Oxford Museum of Natural History - Image courtesy ofMagnus D

Oxford Free Self-Guided Museums Waking Tour (+ Map)

If you're visiting Oxford just for the day, you might want to explore the city and its colleges and museums at your own pace. Here's how.

If you enjoy visiting museums, then Oxford is the perfect destination. Here, you will find some of the best in the world, including the Ashmolean (Brit’s first public museum and a mecca for art and archaeology lovers), the Natural History Museum, and the History of Science Museum – all of which offer memorable experiences for people of all ages. In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting Oxford’s museums, including a handy map for planning your own self-guided visit.

Oxford Museums Free Self-Guided Walking Tour

Let’s start with a quick summary of what you can see in this image. There are two main components to this free self-guided walking tour covering Oxford museums (long name, I know!):

In purple: This is the path I would recommend you follow to see the best of the city AND the most recommended museums in Oxford. If you want to learn more about this path, you can check my other (and way more thorough) self-guided walking tour guide, which you can use to get to know Oxford at your own pace. 

In pink (or fuchsia, really): These are the best museums. I’ve included a few pictures for the four most popular ones (Ashmolean, Natural History, Modern Art, and Science Museum) and also added some smaller circles of other museums you can visit if you have time. These are a little more specific. For example, Pitt Rivers is an anthropology museum and Christ Chuch picture gallery is, as its name indicates, an art gallery. 

Oxford Museums Walking Tour
Directions and Stops

Here are the basic instructions for doing the walking tour, including the attractions you can see as you move from museum to museum:

Starting Point: Ashmolean Museum

  • Begin your tour at the Ashmolean Museum, located on Beaumont Street. Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean is the oldest public museum in the world and a treasure trove of art and archaeology. Highlights include the Egyptian galleries, the Pre-Raphaelite collection, and the world-renowned Uccello’s The Hunt in the Forest. Spend some time wandering through the various collections that span millennia, from ancient civilizations to contemporary art.
    • Must-See: The Alfred Jewel, the Parthenon sculptures, and the Ashmolean’s collection of Islamic art.

Next Stop: Museum of the History of Science

  • From the Ashmolean, head down Broad Street to the Museum of the History of Science, housed in the Old Ashmolean building. This museum is a hidden gem, showcasing an impressive collection of scientific instruments, including astrolabes, sundials, and the blackboard used by Albert Einstein during his lectures at Oxford. The museum offers fascinating insights into the development of science over the centuries.
    • Must-See: Einstein’s blackboard, the first microscope, and the early chemistry set.

Third Stop: Pitt Rivers Museum

  • A short walk from Broad Street will take you to the Pitt Rivers Museum, located at the back of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History on Parks Road. The Pitt Rivers Museum is known for its extraordinary collection of anthropological and archaeological artifacts from around the world. The museum’s unique layout, with its dense displays and cabinets filled with objects, offers an immersive experience that feels like stepping into a different world.
    • Must-See: The shrunken heads, the totem poles, and the extensive collection of masks.

Fourth Stop: Oxford University Museum of Natural History

  • Connected to the Pitt Rivers Museum is the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. This Gothic Revival building is not only architecturally stunning but also home to a fascinating collection of natural history specimens. From dinosaur skeletons to the famous Oxford Dodo, the museum is a favorite for visitors of all ages.
    • Must-See: The Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, the Oxford Dodo, and the collection of minerals and gemstones.

Final Stop: Modern Art Oxford

  • To finish your walking tour, head back towards the city center to visit Modern Art Oxford on Pembroke Street. This contemporary art gallery is known for its cutting-edge exhibitions and installations by both emerging and established artists. The gallery also hosts a variety of events, talks, and workshops, making it a dynamic space for contemporary art lovers.
    • Must-See: Check the current exhibition schedule, as it changes regularly.

Here’s a detailed map to make the walking tour easier to follow. You can click on this link to open it in your own maps app:

What You Shouldn't Miss in This Self-Guided Oxford Museums Walking Tour

I’ve chosen the “best” Oxford museums based on three things. First, their cultural and historical importance. Second, how popular they are for visitors. And third, how much I like them myself! So, let’s see what you can encounter as you walk the city at your own pace.

Modern Art Oxford

Modern Art Oxford

Modern Art Oxford is a contemporary art space with exhibitions, events, projects, and online activities in the city of Oxford.

History of Science Museum

History of Science Museum

The History of Science Museum holds a large collection of scientific instruments ranging from Middle Ages to the 19th century.

And here are the other museums you can visit when you’re in Oxford and doing your own free self-guided walking tour of the city and its sorrounding areas:

The Oxfordshire Museum

The Oxfordshire Museum

The Oxfordshire Museum is located in Woodstock and tells the story of the County of Oxfordshire through galleries and exhibitions.

The Story Museum - Oxford

The Story Museum

The Story Museum in Oxford has immersive exhibitions and gallery spaces. They do events and outreach work to celebrate stories.

Museum of Oxford

Museum of Oxford

The Museum of Oxford is dedicated to telling the story of the city and its people. It has classical and modern art, artifacts, and tools.

Pitt Rivers Museum - Oxford

Pitt Rivers Museum

The Pitt Rivers Museum displays the archaeological and anthropological collections of the University of Oxford.

Un-Missable Stops in an Oxford Walking Tour

As I mentioned, I have this other self-guided walking tour that includes colleges, parks, shops, and other points of interest. Below, you’ll find some of the most popular Oxford attractions and how to visit them. 

Oxford Colleges

Oxford University - St John's College. Image courtesy of Billy Wilson.

St John’s College

A constituent college of the University of Oxford, St John’s College was founded in 1555 as a men’s college but turned coeducational later.

Oxford Colleges - Keble College. Image courtesy of David Nicholls.

Keble College

Keble College is one of the University of Oxford’s constituent colleges. It is located on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum.

Oxford Christ Church College - Image courtesy ofArnaud Malon

Christ Church College

Christ Church is college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII and is one of the larger colleges.

Oxford University - Brasenose College. Image courtesy of Billy Wilson.

Brasenose College

Oxford University’s Brasenose College (BNC) was founded in 1509 and is home to one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world.

Oxford Colleges: All Souls. How to Visit & What to See

All Souls College

All Souls College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. It was founded by Henry VI and it has no undergraduate members.

Oxford Libraries

A view of Oxford Radcliffe Camera

Radcliffe Camera

Radcliffe Camera is a neo-classical style building inside Oxford University, built from 1737 to 1749 for the Radcliffe Science Library.

Bodleian Library - Entrance. Image courtesy of Billy Wilson.

Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library is one of Oxford’s most famous landmarks. Among the oldest in Europe, it’s easy to visit and incredible to see.

Oxford Shops

Shops to See in Oxford: Blackwell's Bookshop. A Massive Historical Store. Image courtesy of Chuca Cimas.

Blackwell’s Bookshop

Blackwell’s Bookshop first opened its doors in 1879 on Broad Street, Oxford. They have been trading continuously from there ever since.

Shops to See in Oxford: The Shop of Secrets. Harry Potter Collectibles.

The Shop of Secrets

The Shop of Secrets is Oxford’s chamber of Harry Potter collectibles and merch. A shopping must-to in the city, this is why you should visit.

Oxford Shopping: Alice's Shop

Alice’s Shop

Alice’s Shop is a little shop placed exactly where Alice Liddell (the “real” Alice that inspired the books) used to buy sweets.

Parks and Meadows

Oxford University Parks. Image courtesy of Piers Nye via Flickr Commons.

Oxford University Parks

Oxford University Parks (or University Parks) is a large park area northeast of the city. The park is open to the public during the day.

Oxford's Port Meadow - Image courtesy of Danny Chapman

Port Meadow

Port Meadow is a large open space in the north of Oxford. The River Thames flows through its heart and the plains are home to many animals.

Oxford Christ Church Meadow - Image courtesy of Matthias Rosenkranz

Christ Church Meadow

Christ Church meadow is open to the public all year round. This open space in the heart of Oxford is an ideal choice for recreation.

Learn More About Oxford

Organised and Specialised Walking Tours

Oxford also offers specialized tours for those with particular interests. For example, food tours combine historical exploration with stops at local eateries, allowing you to sample traditional British fare and local delicacies. There are also ghost tours that explore the darker, more mysterious side of Oxford, taking you to sites associated with legends and spooky tales.

Do you want to feature your tours? Check out our advertising plans or use our contact form to find out more.

These tours were designed by me (an Oxford resident) and include maps and detailed descriptions of the key sites, allowing you to tailor your experience to your interests. I’ve included some options for routes through the historic university colleges, literary trails, walks along the scenic River Thames, museum tours, and more.

Things to Do in Oxford

Discover fun and interesting activities in the city of Oxford and its surrounding areas, including sports, entertainment, historic places museums, and much more.