Visiting Museums, Libraries and Places of Interest

This is an information centre for anyone interested in applying for undergraduate or postgraduate study at Oxford. It is particularly useful for potential applicants, as well as teachers, parents or carers and careers advisers.

• Location: 55 Little Clarendon Street
• Tel: undergraduates 01865 288000, postgraduates 01865 270059
• Open: Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00  
• Website: Admissions Information Centre

Established in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum is the oldest museum in the UK and one of the oldest in the world. It houses the University’s extensive collections of art and antiquities, ranging back over four millennia.

• Location: Beaumont Street
• Tel: 01865 278000
• Open: Until 30 June 2013: Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00. Closed Mondays except Bank Holiday Mondays 10.00-18.00
  From 1 July 2013: Tue-Sun 10.00-17.00. Closed Mondays except Bank Holiday Mondays 10.00-17.00
• Charge: Admission is free
• Note: For group bookings tel 01865 278015
• Website: Ashmolean Museum

The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments celebrates the history and development of the musical instruments of the Western Classical tradition, from the medieval period to present day.

• Location: Faculty of Music, St Aldate's
• Tel: 01865 276139
• Open: Mon-Fri 14.00-17.00, Sat (term time only) 10.00-12.00
• Charge: Admission is free
• Website: Bate Collection

The Bodleian Library, the University’s main research library, is the second largest in the UK after the British Library.

• Location: Broad Street
• Tel: 01865 287400
• Email: tours@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
• Open: Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00, Sat 9.00-16.30, Sun 11.00-17.00
• Charge: Free access to the Old Schools Quadrangle, Exhibition Room and Shop. For other charges and to book, please see the website. Admission free to members of the University (students and staff), Alumni and Bodleian cardholders and Friends of the Bodleian. Up to four guests will also be admitted free.
• Notes:  Daily guided tours of the library, including Duke Humfrey’s Library, last 30 or 60 minutes. 90 minute tours available on Wednesdays and at weekends. Audio tours available in English, French and German (charge applies). 
  Groups must book in advance.
• Website: Bodleian Library

The Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in Britain, and forms the most compact yet diverse collection of plants in the world.

• Location: High Street
• Tel: 01865 286690
• Open: Nov-Feb 9.00-16.00 (last entry 15.15). Mar-Apr & Sep-Oct 9.00-17.00 (last entry 16.15). May-Aug 9.00-18.00 (last entry 17.15)
• Charge: Adult day ticket £4.50, concession day ticket £3. Annual season ticket £15.50, (concessions £13). Free to children in full-time education (when accompanied by a paying adult), registered disabled visitors and their carers, University and OUP employees, Oxford and Oxford Brookes students
• Website: Botanic Garden

Christ Church Meadow is a large and tranquil flood meadow, bordered by the Thames (Isis) and Cherwell Rivers. It is open until dusk each day and is an ideal location for walkers and picnickers. Access is through the Memorial Gates on St Aldate's.

• Website: Christ Church Meadow

Christ Church Picture Gallery houses an important collection of 300 Old Master paintings and almost 2,000 drawings in a purpose-built gallery of considerable architectural interest.

• Location: Oriel Square
• Tel: 01865 276172
• Open: Oct-May: Mon, Wed-Sat 10.30-13.00 & 14.00-16.30, Sun 14.00-16.30.
  Jun: Mon, Wed-Sat 10.30-17.00, Sun 14.00-17.00
  Jul-Sep: Mon-Sat 10.30-17.00, Sun 14.00-17.00
  Please note that the Gallery is closed on Tuesdays from October to June
• Charge: Adults £3, students, children, seniors £2. Visitors who have purchased an entrance ticket for Christ Church are entitled to a 50% reduction on the Gallery entrance charge.
• Website: Christ Church Picture Gallery

The Museum of the History of Science is housed in the world’s oldest surviving purpose-built museum building. It contains the world’s finest collection of historic scientific instruments.

• Location: Broad Street
• Tel: 01865 277280
• Open: Tue-Fri 12.00-17.00, Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 14.00-17.00. Closed Monday
• Charge: Admission is free
• Note: Booking required for groups of 15 or more
• Website: Museum of the History of Science

The Pitt Rivers Museum holds one of the world’s finest collections of anthropology and archaeology, with objects from every continent and from throughout human history.

• Location: Parks Road (enter via the Oxford University Museum of Natural History)
• Tel: 01865 270927
• Open: Tue-Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays: 10.00-16.30; Mon 12.00-16.30. Check Museum website for Christmas and Easter opening times
• Charge: Admission is free
• Note: Groups must book in advance
• Website: Pitt Rivers Museum

Designed by Christopher Wren, the Sheldonian Theatre is the principal meeting and ceremonial venue of the University. It offers excellent panoramic views over Oxford.

• Location: Broad Street
• Tel: 01865 277299
• Open: Mon-Sat 10.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.30 (15.30 in winter)
• Charge: Adults £2.50, concessions £1.50. Group rate (15 and over) £1.50 per person
• Note: Opening hours may vary when the Theatre is in use for ceremonies, meetings or concerts
• Website: Sheldonian Theatre

The University's own church has a long and varied history and offers excellent panoramic views of the city. It also has an excellent coffee shop with a garden serving organic food, which is open daily from 9.30 to 18.00.

• Location: High Street/Radcliffe Square
• Tel: 01865 279111
• Open: Mon-Sat 9.00-17.00 (18.00 Jul-Aug), Sun 12.00-17.00 (18.00 July-Aug)
• Charge: No charge for entry to the Church. A charge applies for entry to the tower; please enquire at the Church for details.
• Note: Principal Sunday Service is Eucharist at 10.30 am
• Website: University Church of St Mary the Virgin

The University Museum of Natural History houses the University's collections of zoological, entomological, palaeontological and mineral specimens. With 4.5 million specimens it is the largest collection of its type outside of the national collections.

Please note that the University Museum of Natural History will be closed for the refurbishment of its roof for the whole of 2013 - see the Museum's website for more information.

• Location: Parks Road
• Tel: 01865 272950
• Website: Oxford University Museum of Natural History

University Parks consists of around 70 acres (30 hectares) of beautiful parkland, bordering on the River Cherwell, including sports areas, a duck pond and a large collection of plants and trees in landscaped surroundings.

• Location: Parks Road
• Tel: 01865 282040
• Open: 7.45 (closing times vary according to season)
• Charge: Admission is free 
• Website: University Parks