Oxfordshire

Museum of the History of Science

Old Ashmolean Building, Broad Street
Tel: 01865 277280
E-mail: margaret.hauser@mhs.ox.ac.uk
Web: www.mhs.ox.ac.uk

One of the finest examples of 17th-century architecture in Oxford, the building now houses an unrivalled collection of early astronomical, surveying, navigational and mathematical instruments and the largest collection of astrolabes in the world. There are also early microscopes, photographic apparatus and a fine collection of watches and clocks. The former Chemical Laboratory houses early physics apparatus, 19th-century chemical glassware and a small collection of surgical and dental instruments.

Pitt Rivers Museum

Parks Road, Oxford
Tel: 01865 270927
E-mail: prm@prm.ox.ac.uk
Web: www.prm.ox.ac.uk

This world-famous anthropology collection, founded in 1884 by General Pitt Rivers, is a 'granny's attic' of over a quarter of a million objects which together form a rich illustration of how human beings have lived and thought. Display cases are crowded with amulets, beads, pots, shrunken heads, tools, textiles and weapons, whilst masks peer from high walls and boats sail overhead. All are housed in a splendid, galleried building which preserves a strong Victorian atmosphere.

The Vale & Downland Museum

19 Church St, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 8BL
Tel: 01235 771447    Fax: 01235 764316
E-mail: museum@wantage.com
Web: www.wantage.com

The Vale and Downland Museum and Visitor Centre is located in the busy market town of Wantage in Oxfordshire, England. The museum has been nationally acclaimed as an outstanding example of community partnership. The range of services is very broad ranging, from galleries interpreting the cultural heritage Vale of the White Horse region, to an Egon Ronay award winning cafe with a delightful terrace and garden. It also acts as a springboard for residents and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the countryside around Wantage.

Banbury Museum Heritage Centre

Spiceball, Park Rd, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 2PQ
Tel: 01295 259855    Fax: 01295 270556
E-mail: banburymuseum@cherwell-dc.gov.uk
Web: www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk/

Designed by ECD Architects, the striking modern building will be a prestigious state-of-the-art facility offering an exciting range of heritage services free of charge, some of which are listed below. The Museum galleries will illustrate six themes from Banbury's history: The English Civil War, The manufacture of plush, The Victorians, World War II, Banbury Today, The Oxford Canal. Collections currently in store will be displayed for the first time, including examples of costume and textiles, and natural history specimens. A waterways discovery gallery will offer an exciting "hands-on" space enabling visitors to find out in a fun way, about the scientific principles that govern both waterborne transport and the canal infrastructure. There will be access to an historic working boatyard where the visitor will be able to see traditional and modern skills and machinery in use. The temporary exhibition gallery will be used to display touring exhibitions and important works of art borrowed from national collections. In addition there will be an exhibition space available for local artists to display their work. Other facilities and services will include: A tourist information centre and museum shop. A 50-seat lecture theatre and cafe overlooking the canal, which will be available for hire. An education programme, planned to support both permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Bygones Museum

Butlin Farm, Claydon, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX17 1EP
Tel: 01295 690258

Housed in farm buildings, the displays show 19th and early 20th century material from the homes, farms, offices and craft workshops of the Midland Counties. Also shown are seven tractors, a 1903 traction engine, a 1912 steam roller, a 1915 Merry Weather fire pump, three stationary steam engines and other model steam engines. All in steam on the first Sunday in the month and Bank Holiday Sundays and Mondays from the months of April to September. Also on show are around 25 stationary engines, grass mowers, horticultural and agricultural machines, motor-cycles, bicycles and a Sinclair C5 etc. Together with a solicitor, printing press, 10 local shops and display centre.

Abingdon Museum

County Hall, Market Place, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3HG
Tel: 01235 523703
E-mail: enquiries@abingdonmuseum.freeonline.co.uk
Web: www.abingdon.gov.uk

Abingdon is considered to be the oldest town in Britain. The museum collection reflects its long history and includes archaeological finds from Prehistoric, Roman and Anglo Saxon times. The main museum gallery, the Sessions Hall, was originally the court room. Today it is a spectacular setting for a varied programme of displays and exhibitions, concentrating on local history themes and crafts. The classically styled display cases and chairs which furnish the gallery were specially created by the renowned furniture designer, Erik de Graaff. The cases can be moved to the sides of the room, once again allowing it to be used for concerts, celebrations, shows and workshops. Please contact us for up to date programme information. A beautiful mirror frame carved in the 17th century building by Frinling Gibbons, an embroidered smock shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and badges from Abingdon's own car company, MG. Some of these can be seen in displays which line the stairs giving a brief introduction to the history of the town.

The Museum of Oxford

St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1DZ
Tel:  01865 252761    Fax: 01865 222555
E-mail: museum@oxford.gov.uk
Web: www.oxford.gov.uk

Discover Oxford's history by visiting the Museum of Oxford - the only museum in Oxford to tell the story of the city and its people from prehistoric times to the present day. The exhibits range from a mammoth's tooth to a 'Morris Motor' car engine. Archaeological treasures include a preserved Roman pottery kiln and whole pavement made of cattle bones. There are six Oxford rooms recreated inside the museum from an Elizabethan Inn to a Victorian kitchen.

Cogges Manor Farm Museum

Church Lanem Cogges, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 3LA
Tel: 01993 772602    Fax: 01993 703056
E-mail: cultural.services@westoxon.gov.uk
Web: www.westoxon.gov.uk

Come to Cogges to discover what life was like for the Victorians of rural Oxfordshire. Visitors take a step back in time when they enter the beautiful farmstead with its original Cotswold buildings, meet the traditional breeds of animals, visit the Victorian walled garden and enjoy the agricultural displays. Talk to the Victorian maids in the Manor House and find out what their lives would have been like. Watch as they cook on the old range and sample some of their fresh baking. Explore the history of the house and enjoy the children's activities including trying on Victorian clothes and playing with the Victorian toys. The story of the famous Witney blankets is told in the Barley Barn, where you can also see the impressive 18th century hand loom. Details of the programme of special events are in our leaflet, which can be requested by calling +44 (0)1993 772 602.

The River & Rowing Museum

Mill Meadows, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1BF
Tel: 01491 415600    Fax: 01491 415601
E-mail: museum@rrm.co.uk
Web: www.rrm.co.uk

The River & Rowing Museum was designed by David Chipperfield Architects to a brief which set out to establish an astonishing Museum. The building is raised on columns above water meadows beside the Thames and is built of exposed concrete and glass with a terne coated steel roof, clad in green oak. The Museum has won numerous awards for its architectural design and innovative galleries including The Royal Fine Arts Commission Building of the Year 1999 and National Heritage/NPI Museum of the Year 1999. The Museum has three main galleries devoted to the River Thames, the international sport of rowing and the town of Henley. There are also three special exhibition galleries, the Riverside Café, shop, Education Centre, library and function rooms.

Wallingford Museum

Flint House, High St, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 0DB
Tel: 01491 835065
E-mail: museum@galatham.demon.co.uk
Web: www.galatham.demon.co.uk

This small gem of a museum, housed in part of a mediaeval hall-house, has been recently refurbished. It includes features on "The River Thames through Time", Saxon and Mediaeval Wallingford, with a model of the Castle, a Victorian Street Scene, pub, shop, workshop and domestic area. A walk through Saxon and Medieval Wallingford, including a personal audio commentary and a display of recent local Roman excavations are now in operation.

Witney & District Museum

Gloucester Court Mews, High St, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 6HX
Tel: 01993 775915
Web: www.witney.net

The reorganised ground floor displays tell the story of Witney's history with special emphasis on the Blanket Industry, school life and ecclesiastical diversity. On the first floor a 1950s kitchen has been recreated and there is also a display on the Fire Service. A changing programme of art and craft exhibitions as well as local history exhibitions in the Bartlett Taylor Gallery on the first floor. Please telephone for current details.

The Oxfordshire Museum

Fletchers House, Park St, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1SN
Tel: 01993 811456
E-mail:  oxon.museum@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Web: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

Situated at the heart of the historic town of Woodstock, the award-winning redevelopment of Fletcher's House provides a home for the new county museum The first of the new galleries are now open and the remainder will open later this summer. Set in attractive gardens, the new museum celebrates Oxfordshire in all its diversity and features collections of local history, art, archaeology, landscape and wildlife as well as a gallery exploring the County's innovative industries from nuclear power to nanotechnology. Interactive exhibits offer new learning experiences for all ages.

Fusion (formerly Bloomin Arts)

East Oxford Community Centre, Princes St, Oxford, OX4 1DD
Tel: 01865 245735    Fax: 01865 724317
E-mail: info@fusion-arts.net

Activities on offer at Fusion cover an exciting range of visual and performing arts, available either simply for appreciation, in a participatory capacity, or as practical tuition.

West Ox Arts

Woa Gallery, Market Square, Bampton, Oxfordshire, OX18 2JH
Tel: 01993 850137
E-mail: westoxarts@yahoo.co.uk

West Ox Arts is a registered charity, part funded by West Oxfordshire District Council and Bampton Parish Council, and entirely staffed by volunteers, except for its part-time Administrators. It provides a valuable exhibition space for its members and the community, as well as a venue for workshops and social events. The Gallery is situated on the first floor of the Town Hall in the centre of Bampton. Membership is open to all. Volunteers to help with our events and also sitting in the Gallery during exhibitions are always welcome, as are Artists and Craftsmen who would teach, lecture or demonstrate. W.O.A.'s varied programme includes regular members' exhibitions, sponsorship of drama productions, W.E.A./Rewley House literature courses, twice weekly life classes, outings, workshops for both children and adults and regular exhibitions of work by artists and craftsmen. Admission to all exhibitions is free.

Hands-On

Science Oxford, 1-5 London Place, Oxford, OX4 1BD
Tel: 01865 728953
E-mail: events@oxtrust.org.uk
Web: www.oxtrust.org.uk/handson

Hands-On is a new science gallery packed with loads of exciting interactive  experiments. In addition, Hands-On has a changing menu of themed activities. Science Oxford is adjacent to St Clements Street, at the foot of Headington Hill. Take the Park & Ride bus number 400 towards Thornhill from the train station or local buses from the city centre. There is a public car park nearby just off The Plain roundabout. Recommended age 5-12 years.