The Oxford Illusion Museum
It is housed in a tall 235 year old building that has held both a nightclub and offices over the years. Now this dizzying space is home to a hub of attractions - 22 rooms, across 4 floors. Hidden somewhat, sandwiched between High Street shops, it is a gem of a find that astonished and delighted us all on a drizzly Saturday afternoon.
The Oxford Illusion Museum
It was opened by an innovative team, hellbent on giving Oxfordshire families new experiences. The museum offers a joyful walk through some really wacky experiences. On entering, a long hallway boasts multicoloured mirror illusions. You are then guided through the building through a number of varying rooms, all individually themed. We felt entirely dizzy by the rotating maps and mirrors, completely confused by a tunnel that was in fact rotating, not us – as our centres of gravity went flying.
Our other favourite rooms were the ‘Alice down the rabbit hole’ photo opportunity, the upside-down room, infinity dodecahedron and the optical illusion bookshelf, whereby a person on the right seems to be borrower size, compared to a giant person on the left.
We also enjoyed the puzzle room – where we all tried to follow a map with illusion goggles on and marvelled at spinning tops that appeared to come to life, hologram faces that moved and Crystal maze style neon lit structure. Enough to keep the children entertained for over an hour, the museum is definitely one to keep in mind when looking for things to do in Oxford.
Whilst there, we also chatted to Charlotte Waring, Manager of Oxford Illusion Museum.
What date did Oxford Illusion museum open?
We opened mid-June this year and were really excited to see the turnout of the summer crowds. It’s great to see Oxford give us such a warm welcome!
What was the inspiration behind the opening?
Part of the inspiration came from similar spaces, such as the Twist Museum in London or Camera Obscura in Edinburgh. We really love their displays and wanted something like it in Oxford that could be super engaging and interactive for families.
Do you have a favourite space?
I love the “Ames Chair”. It’s a tricky one to get to work at first, but it’s so effective when it does! It’s essentially a chair that makes anyone who sits on it look tiny!
Which room took the longest to create?
Our vortex tunnel probably took the longest to get right. We were still trying to get it to work even when we first opened! It was worth the wait, though, it’s easily become our showstopper and is definitely worth seeing in person (as long as you don’t get too dizzy!).
Do you welcome local schools to visit ?
We love for local schools to visit! We are always developing our spaces and activities and love to work with groups to try out our workshops.
Does the museum have any special plans for Christmas?
We have some plans already in the works and hope to have our Christmas events running from the end of November. There will be loads of fund games and activities to make the space feel cosy and festive.
Are you planning any new exhibits for 2026?
We have some great new exhibits being worked on right now! I don’t want to spoil anything yet, but there are some great bits that will really warp your mind and come to life!
OPENING HOURS
11am-6pm every day
PRICING
£14 Adult
£7 Child
£7 Student
https://oxfordillusionmuseum.com/
