The Pitt Rivers Museum and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History are two of Oxford’s most interesting museums – and they share the same building! Together, they take you on a journey from the story of the Earth to the creativity of people all around the world.
The Museum of Natural History, opened in 1860, is a beautiful Gothic building filled with huge dinosaur skeletons, sparkling gems, and amazing fossils. It’s a place to learn about science, animals, and the history of life on our planet.
Just behind it, through a small doorway, you’ll find the Pitt Rivers Museum – full of fascinating objects from every continent. You can see masks, musical instruments, weapons, and jewellery, all shown in tall glass cases that make it feel like a treasure room from the past.
This visit is more than just looking at old things. It’s about discovering how nature and people have changed each other over time, and how human imagination connects us across cultures.
0:00 – Meet at Ruskin College for a welcome and safety briefing by Activity Leaders.
0:05 – Depart Ruskin College and travel by public transport to the Pitt Rivers and Natural History Museums.
0:30 – Arrive at the Museum of Natural History and gather outside the main entrance.
0:35 – Activity Leader gives an introduction to the two museums and their history.
0:40 – Begin exploring the Museum of Natural History (self-guided visit).
1:10 – Move through to the Pitt Rivers Museum for the second part of the visit.
1:40 – Regroup near the museum entrance for a wrap-up and group photo.
1:45 – Prepare for departure; students gather belongings and use restrooms if needed.
1:50 – Leave the museum and begin the return journey by public transport.
2:15 – Arrive back at Ruskin College.
In the Natural History Museum, you’ll see enormous dinosaur skeletons that once lived in Oxfordshire. These fossils help scientists understand what life looked like millions of years ago.
Look out for: The Megalosaurus – the first dinosaur ever named by scientists!
Fun fact: The word dinosaur means “terrible lizard”, but dinosaurs are actually more closely related to birds than to modern reptiles.
The Dodo is one of the museum’s most famous exhibits. Once found only on the island of Mauritius, this bird became extinct in the 1600s. The museum’s remains helped scientists understand how quickly species can disappear.
Look out for: The real Dodo bones in the glass case – one of the only known soft-tissue specimens in the world.
Fun fact: The Dodo became extinct less than 100 years after people discovered it, mainly because humans and their animals destroyed its habitat.
Inside the Pitt Rivers Museum, you’ll find amazing objects from cultures all around the world. These include clothing, jewellery, tools, and even the famous “shrunken heads”.
Look out for: How similar objects from different countries are displayed together – like masks or musical instruments.
Fun fact: The museum no longer displays the real shrunken heads; they’ve been returned to their communities. What you see now are replicas used for learning.
The Natural History Museum is a work of art on its own. Its iron pillars look like trees, and the glass roof fills the space with light. Every detail celebrates the beauty of nature.
Look out for: The stone carvings of plants and animals decorating the columns and arches.
Fun fact: The museum hosted the famous 1860 debate about Charles Darwin’s new theory of evolution!
Natural History Museum Highlights
Look out for: skeletons from species once found in Oxfordshire, including Megalosaurus – the first dinosaur ever named by scientists.
Fun fact: When Megalosaurus was described in 1824, people still imagined dinosaurs as giant lizards walking on all fours.
Look out for: the huge ammonite fossils near the central aisle.
Fun fact: Oxford used to be underwater, which is why so many sea fossils were found nearby.
Look out for: how each column is made from a different type of British stone.
Fun fact: Many of the carved animals and plants were made by artists who were learning about nature as they carved it.
Pitt Rivers Museum Highlights
A famous space filled with objects from many societies around the world.
Look out for: how items are arranged by type (weapons, clothing, musical instruments) instead of by continent.
Fun fact: General Pitt-Rivers believed this layout helped people compare how different groups solved similar problems.
A wide range of masks, ceremonial items and artistic traditions.
Look out for: the large masks hanging high above the cases.
Fun fact: Many objects here were collected in the 1800s and early 1900s. The museum now works to explain their histories and the ethical questions around collecting.
Some cases include objects connected to life, death and belief.
Look out for: signs that explain the cultural meaning of these items and why they are displayed with care.
Fun fact: The museum regularly reviews how it cares for and presents sensitive material, working with communities connected to the objects.