city has a Shopmobility service which is accessed from within the car park for the Westgate shopping centre (OX1 1TR). The car park itself has 50 disability parking spaces, which are located close to the lobby area. Scooters and wheelchairs can be hired free of charge from the Shopmobility office and can be booked over the telephone on 01865 263600 (Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm). Further information can be requested via email: westgate.oxford@landsec.com.

Brief Description:

The museum holds a collection of early scientific instruments and is set in the world’s oldest surviving purpose-built museum building, the Old Ashmolean. The museum offers permanent displays, special exhibitions and public lectures for schools and families and even has online versions of its exhibitions for those unable to visit.

Further Information:

Address:

Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AZ

Telephone:

01865 277293

Email:

info@mhs.ox.ac.uk

Website:

http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/

http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/access/museumsandcollections/museumofthehistoryofscience/

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday: 12pm - 5pm

Last admission 4.45pm

Directions:

From the M40 J8a take the A40 west towards Oxford for 5 miles. At the roundabout continue straight to take the London Road/A420 for a further 2.5 miles. At the roundabout, take the 4th exit (past the pillared monument in the middle of the road) onto The Plain/A420 for around 400 metres/yards then turn right onto Longwall Street. Longwall Street turns slightly right and becomes St Cross Road. Turn left onto South Parks Road then, at the T-junction, turn left again onto Parks Road and turn right onto Broad Street. The museum’s entrance is a short way along on the right.

OS SP 51464 06437

Transport:

Oxford is a very old city and travelling by car can be a problem. However, there is an excellent pubic transport system, which you can find further details of here: http://www.oxfordcityguide.com/oxford-tourist-information/getting-around-oxford

There are six Park & Ride sites located around Oxford's ring road; Bicester, Oxford Parkway and Pear Tree to the North, Thornhill to the East, Redbridge to the South and Seacourt to the West. The parking and bus into town are charged separately and there are no concessions for Blue Badge drivers. Each Park & Ride also has EV charge points for electric car drivers. Further details of the locations and charges can be found here: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/directory/8/car_parks_in_oxford/category/56/categoryInfo/13

The main bus services in Oxford are run by the Oxford Bus Company, Stagecoach Oxfordshire and Thames Travel. The services run throughout the city as well as the surrounding villages. Further details can be found on the following websites: https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/, https://www.stagecoachbus.com/about/oxfordshire and https://www.thames-travel.co.uk/.

Oxford’s main railway station is located on the west side of the city centre with bus stops and taxi ranks just outside. There are frequent services to/from London Paddington, London Marylebone and Birmingham New Street. Details of the station can be found here: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/OXF/details.html. For ticket information you can telephone National Rail on 03457 484 950.

Amenities:

There is a gift shop at the museum, but there is nowhere on-site to purchase food and drink. Within Oxford, in the immediate vicinity of the museum, there are plenty of places to find food and drink.