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Oxford University Museum of Natural History

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What's on
Research
Collections
Learn
Blog
Support
- Support
- Working for us

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Exhibitions

Cambrian ocean scene

First Animals

12 July 2019 - 24 February 2020

The remarkable story of the origin of animals

Current and upcoming displays

Show events from

Show events to

Charlie Davies - Cambrian Seas

12 July 2019 - 24 February 2020

First Impressions

Oxford Printmakers Co-operative's work inspired by the First Animals exhibition

the dying embers wytham display

6th November 2019 to 30 April 2020

The Dying Embers: The Demise of the Ash

Consider the future of ash trees in the UK with Ash dieback in this display by Wytham Woods exploring folklore, ecology, and citizen science project you can be part of.

westwood pres case euterpe terea

6 November 2019 to 8 January 2020

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

From scrappy doodles to beautifully coloured plates: tracing the creative process through the entomological illustrations of John Obadiah Westwood

Presenting case

piltdown needs cropping

9 January 2020 to 8th Match 2020

The Piltdown Hoax

Piltdown Man is one of the best known hoaxes in the history of science. For over 40 years the so-called “missing link” between other apes and humans endured. This display will show the specimen that finally exposed the hoax in this scientific whodunnit.

Presenting case

ltac4

1 Feb 2020 to 30 April 2020

Let's Talk About Climate

A taster of the thoughts and discussions from our recent climate change workshops with young people

thumbnail

9 March to 10 May 2020

Captivating Crystals

A showcase of fine mineral specimens from around the world

Presenting case

butteflies light touch

View all of our past exhibitions

Upcoming events

Charlie Davies - Cambrian Seas

First Impressions

Oxford Printmakers Co-operative's work inspired by the First Animals exhibition

the dying embers wytham display

The Dying Embers: The Demise of the Ash

Consider the future of ash trees in the UK with Ash dieback in this display by Wytham Woods exploring folklore,...

Consider the future of ash trees in the UK with Ash dieback in this display by Wytham Woods exploring folklore, ecology, and citizen science project you can be part of.

Consider the future of ash trees in the UK with Ash dieback in this display by Wytham Woods exploring folklore, ecology, and citizen science project you can be part of.

Consider the future of ash trees in the UK with Ash dieback in this display by Wytham Woods exploring folklore, ecology, and citizen science project you can be part of.

westwood pres case euterpe terea

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

From scrappy doodles to beautifully coloured plates: tracing the creative process through the entomological illustrations...

From scrappy doodles to beautifully coloured plates: tracing the creative process through the entomological illustrations of John Obadiah Westwood

From scrappy doodles to beautifully coloured plates: tracing the creative process through the entomological illustrations of John Obadiah Westwood

From scrappy doodles to beautifully coloured plates: tracing the creative process through the entomological illustrations of John Obadiah Westwood

Presenting case

tarantula hands

Spotlight Specimen

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for...

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

Marrella splendens, the most common arthropod from the Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale on Fossil Ridge, British Columbia.

The Cambrian Explosion: The Evidence of Exceptionally Preserved Fossils

Yale University's Professor Derek Briggs on the discovery of soft-bodied fossils which reveal remarkable animal...

Yale University's Professor Derek Briggs on the discovery of soft-bodied fossils which reveal remarkable animal evolution over 500 million years ago.

Yale University's Professor Derek Briggs on the discovery of soft-bodied fossils which reveal remarkable animal evolution over 500 million years ago.

Yale University's Professor Derek Briggs on the discovery of soft-bodied fossils which reveal remarkable animal evolution over 500 million years ago.

Free, but must book. Suitable for adults and young people.

Hands on

Spotlight Specimen

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for...

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

Carved botanical capital depicting British ferns

Architecture tours

Take a free volunteer-led tour to learn about the Museum’s Grade 1-listed building.

fossils bones public

Object Handling

Handle objects related to our displays and exhibitions

family friendly sundays photo

Family Friendly Sundays

Family friendly trails, crafts, backpacks and more, all provided by Museum volunteers. Drop in.

tarantula hands

Spotlight Specimen

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for...

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

Curious cubs

Pick up an activity bag and explore the Museum with some of our furry friends. Drop in. Free. Suitable for under...

Pick up an activity bag and explore the Museum with some of our furry friends. Drop in. Free. Suitable for under 5s.

Pick up an activity bag and explore the Museum with some of our furry friends. Drop in. Free. Suitable for under 5s.

Pick up an activity bag and explore the Museum with some of our furry friends. Drop in. Free. Suitable for under 5s.

Charles Darwin insects in Oxford

Spotlight Specimen

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for...

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

An informal specimen show-and-tell in the Museum court. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts. Suitable for all. Drop in.

Collections

Mineralogy and Petrology

Using our collections

Primary schools

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Explore the University of Oxford’s other gardens, libraries and museums

Ashmolean

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History of Science Museum

Museum of Natural History

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