Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum
Military museum in Woodstock telling the stories of Oxfordshire’s soldiers, from regimental history to the two world wars and secret agents.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum opened in 2014 in Woodstock to honour the soldiers of Oxfordshire’s regiments and to present their history. It was built in the grounds of the Oxfordshire Museum for around £3.2 million and was opened by the Princess Royal. It is run by the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust, a registered charity, and is accredited as a museum.
The Main Gallery opens with timelines of the county and its regiments and then leads into self-contained display areas on individual stories and themes. Other displays outside the gallery include a recreated Great War trench, a Second World War shelter and cases of campaign and gallantry medals. The Oxfordshire Gallantry Board, opened in 2023, honours the county’s most courageous soldiers and civilians.
Highlights
- Main Gallery with display areas on Oxfordshire’s regiments and wars
- Secret Agents, Secret Armies, including Ian Fleming and James Bond
- Recreated Great War trench and Second World War shelter
- Campaign and gallantry medals and the Oxfordshire Gallantry Board
Permanent exhibitions
- Main Gallery – County and regimental timelines followed by display areas on topics including the Oxfordshire Hussars, secret agents, prisoners of war, global army history and the two world wars.
- Great War trench and Second World War shelter – A recreated First World War trench built with local cadets and a Second World War shelter built by volunteers in 2022.
- Medals and Oxfordshire Gallantry Board – Campaign and gallantry medal cases shown all year, and a board honouring the county’s most courageous soldiers and civilians.
- Founded
- 2014
- Operated by
- Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £8Seniors, students and armed forces |
| Children & teens | £5.50free up to age 4 · Ages 5 to 16; children under 5 enter free. |
| Seniors | £8 |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Carers enter free. |
| Students & apprentices | £8 |
| Families | £151 adult and 2 children. |
| Family ticket (1 adult and up to 4 children) | £20 |
| Family ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children) | £28 |
A ticket gives unlimited entry to the exhibitions for 12 months. Gift Aid allows the trust to reclaim an extra 25 percent. Blenheim Palace annual pass holders and Friends of the museum enter the Main Gallery free. A 2-for-1 offer applies to standard entry with a train or bus ticket from the day of the visit. Children and young people under 18 enter free on autism-friendly visits.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Blue Badge spaces are available directly outside the museum on Park Street. An accessibility guide is available as a PDF on the museum’s website. Autism-friendly visits run on Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00 in term time and on Wednesdays and Fridays in school holidays, with lower lighting and often no gallery sound; booking is by email to education@sofo.org.uk. A social story and gallery map are available.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
| Family ticket | £15 · 1 adult and 2 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Family tickets are available. Hands-on activities are offered on the autism-friendly visits.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Buses S3 and S7 run from Oxford city centre, and the S7 also runs from Witney. By train, travel to Long Hanborough and take the S7, or to Oxford and take the S3 or S7.
By car
Free parking · 10-min walk to the entrance
A free long-stay car park on Hensington Road (sat nav OX20 1JQ) is about a 10-minute walk away. Pay-and-display bays for one to five hours and Blue Badge bays are on Park Street outside the museum.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
An online shop is linked from the museum’s website.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
The Briefing Room can be joined to the Main Hall for meetings. The venue has hosted parties, craft fairs, book launches and training courses. Catering and kitchen hire are available.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum recommends allowing at least one hour. School and learning enquiries go to education@sofo.org.uk. |
