Bucks &amp; Oxon

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Story-Museum-July2023-Stock-images-004-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Story Museum, Oxford" class="wp-image-166906" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Story-Museum-July2023-Stock-images-004-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Story-Museum-July2023-Stock-images-004-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Story-Museum-July2023-Stock-images-004-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Story-Museum-July2023-Stock-images-004-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://storymuseum.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Story Museum</a> in central Oxford opened in 2009 to much fanfare, with the aim of instilling a love and wonder of stories in children. I remember going with my kids back in 2015 (when the youngest was 6) and having a blast with the dressing up box. 



The museum closed in 2018, magicked up new investment worth £3m and re-opened in 2021 but I confess this is the first time I&#8217;ve been back since the fancy-dress days and wow, it&#8217;s quite the transformation. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-horse-.jpeg" alt="hobby horse and polar bear and ladder from His Dark Materials " class="wp-image-166860" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-horse-.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-horse--600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-horse--750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-horse--300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-horse--1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Enchanted Library</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_9948-2-10.10.57.jpeg" alt="winnie the pooh pooh sticks wooden bridge and painted trees " class="wp-image-166879" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_9948-2-10.10.57.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_9948-2-10.10.57-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_9948-2-10.10.57-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_9948-2-10.10.57-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pooh sticks with Winnie the Pooh</figcaption></figure>



There&#8217;s immersive room upon immersive room that celebrate famous books and invite curiosity and creativity, from Oxford alumni like Philip Pullman&#8217;s His Dark Materials and Lewis Carroll&#8217;s Alice in Wonderland to Winnie The Pooh where little ones can watch pooh-sticks drift down the digital river. Add in an &#8216;Enchanted Library&#8217; and Harry-Potter style common rooms and it&#8217;s all done terrifically well. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-chandlier-1.jpeg" alt="wooden room with chandelier, wooden cabinets and floor and animal prints on the floor " class="wp-image-166872" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-chandlier-1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-chandlier-1-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-chandlier-1-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-chandlier-1-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Enchanted Library </figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-craft-room-1.jpeg" alt="craft room with fabric on ceiling and stained glass window and wooden chairs and tables " class="wp-image-166873" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-craft-room-1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-craft-room-1-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-craft-room-1-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-craft-room-1-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Magic Common Room</figcaption></figure>



Anyway I am falling down an Alice-in-Wonderland hole here, because the reason for this feature is actually Here Be Dragons, a new permanent exhibition (until July 2025) celebrating &#8216;dragon lore&#8217; in the museum&#8217;s Treasure Chamber exhibition space, guest-curated by How to Train Your Dragon author and illustrator Cressida Cowell, with Toothless, Hiccup, Camicazi and Stormfly popping up in various areas of the exhibition as &#8216;guides&#8217;. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1257" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Here-Be-Dragons-ext-.jpeg" alt="oxford street with story museum sign for dragon exhibition" class="wp-image-166870" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Here-Be-Dragons-ext-.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Here-Be-Dragons-ext--800x670.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Here-Be-Dragons-ext--1000x838.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Here-Be-Dragons-ext--400x335.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Story Museum, sitting pretty in Pembroke St, central Oxford</figcaption></figure>



All children love dragons, we know this, so the exhibition is already half-way to success and there&#8217;s clearly been a lot of thought given to how to bring the idea to life, very much with younger children in mind &#8211; I&#8217;d put the sweet spot from 2-10 years, so you&#8217;ll find low &#8216;smell stations&#8217; for those still toddling, and curtains to pull back and crawl or hide beneath with illustrations on the wall. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_9934.jpeg" alt="Listen to dragon stories sign in exhibition for children" class="wp-image-166878" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_9934.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_9934-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_9934-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_9934-300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_9934-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/2-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-166910" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/2-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



There are zip wires to send dragons across, dragon egg rolling, pickled dragons in jars to stare at, easily accessible books to pull out and read, or listen to, and the inevitable dress up station, along with craft wall which was being enthusiastically used by a pre-schooler on my visit. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-sniff-.jpg" alt="sniff box painted in gold in children's exhibition " class="wp-image-166876" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-sniff-.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-sniff--600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-sniff--750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-sniff--300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-sniff--1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-child.jpeg" alt="ginger haired boy crafting on beanbag" class="wp-image-166863" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-child.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-child-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-child-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-child-300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-child-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-books.jpeg" alt="books about dragons low on a black wall " class="wp-image-166880" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-books.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-books-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-books-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-books-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Toddler-height books </figcaption></figure>



Parents will find interest in the dragon mask on loan from the Pitt Rivers, original Terry Gilliam monster sketches and the general gawpiness from being in such a fun space. I didn&#8217;t even have kids with me this time and I stayed much longer than intended.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-Hero-with-crown.jpeg" alt="woman with golden crown smiling at camera Hero Brown" class="wp-image-166861" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Back in the dressing up box </figcaption></figure>



The exhibition is in a single room and really won&#8217;t take more than an hour (if the kids are really into it), but of course there are all the other interactive spaces to enjoy and there&#8217;s also a café on site with cute outdoor seating and a shop. Plus, if you time it right, there are regular special events, so you can easily while away a whole morning. Even better, Story Museum is right round the corner from the Westgate Centre in Pembroke St &#8211; basically right opposite Christchurch College and next door to Modern Art Oxford &#8211; so it&#8217;s incredibly easy to tag on some shopping or a movie or a walk down to the river and create a day out.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-ext-.jpeg" alt="building painted in blue skies and cloud with circular staircase and chairs and tables and umbrellas " class="wp-image-166859" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-ext-.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-ext--600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-ext--750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-ext--300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Story-Museum-Oxford-ext--1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The courtyard café</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



Not for: A 12 year old who was with his younger brother was kind of interested but was clearly right on the upper end of engagement with Here Be Dragons, though I&#8217;d wager he loved the other interactive rooms.



Good for: Any nursery and primary school child is going to find real pleasure at The Story Museum, and will enjoy Here Be Dragons. It&#8217;s a two minute walk from Westgate Centre so parking is easy peasy, otherwise the train station is a 10 minute walk or buses virtually on St Aldates and High St about a minute away.



The damage: Tickets £14 (ages 6 to adult). 



<a href="https://storymuseum.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://storymuseum.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Story Museum</a>, 42 Pembroke St, Oxford OX1 1BP. Tel: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=the+story+museum+oxford&amp;oq=the+story+museum+oxford&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRhAMgYIAhBFGEAyBggDEEUYQNIBCDI4ODJqMGo3qAIAsAIA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8#">01865 807600</a>. 



Words: Hero Brown, Editor-in-Chief

Review: Here Be Dragons, The Story Museum, Oxford

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