Museums, archives and heritage in Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire, south-midland county of England, bounded N. by Warwickshire and Northamptonshire, E. by Bucks, S. by Berks, from which it is separated by the Thames, and W. by Gloucestershire; greatest length, 60 miles; greatest breadth, 30 miles; area, 483,621 acres, population 179,559. Most of the county is level, but there are gentle undulations of surface, rising to 836 ft. at Broom Hill in the NW., which is the highest point of land. In the S. the Chiltern Hills stretch across the co. from Bucks to Berks. The chief rivers are the Windrush, Evenlode, Cherwell, and Thame, all being tributaries of the Thames, or Isis, which flows for about 70 miles along the S. border of the county. The Oxford Canal, in conjunction with the Coventry Canal, connects the Thames with the Severn, Mersey, and Trent. The soil is a light loam, which is exceedingly fertile and in a high state of cultivation, agriculture receiving so much attention that the county is justly held to be one of the most productive districts in England. Excepting the N. district, Oxfordshire may be considered a well wooded county. It has many antiquities, and is likewise noted for the beauty of its ecclesiastical buildings and the number of its mansions. The manufactures are not important. The county comprises 14 hundreds, 292 parishes, with parts of 7 others, the greater part of the parliamentary and municipal borough of Oxford, and the municipal boroughs of Banbury and Chipping Norton. It is almost entirely in the diocese of Oxford. .

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

Note: the Vale of the White Horse, now in Oxfordshire, was in Berkshire until 1974.

Abingdon County Hall Museum

The Market Place

Abingdon OX14 3HG

01235 523703

goo.gl/zbb0Ru

Abingdon County Hall Museum is located in a Grade 1* listed building in the centre of the town just opposite the medieval abbey. This beautiful, perfectly-preserved Restoration building overlooking the Market Place, is considered to be one of the outstanding market buildings in England.

Angus Library & Archive, The

Regent’s Park College, Pusey Street

Oxford OX1 2LB

01865 288120

theangus.rpc.ox.ac.uk

Leading collection of Baptist history and heritage. The Angus Library and Archive has extensive archive collections including manuscript collections from key Baptist people such as William Carey, CH Spurgeon, Joshua and Hannah Marshman and William Ward, EA Payne, and JH Rushbrooke. It also holds manuscripts for leading Baptist families such as Angus, Steele, Whitaker, and Reeves.

Ashmolean Museum

Beaumont Street

Oxford OX1 2PH

01865 278000

www.ashmolean.org

Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum is the country’s oldest public museum and home to one of the most important collections of art and archaeology to be found anywhere. The collections span the civilisations of east and west, charting the aspirations of humankind from the Neolithic era to the present day. Among its treasures are the world’s largest collection of Raphael drawings, the most important collection of pre-Dynastic Egyptian material in Europe, the only great Minoan collection in Britain, the finest Anglo-Saxon collections outside the British Museum and the foremost collection of modern Chinese art in the Western world.

Banbury Museum

Spiceball Park Rd

Banbury OX16 2PQ

01295 259855

www.banburymuseum.org

Welcome to Banbury Museum! We are a family friendly museum located in Banbury’s town centre, next to the idyllic canal side. The Civil War, plush manufacturing, the Victorian market town, costume from the 17th century to the present day, Tooley’s Boatyard and the Oxford Canal, are just some of the stories illustrated in the museum. There are also regularly changing exhibitions and activities to ensure that there is always something new to see and do.

Bate Collection of Musical Instruments

Faculty of Music, St Aldate’s

Oxford OX1 1DB

01865 276139

www.bate.ox.ac.uk

The Bate Collection celebrates the history and development of musical instruments of the Western Classical tradition from the medieval period until the present day. The collection is made available for study and judicious use by scholars, students, makers, and players, so as to enhance and increase the knowledge of the history of music as well as the enjoyment of historic performance for all.

Bishop’s Palace

Mount House, Church Green

Witney OX28 4AZ

01865 300972

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/bishops-palace

The historic building known as the Bishop’s Palace was built by the Bishop of Winchester in the 12th and 13th centuries and later became the Manor House. In 1757, the manor house was acquired by the Duke of Marlborough. The archaeological remains which are visible are protected from the elements under a modern roof cover.

Blenheim Palace

Woodstock OX20 1PP

0800 849 6500

www.blenheimpalace.com

Set in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace is considered to be one of the finest Baroque houses in the country. A gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, in recognition of his famous victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Sir Winston Churchill, arguably the greatest parliamentarian this country has ever seen, was born at Blenheim Palace.

Bloxham Village Museum

The Court House, Church Street, Bloxham

Banbury OX15 4ET

01295 721256

www.bloxhammuseum.com

Bloxham Village Museum was established in 1980 to celebrate the history of the small Oxfordshire village.

Bodleian Library

Catte Street

Oxford OX1 3BG

01865 277627

www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

The Bodleian Libraries of the University of Oxford form the largest university library system in the United Kingdom. They include the principal University library – the Bodleian Library – which has been a library of legal deposit for 400 years; major research libraries; and libraries attached to faculties, departments and other institutions of the University.

Buscot & Coleshill Estates, The – National Trust

Buscot Park

Faringdon SN7 8BU

01367 240786

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buscot-coleshill-estates

The late 18th-century neo-classical house, set in parkland, contains the fine paintings and furniture of the Faringdon Collection Trust. The grounds include various avenue walks, and an Italianate water garden, designed in the early 20th century by Harold Peto, and a large walled garden.

Champ’s Chapel Museum

Chapel Square

East Hendred OX12 8JX

www.hendredmuseum.org.uk

Besides the village war memorial stands a medieval building adjoining a half timbered priest’s house. It was built in the 15th century by the Carthusian monks of Sheen (who owned Kings Manor) and is now often called Champs Chapel after the family who owned it once.

Charlbury Museum

Market Street

Charlbury OX7 3PN

01608 810060

www.charlbury.info/community/42

Museum displays illustrating the traditional crafts and industries of Charlbury, such as glovemaking, with maps and photographs.

Chastleton House – National Trust

Chastleton

Moreton in Marsh GL56 0SU

01608 674981

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chastleton-house

One of England’s finest and most complete Jacobean houses, Chastleton House is filled with a mixture of rare and everyday objects, furniture and textiles collected since 1612. It was continuously occupied by one family and the trust has concentrated on conserving the house, rather than restoring it.

Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway Association

Registered Office, Chinnor Station, Station Approach, Station Road

Chinnor OX39 4ER

01844 353535

www.chinnorrailway.co.uk

A standard gauge railway operating both steam and diesel hauled train services from our station at Chinnor in Oxfordshire. It operates part of the old Great Western Railway branch line which ran between Princes Risborough (Buckinghamshire) and Watlington (Oxfordshire).

Chipping Norton Local History Museum

Westgate, High Street

Chipping Norton OX7 5AD

01608 641712

www.chippingnortonmuseum.org.uk

A museum of local history including: prehistoric and Roman artefacts, From Saxon Manor to Market Town in pictures, Chippy at War – the Home Front, Chipping Norton Baseball Club (former All England Champions). More than one thousand postcards and photographs of local events and places. We are an independent museum run by the local history society.

Cogges Manor Farm

Cogges Manor Farm Museum, Church Lane

Witney OX28 3LA

01993 772602

www.cogges.org.uk

A beautiful Oxfordshire Cotswold farmstead with a 13th century manor house, 17th century rural barns and buildings, walled garden, orchard and moat set beside the Windrush River. Rare breed animals bring the site to life. At weekends and bank holidays see traditional cooking on the historic range.

Combe Mill

Blenheim Palace Sawmill, Combe

Long Hanborough OX29 8ET

01993 358694

www.combemill.org

Mid-19th century sawmill, with working steam beam-engine, original Cornish boiler (now out of service) and a working blacksmith’s forge. Restored waterwheel.

Didcot Railway Centre

Great Western Society, Didcot Railway Centre

Didcot OX11 7NJ

01235 817200

www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk

Welcome to Didcot Railway Centre, home of the Great Western Society and its unique collection of Great Western Railway steam engines, coaches, wagons, buildings and small relics set in 22 acres alongside Didcot Parkway railway station. At its heart is the historic engine shed which is home to Great Western steam engines.

Dorchester Abbey

High Street, Dorchester-on-Thames

Wallingford OX10 7HH

01865 341192/01865 340007

www.dorchester-abbey.org.uk

Dorchester Abbey is a unique building, in an area of spiritual significance for 6000 years, offering visitors an inspiring and educational opportunity that is welcoming, engaging and inclusive. Built by Augustinian Canons(1140-1340)on the site of a Saxon Cathedral, the abbey is acclaimed for its outstanding architecture.

Dorchester Abbey Museum

Abbey Guest House, High Street, Dorchester-on-Thames

Wallingford OX10 7HR

01865 340054

www.dorchester-abbey.org.uk/museum.htm

The museum is in two buildings on the Abbey site. The Old Schoolroom is part of Dorchester Abbey’s 14th-century former Guest House and displays illustrations, maps and artefacts reflecting the history of Dorchester and its locality which have been continuously inhabited for over 6000 years. It also houses an archive of Dorchester’s history, available for inspection and research by arrangement, and a souvenir and gift shop.

Greys Court – National Trust

Rotherfield Greys

Henley-on-Thames RG9 4PG

01491 628529

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greys-court

This picturesque house, mainly Tudor in style, has a beautiful courtyard and one surviving tower dating from 1347. The house was involved in Jacobean intrigue and has a fascinating history.

Hook Norton Village Museum

Brewery Lane, Hook Norton

Banbury OX15 5NY

01608 730384

goo.gl/QoRmfN

Hook Norton Village Museum is housed within Hook Norton Brewery’s Museum & Visitor Centre.

Collections: The village museum contains artefacts from Hook Norton and the surrounding area with special reference to the railway and ironstone quarrying.

Kelmscott Manor

Kelmscott

nr Lechlade GL7 3HJ

01367 252486

www.kelmscottmanor.org.uk

Kelmscott Manor is a grade 1 listed Tudor farmhouse adjacent to the River Thames, dating from about 1600 and situated on the edge of the village of Kelmscott, near Lechlade. William Morris (designer, writer and socialist) chose it as his summer home, signing a joint lease with Pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti in 1871. Morris loved the house as a work of true craftsmanship, unspoilt, unaltered, and in harmony with the village and the surrounding countryside.

Museum of Oxford

Town Hall, St Aldates

Oxford OX1 1BX

01865 252334

www.oxford.gov.uk/museumofoxford

Visit the museum of Oxford’s permanent Explore Oxford galleries at the front of Oxford Town Hall to discover the story of Oxford and its people.

Museum of the History of Science

Broad Street

Oxford OX1 3AZ

01865 277280

www.mhs.ox.ac.uk

The museum of the History of Science houses an unrivalled collection of early scientific instruments in the world’s oldest surviving purpose-built museum building.

Museums Resource Centre

Cotswold Dene, Witney Road, Standlake

Witney OX29 7QG

01865 300972

goo.gl/huJc0N

The centre houses the county’s major reserve collections of archaeology, social history, crafts and arts. It is a resource for new and changing exhibitions countywide, for private and academic research and local communities who are interested in their local heritage.

Nuffield Place – National Trust

Nuffield Place

Huntercombe, near Henley-on-Thames RG9 5RY

01491 642857

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nuffield-place

The home of Britain’s greatest philanthropist, William Morris, Lord Nuffield, the founder of Morris Motor Cars and one of the richest men in the world. The house and collection provide a glimpse into the lifestyle of this modest millionaire.

Oxford Bus & Morris Motors Museums

Station Yard, Main Road, Long Hanborough

Witney OX29 8LA

01993 883 617

www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk

At the Oxford Bus Museum we tell the story of bus and coach travel around Oxfordshire over the last 130 years. Our exhibits include historic preserved horse-drawn vehicles, buses, coaches and a wide selection of artefacts (bus stops, ticket machines, timetables, posters, staff uniforms) and lots of fantastic photos illustrating our diverse public transport history. Since 2004 we’ve also been home to the Morris Motors Museum, which charts the story of how these classic British cars and commercial vehicles were produced at Cowley, in the city. Our impressive collection of vintage Morris vehicles represents those produced during William Morris’s life. We also have a unique collection of 40 vintage bicycles, including a Penny Farthing.

Oxford Castle Unlocked

44-46 Oxford Castle

Oxford OX1 1AY

01865 260666

www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk

Visitors to ‘Unlocked’ will learn about the real people and events from the site’s turbulent past: the first Oxford teachings, the owners, visionaries, activists and inmates. Visit St George’s Tower and embark on a historical journey spanning the 10th to 16th centuries.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Parks Road

Oxford OX1 3PW

01865 272950

www.oum.ox.ac.uk

Founded in 1860 as the centre for scientific study at the University of Oxford, the museum of Natural History now holds the University’s internationally-significant collections of geological and zoological specimens, as well as substantial archival material. Housed in a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture, the museum’s growing collections underpin a broad programme of natural environment research, teaching and public engagement.

Oxfordshire Family History Society

19 Mavor Close, Woodstock

Oxford OX20 1YL

01993 812258

www.ofhs.org.uk

The society caters for those with Oxfordshire or North Berkshire ancestry as well as those who live locally but with ancestors from elsewhere.

Oxfordshire Health Archives

The Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane

Oxford OX3 7JX

01865 226308

www.oxfordshirehealtharchives.nhs.uk

Oxfordshire Health Archives selects and cares for the historic archives of NHS hospitals in Oxfordshire and provides advice on the management, care and disposal of recent records. We care for the archives of twenty two Oxfordshire hospitals, eight administrative bodies and several nurse training schools, as well as the collections of such related bodies as Leagues of Friends and Nurses’ Alumni organizations.

Oxfordshire History Centre

St Luke’s Church, Temple Road, Cowley

Oxford OX4 2HT

01865 398200

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

Oxfordshire Record Office, Oxfordshire Studies and Oxfordshire Health Archives are now all in one building where you will find a variety of resources for researching family history, house history and local history.

Oxfordshire Museum, The

Fletcher’s House, Park Street

Woodstock OX20 1SN

01993 811456

goo.gl/lzNmMJ

Situated in the heart of the historic town of Woodstock, the award-winning redevelopment of Fletcher’s House provides a home for the new county museum.

Collections: Collections of local history, art, archaeology, landscape and wildlife as well as a gallery exploring the county’s innovative industries from nuclear power to nanotechnology.

Pendon Museum

Long Wittenham

Abingdon OX14 4QD

01865 407365

www.pendonmuseum.com

At Pendon we aim to recapture, in detailed and colourful miniature, scenes showing the beauty of the English countryside as it used to be in the years around 1930. Realistically modelled cottages, farms, fields and lanes recall the peaceful country ways of that period.

Pitt Rivers Museum

University of Oxford, South Parks Road

Oxford OX1 3PP

01865 270927

www.prm.ox.ac.uk

The Pitt Rivers Museum is the University of Oxford’s museum of anthropology and world archaeology. Founded in 1884 following a gift to the University from General Pitt-Rivers it retains its unique period atmosphere with dense displays of artefacts, many in the original wooden display cabinets.

River & Rowing Museum

Mill Meadows

Henley-on-Thames RG9 1BF

01491 415600

www.rrm.co.uk

The River & Rowing Museum has three galleries dedicated to rowing, rivers and the history of Henley on Thames. The museum is home to the magical Wind in the Willows exhibition, which brings to life the much-loved story with 3D models, lighting and music.

Soldiers of Oxfordshire

Access is via The Oxfordshire Museum, Park Street

Woodstock OX20 1SS

01993 810210

www.sofo.org.uk

Soldiers of Oxfordshire – Conflict and County focuses on the experience of local people affected by war at home and abroad, with displays and activities to engage families, schools, life-long learners and social and military researchers alike.

Swalcliffe Barn

Swalcliffe, Nr Banbury OX15 5DR

01295 788278

goo.gl/ku59LZ

Known locally as the Tithe Barn, Swalcliffe Barn was built for the Rectorial Manor of Swalcliffe by New College, who owned the manor. Constructed between 1400 and 1409, it is one of the dozen best barns in the country, with much of its mediaeval timber half-cruck roof intact. The Oxfordshire Buildings Trust owns it and repaired it with a grant from English Heritage.

Thame Museum

79 High Street

Thame OX9 3XE

01844 212801

www.thamemuseum.org

Located in what was previously the Magistrates Court, Thame Museum offers the visitor a wealth of local history – from the formation of New Thame in the 12th century to the modern 20th century developments. Items on display include a full set of 17th century trade tokens and a Saxon burial urn.

Tolsey Museum

126 High Street

Burford OX18 4QU

01993 823 236

www.thecotswoldgateway.co.uk/museums_tolsey.htm

The Tolsey Museum is midway along Burford’s main street. The black and white timber fronted building erected on stone pillars was once the medieval meeting point for the wealthy wool merchants who also paid their tolls or tax here. The Tolsey now houses a collection of local artefacts depicting the social and industrial heritage of the Oxfordshire town and surrounding area.

Tom Brown’s School Museum

Broad Street, Uffington

Faringdon SN7 7RA

01367 820259

museum.uffington.net

Tom Brown’s School Museum is housed in a Grade 1 listed building dated 1617. This small unique building was formerly a school room for ‘12 worthy boys’.

Collections: Includes archaeological material from The White Horse Hill and surrounding area. Reference material relating to Thomas Hughes and a collection of over 130 different editions of Tom Brown’s Schooldays. Reference material relating to Sir John Betjeman who lived in the village. Local archives including photographs, video material, oral tapes and documentation.

Uffington Castle, White Horse & Dragon Hill – National Trust

Off the B4507

Woolstone SN7 7QJ

01793 762209

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-horse-hill

The internationally-renowned Bronze-Age Uffington White Horse can be seen for miles away leaping across the head of a dramatic dry valley in the Ridgeway escarpment. The horse is only part of the unique complex of ancient remains that are found at White Horse Hill and beyond, spreading out across the high chalk downland.

Vale & Downland Museum

The Old Surgery, Church Street

Wantage OX12 8BL

01235 771447

www.wantage.com/museum

The Vale and Downland Museum and Visitor Centre is located in the busy market town of Wantage in Oxfordshire, UK.

Collections: Archaeology, social history, interactive relief map of the hinterland, specially produced films on the area narrated by David Attenborough, Wantage Tramway exhibit, rural arts and crafts, tanning and cloth making exhibits, agricultural machinery, Dean Butler and the Oxford Movement, Williams F1 racing car, discovery gallery for children.

Wallingford Museum

Flint House, 52 High Street

Wallingford OX10 0DB

01491 835065

www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk

Wallingford Museum is a colourful and delightfully intimate local history museum, housed in a medieval oak-beamed hall-house opposite the Saxon banks in the Kinecroft and next to the public library.

Collections: Includes items from archaeological excavations in and around the town and artefacts from the Romans to the 20th century. Strong local social history emphasis focuses on the growth and decline of the vast Medieval Castle, one of the largest in the country, the government of the town under its unique 1155 Charter, and the more everyday nature of life in a Thames-side market town in later centuries.

Waterperry Gardens & Rural Museum

Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry

Nr Wheatley OX33 1JZ

01844 339254

www.waterperrygardens.co.uk

A comprehensive and interesting collection of tools and implements is housed in the 18th century granary at Waterperry Gardens. This museum shows the skills required in making horticultural and agricultural tools and also the skills needed to use them, as for example to two man hedge cutter.

Witney & District Museum

75 High Street

Witney OX28 6JA

01993 775915

www.witneymuseum.co.uk

The museum is situated in a traditional Cotswold stone building that was formerly the home of Malachi Bartlett, a prolific Victorian builder. The ground floor contains a large gallery containing local history displays, while the upper floor contains a large gallery used for temporary displays and two smaller rooms, one of which is furnished as a traditional Witney kitchen of circa 1953.

Collections: The collections reflect the social, industrial and military history of the township of Witney and the surrounding area. Local industries such as blanket-making and brewing are represented, and there are, in addition, large archive and photographic collections.