When we visited The Oxfordshire Museum to do a review I realised that the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum is actually in the back garden, so I added it to my to-do list. Where it sat for a while! Then I discovered that Blenheim Palace annual pass holders now get to visit for free, so off we went to check it out!
The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum is a military (not regimental) museum but it does focus on the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars. Effectively the British Museum is to Discover Bucks as the RAF Museum is to this place.
The galleries
The first thing I need to point out is that what they call a gallery isn’t what I would normally call a gallery. In my mind a gallery is everything in one room. Here at the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum a gallery is basically each display. That really surprised me, and meant that the museum was a lot smaller than I had thought it would be. We were only in here for 30 minutes. There are eight galleries, a spy exhibition (which I believe is temporary) and a WWI trench.
The galleries are mainly focused on the past 100ish years. In some respects The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum is very text heavy, and it does have some really interesting stories to tell. And some heartbreaking ones including the liberation of Bergen Belsen. Realistically that could mean that it’s not great for kids. Actually they’ve thought about how child friendly the museum should be and they’ve added lots of hands-on elements. It managed to keep Smallest Child (4) entertained whilst she was there.
Child friendly elements include dressing up, trails and loads of hands-on elements. You’ll find various activity stations and tons of drawers to open. I don’t know about your kids, but mine always love opening a drawer to find out what’s inside!
The Trench
One bit that is quite cool is the WWI trench. Stuff like this really does help you to see what it would have been like. Just without all the mud and danger! Plus it’s more interesting than a corridor! I did feel like they could have made it a bit longer though, but that’s just me.
Our Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum Review
Originally I would have done this review of the Soliders of Oxfordshire Museum a long time ago via a Groupon offer than I’d seen. But seredipity meant we didn’t go in the end. I’m pleased we got to look around, but I’m also glad that it was free! It’s interesting, but it’s really small. Even their website says to expect to be there for an hour, which I think is quite generous. For £18 per family, and when you compare it to other similiar places, I’m not sure it’s worth it. And I always hate saying things like that.
Admission cost
Family ticket (2A+4C) = £18. All prices are correct at the time this review of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum was published / updated.
FREE admission for Blenheim Palace annual pass holders
Parking / How to get there
Parking – None on-site. Use village car parks or walk from Blenheim Palace is using your annual pass.
Address – Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, Park Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1SN
Toilets
On-site
Food
No cafe on-site but there is one at the Oxfordshire Museum which shares the same site.
What else is there to do nearby?
The Oxfordshire Museum is on the same site and Blenheim Palace is just around the corner. Bunkers Hill Nursery is very close as well, and they do regular children’s trails during the school holidays. Oxford has got loads of free things to do with the kids. Check out my favourites here.
Hi, I’m Vicky. My husband and I live in Aylesbury with our three children; a 14 year old son, an 12 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I (mostly) love spending time together as a family. We visit all kinds of places and we’re quite happy to drive a fair distance for a decent day out. A few years ago I decided to set up Free Time with the Kids as a way to share our experiences of these family days out.
You’ll find the essential information you need to know before your visit that can be surprisingly hard to find out. Where do I park? How much will it cost me to get in? Are there any discounts available? Are there loos? Can I take a picnic or get food? My aim is to be your go-to guide for all your free and cheap family days out across Bucks, Beds, Oxon, Herts & slightly beyond. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook