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Before the trip
Before the trip
Ensure you have the group register and emergency contact numbers for all leaders and students
Make sure you have the tickets you need to enter with your group
Wear the official group T-shirt or hoodie for easy identification
Charge your phone fully and bring a power bank
Review the risk assessment for the day’s route and activities
Remind students to bring a raincoat or umbrella in case of light rain
Take group photos at key locations and share them with the programme WhatsApp group
A World of Stories
A World of Stories
The Ashmolean Museum is one of Oxford’s most exciting and historic places. Founded in 1683, it is the oldest public museum in Britain and the world’s first university museum. The Ashmolean was created when Elias Ashmole, a wealthy collector, donated his treasures to the University of Oxford “because the knowledge of Nature is very necessary to human life and health.” Today, the museum’s collections span thousands of years and cultures, from Egyptian mummies and Greek statues to Japanese samurai armour and modern art1.
During your visit, you’ll walk through galleries filled with objects from all over the world. You might see the famous Alfred Jewel, the mysterious Guy Fawkes Lantern, or the beautiful Powhatan’s Mantle from North America. Each gallery tells a different story—about ancient kings, artists, scientists, and explorers. The Ashmolean is not just a place to look at old things; it’s a place to discover the real stories of people from every continent and every age.
This trip includes fun stories, surprising facts, and real-life tales from the past. You’ll hear about ancient secrets, lost treasures, and objects that changed the world. It’s not just a museum visit—it’s an adventure across time and cultures.
So get ready to explore ancient artefacts, marvel at world-famous art, and discover what life was really like in different times and places!
The Ashmolean Museum has played an important role in sharing knowledge and culture for more than 300 years. When it first opened, it was a place for scholars and curious visitors to see rare and wonderful objects from around the world. Over time, the collection has grown to include priceless works of art, archaeological finds, and scientific instruments. Today, the Ashmolean is a vibrant place for learning, with exhibitions, family trails, and hands-on activities for all ages1.
Your visit will help you see how people across time and cultures have solved problems, made beautiful things, and tried to understand the world. The Ashmolean’s founding idea—that learning about humanity is important for everyone—still inspires visitors today.
The Timetable for the Trip
The Timetable for the Trip
0:00 – Meet at Ruskin College for a welcome and safety briefing by Activity Leaders.
0:05 – Depart Ruskin College and travel by public transport to the Ashmolean Museum.
0:30 – Arrive at the Ashmolean Museum.
0:35 – The group gathers outside the main entrance. Activity Leader gives an introduction to the museum’s history and what to expect during the visit.
0:40 – Begin the self-guided tour of the Ashmolean Museum.
1:40 – Regroup in a central gallery or the museum’s rooftop terrace for a wrap-up. Activity Leaders answer questions, collect feedback, and take a group photo.
1:45 – Prepare for departure; students gather belongings and use restrooms if needed.
1:50 – Leave the Ashmolean Museum and begin the return journey by public transport.
2:15 – Arrive back at Ruskin College.
The Grand Entrance
The Grand Entrance
Step through the Ashmolean’s impressive neoclassical entrance, with its tall pillars and grand pediment. The museum opened in 1683, making it the oldest public museum in Britain and the world’s first university museum. It was founded with the collection of Elias Ashmole, who wanted everyone to learn from rare and curious objects from around the world.
Look out for: The original “cabinet of curiosities” on display, and the beautiful architecture mixing old and new styles.
Fun fact: The Ashmolean’s first treasures included a stuffed dodo and Powhatan’s Mantle from America!
Egyptian Mummies
Egyptian Mummies
The Ashmolean is home to some of the most fascinating objects from ancient Egypt, including real mummies, painted coffins, and magical amulets. The Egyptian galleries let you explore what life and death were like thousands of years ago.
Look out for: The mummy of Meresamun, ancient hieroglyphs, and statues of gods and pharaohs.
Fun fact: The Ashmolean has the most important collection of Egyptian pre-Dynastic sculpture and ceramics outside Cairo!
The Alfred Jewel
The Alfred Jewel
Discover the Alfred Jewel, one of the Ashmolean’s most famous treasures. Made over 1,000 years ago for King Alfred the Great, this jewel is decorated with gold, enamel, and crystal. It was probably used as a pointer for reading.
Look out for: Other Anglo-Saxon finds, including coins, weapons, and jewellery.
Fun fact: The jewel was found buried in a field in Somerset in 1693 and is a symbol of English history!
The Guy Fawkes Lantern
The Guy Fawkes Lantern
See the lantern said to have been carried by Guy Fawkes during the famous Gunpowder Plot of 1605. This plot was an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament! The lantern is part of the Ashmolean’s original collection and helps bring history to life.
Look out for: The lantern itself, and other objects from England’s past, like Oliver Cromwell’s death mask.
Imagine: What would it have been like to be in London on the night of the Gunpowder Plot?
World Art
World Art
The Ashmolean’s galleries are filled with art from all over the world—paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and more. You’ll find works by famous artists like Cézanne, Picasso, Turner, and Raphael, as well as Chinese, Islamic, and Japanese art.
Look out for: The world’s greatest collection of Raphael drawings, beautiful Asian ceramics, and modern Chinese paintings.
Top tip: Don’t miss the rooftop terrace for a great view of Oxford, or check for special exhibitions in the Sainsbury Galleries!
Raphael, Michelangelo & Masterpieces of Western Art
Raphael, Michelangelo & Masterpieces of Western Art
The Ashmolean is home to the world’s greatest collection of drawings by Raphael, as well as works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Turner, Manet, and Van Gogh. These treasures are displayed in bright, modern galleries where you can get close to the details and see how these artists worked.
Look out for: Raphael’s delicate sketches, Turner’s view of Oxford’s High Street, and paintings by the Impressionists.
Fun fact: The Ashmolean’s collection of Pre-Raphaelite drawings and watercolours is one of the best in the world, and the museum regularly hosts special exhibitions of famous artists’ works.
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