Safety & Accessibility

Three steps to a safe visit

• Check our opening times and what's on
  

  TERM TIME
  Mondays: Closed
  Tuesdays - Fridays: 09:30-16:30
  Saturdays - Sundays: 09:30-17:30
  SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
  Daily: 09:30-17:30
  
  Check out the What’s on Section of the website for details of events taking place, including children's skills courses, theatre performances and regular clubs or browse our season brochure.

• Book in advance
  Your safety is our first priority. In order to help us control numbers on site and to minimise queuing we ask that you book your tickets in advance.

• Keep your distance and wear a mask
  We have adjusted our Gallery experience to help family groups stay together and keep their distance from other groups. Please follow instructions from our Visitor Services Team and wear a mask inside our Galleries (children under the age of 11 are not expected to wear a mask). If you are exempt from wearing a mask, please let our Visitors Services Team know when you arrive.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to book in advance?
  We recommend booking in advance. All our entry tickets are for timed slots and we ask visitors to arrive in good time so that they are ready to start their experience at the time specified on their tickets.
  
• What are your opening times?
  During holiday periods all areas of the Museum are open seven days a week. During term time we are closed on a Monday and open Tuesdays to Sundays.
  
• What steps have you taken to keep your staff and visitors safe?
  We have carried out a full risk assessment of our site
  We have introduced twice-weekly Covid-testing for our staff team
  We have introduced new enhanced cleaning procedures
  We have installed additional hand washing and hand sanitising facilities for our visitors
  We have adapted our Gallery experiences to help family groups maintain social distancing and to limit numbers on site
  We are not selling our theatre show to maximum capacity to allow a little more space in the auditorium
  We have installed screens at payment points in the café and shop
  We have trained our staff in the new safety requirements
  Our ground floor Galleries have an air circulation system that ventilates the spaces with fresh air every 10 minutes.
• Will I have to wear a mask during my visit?
  Yes, we would encourage our visitors to wear a mask whilst in our shop and in our Gallery spaces. Likewise you will find that some of our Front of House team will be wearing protective visors depending on their roles. Please note that children under the age of 11 are not expected to wear face masks. We ask visitors who are exempt from wearing a mask to let our Visitor Services Team know on arrival.
• Do I need to show a Covid passport?
  No, our level of visitor numbers do not require people to show a Covid passport. However, in line with current guidance, we warmly encourage you to take a lateral flow test before visiting for your own peace of mind.
  
• What happens when I arrive?
  We ask visitors to arrive through the large gates on Pembroke Street where a member of our Visitor Services Team will be on hand to give you a warm welcome at a safe distance! At quieter periods you may be asked to enter via the shop where your tickets will be checked. Click here to watch a video about what to expect when you get here.
• Do I need to print out my ticket?
  One of our Visitor Services Team will be greeting people in the courtyard and checking tickets when you arrive or you will have your ticket checked in the shop at quieter periods. You can either print out your ticket at home or show it on your phone or other handheld device when you arrive. When you have shown your ticket you will be given a Sticket (disposable wristband) to put on.
• What happens if I miss my timed entry slot?
  To help manage numbers on site, we have introduced timed tickets for all our experiences. Please aim to arrive at least 10 minutes before the time on your ticket to allow time for ticket checking and cloakroom visits. It is your responsibility to arrive on time - if you miss the entry time on your ticket we will do our best to find an alternative time slot but this may not be possible at busy periods. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information.
• What happens if I'm unwell and can't visit?
  If you find that you are unable to visit because you are unwell or need to self-isolate, as long as you give us a minimum of 24 hours notice before the start time of your ticket, we will credit your account with the value of your tickets so that you can rebook at another time. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information.
  
• Will the shop and café be open? Can I pay by cash?
  Our shop and café are both open. Please note that we are only accepting contactless payment in our shop and café.
• Will I be able to bring my own food and drink?
  No. We ask visitors not to bring their own food or drink on site.
• How is the building ventilated?
  Our ground floor Galleries have an air circulation system that ventilates the spaces with fresh air every 10 minutes. We also keeping open doors and windows when possible. As a result, we would advise all our visitors to bring an extra jumper to help keep warm if it's a chilly day. We have lockers available for a £1 non-refundable fee if you find that you've brought more layers than you need!
  
• Will the toilets be open?
  Yes our toilets are open and we have introduced a new enhanced cleaning regime. Our lockers will also be available and take a non-refundable £1 coin.
• What about other events?
  Full details of our events programme can be found in the What’s on Section of the website, including our outdoor family story walks and after school and weekend skills clubs.
  
• Do I have to book in advance?
  We advise you to book tickets in advance via our website or via telephone through the Box Office. Booking in advance helps reduce queuing and minimise contact, as well as avoiding disappointment if an event or activity is sold out.
  
• Are group visits allowed? Can I meet friends and family at the Museum? Why can’t I book as many tickets as I want on your website
  Please note that if you planning to meet family and friends at the Museum you may need to spread yourself across two or more timed entry slots, as each slot is for a maximum of 8 people. If you are a larger group please call our Box Office on 01865 807600 and we will be happy to take your booking over the phone.
• Why are there no ticket discounts for families or different ticket prices for adults and children?
  We aim to keep our ticket prices as affordable as possible and we are confident that this represents good value for money as our Galleries and family events are designed for all ages to enjoy and we encourage adults to join in with their children during a visit. Under 1s do not need a ticket. We also offer bursary places and reduced price tickets for families taking part in our wider community project work.
• Will school visits still be happening?
  School visits to the Museum, teacher CPD and our popular outreach work in schools have all resumed. Please contact our Learning Team to find out more or visit our schools page on the website.
• What happens if I have a Story Pass?
  All Story Pass holders will still need to book a ticket in advance by contacting the Box Office. Existing Story Passes will also automatically be extended to run throughout 2021.
• What if I can’t visit the Museum?
  We appreciate that many people may not be able to visit the Museum at the moment. In response we have launched a brand new online story resource 1001 Stories featuring stories from our collection. You may also like to subscribe to our YouTube channel which hosts a range of author interviews and activities.
• Why am I having problems getting through to anyone on the phone?
  At busy periods and at weekends it is not always possible to have someone available to answer the phone. Please feel free to email the Box Office and leave a name and number so that we can call you back at a convenient time.
• Where can I park in Oxford?
  Parking in Oxford can be tricky but we appreciate that at the moment Government Guidance is to avoid the use of public transport if possible. Details of City Centre car parks can be found in the ‘Getting here’ section of the website. Both the Redbridge and Seacourt Park and Ride car parks are within a 30 minute walk of the Museum.
  
  Disabled visitors showing both parts of the Blue Badge may park for free in any of the on-street parking spaces. There are 90 Disabled Parking Bays around Oxford and there is also allocated parking on level 4 of the Westgate car park and at the Park & Ride car parks. For information on where to park when displaying a Blue Badge click here.
  

• Where can I leave my bicycle?
  To allow easier social distancing on site we have temporarily removed our bicycle parking on site. The nearest bicycle parking to the Museum is at the end of Pembroke Street nearest to the Westgate Centre.
• Risk Assessment
  The Story Museum has followed the Government’s guidance on managing the risk of Covid-19 and carried our risk assessments for our employees and visitors. A copy of our Five Steps to Safer Working Together certificate is displayed on site.