The Cotswolds

Bruern is fortunate to be within twenty miles of Oxford, whose colleges and chapels, most of which are open to visitors, boast one of the finest concentrations of mediaeval European architecture to be found anywhere. Also as a result of the University connection, Oxford also has several world-renowned museums and galleries, in which a large part of the private collections of the colleges are on display.

However, there are also many lesser-known treasuries of esoteric knowledge to be discovered. These are all within an hour or so of Bruern, and cater for diverse interests: from local history to regimental histories, from pottery to perfumery, from working Victorian farms to miniature model villages and steam railways.

 

Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum,

(01242 237431)

 

About Gloucestershire & Cheltenham, this museum focuses on the area's history, archaeology and natural history. In addition, there are galleries of ceramics and oriental art, and an Arts and Crafts collection of international importance.

 

Pitt Rivers Museum,

Oxford (01865 270927)

 

Originally founded to house the bequest of the anthropological collection of General Pitt Rivers, this was conceived as a logical extension to the University's natural history collection next door. As the layout has changed little since the late nineteenth century, it has also been likened to a museum of the Victorian museum. The most spectacular exhibit is a forty foot totem pole from the Queen Charlotte Islands. As the aim here is to display rather than teach, this museum is not really suitable for those in search of interactive exhibits, particularly children.

 

Natural History Museum,

Oxford (01865 272950)

 

The exhibits here are organised to tell the story of the evolution of life on Earth, and come with a lot more information than in the Pitt Rivers museum, which shares the same building but tends to let the exhibits speak for themselves. There are also more programmes and activities for children, who will be impressed by the huge Iguanodon skeleton. You can also see the head of the Dodo that inspired Lewis Carroll to put the creature into Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

 

Ashmolean Museum,

Oxford (01865 278000)

 

Museum of Art and Archaeology. Founded in 1683, The Ashmolean has a strong claim to be the world's oldest public museum, and is the home of the famous Alfred Jewel. The collections are large and varied, being particularly rich in Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities and in Italian Renaissance paintings, with works by Giotto, Uccello, Raphael and Giorgione. Other artists whose work is on display include Rembrandt, Rubens, the French Impressionists, and virtually every first rank British artist from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries. Also outstanding are the collections of coins and of Old Master drawings.

 

 

 

Oxfordshire Museum,

Woodstock (01993 811456)

 

This is a new museum, created to house the collections belonging to Oxfordshire County Council and to provide information on local history, art, archaeology, landscape and wildlife, as well as on the county's technology industries from nanotechnology to nuclear power. With a strong emphasis on interactive exhibits, events and activities, there are four galleries entirely devoted to changing exhibitions.

 

Museum of the History of Science,

Oxford (01865 277280)

 

This museum houses probably the world's foremost collection of historic scientific instruments in what is the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum building, the Old Ashmolean on Broad Street. As originally conceived in the seventeenth century, it was an institution that pioneered the new empirical way of learning about nature that emerged then, with experiments being undertaken in a chemical laboratory in the basement, and lecturing and demonstration taking place on the middle floor. It only became solely a museum, as opposed to a place of scientific research, in the 1920's. Fascinating for those with an interest in the development of modern scientific knowledge, and it leaves you with a feeling of awe for the achievements of the early pioneers, who often had to conceive, design and build the instruments they used for their research.

 

Pendon Museum,

Long Wittenham (01865 407365)

 

Featuring a model village and working miniature model railways, the aim here is to show scenes that recapture the English countryside and railways as they used to be between the wars.

 

Motoring and Toy Museum,

Bourton (01451 821255)

 

As well as having classic cars, motorcycles, pedal cars, metal motoring signs, teddy bears, toy aeroplanes and caravans alongside various other kinds of motoring memorabilia, this small museum is also home to BRUM, the small yellow four-wheeled star of the BBC children's series of the same name.

 

Cogges Manor Farm Museum,

Witney (01993 772602)

 

Centred around the Manor House, parts of which are over Seven Hundred years old, this is a celiving museum, showing how domestic servants and farm hands went about their daily tasks in Victorian times. Activities include handmilking, pigfeeding and buttermaking, and baking in the kitchens. There are also non-living exhibits such as traditional carts and wagons from the rural past, as well as Victorian clothes and replica toys that children can try on and play with.

 

Aston Pottery,

Aston (01993 852031)

 

This is a present-day working pottery, where visitors can observe the actual process of manufacture by traditional methods, seeing jigger and jolleying, slip casting, fettling, hand decorating, glazing and firing. Whatever they are. To find out, pay them a visit.

 

Cotswold Perfumery,

Bourton (01451 820698)

 

An exhibition devoted to everything about perfume, including its history, classification and manufacture. Featuring a cinema complete with smells and a perfume garden, where all the flowers have been specially selected for their fragrance. You can take the Perfume Quiz and get expert advice on how to choose a perfume.

 

Heritage Motor Centre,

Gaydon (01926 641188)

 

The largest collection of classic, vintage & veteran British cars in the world. At weekends & school holidays, there are go-karts for children and adults, as well as electric cars for 3-7 year olds.

 

 

Corinium Museum,

Cirencester (01285 655611)

 

Award-winning museum, featuring one of the finest collections of antiquities from Roman Britain. The museum focuses on Roman history in Britain, and provides an insight into the innovations they brought here, the changes they made to everyday life, and how and why they built the foundations of a new civilisation in Britain. Many imaginative and interactive exhibits. Good for children.

 

Bourton Model Railway Exhibition,

Bourton (01451 820686)

 

Contains three displays with over forty British and continental miniature trains, covering over 500 square feet in total. One unusual feature here is that visitors can control some of the trains, which will appeal to children.

 

 

 

Buildings of Bath Museum,

Bath (01225 333895)

 

The Buildings of Bath Museum tells the story of how this Georgian city was built, decorated and lived in and explores the factors that contributed to its development. It aims to promote interest in the history of Bath through displays and educational programmes.

 

Abingdon Museum,

Abingdon (01235 524703)

 

Abingdon museum is housed in the centre of this ancient town in the spectacular 17th century County Hall. It includes displays about the history of Abingdon, possibly the oldest town in Britain, a lively exhibition and events programme, stunning views from the roof, and a study collection of contempory crafts.

 

 

 

 

Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry Museum,

Oxford (01865 780128)

 

Small but comprehensive collection of uniforms, weapons and other artefacts covering the history of the regiment.