About
One of the world's great university natural history museums, housed in a breathtaking neo-Gothic building. The museum holds over five million zoological, entomological, and geological specimens, including the world's most complete dodo remains, dinosaur skeletons, and Darwin's finches.
The stunning iron and glass architecture creates a cathedral-like space where visitors encounter the wonders of the natural world.
Categories:
Annual Visitors (2024)
650,000
Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
Quietest: Monday morning, Tuesday
Busiest: Saturday, Sunday, School holidays
💡 Weekday mornings for quietest experience
💡 Visitor Tips
- Don't miss the Pitt Rivers Museum accessed through the back of this museum
- Look up at the stunning iron architecture - each column is a different British tree
- Free family activities and trails available at information desk
- The building is as significant as the collections - take time to appreciate the architecture
- Seasonal butterfly house requires separate timed ticket (March-September)
- Free daily tours and talks - check schedule at entrance
Highlights
The Oxford Dodo
The world's most complete remains of a dodo - head and foot of the last stuffed dodo known to exist, immortalized in Alice in Wonderland
Dinosaur Skeletons
Megalosaurus, Iguanodon, and other dinosaur specimens including the first dinosaur bone ever described scientifically
T. rex Skull
Cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull, one of the museum's most popular exhibits
Darwin's Finches
Actual finch specimens collected by Charles Darwin during the Beagle voyage
Collections
Over 5 million zoological, entomological, and geological specimens. World-famous for the Oxford dodo, first dinosaur discoveries, Darwin's specimens, and comprehensive taxonomic collections. The building itself is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture, with columns representing different tree species from the British Isles.
Dinosaurs and Fossil Reptiles
Outstanding collection including the first dinosaur bone ever scientifically described
📍 Main Court
Evolution and Diversity
Darwin's specimens and the story of evolution
📍 Upper Gallery
Rocks and Minerals
Geological specimens from Earth and space
📍 Mineral Gallery
Themes
Current Exhibitions
Sensational Butterflies
Annual live butterfly exhibition in tropical house
Nearby Museums (5 within 6 miles)
Museum of the History of Science, University of Oxford
Science & Technology
Oxford — ~6 min walk (0.3 mi)