The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is a world-renowned museum of art and archaeology, and it is one of the top cultural attractions in the city. It was founded in 1683, making it the oldest public museum in the UK, and it has an extensive collection of art and artefacts from across the world, spanning from ancient to modern times.

The museum is spread across five floors, and the exhibits are grouped by period and theme, making it easy to navigate and explore. The collections include objects from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Near East, as well as European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The museum also has an impressive collection of Asian art, including Chinese ceramics, Japanese prints, and Indian textiles.

Among many riches, it has the world’s greatest collection of Raphael drawings and works by other Renaissance artists, such as Botticell and Titian, the only great Minoan collection in Britain, and the foremost collection of modern Chinese paintings in the Western world. The museum also has an extensive collection of contemporary art, including works by modern masters like Pablo Picasso.

In addition to its permanent collections, the Ashmolean Museum hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing works from other museums and private collections around the world. The museum also offers a range of educational programs, including lectures, tours, and workshops, for people of all ages.

Visitors to the Ashmolean Museum can easily spend several hours exploring the exhibits and taking in the wealth of art and artefacts on display. The museum has a cafe and restaurant with a rooftop terrace that offers panoramic views of the city, making it an ideal destination for a day out in Oxford.

The Ashmolean is Oxford University’s museum of art and archaeology and is one of the four University museums (along with the Museum of the History of Science, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum. Together with the Bodleian Libraries and Botanic Gardens and Harcourt Arboretum, they form the Oxford University’s Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) group.

Opening hours

The museum is open every day from 10.00am to 5.00pm (last entry at 4.45pm).

Café, rooftop restaurant and gift shop

Facilities at the Ashmolean include a café, a rooftop restaurant with both indoor seating and a terrace offering city views, and a well-stocked gift shop. The rooftop restaurant serves lunch and afternoon tea, and it is advisable to book in advance, particularly during weekends or school holidays.

Admission

General admission is free.

Charges may apply for ticketed temporary exhibitions.

Walk-up tickets are available on the door, but to guarantee entry at busy times, and to avoid waiting, booking tickets in advance is recommended. Booking is essential for major exhibitions.

Entry to ticketed temporary exhibitions is free for Ashmolean Members.

Getting there

The Ashmolean Museum is centrally located on Beaumont Street, making it easily accessible by multiple modes of transport.

• By train, Oxford Station is just over a mile away, and from there visitors can take a short taxi ride or enjoy a 20-minute walk into the city centre.
• Several bus services stop nearby, including routes running along George Street and St Giles, providing convenient connections from across Oxford and surrounding towns.
• For those travelling by car, there are limited parking spaces nearby, including Blue Badge bays directly outside the museum, with additional public car parks within walking distance.
• Cyclists will find secure cycle parking available close to the museum entrance, allowing easy access for those exploring Oxford on two wheels.

Accessibility information

The Ashmolean is committed to providing full access to all visitors.

• Step-free access is available from the pavement outside the main entrance, and powered doors facilitate entry.
• Lifts connect all floors, and manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge from the main entrance.
• Blue Badge parking spaces are provided directly outside the museum and nearby streets.
• Accessible toilets are located on multiple floors, and the museum welcomes guide and assistance animals.
• Induction loops are installed at key locations, including the main desk and the Headley Lecture Theatre, to assist visitors with hearing impairments.
• Quiet and calm spaces are available throughout the museum, including selected galleries with subdued lighting and comfortable seating, as well as a lower-ground floor area with creative activities for families and young children.
• Social guides and other support materials are available for visitors with additional needs, and carers can obtain free tickets where applicable.