About
The Oxfordshire Museum is the county museum of Oxfordshire, housed in the elegant Fletcher's House in the heart of Woodstock, directly adjacent to the magnificent Blenheim Palace World Heritage Site. Established in its current home since 1965, the museum tells the story of Oxfordshire from the age of the dinosaurs through the Roman occupation, medieval splendour, and the great houses and industries that shaped the county, right up to the present day.
Flourishing in a Georgian townhouse in one of England's most attractive market towns, the Oxfordshire Museum manages to combine genuine scholarly depth with the accessibility and warmth of a community museum. Its permanent galleries cover the county's natural history, archaeology, local and social history, and decorative arts, while the museum's temporary exhibition programme brings a changing roster of themes and topics to visitors throughout the year.
The museum's natural history galleries are among its strongest, presenting the deep geological history of Oxfordshire — a county unusually rich in fossils and prehistoric remains. The famous Jurassic limestone quarries of the Cotswolds and the gravels of the upper Thames have yielded remarkable prehistoric, Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age finds that form the backbone of the archaeological collections. Roman Oxfordshire is well represented, with material from the settlements at Dorchester and Alchester and the many villa sites that dotted the fertile river valleys.
The social history and arts collections celebrate the county's remarkable cultural heritage, from the textile industries of Witney and Chipping Norton to the motor car industry at Cowley, from the traditions of the Oxfordshire countryside to the artistic output of painters and craftspeople inspired by the county's exceptional landscape.
The museum's famous dinosaur garden is one of its most popular attractions, particularly for families. Life-size reconstructions of Megalosaurus — whose remains were first scientifically described from Oxfordshire fossils in 1824 — and other prehistoric creatures inhabit a garden setting that delights young visitors and introduces them to palaeontology in an engaging and memorable way.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- Don't miss the dinosaur garden — even if you're not visiting with children, Megalosaurus has an important connection to Oxfordshire as the first scientifically described dinosaur, with its fossils found locally.
- The museum is free and pairs perfectly with a visit to Blenheim Palace next door. Plan for at least half a day in Woodstock to enjoy both attractions and the lovely town centre.
- Visit on a weekday morning when Woodstock is quietest. Sunday afternoons (opening from 14:00) work well for visitors coming from Oxford earlier in the day.
- The S3 bus from Oxford runs regularly to Woodstock and is an easy, sustainable way to reach the museum without a car — useful if you plan to visit Oxford and Woodstock on the same trip.
- Children love the dinosaur garden. Pick up a family activity pack at the entrance to keep them engaged throughout the galleries. Allow extra time in the garden — children rarely want to leave quickly!
- Woodstock is a charming Georgian town in its own right. After the museum, explore the independent shops on the High Street and the attractive side streets before or after your Blenheim Palace visit.
- The dinosaur garden makes great photographs — get low for dramatic angles with the Megalosaurus. The museum's Georgian exterior on Park Street is also very photogenic in good light.
- The museum is fully accessible with lift access to upper floors and firm paths in the garden. Wheelchairs are available to borrow on request — ask at reception.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The museum holds over 30,000 objects relating to Oxfordshire's natural, archaeological, social, and artistic history. Key strengths include Jurassic fossil collections, prehistoric and Roman archaeology from the Thames Valley, industrial history artefacts, and a collection of art and decorative objects relating to the county.
Oxfordshire Through Time
The core permanent gallery tracing the county's history from geological prehistory through Roman, medieval, and modern periods.
The Dinosaur Garden
Outdoor garden with life-size dinosaur reconstructions including Megalosaurus, whose fossils were first described from Oxfordshire.
Natural History Gallery
The county's geology, fossils, and wildlife habitats from Jurassic seas to the contemporary Oxfordshire countryside.
Art and Decorative Arts
Paintings, prints, and decorative arts relating to Oxfordshire and its people from the 17th century to the present.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.