Art and archaeology in Oxford

Visiting the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford

Explore the University of Oxford's world-class museum of art and archaeology.

ArtHistoryArchitectureLocal heritage

Discover world-famous art and archaeology at the world's oldest public museum. From ancient Egyptian mummies to contemporary paintings, you can explore galleries spanning multiple departments, including Eastern art, coins, and Western masterpieces.

The University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology, displaying global treasures from antiquity to modern times.

About the Ashmolean Museum

Founded in 1683 in Oxford's City Centre, the Ashmolean Museum is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology. Its world-renowned collections span millennia, tracing human history from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art. Visitors can explore vast treasures of antiquities, coins, and Eastern and Western art that bring global heritage to life.

Neoclassical facade of the Ashmolean Museum with a columned portico, triangular pediment with a statue on top, and two teal banners reading MUSEUM and ASHMOLEAN hanging between the columns

Ashmolean Museum opening hours in Oxford

Check today’s opening status, weekly schedule, and special date changes for Ashmolean Museum. Use these opening hours to plan your arrival and avoid closed times in Oxford.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

10:00-17:00

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Ashmolean Museum Admission and Tickets

Admission to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is free for visitors, with general admission tickets costing nothing. While pre-booking is recommended to secure entry, it is not required, and visitors can access the collections without a prior booking. This free entry also extends to children, ensuring an accessible experience for families exploring the galleries.

General Admission

Free

No booking required Pre-booking is recommended but not required

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Visitor Amenities and Facilities

The Ashmolean Museum provides several on-site amenities to support a comfortable visitor experience in Oxford. Guests can enjoy access to dining options including a café and restaurant, as well as a gift shop. To assist with navigating the collections and planning a visit, the museum offers both audio guides and downloadable floor plans.

Café

Available

Restaurant

Available

Audio Guides

Available

PDF Floor Plan

Available

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Family visits at the Ashmolean Museum

The Ashmolean Museum provides various engaging resources to help families explore its collections, ranging from thematic explorer packs to interactive digital guides. Visitors can access hands-on activities, seasonal workshops, and self-guided trails designed to foster learning through play. Further information regarding age-specific sessions and facility details is available to help plan your visit.

The Ashmolean Museum offers a variety of engaging resources for families, including interactive digital guides, themed trails, and recurring workshops designed to explore history through play and creativity.

Why families will enjoy it

Regular Summer Family Friday workshops featuring creative activities.
Hands-on coin handling and interactive history games in the Money Gallery.
Themed leaflet trails and explorer packs available from the Welcome Desk.
A dedicated family lunch room available on weekends and throughout school holidays.

Activities and resources for children

Interactive experience

Ashmolean Adventure

PaidBooking required

A multimedia digital guide designed for an interactive family experience.

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Kids audio guide

Myths & Legends Audio Guide

Ages 8+Paid

An audio guide narrated by art historian Janina Ramirez focusing on mythical tales.

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Family program

Summer Family Fridays

Free

Free recurring workshops held during the summer holidays.

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Accessing the Ashmolean Museum with a pass

Visitors can access the Ashmolean Museum using an active membership pass. Depending on the specific pass held, access may be granted through discounted entry to the collections and exhibitions in Oxford. Please check the individual pass terms to confirm the specific benefits and requirements that apply to your visit.

National Art Pass

Annual membership offering access and exhibition discounts for culture enthusiasts.

Utilize your Art Fund membership to gain discounted or free entry to various museums, palaces, and contemporary art spaces across Oxford. This pass facilitates a deeper cultural engagement with the city's unique array of university collections and historic landmarks.

Accepted here6 pass options

From £39.75

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Ashmolean Museum Location in Oxford City Centre

The Ashmolean Museum is situated on Beaumont Street in Oxford's historic City Centre, making it easily accessible for visitors exploring England's famous university city. This central position places the institution within walking distance of many historic colleges and local landmarks. Its convenient location allows guests to easily pair a museum visit with wider city sightseeing.

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Planning Your Visit to the Ashmolean Museum

When planning your visit to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford's City Centre, booking a reservation in advance is highly recommended to ensure smooth entry. Securing your ticket ahead of time helps streamline your arrival, allowing you to fully enjoy the diverse art and archaeology collections at your own pace. Visitors are advised to check entry requirements before setting out for a hassle-free experience.

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Art and Archaeology at the Ashmolean Museum

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford showcases human history through art and archaeology, spanning from antiquity to the modern era. Visitors can explore renowned collections, including ancient Egyptian mummies, cast galleries, coins, and Western masterpieces. The experience is enriched by hands-on coin handling, guided gallery tours, and digital adventure games designed for families. Authentic tea ceremonies are hosted in a Japanese tea house, while the rooftop restaurant offers terrace dining. This historic institution seamlessly connects global heritage with public engagement.

Impressionist painting of people walking on a garden path surrounded by trees with dappled sunlight.

Top exhibition picks at Ashmolean Museum

Curated museum program highlights and what to see now in Oxford

Discover high-interest exhibitions at Ashmolean Museum, selected to help you prioritize your route, compare show themes, and plan a more rewarding museum visit in Oxford.

Watercolor illustration of botanical sketches, flowers in glass vases, and greenhouse plants, representing the In Bloom exhibition theme.

From Mar 19, 2026

In Bloom Exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford

Exploring the global history and art of botany

Discover the global stories behind beloved flowers through over 100 artworks and objects. Learn how early plant exploration, trade, and botanical art permanently altered our modern landscapes and cultural practices.

In Bloom Exhibition

From Mar 28, 2026

Ashmolean NOW Exhibition featuring Soma Surovi Jannat at the Ashmolean Museum

A debut UK solo exhibition addressing global environmental challenges.

See new works by artist-in-residence Soma Surovi Jannat at the Ashmolean Museum. Her drawings and paintings investigate the climate crisis by drawing connections between historical collections and the threatened Sundarbans mangrove forest.

Exhibition Details

Purple watercolor illustration of a classical statue of the goddess Aphrodite wearing a crown and draped robes, standing within a stone archway.

From Oct 8, 2026

Discover the Aphrodite Exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum

Sculptures, bronzes, and gems tracing three millennia of mythology

Learn about the complex history of the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and desire through more than 200 historical objects. Examine archaeological findings alongside international artworks that continue to shape cultural imagination.

Aphrodite Exhibition

Purple watercolor painting of a Renaissance still life featuring a stringed instrument, a goblet, and patterned fabric, evoking the exhibition's sensory themes.

From Jun 4, 2027

Renaissance Worlds Art Exhibition at Ashmolean Museum

Explore the sensory landscape of art and global exchange

Discover how artists like Raphael and Dürer captured the sensory experience of an expanding world. View a diverse collection of historic textiles, paintings, and musical instruments.

Renaissance Worlds Exhibition

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History and Origins of the Ashmolean Museum

Established in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is recognized as Britain's **first public museum**. The institution was founded to house Elias Ashmole's collection in a dedicated building completed in 1683. Architect Charles Cockerell later designed the classical-style Beaumont Street building, constructed between 1841 and 1845. Following a major redevelopment from 2006 to 2009, the museum doubled its display space to better showcase its collections spanning millennia.

Establishment of the museum in 1683
1683Founding
The Ashmolean Museum, recognized as Britain's first public museum, was established in 1683 to house the collection of curiosities gifted to the University of Oxford by Elias Ashmole in 1677.
Construction of the original building
1678-1683Construction
The museum's first building, located on Broad Street and sometimes attributed to Sir Christopher Wren, was constructed between 1678 and 1683 to accommodate the donated collection.
Construction of the Beaumont Street building
1841-1845Construction
The present building on Beaumont Street was designed by architect Charles Cockerell in a classical style and was constructed between 1841 and 1845.
Major redevelopment and reopening
2006-2009Renovation
Between 2006 and 2009, the museum underwent a $98.2 million expansion and internal rebuilding designed by Rick Mather, which doubled the display space before the building reopened on 7 November 2009.
Establishment of Egypt and Nubia galleries
2011Milestone
In November 2011, the museum unveiled new galleries dedicated to Ancient Egypt and Nubia, which increased the exhibition capacity for coffins and mummies.
Redisplay of Victorian art galleries
2016Milestone
In May 2016, the museum opened new galleries focused on Victorian art, allowing for the re-exhibition of the Great Bookcase, a notable example of Victorian painted furniture.
Designation as Britain's first public museum
Cultural significance
The Ashmolean Museum is historically significant as the first public museum in Britain and the world's second university museum, founded following the University of Basel's institution in 1661.

Ashmolean Museum FAQs: Free Entry and Practical Mysteries

Can you really enjoy world-class art in Oxford without spending a single penny? Yes, general admission to the Ashmolean Museum is entirely free, though booking ahead is still a very smart move to secure your spot. Dive into our quick guide to solve the mysteries of ticketing, group visits, and planning your perfect trip.

How do I contact the Ashmolean Museum?

You can contact the Ashmolean Museum through several communication channels including email, phone, an online contact form, and social media, though the specific details for these contact methods are not provided.

What is the email address for Ashmolean Museum customer service?

The contact email address for general inquiries or customer service at the Ashmolean Museum is not currently provided.

What is the Ashmolean Museum phone number?

The official telephone number for the Ashmolean Museum is currently not available in our records.

Do you need a reservation for the Ashmolean Museum?

Booking a reservation in advance is recommended for your visit to the Ashmolean Museum.

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Planning Your Visit to the Ashmolean Museum

Planning ahead can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. To guarantee entry to the galleries, making a reservation in advance is highly recommended. Visitors should allow sufficient time to comfortably explore the expansive collections, which span from ancient civilizations to the modern era. Taking these simple steps beforehand helps reduce uncertainty and ensures a seamless experience at this University of Oxford institution.

Who Should Visit the Ashmolean Museum?

The Ashmolean Museum in the Oxford City Centre is well-suited for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and solo travelers eager to explore global collections spanning from antiquity to the modern era. Families and younger visitors can engage with interactive digital adventure games alongside historical displays, making the venue highly accommodating for all ages. With curatorial departments covering everything from antiquities to Western art, the experience caters to both scholarly researchers and casual sightseers. Visitors can easily tailor their stay, whether they prefer quiet exploration or a structured visit complemented by rooftop dining.

Visual Preview of the Ashmolean Museum

Preview the visual journey waiting at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Images of the venue capture its grand neoclassical exterior, defined by majestic columns and welcoming banners. Inside, the visual story unfolds through close-ups of ancient treasures like marble Roman sculptures and the intricate gold Alfred Jewel, alongside vibrant masterpieces spanning Renaissance and Impressionist paintings.

Oil painting showing a standing woman in a red dress playing a violin while a seated woman in a green dress reads a scroll, set against a landscape background.

Oil painting of a young girl in a blue dress and white blouse sitting on a wooden chair holding a fan, with a stove visible in the background.

Paolo Uccello's Annunciation painting showing the angel Gabriel kneeling before the Virgin Mary in a blue arcade, with God the Father and a choir of angels above against a gold background.

Renaissance painting of the Virgin Mary in a red dress and black veil holding the Christ child in a yellow tunic, set against a landscape background.

White marble Roman statue of a winged youth Eros leaning on a tall column against a dark red background

Oil painting of a village landscape with white houses, green trees, and rolling hills under a cloudy sky.

The Alfred Jewel, an ornate Anglo-Saxon gold and enamel artifact with a rock crystal cover depicting a robed figure in green and blue enamel, set in a teardrop-shaped gold filigree frame with an animal-head terminal, against a black background

Classical stone building with tall columns supporting a triangular pediment topped with a statue, entrance steps with people walking, banners hanging from columns, and a courtyard with railings under a partly cloudy sky.

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Guides, visitor info, and museum details in Oxford

Find everything about Ashmolean Museum in one place, including tickets, opening hours, current exhibitions, location details, visitor tips, nearby attractions, and the latest museum updates. Use these pages to plan your visit, discover what to see, and get practical information before you go.

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