From Cromwell to Antarctica: Museum of Oxford Reveals Spring Highlights for 2026
The Museum of Oxford offers one of the city’s most surprising cultural experiences, telling the story of Oxford beyond its famous university through powerful objects, personal stories and changing communities.
Highlights include a rare death mask linked to Oliver Cromwell, the grave slab of Oxford’s patron saint, St Frideswide, and even a tin of Frank Cooper’s Oxford marmalade recovered from Captain Scott’s Antarctic expedition.
Visitors can also discover metal spikes from the infamous Cutteslowe Wall, a striking reminder of Oxford’s past social divisions, alongside objects celebrating the city’s rich multicultural heritage, including a model rickshaw connected to Oxford’s Royal Cars taxi firm.
This spring, the Museum brings these stories to life through an engaging programme of tours, talks and hands-on family activities – from the Stories of Oxford guided tours and behind-the-scenes access to Oxford Town Hall, to inspiring half-term events and object-handling sessions that invite visitors to get closer to Oxford’s hidden history.
Highlights in February and March include:
February:
· Art School…in a Trail! (Half Term Activity) – 14–21 February 2026
A creative family-friendly activity trail encouraging visitors to explore the Museum through art and imagination, inspired by Oxford’s stories and collections. A perfect half-term activity for children.
· Hidden Voices of WW1 – 16 February 2026
A special session spotlighting lesser-known voices from the First World War, including the story of Hardit Singh Malik, Britain’s first Indian fighter pilot, offering fresh perspectives on wartime Oxford and global history.
· Mindful MOX: Slow Looking Workshop – 17 February 2026
A calming, reflective workshop encouraging visitors to slow down and engage with museum objects through mindful observation and discussion, offering a wellbeing-focused way to experience the collections.
· Opera in a Day! (with Oxford Opera) – 18 February 2026
A fun and immersive creative workshop where participants collaborate with Oxford Opera to stage a condensed version of Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore – all in a single day.
· Galloping into the Year of the Horse! Family Art & Celebration Day – 19 February 2026
A lively family celebration inspired by the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse, featuring hands-on creative activities and performances.
· Hands-on History! (Family Object Handling Sessions) – Various dates in February
Drop-in family sessions where visitors can handle and explore real objects from the Museum of Oxford’s collection, supported by museum volunteers.
March:
· Stories of Oxford Tour: Artisan Oxford – Arts, Crafts and Creations – 10 March 2026
A guided tour exploring Oxford’s creative heritage, celebrating the city’s history of makers, craftspeople and artistic innovation.
· Lunchtime Talk: Over the Hills to Glory – The Story of the Ascott Martyrs – 11 March 2026 | 1pm–2pm
A fascinating talk examining the story of the Ascott Martyrs and the 1873 agricultural labourers’ protest, highlighting women’s activism and working-class history in Oxfordshire.
· Inside the Oxford Town Hall – 21 March 2026 | 12pm–1pm
A behind-the-scenes guided tour of Oxford Town Hall, offering rare access to areas not normally open to the public, including historic rooms and spaces that reveal the building’s civic past.
· Stories of Oxford Tour: An Oxford Night Out – 21 March 2026
A themed tour exploring Oxford after dark, uncovering the city’s social history, nightlife, and changing cultural scene across the decades.
· Stories of Oxford Tour: A History of Oxford in 6 Objects – 26 March 2026
A brilliant object-led tour highlighting six key artefacts that illuminate Oxford’s past, revealing the human stories behind the city’s world-famous name.
· Hands-on History! – 31 March 2026 | 11am–3pm
A drop-in family session offering hands-on access to objects from the Museum’s collection, giving visitors a rare opportunity to engage with history in a tactile, interactive way.
With a vibrant programme designed for all ages – from talks and themed tours to family-friendly workshops and hands-on sessions – the Museum continues to reveal the many different communities, voices and experiences that have shaped Oxford over time.
For full event details, ticket information and booking, visit museumofoxford.org.
For media images go here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/204064349@N03/with/55042909025
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Museum of Oxford
The Museum of Oxford tells the social history of the city through the stories of the people who have lived, worked and shaped Oxford over time. Located at the heart of the city, the Museum explores everyday life through exhibitions, oral histories, objects, artworks and personal testimonies.
Working closely with communities, artists, researchers and local partners, the Museum is committed to inclusive storytelling and collaborative practice.
Its programme includes exhibitions, talks, workshops, schools sessions, family activities and community-led projects, with free open days throughout the year.
Entry fees: Adults £4, children £2.
Concessions: Free entry for: Front of house volunteers are free and may bring a guest free of charge/People who have contributed a significant amount of volunteer hours towards Museum community projects and exhibitions also have free entry with a plus one for a year, along with others who volunteer.
There will be monthly free entry days on the following dates:
· Wednesday 18 February
· Saturday 21 March
· Wednesday 8 April
· Wednesday 27 May
· Saturday 13 June
· Saturday 4 July
· Wednesday 5 August
· Saturday 12 September
· Wednesday 28 October
· Saturday 14 November
· Wednesday 23 December
Imagery
High-resolution images available, including:
- Museum exterior and galleries
- Exhibition installation shots
- Community and learning activity images
- Archive and collection highlights
Image links: https://www.flickr.com/photos/204064349@N03/with/55042909025
Location and website
Museum of Oxford, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford OX1 1BX
museumofoxford.org
Press contacts
Museum of Oxford Press Lead
Pandora George, Director, Bullet PR
[email protected]
+44 (0)7729 469220
