The Oxfordshire Museum
Our collections
The Museums Resource Centre houses the county collections of archaeology and history.
Opening hours and visiting the resource centre
The centre is open to the public by appointment. We welcome individual requests or group bookings and can arrange to open in the evening or at weekends for booked parties.
Contact us to make an appointment.
Centre address
The Museums Resource Centre is next to the A415, approximately four miles south of Witney.
Museums Resource Centre
Cotswold Dene
Standlake
Witney
OX29 7QG
About our collections
The Oxfordshire Museum Service collects and preserves a wide range of objects carefully selected to reflect life in Oxfordshire. Our staff have specialist knowledge and can give you information on:
- how to see the collections
- object identification
- curatorial support
- volunteering opportunities
- advice on how to care for your treasured heirlooms
- conservation and exhibition services
Archaeological finds collection
The museum's archaeological collection stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of past civilizations, offering visitors a captivating journey through time. From ancient Roman relics to Anglo-Saxon treasures, each piece tells a compelling story of life in Oxfordshire throughout the ages.
View the archaeological finds collection.
Fancy some
Packed with goodies, make our café the place to stop for your morning coffee, light lunch or afternoon tea.
Rural collections
The rural collections include all aspects of rural occupations in the countryside.
View the rural collections.
Textile and costumes collections
The Oxfordshire Museum Service cares for a collection of around 5,000 textile items owned by Oxfordshire County Council and its partner museums. We hold a growing collection of 19th and 20th-century items, with a few rarer examples from the 17th and 18th centuries.
View the textile and costumes collections.
History collections
The Oxfordshire Museum Service cares for a collection of around 5,000 textile items owned by Oxfordshire County Council and its partner museums. We hold a growing collection of 19th and 20th-century items, with a few rarer examples from the 17th and 18th centuries.
View the history collections.
About the Museums Resource Centre building
The unique, tent-like structure has a roof designed to recall a medieval pavilion. The weather vanes were made by artist Ray Smith and were inspired by museum objects housed in the centre.
Inside, the atmosphere alters gently with the seasons, buffering collections from the sudden variations in humidity and temperature that can cause objects to crack. A computerised air-handling system constantly filters the air, monitoring and adjusting conditions.
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