FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FIND ANSWERS TO YOUR VISITING & GENERAL ASHMOLEAN FAQS
We look forward to welcoming you back. Find answers here to some of your most commonly-asked visiting and booking questions.
MUSEUM & EXHIBITION TICKETS
Advance booking is not required for general Museum admission, but to guarantee entry at busy times, and to avoid waiting, booking tickets in advance is recommended. Plan Your Visit
Advance booking is recommended for the Anselm Kiefer: Early Works exhibition (open 14 Feb - 15 Jun 2024). To avoid disappointment, please arrive within your time slot.
Booking is required for Groups. Group Bookings Information
Please see our Plan Your Visit webpage to find our booking links, or, if you are not able to book online, please telephone the box office on 01865 278112. Please be aware we have limited resource to answer calls, so online booking is recommended. Plan Your Visit
Please note telephone bookings may incur a booking fee to help support the Museum and cover the costs of staffing our Box Office.
There are multiple ticket options available:
- Ashmolean Adventure Family tickets – These tickets are for our families multimedia guide, which can be booked for families of up to 6 people. lease be aware, if booking an afternoon ticket, that the Ashmolean closes at 5pm. Ashmolean Adventure – find out more
- Lunch or Afternoon Tea on the Rooftop tickets – Lunch and Afternoon tea bookings include a booking for the restaurant. You will also be able to visit the Museum galleries, café and shop as these require no ticket. Please be aware, if booking an afternoon ticket, that the Ashmolean closes at 5pm. Rooftop Restaurant – find out more
- DAYTIME Exhibition tickets – These tickets (time slots to 4pm) permit entry to the ticketed exhibition. You will also be able to visit the Museum galleries, café and shop as these require no ticket. Please be aware, if booking an afternoon ticket, that the Ashmolean closes at 5pm. Upcoming exhibitions - find out more
- EVENING Exhibition tickets – These tickets (time slots from 4.15pm) permit entry to the exhibition and the exhibition shop only. These tickets do not include admission to the Museum or the café which will not be open. Upcoming exhibitions - find out more
- FREE Museum General Admission tickets – When these free tickets are available (during peak seasons) they permit entry to the Museum collections, free temporary displays, café and shop. Booking is not essential and you can visit without a General Admission ticket. Plan your visit
We ask that Members and Patrons book exhibition tickets in advance where possible, to avoid disappointment.
To obtain free exhibition tickets, Members will need to enter their 13- or 14-digit membership number.
Expired memberships do not provide free access to our special exhibitions, but we would be delighted if you wished to renew your membership. If your membership is coming up for renewal, we will contact you in advance with instructions on how to renew and book your exhibition/Museum slot. More information about membership can be found on our membership FAQs page: Your Membership
If you are visiting the main Museum galleries only, we would recommend at least 90 minutes for your visit.
If you are visiting the Ashmolean's major exhibition when open, then we would recommend at least 1 hour to see the exhibition. If you have booked a daytime ticket for the exhibition you can also visit the rest of the Museum afterwards. (Evening tickets do not include Museum entry.) Please be aware that the Ashmolean closes at 5pm and this should be taken into consideration if you wish to see more of the Museum after your exhibition visit.
Yes the whole Museum should be open. You'll find any temporary gallery or cafe and Restaurant closures listed here
To find out which exhibitions and free displays will be open when you visit, please visit this link: Exhibitions and Displays
The Western Art Print Room is available for bookings.
No, you will be able to stay in the Exhibition for as long as you wish, until the Museum closes at 5pm.
Please arrive at the Exhibition to enter within the time slot on your ticket. We cannot guarantee early entry.
We will do our best to allow entry if you miss your booked time slot, but unfortunately this cannot always be guaranteed.
PAID-FOR TICKETS: We do not offer refunds on paid-for tickets, as per our Terms & Conditions. We can, however, change the date and/or time of your paid-for tickets but this may be subject to a booking fee and is subject to availability. Please contact onlinetickets@ashmus.ox.ac.uk with your name, date and time of your booking. Alternatively you can telephone the box office at 01865 278112.
FREE TICKETS: If you are unable to make your time slot, we would still be grateful if you could let us know as soon as possible so that we can make the slot available for others. Please contact onlinetickets@ashmus.ox.ac.uk with your name, date and time of your booking. Alternatively you can telephone the box office at 01865 278112.
Visitors booking online will receive an e-ticket via confirmation email. We would recommend downloading the PDF ticket before you visit, to show on your phone or device for us to scan, or printing it.
No, you will receive your tickets attached to a confirmation email shortly after completing your online booking. Please print your tickets and present them at the exhibition entrance, or show them on a mobile phone. Entry cannot be guaranteed if tickets are not presented.
Please check your spam/junk folders. If you still cannot find your booking email, please email us before your visit so we can help resolve the issue. Our ticketing email address is: onlinetickets@ashmus.ox.ac.uk
Yes. Visitors are welcome to take photographs in the Museum unless stated otherwise (photography of some loans and works in copyright is restricted, as indicated by signage.) It is the visitor’s responsibility to ensure that copyright is not infringed.
These images are for personal, non-commercial use only (ie not to be sold, or used in products that will be sold.)
Any requests for commercial uses of visitor images should be sent to our Picture Library via picture.library@ashmus.ox.ac.uk
The use of flash/ additional lighting or camera supports is not permitted in the gallery spaces.
Please be mindful that consent is required before taking or using images of other visitors.
For group bookings (schools, language schools, tour operators and other commercial groups) please visit our 'Visiting as a Group' webpage.
Please contact the Box Office by phone on 01865 278 112.
No, but we recommend that at busy times of the year, particularly in the school holidays, all visitors book in advance for their exhibition visit so we can manage the capacities.
Yes. You can visit our Special Exhibition for FREE under the NMDC (National Museum Directors' Council) reciprocal entry scheme. Bring proof of eligibility (Membership or Staff Card) with you on the day of your visit and present this with your ticket. Pre-booking is recommended.
Yes, we ask that all visitors pre-book for their visit so we can manage the capacities under social distancing rules. Your carer is entitled to free entry to the exhibition.
Disabled visitors should book a regular exhibition ticket at full or concession price, depending on eligibility. Accompanying carers also need a ticket but these are free. Carers can access the exhibition for free with a ticket-holding disabled visitor.
Concession exhibition tickets are available for University of Oxford staff and alumni, and those over 65.
Discounted exhibition tickets are available for all non-Oxford University students, children aged 12–17, persons under 25, those who are unemployed, Blue Light Card Holders, and Art Fund Members. Proof of eligibility must be presented with your ticket when you visit.
Ashmolean Membership only covers exhibition entry for yourself and any other named members if you hold a joint membership. You may bring guests with you into the exhibitions if you hold an 'Individual + Guest' or 'Joint + Guests' membership. If you hold an 'Individual' or 'Joint' membership then you will need to purchase a ticket for any guests who are not named members.
All visitors must have a pre-booked ticket to be granted exhibition entry.
For any media enquiries about our exhibitions, please refer to our Press information page
GROUP BOOKINGS
Yes, please visit our 'Visiting as a Group' page for the latest information.
SCHOOL GROUP BOOKINGS
We offer a wide programme of both online and onsite teaching sessions for Primary, Secondary & FE Groups.
Booking is essential, even for self-guided groups. Without a booking we will not be able to allow entry.
To book a self-guided visit to the main exhibition, please contact the Box Office.
For more information, visit our schools pages:
Please check your booking confirmation letter carefully for information about where to come on arrival.
Most Primary and Secondary taught sessions are directed to come to the Group visits entrance at St Giles where you will be met by your Session Leader.
We may ask self-guided groups to come to the front door of the Museum on Beaumont Street.
Look for the group meeting point on the forecourt. Introduce yourself to the member of staff who is welcoming visitors and show them your confirmation letter.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you need cancel so we can release your space to other groups and individuals.
To cancel, please contact the Learning Department at:
Non-school groups should please book tickets through the Ashmolean Box Office.
Find out more on our ticketing page: Ashmolean Tickets
STUDY ROOMS, EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
We are happy to welcome self-guided groups, Please visit our 'Visiting as a Group' page for the latest information.
SMARTIFY AUDIO GUIDES
Unlock extraordinary stories from our collections from the comfort of your smartphone, with our Smartify Audio Tours. The tours can be listened to online, from home, or at the Museum. To find out more and to buy a copy of the Highlights Tour, please visit our Smartify page. Smartify at the Ashmolean
FAMILY TRAILS
Some paper Family Trails will be available, but we may need to restrict their use on occasion to maintain social distancing. Visitors are asked to follow the advice of Museum staff. You can download trails to print at home at the following link: Family Trails
ASHMOLEAN ADVENTURE
Our families multimedia guide, the Ashmolean Adventure, is designed for families with children aged 7–11, but there is plenty for all ages to enjoy. Find out more on our Ashmolean Adventure page.
TOILETS & FACILITIES
Yes, we have accessible toilets, and changing facilities in the Museum.
Our toilets are regularly cleaned throughout the day.
Yes, our lockers are available. A non-refundable £1 coin is required, or payment can be made by card in our shop.
If possible, we would recommend only bringing a small bag if necessary.
Visitors are asked to carry bags on their front, or hold them by their side when in the galleries for the protection of objects that are on open display.
Recyclable plastic bags will be available for small umbrellas. In line with our usual policy, large umbrellas are not allowed into the galleries. Limited storage for large umbrellas will be available near the doors but items are left at visitor’s own risk.
CATERING
Yes, the Ashmolean’s indoor café is open every day 10am–5pm (last orders are 4.30pm). It is located on the lower ground floor.
Weather permitting, we also have a small open-air courtyard for customers to enjoy adjacent to the café.
WHAT IS BEING SERVED?
The café offers a selection of freshly-made meals from soups, salads, quiches and stews to delicious sandwiches, cakes and pastries, with a selection of hot and cold drinks. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
Our friendly café team are on hand for those with specific dietary requirements.
Cream teas are available in the café all day and look out for our exhibition-inspired menus.
We accept both card and cash payments.
Food and drink purchased in the café can also be taken away. Any food or drinks bought on the premises as part of the takeaway offer must be consumed outside the Museum so should be bought at the end of your visit.
For our current opening hours and menus, please visit our Restaurant webpage:
The café and Rooftop Restaurant accept cash, card and contactless payment.
Yes, we are happy for you to use a suitable, empty and clean re-useable cup.
Yes, our catering staff will happily refill your water bottle or provide you with tap water. Please ask at the café counter.
Unfortunately, we do not have indoor seating available in the cafecaféfor you to eat your own food and drinks, but there is a Family Lunch Room space available in the Learning Studio at weekends, and during the week during school holidays.
PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE MUSEUM
Yes. Visitors are welcome to take photographs in the Museum unless stated otherwise (photography of some loans and works in copyright is restricted, as indicated by signage.) It is the visitor’s responsibility to ensure that copyright is not infringed.
These images are for personal, non-commercial use only (ie not to be sold, or used in products that will be sold.)
Any requests for commercial uses of visitor images should be sent to our Picture Library via picture.library@ashmus.ox.ac.uk
The use of flash/ additional lighting or camera supports is not permitted in the gallery spaces.
Please be mindful that consent is required before taking or using images of other visitors.
ACCESS
Yes, our accessible toilets, and changing facilities, are open.
Yes, a limited number of wheelchairs are available to borrow.
No, we do not allow dogs or pets in the Museum galleries. However, guide, assistant and companion animals – including assistant dogs in training – are welcome at the Museum. They must be kept with you at all time. Find more information on our Access page
Yes, limited seating is available in the galleries and folding stools will also be available.
Yes, lifts are available. Use is prioritised for people with mobility issues and we ask that people who do not need a lift please use the stairs when possible.
Yes, as always we welcome visitors with young children and buggies to come and enjoy the Museum.
SHOPPING
Yes, our main shop on the Lower Ground Floor is open.
Our exhibition shop, on Level 3, will be open when our major exhibitions are open. Upcoming exhibitions
You may also like to shop online:
Yes, we accept cash and card payments in the shops.
MEMBERS
To find out more about your Ashmolean Membership and Online Membership account, visit the Your Membership page
If you're not a member and are interesting in joining us, visit the Become a Member page
