The Museum of Oxford (MOX) is a local history museum inside Oxford Town Hall on St Aldate’s. It’s the only museum dedicated entirely to telling the story of Oxford and its people. This guide covers opening hours, admission prices, accessibility, transport, what to see, and practical tips for planning your visit.
Last updated: June 2026. The key change is that entry to the Museum of Oxford now requires a ticket — adults pay £4. The museum was free until early 2026; many older guides, travel sites, and booking platforms still describe it as free. A schedule of free entry days operates throughout 2026, listed below.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Oxford Town Hall, St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1BX |
| Opening hours | Monday–Saturday, 10:00am–5:00pm |
| Closed | Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| Adult admission (18+) | £4 |
| Child admission (5–17) | £2 |
| Students / Blue Light cardholders | £2 (with valid ID) |
| Under 5s | Free |
| Nearest transit | Carfax (~2 min walk); multiple bus routes on St Aldate’s |
| Parking | No on-site parking; Park & Ride recommended |
| Typical visit length | 1–2 hours |
Museum of Oxford opening hours
The museum is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. It is closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The museum may occasionally close early for maintenance — a notice on the official website (8 June 2026) stated a partial closure until 1pm on 16 June for essential maintenance.
Check the museum’s website for any current closure notices before visiting, particularly on weekday mornings when maintenance work may affect opening times.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Museum of Oxford website and last updated in June 2026.
Museum of Oxford ticket prices
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (18+) | £4 |
| Children (5–17) | £2 |
| Students and Blue Light cardholders (with valid ID) | £2 |
| Under 5s | Free |
| Carers accompanying a disabled visitor | Free |
| Eligible free annual pass holders | Free |
Tickets can be booked in advance online (recommended during school holidays) or paid at the door on the day. Visit museumofoxford.org to book.
Free entry days in 2026: The museum offers a number of free entry days throughout the year on which everyone can visit the galleries for free:
18 February · 21 March · 8 April · 27 May · 13 June · 4 July · 5 August · 12 September · 28 October · 14 November · 23 December
Free annual passes are available to eligible visitors including those who are Registered Blind or Disabled, foster carers, asylum seekers and refugees, those in homeless pathway accommodation, and those in receipt of certain benefits (including Universal Credit Housing Element, Disability Living Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, and Housing Benefit). Register in person at the museum and bring proof of eligibility.
The museum is not included in any commercial city pass scheme. Note: The Museum of Oxford was free to visit until early 2026. Many older guides and booking platforms still describe it as free. It now charges admission as listed above.
5 Oxford experiences worth booking
- 🎓 Take an Oxford University walking tour led by an alumni guide.
- ⚡ Explore Oxford’s Harry Potter filming locations on a tour including New College.
- 🚣 Embark on a scenic river cruise along the University Regatta course.
- 🕵️ Discover the Oxford of Morse, Lewis and Endeavour on a themed walking tour.
- 🏰 Hear dark historic tales on a guided visit to Oxford Castle and Prison.
How to get to the Museum of Oxford
The museum is inside Oxford Town Hall on St Aldate’s, approximately 2 minutes’ walk south of the Carfax crossroads.
By bus: St Aldate’s is served by multiple Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach routes, including the main Park & Ride services. Carfax is the central city-centre stop.
By train: Oxford station is approximately 15 minutes’ walk from St Aldate’s, or a short bus ride.
By car: Carfax and St Aldate’s are in the pedestrianised city centre. Park & Ride is the recommended option — five sites on the main roads into Oxford run frequent buses to Carfax.
Parking at the Museum of Oxford
There is no on-site parking. The Park & Ride network is the recommended option, with five sites around Oxford each providing frequent bus services into the city centre. The main city-centre car and coach park is on Oxpens Road — see the Oxford City Council website for all options.
Accessible level entry to the Town Hall is via the entrance closest to Carfax (to the left of the main steps as you face the building), not the main steps.
How long to spend at the Museum of Oxford
Allow 1 to 2 hours for a thorough visit covering both permanent galleries, any current temporary exhibition, and a look in the gift shop. Families with children who stay for a Fam Jam session or other activity may want longer. Organised walking tours departing from the museum add 60–90 minutes on top.
Accessibility at the Museum of Oxford
The Museum of Oxford is wheelchair accessible with step-free, level entry via the accessible entrance at the left of the Town Hall facade (closest to Carfax), rather than the main steps. Large print guides, sensory resources, and a visual story to aid visit preparation are available.
For full accessibility details, visit the Access at the Museum page on the official website. To discuss specific access requirements before your visit, contact the museum at [email protected] or 01865 252334.
What to see at the Museum of Oxford
The permanent galleries
The Museum of Oxford’s two main galleries cover Oxford’s history from prehistoric times to the present day, with a particular emphasis on social history — the lives of ordinary Oxford people rather than the university. The museum holds around 750 exhibits across the galleries, including objects, photographs, audio, video, and interactive displays.
Gallery 1 (ground floor) covers Oxford’s early history and the physical development of the city, from prehistoric finds and Roman-era objects through the medieval period, the Civil War, and the expansion of the Victorian city. Highlights include displays on the Morris Motors legacy, Oxford’s canal heritage, and the social history of the city’s working-class neighbourhoods.
Gallery 2 explores Oxford’s more recent history and community life, with displays covering topics including immigration and settlement, LGBTQIA+ heritage, the pub culture of Oxford, and the stories of different communities who have made the city their home.
Interactive and hands-on elements appear throughout both galleries, aimed at visitors of all ages.
Special exhibitions
The museum runs a programme of temporary special exhibitions. Check the What’s On section of the official website before visiting for current shows.
Museum of Oxford Walks (seasonal)
The museum runs a programme of guided walking tours of Oxford city centre from April to September 2026, each exploring a specific theme: Oxford’s Queer History, Oxford’s Rebel and Radical History, Artisan Oxford, Shakespeare in Oxford, and others. Tours are led by local expert guides and typically last 90 minutes. Tickets cost around £15 per person, which includes museum admission. Book via the museum website.
Inside the Oxford Town Hall Tour
A guided tour of the Oxford Town Hall (the museum’s building) runs twice monthly on Saturday mornings, exploring rooms not normally open to the public including the Court Room and the Council Chamber. Tours are aimed at an adult audience. Book in advance via the museum website or Eventbrite.
Fam Jam (family events)
Fam Jam sessions are free drop-in family activity sessions held approximately monthly. Check the events calendar for dates.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| The museum now charges admission | Adults £4, children £2. Entry was free until early 2026 — many guides and listings still say free. Check before you go. |
| Free entry days are scattered through the year | The 2026 schedule includes 11 free entry days. The next upcoming date is always listed on the official website. |
| Accessible entry is not via the main steps | The accessible, step-free entrance is to the left of the main Town Hall façade (closest to Carfax). |
| Book online during school holidays | Tickets can be bought at the door, but the museum recommends booking in advance during busier periods such as half-term and summer. |
| Walking tours run April–September | The Museum of Oxford Walks programme offers themed guided tours of the city, departing from the museum. Book in advance. |
Frequently asked questions about the Museum of Oxford
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Museum of Oxford free? | No longer. Adults pay £4; children (5–17) pay £2; under 5s are free. There are free entry days throughout 2026 — see the schedule above. |
| Is the museum open on Sundays? | No. The museum is open Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm. It is closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No booking required for walk-up visits. Online booking is recommended during busy periods (school holidays). Groups must book in advance. |
| Is the Museum of Oxford wheelchair accessible? | Yes. Step-free level entry is via the accessible entrance to the left of the main Town Hall steps (closest to Carfax). |
| Where is the Museum of Oxford? | Inside Oxford Town Hall on St Aldate’s, approximately 2 minutes’ walk south of Carfax crossroads. |
Things to do near the Museum of Oxford
- Carfax Tower (~2 minutes’ walk north) — The 14th-century tower at Oxford’s central crossroads, with 99 steps to a panoramic view of the city.
- Christ Church College (~3 minutes’ walk south) — One of Oxford’s largest colleges, with a cathedral, the great hall, and a picture gallery.
- Oxford Town Hall — The museum is housed inside the Town Hall, designed by Henry Hare and opened in 1893. Guided tours of the building’s rooms run twice monthly on Saturday mornings (book via the museum).
- University Church of St Mary the Virgin (~5 minutes’ walk east) — The historic university church on High Street, with a tower climb offering some of the finest views in Oxford.
- Oxford Covered Market (~3 minutes’ walk north) — A Victorian covered market with independent food stalls, cafés, and shops, open Monday–Saturday.
What to visit tomorrow: similar local history museums within two hours
- Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (~10 minutes’ walk) — One of the world’s greatest art and archaeology museums; its collections include significant Oxford and regional history material. Free admission; open Tuesday–Sunday.
- Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock (~10 miles north) — Oxfordshire County Council’s county museum covering the history of Oxfordshire from the Stone Age to the present. Free admission; housed in a Georgian townhouse opposite Blenheim Palace.
- Banbury Museum, Banbury (~25 miles north) — A local and social history museum covering north Oxfordshire and the Banbury area, with particular strength in the town’s textile and canal heritage.
- Museum of Reading, Reading (~30 miles southeast) — A free local history museum covering the history of Reading and Berkshire, housed in the Victorian town hall.
- Salisbury Museum, Salisbury (~60 miles south) — A significant regional museum covering Salisbury’s history and its connections to Stonehenge, including the Stonehenge Archer and the Pitt-Rivers Collection.
More Oxfordshire travel
Other Oxfordshire travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Enjoy the highlights of Oxford University, including the Ashmolean Museum, the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the History of Science Museum, the Sheldonian Theatre and the Bodleian Library.
- 9 reasons to visit Oxford, England.
- Interact with great children’s literature at the Story Museum.
- Shudder at dark tales of incarceration at Oxford Castle and Prison.
- The quietest times to visit Blenheim Palace.
