Pitt Rivers Museum

The University of Oxford’s museum of anthropology and world archaeology

The Pitt Rivers Museum is also known as The University of Oxford’s museum of anthropology and world archaeology, The Museum was founded in 1884 and named after the General and founder of Modern anthropology, Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers, after he donated his collection of 18,000 objects to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers designed firearms for the military and inherited his great uncle’s estate and became landed gentry, The fortune he received from his uncle made it possible for him to collect archaeological and ethnographic objects.

Pitt Rivers was Influenced by Charles Darwin, who organised his objects by type, and within a type, Chronologically. This type of chronological organization indicated the evolution of Human artefacts over time.

Since the Museum was founded it has acquired over half a million objects, donated from travellers, anthropologists and scholars. In addition to the objects, the collection includes extensive photographic and sound archives.

You notice the large number of archaeological and ethnographic objects shown in the museum, by the display which is packed and the exhibitions are changed often.

However, only a small number of photographs and sound archives are on display at the Museum at any one time. The extensive photographic and sound archives contain early records of great importance.

Pitt Rivers Museum
The University of Oxford’s museum of anthropology and world archaeology

Pitt Rivers Museum Contact Information

Telephone: 01865 613000 | Official Website | email: prm@prm.ox.ac.uk

How To Get There

The entrance to the Pitt Rivers Museum is through the Oxford University Museum Natural History on Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW.

Nearest Car Park is located on Gloucester Street, Postcode: Ox1 2BN, the cost for 2 hours is £6.00, its a 16 minutes walk from the car park to the Museum, However, it is possible to find car spaces on side streets near the Museum.

Nearest Bus Stop is on Keble Road, a number of bus services run there: Bus Buses 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 7, 7A, 14, 14A, 94, 250, 500, Park & Ride, N2, NS5, S4, S5 gold and X4. Most frequent buses are the 2, 2A and 2B.

Oxford Station is located 20 minutes away from the Museum, if travelling by Train I would recommend getting the public bus service or a taxi.

Opening Hours

Monday 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Admission

Free Entry

If In a group, book online  

Information

  • Type: University museum of archaeology and anthropology.
  • Established in 1884.
  • Visitors: 480,663 in 2017.
  • Won The Guardian newspaper’s award for Family Friendly Museum of 2005.
  • Collection: 500,000 item.
Pitt Rivers Museum
The University of Oxford’s museum of anthropology and world archaeology

Things to do nearby

  • Visit the Ashmolean Museum is an Ancient and modern art and antiquities covering world civilisations, plus fine and applied arts. located only 8 minutes away from the Pitt Rivers Museum.
  • Enjoy a wonderful walk around the Oxford University Park, only 5 minutes away from the Museum.

WHERE TO STAY IN Oxford

Nearby places to stay as cheap as possible budget under £100/$100/€100:

  • Central Backpackers Oxford, Museum Hotel Oxford offers accommodation in historic Oxford in a building dating from 1594. The hotel is located a 2-minute walk from Carfax Tower in the centre of Oxford. The University of Oxford colleges is 0.2 miles away. Check Price.
  • YHA Oxford, This YHA hostel is located in the centre of historical Oxford, next to Oxford Train StationYHA Oxford offers affordable accommodation, a restaurant serving traditional meals and self-catering kitchen facilities. Check Price.
  • White House View Guest House, is a 10-minute walk from Oxford city centre and offers a garden and bedrooms with free Wi-Fi and Freeview TV. The guest house is located just off Abingdon Road, in quiet and pleasant surroundings. Check Price.

Nearby places to stay at a budget price over £200+

  • Macdonald Randolph Hotel, In the heart of Oxford, opposite the Ashmolean Museum, The Macdonald Randolph Hotel offers sumptuous bedrooms and a spa. The Randolph Macdonald is just metres from The University of Oxford Colleges. Check Price.
  • Old Parsonage Hotel is a boutique hotel set in a building dating back to 1660. It has 2 terraces, a new residents garden library, a restaurant, a bar, and is a 5-minute walk from Oxford city centre. Check Price.
  • Museum Hotel Oxford, Museum Hotel Oxford offers accommodation in historic Oxford in a building dating from 1594. located a 2-minute walk from Carfax Tower in the centre of Oxford Check Price.

Visiting Oxford? We have other posts that you may enjoy that will be helpful on your trip.

Location

Address: Parks Road, Oxford, England

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The University of Oxford’s museum of anthropology and world archaeology
The University of Oxford’s museum of anthropology and world archaeology