Ashmolean Museum
Beaumont St, Oxford OX1 2PH
Rating: 4.7 ★ (12207 ratings)
Details
Ashmolean Museum is the University of Oxford's museum of art and archaeology, founded in 1683. This prestigious institution, occupying a grand neoclassical building on Beaumont Street in central Oxford, offers an atmosphere of quiet majesty and serves as a world-class centre of learning. As the world's first university museum and the oldest public museum in the UK, it stands out for its extraordinarily rich and diverse collections that tell human stories across cultures and time.
The museum's main highlights span half a million years of human creativity, from ancient Egyptian mummies and classical sculpture to contemporary art. Visitors can marvel at treasures such as the world's greatest collection of Raphael drawings, the most important collection of Egyptian pre-Dynastic sculpture and ceramics outside Cairo, and outstanding Anglo-Saxon artefacts including the Alfred Jewel. Notable curiosities, including Guy Fawkes' lantern and Stradivari's Messiah violin, also engage and delight guests, while the museum frequently hosts world-class temporary exhibitions. General admission to the permanent collections remains free, making it accessible for anything from a quick exploration of highlights to a full day of detailed discovery.
This cultural landmark is ideal for history enthusiasts, art lovers, academics, and families seeking an enriching experience in Oxford. The Ashmolean works well for educational visits, offering guided tours and engaging family activity packs, alongside providing an inspiring setting for research. Its overall appeal lies in its commitment to preserving and sharing knowledge, making its diverse collections available to everyone and fostering a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact
+44 1865 278000 | https://www.ashmolean.org/
Comments
Upon arrival, the staff greet visitors by the entrance. It is a very good sized museum with so many different stuffs from various cultures, countries and times.
There are many interactive devices for children to play with. When we were there, a stall was set up to showcase ancient coins, we were able to feel and touch the coins, are were from China, some were from Roman time, some where Britain local. The staff was being friendly and patient with our young child.
The building itself is very grand and beautiful, especially the big bring door. It is a must visit in Oxford!