Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Natural history museum at Parks Road, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History is a natural history institution on Parks Road in Oxford, United Kingdom. Its halls spread beneath a tall glass roof supported by slender iron columns and hold zoological, geological and entomological collections.
The institution was founded in 1860 on the initiative of Henry Acland and was the first building designed specifically for natural history. Its opening marked a new approach to scientific teaching at English universities.
The building takes its name from the university that commissioned it to unite its natural science collections. Visitors see today skeletons and fossils arranged in iron and wood cabinets grouped beneath a glass roof.
The building sits roughly 15 minutes on foot from the center of Oxford and opens daily from 10 AM to 5 PM without admission charge. The main hall is accessible at ground level and offers seating.
The collection includes the remains of the last known dodo and specimens Charles Darwin gathered during his travels. The Megalosaurus fossils belong to the first scientifically named dinosaur species.
Location: Oxford
Inception: 1860
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Operator: University of Oxford
Part of: University of Oxford, Gardens, Libraries and Museums of the University of Oxford, The University Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum
Address: Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00
Phone: +441865272950
Email: library@oum.ox.ac.uk
Website: http://oum.ox.ac.uk
GPS coordinates: 51.75903,-1.25642
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24
Insectariums and specialized nature centers allow visitors to observe beetles, butterflies and other arthropods at close range. These facilities display living insects in naturalistic settings and maintain scientific collections documenting the anatomy, behavior and ecological functions of different species. Many operate educational programs and research facilities that illustrate the role of insects in ecosystems and their importance to agriculture and human health. This collection includes the Audubon Insectarium in Louisiana, the Montreal Insectarium in Quebec and the Victoria Bug Zoo in British Columbia. Natural history museums such as the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, the Tokyo National Museum of Nature and Science and the Australian Museum in Sydney present extensive entomology collections. Additional locations include the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, the Lyon Municipal Museum of Natural History and Insectropolis in New Jersey. Several entries lead to wildlife refuges and parks in Louisiana, including Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge and Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, where visitors can observe insects in their native habitats.
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