Pitt Rivers Museum - Image 1

Pitt Rivers Museum

Oxford, United Kingdom•4.7(3.4k)•Art Gallery, Museum

Explore world cultures through an extraordinary collection of ethnography, archaeology, and handcrafted objects with free admission and family-friendly activities.

The Pitt Rivers Museum is a world-renowned institution housing an extensive collection of ethnographic and archaeological artifacts from across the globe. Visitors encounter remarkable objects spanning human creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage, displayed in distinctive Victorian-style galleries that create an immersive and atmospheric experience. The museum is particularly welcoming to families, offering dedicated family trails, craft workshops, and interactive learning resources designed for children from primary school age upwards. Current exhibitions such as "With these Hands: Crafting a Shared Humanity" showcase collaborative displays created with community volunteers, emphasizing the human stories behind objects. The Horsebox Café provides refreshment options, and the venue is pushchair-friendly, making it accessible for families with young children. Visitors benefit from free entry with no booking required for individual visits, making it an excellent choice for repeat exploration. The museum combines rigorous academic research and conservation work with public engagement, offering late-night events and specialized learning programs for schools and community groups. Whether discovering ancient artifacts, understanding global craftsmanship traditions, or participating in hands-on workshops, visitors gain meaningful insights into human culture and creativity.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: 12:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday: 10:00 – 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 – 17:00
Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00

Venue Details

Venue Type

Indoor

Typical visit duration

All day

Booking

Walk-in

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

The Horsebox Café

The Horsebox Coffee Company on the lawn serving hot and cold drinks and homemade cakes. With delicious locally roasted coffee, scrumptious brownies, flapjacks and cookies.

Hours: 8.30 - 17.00 daily

Follow:

Google Reviews

4.7(3.4k reviews)
K
Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones

a month ago

Fantastic, amazing place. Soo oops interesting. To see it all you would need at least half a day if not more. Definitely going back. Plus it's free, they only ask for a small donation, we'll worth it.

A
Alex Meade

Alex Meade

a month ago

Amazing place. Going there was like going back in time. I was there as part of my research into African Musical Artefacts and I found some interesting objects that contributed to my research. Not the best place to take photos and some of the labels were poorly positioned which made reading them difficult but overall a very positive visit. My advice would be to pick one subject to explore because there's so much there you'd probably just end ip overwhelmed if you tried to look at everything. Also it's not open until midday on a Monday so check opening times before you visit.

S
Samina K

Samina K

2 months ago

There are museums that have fabulous collections and they are displayed in an organized manner and then there is the Pitt Rivers Museum - a chaotic display of hundreds of artefacts that are packed on display to create claustrophobia. It is like entering a tomb full of treasures that you feel will avalanche on you. If you can tolerate the utter disorder, then this musuem has some beautiful artefacts.

S
Sasha Distan

Sasha Distan

3 months ago

Through a little arched doorway lies a special room, darker, quiet, and full of the most delightful things from all over the world and throughout human time. Thoughtful collections by place and time and theme. A delight to open the drawers and discover the weird little things humans have loved to make for thousands of years. We are so like our ancestors, and that's delightful.

S
Scott Powell

Scott Powell

4 months ago

Amazing FREE museum. There are two parts, the first is similar to the natural history museum in London, lots of information about animals and dinosaur fossils. The second is a collection of artefacts from all over the globe including an enormous totem pole. If it's sunny, there's a nice piece of grass out the front for picnics. 15 minute walk from Oxford city centre. Get park and ride for £2.50 🙌🙌

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026

Events at Pitt Rivers Museum

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 29 September 2026

Frequently asked questions about Pitt Rivers Museum

Is Pitt Rivers Museum free to visit?

Entry to Pitt Rivers Museum is completely free — there are no admission charges, making it a great no-cost option for a family day out.

Is Pitt Rivers Museum dog-friendly?

Dogs are not permitted at Pitt Rivers Museum.

Is there parking at Pitt Rivers Museum?

Yes — Pitt Rivers Museum has on-site parking, plus additional parking nearby.

Is there food at Pitt Rivers Museum?

Yes — The Horsebox Café is on site at Pitt Rivers Museum. The Horsebox Coffee Company on the lawn serving hot and cold drinks and homemade cakes.

Is Pitt Rivers Museum pushchair-friendly?

Yes, Pitt Rivers Museum is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at Pitt Rivers Museum?

Pitt Rivers Museum is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to Pitt Rivers Museum by public transport?

Pitt Rivers Museum isn't on a major public transport route — driving is recommended.

More art galleries near Pitt Rivers Museum

Kiddy Compass