Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Oxford University Museum of Natural History Official Facebook of Oxford University Museum of Natural History, a stunning Victorian building home to 7 million objects. Free entry, open 10-5 every day.
(1141)

34: Critical Raw Materials opens today at noon!This temporary exhibition is free!Critical minerals are those which are e...
17/06/2026

34: Critical Raw Materials opens today at noon!

This temporary exhibition is free!

Critical minerals are those which are essential for a country’s economy or national security, but which may not have a reliable supply chain. At a time of rising geopolitical tensions and growing competition over the resources needed for clean energy, modern technology and defence, there has never been a more timely moment to shine a spotlight on them.

Behold, the sea potato.This is a polymetallic nodule that forms in sediments in the deep sea, usually 3,000-6,000 metres...
15/06/2026

Behold, the sea potato.

This is a polymetallic nodule that forms in sediments in the deep sea, usually 3,000-6,000 metres down. These nodules contain different types of metals, but often manganese is extracted from them.

What kinds of issues can come from mining in the deep sea?

Learn more at our new exhibition 34: Critical Raw Materials opens this week.

OPENING SOONWe hear about critical raw materials almost every day in our news feeds, but how do they actually fit into o...
12/06/2026

OPENING SOON

We hear about critical raw materials almost every day in our news feeds, but how do they actually fit into our lives? What are they? Why do we need them? Where do we get them from? And how will we get them in the future?

34: The critical raw materials shaping our future opens this Wednesday.

At the heart of the exhibition are 34 raw materials officially designated as ‘critical’ to UK development by researchers...
10/06/2026

At the heart of the exhibition are 34 raw materials officially designated as ‘critical’ to UK development by researchers and the Government. These include familiar materials such as iron, aluminium, lithium, cobalt, titanium, helium and rare earth elements (pictured here), alongside less well-known but equally essential substances.

Our new exhibition 34: Critical Raw Materials opens 17 June.

https://oumnh.ox.ac.uk/34-critical-raw-materials-shaping-our-future

Neo-Gothic architecture ✅Historic taxidermy ✅Exhibits on contemporary science ✅Dinosaurs ✅Café with a view ✅
09/06/2026

Neo-Gothic architecture ✅
Historic taxidermy ✅
Exhibits on contemporary science ✅
Dinosaurs ✅
Café with a view ✅

Tomorrow you can visit the Museum to learn all about volcanoes! In our family-friendly event, The Power of Volcanoes, we...
05/06/2026

Tomorrow you can visit the Museum to learn all about volcanoes! In our family-friendly event, The Power of Volcanoes, we will have activities on in the main court from 10:30-1:00 with a special talk from volcanologists Professor Tamsin Mather and Professor David Pyle at 11 to uncover the science behind eruptions, the different types of volcanoes around the world, and the work of volcanologists studying these fiery giants up close!

https://oumnh.ox.ac.uk/event/the-power-of-volcanoes-activities

This vicuña is native to South America, where present day lithium extraction in Chile's Atacama Desert is changing lands...
03/06/2026

This vicuña is native to South America, where present day lithium extraction in Chile's Atacama Desert is changing landscapes, displacing communities and driving economic booms and busts.

Lithium is a critical material for rechargeable batteries, notably those in electric vehicles.

Our next exhibition 34: Critical Raw Materials opens 17 June.

https://oumnh.ox.ac.uk/34-critical-raw-materials-shaping-our-future

We are HIRING an Events and Marketing Coordinator for the Museum!You will support the delivery and promotion of more tha...
02/06/2026

We are HIRING an Events and Marketing Coordinator for the Museum!

You will support the delivery and promotion of more than 160 events each year, working closely with the Events Manager to provide administrative, operational and marketing support for the Museum’s venue hire business.

Apply now:

https://shorturl.at/9k6kO

34: Critical Raw Materials opens 17 June.If you're looking for free things to do out in Oxford, look no further than our...
29/05/2026

34: Critical Raw Materials opens 17 June.

If you're looking for free things to do out in Oxford, look no further than our free exhibition, 34.

Interactive digital installations allow visitors to dismantle everyday objects virtually, revealing the dozens of elements inside, and to watch the volcanic processes that put mineral-rich rocks and liquids within our grasp.

A tactile, hands-on section enables visitors to physically trace iron’s journey from ore through smelting and refinement to alloyed products, with the opportunity to handle raw minerals, ingots, pellets and finished objects.

https://oumnh.ox.ac.uk/34-critical-raw-materials-shaping-our-future

Address

Parks Road
Oxford
OX13PW

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

01865 272950

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Oxford University Museum of Natural History posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Oxford University Museum of Natural History:

Shortcuts

Share

Category