Oxford University Museum of Natural History
About
Nestled within the heart of one of the world’s most prestigious universities, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History is a treasure trove of scientific wonder and historical curiosity. Housed in a stunning neo-Gothic building, this museum offers visitors a remarkable journey through the natural world, with its vast collections of fossils, minerals, and taxidermy that tell the story of our planet’s rich and diverse history. Each corner of the museum reveals something new and intriguing, whether it’s the skeleton of a dinosaur, an array of sparkling gems, or the hauntingly beautiful remains of extinct species.
Currently, the museum hosts a variety of fascinating exhibitions. The "First Animals" exhibit invites you to peer into the distant past and discover the earliest life forms that inhabited Earth over half a billion years ago. From unique fossils to carefully constructed models, this exhibition brings these ancient creatures to life. Meanwhile, "Biodiversity Explored" delves into the incredible variety of life on our planet, reminding us of the importance of conservation through dazzling displays of birds, insects, and marine life.
Another temporary highlight is the "A Slice of Time" exhibit, which offers visitors a chance to explore the science of tree rings and climate. It’s an interactive and visually stunning display that combines history, climate science, and natural artistry, showing the evolution of landscapes and environments over thousands of years.
A fascinating piece of trivia: The Oxford University Museum of Natural History is home to the very first remains of the dodo, one of the most famous creatures to ever go extinct. This is the only location in the world where you can see actual remnants of this legendary bird, which was first examined by biologists within these very walls. This unique piece of scientific history offers an intimate connection to one of nature’s most mythical figures, making the museum a must-visit experience.
Audio Tours
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Exhibitions
Permanent Exhibitions
OXFORD UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Return to Oxfordshire's Jurassic Highway Excavations to uncover Europe’s longest sauropod dinosaur trackway continued in Oxfordshire this summer. Click to read more
Excavations to uncover Europe’s longest sauropod dinosaur trackway continued in Oxfordshire this summer.
Moth X Human
Autism Friendly Opening
Stories in Stone
Bat Trail
Shop for dinosaurs!
From knitted a T.rex to a silver T.rex necklace, search our online shop's dinosaur collection to find the perfect gift. Free UK delivery on orders over £40.
Swifts Diary 2025
Monday 8 September They have gone, the last young swift was seen to leave on the 5th September so this concludes the swift diary for 2025. It's always sad when the last one leaves but at least we know that they will return next May.
From 'Flying Steed' to High Speed
The introduction and expansion of the British railway network in the first half of the 19th century revolutionised travel and the transport of goods across the country. Aside from transforming transportation, the cuttings for the new railway lines revealed rock outcrops that had never before been seen – and, in turn, unveiled a wealth of palaeontological discoveries.
Discover Mineralogy and Petrology
The mineralogy and petrology collections include over 30,000 mineral specimens of global provenance and over 100,000 petrological samples including research suites, historic collections and excellent individual examples of various rock types. The collections also encompass gemstones, meteorites and decorative stone.
Creativity in Conservation
The Conservation Optimism Short Film Festival
Gemstones
Delve into this colourful display in the Upper Gallery, featuring beautiful gemstones and an incredible variety of jewellery design.
Palaeontology
Our palaeontology collections include one of the world’s most important collections of Middle Jurassic dinosaurs; exceptionally preserved specimens with intact soft tissues; and enigmatic fossils representing the earliest complex multicellular organisms. It features around 400,000 fossils, ranging from the Archean, ~2.7 billion years ago, to the end of the Pleistocene, 11,700 years ago.
Trilobite Wall
The oceans were once filled with trilobites, ancient animals that are some of the first creatures with hard parts found in the fossil record. A giant slab of rock preserves a natural gathering of three types of trilobite, as well as many brittle stars.
Our online shop is open! Take home the wonders of the world of Natural History.
Arthropods and their huge diversity of size
Earth’s five mass extinctions
The incredible diversity of 'skin'
Research
Oxford University Museum of Natural History has been a centre of world-leading research and scientific debate since it opened in 1860.
History
The Museum building is as spectacular today as when it opened in 1860. Learn more about the world's first purpose-built natural history museum.
Collections
The Museum has over seven million historical and modern specimens encompassing the natural world.
Learn
The Museum offers a range of learning experiences for different audiences through online activities, in-museum sessions, and self-guided visits.
The Oxford dinosaur that started it all
Did you know that the Museum's own Megalosaurus was the first dinosaur to be named and described?
Venue Hire
Set in the heart of a historic university city, Oxford University Museum of Natural History provides an inspiring backdrop for a wide range of private events. This characterful neogothic building dates back to the 1850s and is home to over seven million natural history specimens.
Careers and Volunteering
Discover vacancies, volunteering, internships, and bursary placements!
Entry to the Museum is FREE
We rely on the generous support of the public to fund our events and exhibitions.
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