Museum of Natural History homepage

Illustration of a decorative interior of an open court with arched cloisters filled with wooden and glass showcases and museum specimens including skeletons

WELCOME TO OXFORD UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

The Museum will be closed until further notice.
More information will be posted on this site as soon as it is available.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History holds an internationally-significant collection of natural history specimens and archives in a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture. It is home to a lively programme of research, teaching and events focused on the sciences of the natural environment.

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Darwin's Dockdown reading list

Yes, lockdown 3 is long but imagine being stuck on a boat for years on end with no TV, no internet and definitely no Netflix. Luckily, when Charles Darwin set sail on the HMS Beagle in 1831 he had access to a library of over 400 books on the ship. For Darwin Day, 12th February, we explored some of what Darwin read to help him pass the time…

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Shout Out for Women in Science

2018 was the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act, which enabled all men and some women over the age of 30 to vote for the first time. To mark this success in women’s rights, Museum staff members have chosen and written about a number of notable women that they find inspiring and have shaped science throughout history. Read the profiles of some of the most extraordinary female scientists, written by our Exhibitions Officers.

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Super Science Saturday Online

Join us for a very special digital version of our popular in-house event Super Science Saturday, with free online activities created by scientists and our Museum for ages 8+. Learn about current research examining the diversity of our world! In each section, you will find out about a different area of science, the people who are doing this research, and be able to try out an activity.

Image showing an insect from the OUMNH collection being placed in a collections case

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Support our fundraising campaign

Find out more about why we are fundraising to protect and share our British Insect collection of 1 million+ specimens as part of the HOPE for the Future project, and how you can help. Our unique British Insect Collection includes butterflies, beetles, bees, flies, fleas and more! This page tells you more about our fundraising goals of conservation, public engagement, and the restoration of the Museum's Westwood Room.

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Crunchy on the Outside

Crunchy on the outside: a blog for young entomologists from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Our team will be sharing news about insects and the natural world, people who work with insects and help to protect them, the work behind the scenes at the Museum, and new things for you to make and do.

Two mammal skulls facing one another against a dark background and a five pence piece for scale

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Rare Jurassic mammal from Scotland is a new species

Our research fellow Elsa Panciroli tells us about a new species of mammal from the time of dinosaurs that she and colleagues have described based on rare fossils from Scotland.

Collections highlights

Discover some of the most important specimens and displays in the Museum, chosen by our collections managers.

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Collections Online

Search half a million records from the Museum’s specimen, object and archive collections.

Watch video podcasts

Temple of Science

A new series celebrating the Museum's unique fusion of architecture, science and art.

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Museum stories

Delve into stories from the past seven years of the Museum's activities on our More than a Dodo blog, with new articles added regularly.

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Learning Zone

Our Learning Zone provides interactive games and tests based around the core national curriculum. Perfect for primary schools.

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First Animals

The online version of our most recent First Animals exhibtion which tells the story of how animal life first evolved in the oceans over half a billion years ago. Please note that the gallery exhibition is now closed.

Past exhibitions

Microsites for our previous temporary exhibitions, featuring videos and interactives on subjects including the brain, bacteria, and genetics and migration.