Pitt Rivers Museum

I can't believe all this is free!!!

17 May 08, 18:28 Above expectations

Now my son is getting older, I am continually trying to find new things to do with him that don't cost the earth and don't depend on good weather! So I took him to Pitt Rivers and was pleasantly suprised by how much was going on there and you didn't have to pay anything. I could have spent hours there as theres so much interesting stuff to look at but he has a shorter attention span so just needed a quick look. They have a great quiz for children which made it more interesting for him as he had to spot the mice from clues. I thought it would be good if they had a few more things aimed at children - particularly as some of the stuff is too high for young ones to see. But overall I was impressed and will definitely be taking him again.

Fascinating

16 Apr 08, 16:11 Beyond expectations

Quite simply one of the oddest museums, full of the oddest items you could imagine. I guess Odd would describe the whole thing except the experience which is fascinating

Where else are you going to find Shrunken heads on a Thursday afternoon on the edge of the Cotswolds.

Star of numerous Inspector Morse episodes (they steal a strange knife from here, but I can't remember "who done it")

Always a talking point from people who have taken time to visit it, I even had a conversation about it in Hong Kong from a chinese lady who thought it was brilliant. Word of Mouth is a powerful thing

See how the world lives - family friendly fun

13 Nov 07, 21:21 Beyond expectations

I first visited this museum as part of my A level art course and I can remember being fascinated the crafts and artefacts but mostly by the atmosphere. But it took me another 25 years to find the shrunked heads that are the highlight for so many people (or teen age boys at any rate). There so many other things to see. Lamps, baskets, clothes, knives, guns, if people have made it and used it there will be an example here. My favorite things are the toys and games, the jewellery, the things made out of other things (recycling), the weaving, the embroidery. In fact my favorite things are whatever I was looking at on my last visit. After all how can you choose your favourite thing if you have to choose between an East African dhow or a totem pole, Nigerain masks or Japenese theatre masks? Every Sunday there is a family fun day when there are special trails, creative activities and backpacks to borrow. If you have small children the backpacks are worth borrowing just for the fun they can have the torches provided. This gives you a bit of time to actually look at the cases you want to look into. It also makes it easy for children to point out what they are looking at. Instead of saying,what is that?, and pointing at a display full of hundreds of good luck charms, they can shine the beamon the one they are talking about. During the school holidays there are special events with lots on to keep the children occupied. And there are special events on through out the year. Check out the university website for details of all the museums page http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/nb/family.shtml Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy has scenes set in the museum. The film is out this December so if your children like the books or the film try bringing them here to experience real thing. There is a tiny but interesting shop and the new extension is opening in Nov 2007. There are rumours that there will be a cafe. If not, either take a picnic to the University Parks just along the road, visit one of the pubs or cross St Giles and visit the ice cream cafe in Little Clarendon Street. 01865 272950. Admission Free