The much-loved Pitt Rivers Museum is unlike any other. Founded in 1884, it houses within an atmospheric building more than 500,000 objects, photographs and manuscripts from all over the world, and from all periods of human existence. Within these are exceptional objects of ritual significance, and objects made for tourists or trade.

The Museum is loved by many and is widely regarded as one of the best of its kind. It is also a contested space that calls for innovative curation to engage with the more difficult aspects of its history; a place where many histories collide and where objects from Britain's colonial past sit side by side with more recent (and much older) ones. Curating that space and those collections is a challenge that we embrace.

We welcome families to the Museum

We work to make our Museum as family friendly as possible. Let us know if you have questions or if there is anything more we could be doing to support you and your family.

Family facilities

• Baby care: Breastfeeding is welcome in the Museum. Baby-changing facilities are available on the ground floor.
• Toilets: There are accessible toilets on the ground floor.

• Bags and buggies: Buggies are welcome in the Museum. All floors are accessible by lift. There are no cloakroom facilities in the Museum.
• Food and drink: Feel free to picnic on the lawn outside, but please don't eat in the museum. There are no café facilities in the Pitt Rivers Museum but the neighbouring Oxford University Museum of Natural History has a café selling sandwiches, hot meals, cakes, children's packed lunch boxes and hot and cold drinks.
• Shop: The Museum shop sells a diverse selection of books and gifts, many at pocket-money prices.
• Families with additional needs: Parking for disabled badge holders is situated at the rear of the Museum. The Museum has wheelchair access – please speak to staff for details. To help make the most of your visit to the Pitt Rivers, please download the access information booklet (pdf) for visitors with disabilities.

The museum is Free to enter

Click here to find out more

Pick up a trail
: There's an assortment of family trails to pick up at the information desk. Alternatively, bring one that you have downloaded at home.
The trails are designed to help families explore the Museum together, and many are particularly suitable for under-fives.