The Pitt Rivers Museum

About this activity

Hidden behind Oxford’s wonderful Museum of Natural History and dimly lit to preserve it’s treasures, The Pitt Rivers Museum is one of the country’s finest collections of anthropological exhibits. Centred on a collection donated by the wonderfully named Augustus Pitt Rivers in 1884, Augustus created a collection that’s a testament to the achievements of humanity. There is something simply for everyone at this museum with musical instruments, tools, musical instruments and weapons from across the globe.

Since its founding, the museum has acquired more than 500 000 exhibits that have donated from scholars, anthropologists, and travellers who have reached the far corners of the Earth. Due to its large collection, the display cases are packed full of artefacts with exhibitions changing regularly. You can explore the whole world in the Pitt Rivers Museum. First check out the intimidating Haida Pole, a huge totem pole from British Colombia which towers over the rest of the museum. If you’re looking for something from South of the Equator then you can explore the fascinating stone axes from 1930s Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, or even the silver plaques from Indonesia.  There is simply something for everyone at this amazing and wacky collection of artefacts!

The family tours are the best way for kids to explore this museum! The ‘Play at the Pitt’ tour is an action-packed adventure that will easily pass an afternoon and let your kids explore through the entire museum solving puzzles and riddles! You might even have to take them for a cake afterwards at the museum’s own beautiful horsebox café as a reward!

The Pitt River’s Museum is certainly a fun day out for all the family. It's incredible collections from world cultures, from the past and present, makes it well worth a visit in the beautiful city of Oxford!