
MM Editor•Apr 19, 2026
Oxford University Museum of Natural History — Where the Darwin Debate Took Place
At a Glance
Oxford University Museum of Natural History, opened 1860, is a Neo-Gothic glass-roofed cathedral for nature. Benjamin Woodward's design houses 7 million specimens. Free entry.
The 1860 Darwin Debate
Just after opening, Huxley and Bishop Wilberforce debated Darwin's evolution here — a milestone in scientific history.
Highlights
- Iguanodon and T-Rex skeletons.
- Dodo specimen — inspired Alice in Wonderland.
- 30,000 minerals and 2,000 gems.
- 5 million insects in the reserves.
- Attached Pitt Rivers Museum with 500,000 ethnographic objects.
Visiting Tips
Train to Oxford; 15-min walk. Free. 2.5–3 hours. Pair with Pitt Rivers and Ashmolean.