Join us for a unique tour of the Natural History Museum in Oxford.

The term ‘Natural History’ might lead us to believe that the collections and research at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History are purely ‘natural’ and scientifically objective. This museum tour will challenge your understanding of science and scientific knowledge as we walk you through the main exhibits on a unique guided tour. The museum hosts a wide array of natural specimens gathered from a variety of contexts and preserved with a specific purpose. In this museum tour, your guide will encourage you to question the way we understand nature, highlighting unseen biases and the influence of human perspectives on collections and displays.

Throughout this museum tour, we delve into the intentions and implications of the museum’s collections. By flipping the lens from a ‘natural’ approach to an ‘unnatural’ construction, we explore the historical and ideological underpinnings of natural history museums, revealing a narrative shaped by human influence and selective choice.

Meet in the Upper Gallery on Floor 1 in the Natural History Museum.

Please note that the tour length sometimes runs over depending on tour guide and group engagement.

We believe in promoting equality and ensuring that all our services are fair and sensitive to the needs of all participants. Our guides undertake rigorous accessibility training and are ready to adapt content and itineraries as needed to accommodate participants of all abilities.

• All of our tours are wheelchair accessible. The museum has an accessible entrance on the right side as you approach the main entrance, as well as elevators inside.
• Service animals are welcome on the tour.
• Caregivers and accessibility aids are welcome to attend tours for free, with no need to register.
• The total distance walked during the tour is less than one mile, and there are places to lean/sit at various points.
• Toilets are available within the museum.
• Please inform your guide if any visual or hearing accommodations are needed and they will keep this in mind throughout the tour.

Please let us know of any accessibility requirements when you book.

Read our full accessibility policy.

Tickets can be cancelled or rescheduled up to 24 hours before the start of the museum tour.