The Ashmolean Museum

Discover half a million years of art and archaeology at The Ashmolean Museum! Founded in 1683, it is Britain's first public museum and home to the University of Oxford's world-class collections of art and archaeology. The whole family will be left in awe, from Egyptian mummies and Samurai warriors to Pre-Raphaelite drawings and modern art.

Things To Do At The Ashmolean Museum The Ashmolean Museum boasts diverse galleries, each showcasing famous collections spanning thousands of years of human history. From the 12th century to the 20th century, there's plenty to explore, including: Ancient Egypt: Marvel at mummies, sculptures, and ancient artefacts that bring the world of pharaohs and pyramids to life. Ancient Greece and Rome: Discover classical sculptures, art and relics that tell the story of ancient civilisations.

Medieval Europe: View intricate medieval objects, including arms and armour, and learn about life in the Middle Ages. Asian Art: Explore art and artefacts from China, Japan, India and more. and so much more!

The Ashmolean is also home to an important collection of Egyptian pre-dynastic sculptures and ceramics. It's even home to the world's largest collection of astrolabes and houses one of the largest collections of classical Greek and Roman statues! You can really enjoy the beauty of these sculptures in their natural-light-filled space.

Fun Fact: the museum's original collection actually belongs to 2 gardeners, a father and son team who collected artefacts while working abroad for the Earl of Salisbury! Did you know that the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology has the greatest collection of Raphael drawings and the foremost collection of modern Chinese paintings in the Western world? You'll find plenty of modern art, including contemporary Chinese artists and British artists.

There are also lots of Old Master paintings reminiscent of an English Country House. There are many incredible prints to marvel at and inspire the inner artist within you! Workshops and Interactive Trails The Ashmolean Museum offers a range of family workshops designed to be fun and educational.

These workshops often include hands-on activities where children can take part in art projects. To help you search the galleries, the information desk always has a range of family gallery trails to capture the kids' interest. They have separate ones for younger and older children to present an appropriate challenge.

Special Exhibitions The museum frequently hosts special exhibitions that provide new and exciting experiences. These temporary exhibits cover a wide range of topics and often include interactive elements, providing fresh content and learning opportunities with each visit. Toddler Time The museum offers a Toddler Time subscription.

This is a monthly season of events that offers sessions packed with activities like singing, rhyme time, storytime, exploration of exhibits and more. Choose from a 3- to 9-month event subscription: £12 for a 3-month subscription, £24 for 6 months and £36 for 9 months. Whether you're a history buff or an art expert, there's something for everyone to enjoy at the Ashmolean Museum!