Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford. Open daily. Free admission.

Details

Accessibility:

There are 3 designated disability spaces in the museum car park. There are other car parks available 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 up a flight steps with a central hand rail, however, level access is available. Ring the intercom to the left of the stairs for assistance, or simply go around the right-hand side of the building and follow a ramp around to find the level access.

There is a lift to all floors available if you follow the corridor to the right from the level access entrance. Accessible toilets are available at the end of the corridor where the lift is. There is also accessible toilet in the conference room and one at the north of the building (the latter requiring use of a staff-operated platform lift).

There are hearing loops available at the museum reception and lecture theatre.

There is an access guide available here: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/access/museumsandcollections/universitymuseumofnaturalhistory/

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, which 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 was founded in 1860 as the centre for scientific study at the University of Oxford. The building now holds the university’s geological and zoological specimen collections including the Oxfordshire dinosaurs and a Dodo. The museum puts on special and regular events throughout the year and has several exhibitions.

Further Information:

Address:

Museum Of Natural History, Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3PW

Telephone:

01865 272 950

Email:

info@oum.ox.ac.uk

Website:

http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/common/contact.htm

Opening Hours:

Every day: 10am - 5pm

Free admission.

Directions:

The museum is on Parks Road in the centre of Oxford. 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 right onto Parks Road. The entrance to the museum is 30 metres/yards along on the right.

OS SP 51485 06931

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 are no amenities in the museum, but there are cafes, coffee shops, public houses, restaurants and shops to cater for any taste within Oxford town centre.