The Story Museum is a most unusual museum located in the heart of Oxford, celebrating the power of stories to teach and delight all ages.
When you book, you are given a timed start, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time. There is no parking onsite, but we parked at the West Gate shopping Centre, a short 5 minute walk away.
You begin your journey on the Portal, an information bureau for travellers between story worlds, where the kids were given magic wands and a challenge board.
We were all given headphones and then instructed to head around the corner and strike the gong as we entered the magical world of stories.
From here you enter the Whispering Wood, a mysterious indoor forest where every tree has a story to tell and a secret to reveal.
You follow a hare’s tracks around the room to different trees which each tells a different story.
Each tree can be activated by your magic wand, either by moving a leaf, pressing a button or completing a challenge.
The trees tell short stories from ancient times, through to more modern fairytales and the challenges get more tricky as you go. Can you pull the sword from the stone.
The Whispering Wood finishes with a wishing tree, but be careful what you wish for – you could get a sausage for a nose like the poor woodcutter from the story.
From the Whispering Wood, you head upstairs to their brand new exhibition – KA-BOOM! The Art of Creating Comics
KA-BOOM! The Art of Creating Comics
This interactive exhibition takes the form of a giant, colourful pop-up comic strip that drew the kids in straight away.
The instantly spotted some of their favourite characters from three iconic British publishers – The Phoenix, Rebellion and Beano.
The exhibition is an interactive journey through the comic-making process in order to encourage the next generation of comic artists and writers, from developing characters and plotting, to drawing, colouring and lettering.
Also on display throughout the exhibition is original artwork showcasing the rich history of British comic book making, including artist sketches from the 1950s to the present day.
The final part of the exhibition is where you get tips from experts including Ramzee, Laura Howell and Jamie Smart and learn to draw comic characters, just like them.
Eliza and Sebby were very proud of their creations.
The Enchanted Library
The last stop is the Enchanted Library, where you lose yourself in imaginary worlds, with memorable moments from eight favourite stories.
We were all excited to step through a wardrobe into Narnia, drop down the rabbit hole into Wonderland and play pooh sticks in 100 acre wood.
There are also two rooms dedicated to one of Oxford’s most famous resident, Lyra, from Philip Pullman’s Golden Compass. One with the alethiometer and the other with the subtle knife.
Sebby now wants a bedroom like Horrid Henry’s!
Tickets to The Story Museum cost £8 per person, with children under a year, free. There is also a small world’s area for ages 0-5, which is a patchwork land of picture books, nursery rhymes and traditional tales which costs £5 per person
We all loved our visit to The Story Museum, there was something there to interest us all, even Isaac (14). He found a room about Noughts and Crosses, which he has been studying at school and impressed one of the guides with his knowledge of the story.
If you are in, or around Oxford, I highly recommend a visit.
Disclaimer: We were guests of The Story Museum for the purpose of a review. All thoughts and opinions are our own
This sounds amazing and wonderful there was something for all the children to enjoy.