Rainy Day Activities: Explore Oxford's Museum of Natural History

Calling this museum enlightening wouldn’t just be a figure of speech: there are over 8,000 newly restored glass tiles letting the light in at this Grade I listed building in Oxfordshire. While light dances off the interior ironwork, you can explore over 250,000 specimens which make up the Zoological collections alone, including one of the world’s only sets of Dodo remains. You'll also find galleries dedicated to life-size dinosaur models (with genuine fossils on display) and precious prehistoric gemstones in all their sparkly, colourful glory.

There are live talks, workshops and even bug handling sessions to keep inquisitive minds occupied all day. And if you’re visiting in the summer, keep an eye out for the swifts who return year after year to nest in the museum’s tower.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History is open every day (except from 24-26 December) between 10am and 5pm. Entry is free for all adults and children.