Name: Oxford Bus Museum and Morris Museum
Rating: 5.0

Oxford Bus Museum and Morris Museum

Hanborough Station, Long Hanborough, Witney, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

Description

The Oxford Bus Museum and Morris Museum is a transport museum category attraction that brings the history of local travel to life through a massive collection of vintage vehicles. It is widely considered one of the best things to do with kids in Long Hanborough because it offers a hands-on look at historic buses, horse-drawn trams, and classic Morris cars. The museum is located right next to the railway station, making it an easy trip for families looking to explore Oxfordshire’s industrial heritage.

Planning a family visit is easy on the pocket. Prices start from £5.00 for children, and there are various family ticket options available to keep costs down. Since the museum is a registered charity run by volunteers, your entry fee goes directly towards the restoration of these beautiful old vehicles.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines nostalgia with educational fun, this is it. It provides a unique educational day out where children can learn how people got to school and work before everyone had a car. As an indoor attraction with plenty of large-scale displays, it is a reliable choice for a weekend outing regardless of the weather.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Interactive Exhibits: The museum features interactive exhibits including several buses that children can actually climb aboard to pretend they are the driver or conductor.
Educational Day Out: With a vast array of Morris Motors history, it provides a high-quality educational day out regarding British manufacturing and design.
Sensory Play: Visual sensory play is everywhere, from the bright "Oxford Blue" and "City of Oxford" bus liveries to the smell of vintage leather and oil.
Vintage Bus Rides: On select "Running Days," families can enjoy the thrill of a real journey on a restored vintage bus through the local countryside.

Top 5 Highlights

The Horse-Drawn Tram: This is one of the oldest items in the collection. It is a "Helpful Peer" favourite because kids find it hard to believe that horses used to pull "buses" on tracks through the streets of Oxford.
The Morris Bullnose: A classic car that put Oxford on the map. It’s a great way to show children how cars have changed from simple, open-top machines to the high-tech vehicles we see today.
Open-Top Vintage Buses: On sunny days or during events, these are a massive hit. Kids love sitting on the top deck and seeing the world from a much higher perspective than a standard car.
The Restoration Workshop: From the viewing area, you can often see volunteers working on the next project. It helps children understand that these machines require hard work and skill to keep them running.
The Bicycle Collection: Morris began his career with bicycles, and the museum has a fantastic range. It’s a fun way to trace the history of travel from two wheels to four.

Facilities

Toilets: Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available on-site.
Buggy Parking: Plenty of space within the museum halls for strollers and buggies.
Food & Drink: A small tea room serves hot drinks, soft drinks, and pre-packaged snacks and biscuits.

Pro-Tips for Parents

Check the Running Days: The best time to visit is on a "Running Day" when the buses actually go out for trips; these are usually Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Take the Train: Since the museum is literally at the station, it saves you the hassle of parking and adds to the "transport" theme of the day.
Bring a Camera: The buses and vintage cars make for great family photos, and the lighting in the main halls is usually excellent for pictures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth it for toddlers? Toddlers usually love the bright colours of the buses and the chance to sit in the driver's seat of the interactive displays.
How long does a visit take? Most families spend about 2 hours, but if it is a running day with bus rides, you should allow for 3 hours.
Where is the best place to park? The museum has its own dedicated free car park, which is the easiest option for those driving.
Are there cheap indoor activities in Long Hanborough? The Oxford Bus Museum is one of the most affordable and unique indoor activities in the area, offering a full afternoon of fun for a very reasonable family ticket price.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The fact that kids can actually get on some of the buses is a huge plus compared to other "static" museums.
The volunteers are incredibly friendly and will often stop to tell the children stories about the different vehicles.
It is much quieter than the big city museums, providing a more relaxed environment for families.

What Visitors Don't Like

The tea room is small, so you might want to bring a packed lunch or plan to eat in Woodstock or Long Hanborough.
It is only open on certain days (usually Wednesdays and Sundays), so you have to plan your week carefully.

What to see

Detailed Inventory

1880s Horse Tram: A perfectly restored example of Oxford's earliest public transport.
AEC Regent III: A classic double-decker bus that served the city for decades.
Morris Oxford 'Bullnose': The iconic 1920s car that launched a manufacturing empire.
Morris Minor Collection: Several versions of the "Moggy," including the Traveller and the Van.
The Queen’s Morris: A specific vehicle with links to royal visits or parades.
Dennis Loline III: A low-height double-decker designed to fit under low bridges.
Vintage Raleigh Bicycles: Early examples of the bikes that William Morris repaired in his original shop.
Commer Commando: A distinctively shaped 1940s bus with a rounded front.
Morris Commercial Vans: Specific delivery vehicles used by local Oxford businesses.
Historic Signage Display: A collection of original bus stop signs and fare tables.

Beyond the Main Attraction

Blenheim Palace: Only a 10-minute drive away, perfect for a walk in the park after the museum.
The George & Dragon: A family-friendly pub in Long Hanborough for a traditional British lunch.
Combe Mill: A nearby historic sawmill and beam engine that often has steaming days for more mechanical fun.
Oxford City Centre: Just a short train ride from Hanborough Station for more sightseeing and shopping.

New for 2026

The 2026 'Morris at War' Display: A new special exhibit for 2026 focusing on how the Morris factories were repurposed to support the military during WWII.
Refurbished 1950s Bus Interior: A recently completed restoration that allows families to see exactly what a commute looked like 70 years ago.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Admission prices

Adult (16–64): £8 (£9 with Gift Aid)
Concessions (65+): £7 (£8 with Gift Aid)
Junior (5–15): £5 (£6 with Gift Aid)
Under 5: Free
Family (2 adults & 2 children): £20 (£22 with Gift Aid)
Disabled person’s carer: Free admission

Membership prices

Single Adult: £25 (1 year) / £100 (5 years)
Couple: £35 (1 year) / £140 (5 years)
Family: £40 (1 year) / £160 (5 years)
Junior: £10 (1 year) / £40 (5 years)
Under 5: Free
Corporate/Company: £80 (1 year) / £320 (5 years)

Pricing URL: https://www.oxfordbusmuseum.org/admission

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

The Oxford Bus Museum does not offer standard children's birthday party packages. For private group bookings or event inquiries: Contact Email: info@oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk

Wednesday - 10.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday - 10.00am - 4.00pm
Saturday - (IN JULY AND AUGUST only) 10.00AM - 4.00PM

Address: Hanborough Station, Long Hanborough, Witney, UK

Post Code: OX29 8LA

Council: West Oxfordshire

County: Oxfordshire

By Train: Take the Great Western Railway to Hanborough Station; the museum is directly adjacent.
By Bus: The S3 bus from Oxford city centre stops nearby.
By Car: Use postcode OX29 8LA.
Parking: There is a free car park for museum visitors located on-site.