Visited the museum while in Oxford for the day. Lots of history and neat exhibits to visit. We…read moresaw insects, fossils and tons of other things, almost too many to list. The day of our visit, there were a few schools visiting but everyone we encountered from the staff to the young preschool students were friendly and considerate. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Oxford.

A museum of natural history would generally be on my list of "museums I don't wish to visit" but…read morethe Oxford Museum of Natural History proved that I barely know myself. First, it's free of charge which automatically makes it attractive. But though free may get me in the door it won't guarantee I'll enjoy it. This museum isn't just free but it is also gorgeous and interesting, a real home run. And, in the event that Natural History isn't your jam even here, this place contains the portal to the almost indescribable Pitt Rivers Museum (also free). One of these is bound to be your happy place.

This is a wonderful quirky space. Like the attic of your eccentric uncle who travelled widely,…read morebrought back whatever he could carry, then carefully catalogued everything (idiosyncratically) and then left it for you to go through--that is, if your uncle was the entirety of the British empire. Can't say enough. You can spend days here and still be saying "did you see THAT?"

We had a great time exploring the Pitt Rivers Museum! There is SO much on display it's almost hard…read moreto take it all in. If you're an anthropology buff, this is your place. So many neat things to see and everything you can imagine, too many to list. From clothing to masks to weapons to toys all from different cultures and different times. We even saw a Totem Pole! Overall a fascinating place to visit, just wish we'd had more time to explore!

For only £3.50 admission to this large former aircraft hangar that is on the site of the former…read moreWoodley Aerodrome, you have the opportunity to see aviation history going back to WWI and up to quite recent technologies. Chock full of aircraft, both full size restorations and many model dioramas and walls covered in articles, stories and various implements of flying history. There are also two full-size planes parked outside which may or may not be visitable depending on weather and mood. There is also a small jet "trainer" suitable for children to ride and play with, supervised carefully by staff. A nice visit for kids, if they are interested in planes and flying, and especially if it is part of a school project. This one has been in my bookmarks list for a few months and only now with my bicycle have I been able to make the trip. It was well worth the wait.

What an amazing place! We happened to see this museum as we…read morewere walking by and were intrigued by their moving signage. Inside there are plenty of machines that whir and perform small tasks or even make music. Lots of interactive things to see and do, buttons to push, pedals to press, even a magnetic marble track you can build yourself! It's a treat for young and old and definitely worth the small entry fee.

The opening hours are stated for October to March. Opening hours from April to September are a…read morelittle longer (10:30 to 18:30 daily). A friend recommended this place to me thinking that my boys would like it. My friend was right! We did all enjoy the interactive displays. The extent of the interactivity is mainly pressing a button though but it's still good. There is an interesting range of mechanical art and my boys and I were fascinated by the mechanisms. It is quite a small place. It cost £19 for the four of us (2 adults and 2 children) which isn't too bad but, considering we spent less than an hour in there and saw everything, it does seem a little expensive. There are two floors. One very small room on each floor displaying different pieces of art. It can get rather crowded due to the small size, especially downstairs where the entrance/exit is the same. In the same small area, there is a counter where there is a single member of staff who both admits people and serves the gift shop. The gift shop is basically a small portion of the wall within the ground floor of the museum. Many items are over-priced and the selection is very limited. We did enjoy ourselves there and would recommend it but it could get claustrophobic and the upstairs can be noisy (although it does state this on the signage).

This is an amazing 2 story museum with all kinds of artifacts from old wedgewood to Egypt's tomb…read moreand artifacts Teapots and tea cups old coins to everything in between. 2 nd floor loads of paintings to look at. Entry is free which is always a plus.

The Fitzwilliam Museum offers a well rounded and varied collection. It is sure to please most…read moremuseum visitors regardless of interests. If you're a fan of the work of Georges-Pierre Seurat, you're sure to enjoy the 1884 Neo-Impressionism painting, "The Couple" (original title: Un dimanche après-midi sur l'île de la Grande Jatte). Does it somehow look familiar? This was a study for A Sunday on the Island of la Grande Jatte! "This work is one of many that Georges-Pierre Seurat made in preparation for a much larger painting. The woman's stiff posture is accentuated by her tightly buttoned jacket and the exaggerated bustle of her skirt, which echoes the curve of her parasol. Given that the area of Paris depicted here was known for prostitution, it has been suggested that the woman is a sex worker on the arm of a male client." Give yourself several hours if you plan to take in the entire collection. If you are fortunate enough to live nearby and can visit often, take your time and you're sure to fall in love with one of the many wonderfully curated items found within the museum walls.

Located in Oxford England,this museum was built back in 1683 and has gone over numerous renovations…read moremaking it one of Britain's first public and oldest museum. Admission is free . You can explore exhibits of ancient Egyptian Mummies , Archaeology Specimens,Arundel Marbles and Modern Art just to name a few. A good way to spend free time while in Oxford.

The Ashmolean was a wonderful surprise during our stay in Oxford. I had heard of the museum and did…read morea little research so I knew what to focus on, but it far surpassed my expectations. There's archeological artifacts, art, and so much more from so many varying parts of the world and times. Best of all, it's FREE! If you're planning a visit to Oxford, carve out some time and be sure to visit the museum. (Great rooftop restaurant to boot)

I went here once on my way to the town centre. It's not a big museum but it's really nicely done…read more There are a lot of old rural life equipment. Some large old machinery, wagons, baskets and carriages etc. I thought it was well documented. The exhibits were well presented and with some short videos you could watch about how the land was cultivated and other interesting bits of facts. It took about 1 hour or less for me to completely but probably longer with children. I think it's especially good for a day out with children as they frequently run activities for kids and have a family oriented set up which you can find on their website. I think everyone going to the university of reading should take a bit of time out to have a look at the museum since admission is FREE :) Definitely worth a visit.

A while since my visit here but the museum is quite extensive and has a lot of interesting material…read moreto see. It is on a couple of floors and the displays naturally concentrate on farming as well as some other aspects of rural life but not all topics are covered. Well worth a visit.

A great museum in the heart of Reading! Must See! The…read moreReading, UK museum is a fantastic place to explore if you're curious about history and local culture. It is located at the southeast corner of Blagrave and Volpy intersection. When I visited, it was under construction but signs directed you toward the entrance. As a new visitor, you'll find it full of interesting things to see and learn about. When you walk in, You are looking at an information counter. The museum is a multi-story affair to the left of the entrance. It was a friendly atmosphere and the staff was very friendly and willing to offer any help to guide you. The museum has a wide variety of exhibits, like ancient artifacts, artwork, and interactive displays. They make history come alive! The bottom floor had a section about the town's history. You can discover how Reading has changed over time, from its beginnings to the present day. It's like taking a journey through time! The 2nd floor had a recreation of the Bayeux tapestry with an explanation that was fascinating. The upper floors have wonderful art pieces including one of the largest Roman Mosaics that I have ever seen intact from the area. In summary, the Reading, UK museum is a welcoming place where you can explore history, art, and culture. Whether you're a history buff or just curious, it's a great spot to visit and learn something new about this charming town. I highly recommend it. Enjoy your visit!

Reading (pronounced like the color, red-ing) is no London, but it does have history and culture…read more Those are collected here, in the Museum of Reading. Going all the way back to the 8th century, the displays here walk you through the ages of the city. I found it very educational and enlightening. Through the old days, up to the modern days of the city that really accelerated with the arrival of the railway in the 1840's, the impact of Huntley and Palmers biscuits on the growth, and the brick factories, WWII, and the new modern age, where Microsoft, Oracle, ING Direct, Prudential have major operations here. Lots of displays, many of which are interactive. If you have kids, this might be a fun place to bring them. Though they probably already come here as part of school trips. While they don't do public guided tours, there's still plenty to look at and engage. You can probably go through the whole place (it's on three floors) in two hours. Admission is free.

Big! Giant! Huge Collection! I think that describes this museum. Be prepared to spend at least half…read moreday here. For fast pace like me, it takes us 3 hours. This museum need reservations ahead of time. It is free to public. The museum is popular, if you try to get in at the day arrive, you have to hope not many reserve the ticket. The museum has a lot room with different regions in the world. Many of the collection even the host country doesn't have it. The Egypt collection includes the many types of mummies. This collection not even the Egypt has it. The entrance basically enter to the round section that connected to the different room. You may need a good leg to walk entire museum. They also have folding chairs that you can use and portable to open at the display.

Late Saturday afternoon in the summer:…read more The Good: *Admission is free! *No cattle crowd lines for security check, I basically walked up. *The new (compared to the original) Grand Courtyard is stunning and a fantastic photo op. *Enlightenment Room 1 is literally the coolest place in the summer. *The Rosetta Stone, Room 4 is a don't miss. *ditto the Tang dynasty figures and China history which was eye-opening in Room 33. Jade story was interesting too in Room 33a. The Bad: *Probably because it's free, the place is super crowded with students, elderly, tourists and large tour groups of all stripes. *The security line was empty because everyone was already inside. *Most of the rooms are hot in summer. I was sweating and clammy. I was surprised people weren't fainting due to the stuffy air. *You have about 10 seconds to see the Rosetta Stone due to the crowd who also don't want to miss it. *Enlightenment Room 1 was filled with people sitting and resting and cooling off in the library-like space. *Special exhibition-Declaring Independence, USA 250 was super small but I guess appropriate given the British lost the war. Room 3. I forgot I had already been to the British Museum 12 years ago. I think I've seen enough but maybe return in the midweek and when it isn't so hot. Sometimes the museum closes early due to the heat.