About
The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum — known affectionately as SOFO — is a modern, award-winning military museum in Woodstock that opened in 2014 to tell the story of the county's soldiers and their contribution to British military history from the English Civil War to the present day. Housed in a purpose-designed building on Harrisons Lane, just yards from the entrance to Blenheim Palace, SOFO has quickly established itself as one of the finest regional military museums in England, praised for its imaginative use of personal stories and interactive technology to bring history to life.
The museum traces the history of Oxfordshire's regiments and military units across nearly four centuries of conflict, from the tumultuous Civil War battles fought on Oxfordshire's own soil in the 1640s through the great wars of empire, the catastrophic losses of the First World War, the global campaigns of the Second World War, and the diverse operations of the post-war decades up to the present day. The narrative is grounded in the personal experiences of individual soldiers — their letters, diaries, equipment, and memories — rather than the abstractions of grand strategy.
The principal regiment commemorated at SOFO is the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, later merged with other regiments to form the Royal Green Jackets and then The Rifles. The museum's collections reflect the full breadth of Oxfordshire's military heritage, from the rank-and-file soldiers who served in the county's militia and volunteer units to the commissioned officers who rose to prominence in Britain's wars.
A particular strength of SOFO is its commitment to telling the stories of women's military service, of support and auxiliary roles, and of the home front, giving a rounded picture of what war means for communities as well as combatants. The museum's educational programmes are highly regarded and attract school groups from across the region.
The museum is a registered charity and independent not-for-profit organisation, supported by public funding, individual donors, and an active community of Friends. Its modern interactive approach has made it one of Woodstock's must-visit attractions, complementing the adjacent Blenheim Palace and The Oxfordshire Museum to make the town one of the richest heritage destinations in the South of England.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- Make sure to spend time in the First World War galleries — the personal letters and photographs are deeply moving and the immersive reconstructions make the history feel very real.
- SOFO is within yards of both Blenheim Palace and The Oxfordshire Museum. A full day in Woodstock visiting all three is outstanding value and one of the best heritage days out in the South of England.
- Visit on a weekday morning when the museum is quietest. The interactive displays are much more enjoyable when you can take your time with them without queuing.
- Bus S3 from Oxford runs regularly to Woodstock, making this very accessible from Oxford. The bus stop is just a few minutes' walk from the museum entrance.
- The interactive displays are excellent for children and teenagers. Many are genuinely involving rather than superficial — young people often spend longer here than expected. Family activity sheets available at the entrance.
- If you have any connection to the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, the Royal Green Jackets, or The Rifles, contact the museum before visiting — the archive team may be able to help trace a family member's service record.
- Photography is permitted and encouraged. The reconstructed environments and the medal displays are particularly rewarding subjects. The exterior of the building and the approach from Harrisons Lane also photograph well.
- Being purpose-built in 2014, SOFO has excellent accessibility with full step-free access throughout. All galleries are on one level, making it one of the most accessible museums in the area.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
SOFO holds collections of uniforms, weapons, medals, personal equipment, photographs, documents, letters, and diaries relating to Oxfordshire soldiers from the 17th century to the present. The medal collection includes several gallantry awards of the highest distinction. The archive holds significant documentary material available for research.
From Civil War to Waterloo
Tracing Oxfordshire's military history from the 1640s through the Napoleonic Wars, including the Battle of Waterloo.
The Great War 1914-1918
Immersive galleries presenting the First World War experience through personal stories, letters, photographs, and artefacts of Oxfordshire soldiers.
The Second World War and Pegasus Bridge
Oxfordshire soldiers in the Second World War, with particular focus on the D-Day glider assault and the capture of Pegasus Bridge.
Women and War
The contribution of Oxfordshire women to the military effort from nursing and auxiliary services to modern armed forces service.
From Korea to Afghanistan
Post-war operations and the contemporary military experience of Oxfordshire soldiers from Korea to the present day.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.