Ashmolean Museum

The first purpose built museum in England the Ashmolean in Oxford is one of the renowned museums outside of London .

The museum was first opened in 1683 and its exhibitions are based on the collections of the Tradscant Family and Dr. Elias Ashmole.

These exhibits are taken from their many trips to the Orient and the Americas, where they collected stuffed animals and tribal ornaments. The museum also houses a fine collection of neo-Grecian architecture and extensive displays of European art works from the likes of Raphael, Rembrandt, Piccaso and Michelangelo as well as rare Middle Eastern antiquities.

One of the most interesting items was the stuffed body of the last Dodo which was ever in Europe. Unfornutately it was decayed in 1755 so that only its head and one claw survived.

Another important exhibition was added when the collection of materials collected on Captain Cook's Pacific voyage of 1772–5 was added to the collection. Most of these old items have fallen apart to decay in the last centuries.

The Ashmolean today houses the second largest coin collection in Britain, which includes the Oxford Crown, minted in 1644 in Oxford when King Charles I held court here during the Civil War, and a 1,000 year old gold enamelled ring known as the Alfred Jewel.

Today the museum also offers collections of manyfold antiquities, Eastern Art, Western Art, a cast Gallery and a Heberden Coin Room.

Important notice:

There will be no public access to the Museum and the Café from 23 December 2008 until the launch of the new Ashmolean in the late autumn of 2009. The Shop will remain open for business as usual.