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The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford has celebrated a major achievement by welcoming one million visitors in a single year, something it hasn’t done in 16 years. As the oldest public museum in the UK, the Ashmolean is part of the University of Oxford and is known for its impressive collections of art and archaeology. The museum announced this milestone on Wednesday, highlighting that being free to enter has played a big role in attracting visitors, especially during the current cost of living crisis. Dr Xa Sturgis, the museum’s director, expressed his happiness about the increase in local visitors, saying he was especially pleased to see more people from the community enjoying the museum.

Visitor numbers at the Ashmolean have been rising steadily over the past few years. In 2023, the museum recorded over 900,000 visitors, and in 2024, nearly 943,000 people came through its doors. By the end of November 2024, the museum was already 14% ahead of last year’s numbers, with 879,077 visitors counted at the same time in 2023. The museum also reported that there were more overseas visitors, more families, and more people from Oxfordshire coming to see its exhibits.

Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean is one of four museums at the University of Oxford, alongside the Museum of the History of Science, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and the Pitt Rivers Museum. In 2009, the Ashmolean closed for 10 months for a major redevelopment project that cost £63 million. Many of its temporary exhibitions and displays are free, and some of the most popular tours and events are offered at little or no cost. This year, the museum’s biggest attractions have been the new Rome & the Roman Empire gallery and a special ticketed exhibition that runs until January 18. The Ashmolean features a wide range of fascinating items, including famous paintings, sculptures, and historical clothing, making it a popular destination for families and anyone interested in art and history.