How to find us

The centre is based in Cowley, about three miles from the centre of Oxford and just off the eastern ring road. There is limited free parking.

Oxfordshire History Centre
St Luke's Church
Temple Road
Cowley
Oxford
OX4 2HT

Google map directions

Buses run every few minutes from Oxford city centre - 5 (Oxford Bus Company); 1 and 10 (Stagecoach) - and from Oxford Railway Station - 5 (Oxford Bus Company).

How to contact us.

Opening hours

Tuesday: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Wednesday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Thursday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Friday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am – 5.00pm open for research only - see below.

The centre is closed on Sundays, Mondays, bank holidays and bank holiday weekends.

Holiday and emergency closures

• May Day bank holiday: the centre will close at 5pm on Friday 5 May and reopen at 10am on Tuesday 8 May.
• Diamond Jubilee: the centre will close at 5pm on Friday 1 June and reopen at 9am on Wednesday 6 June.
• August bank holiday: the centre will close at 5pm on Friday 24 August and reopen at 10am on Tuesday 28 August.
• Christmas and New Year: the centre will close at 5pm on Friday 21 December and reopen at 9am on Wednesday 2 January 2013.

Saturdays

Please note that the centre is open on Saturdays for research only. It will not be possible to accept deposits or arrange withdrawal of material without prior agreement.

In the event of unexpected staff absence production of material may be suspended at certain times, and it may even be necessary to close for lunch.

Viewing unique material

You will need a reader's ticket to see unique material – that is, anything of which there’s only one copy.

Book in advance

Family and local history are popular, so it’s a good idea to book a seat in advance.  Ring 01865 398200 or email oxhist@oxfordshire.gov.uk, and do give us a contact number in case we need to get back to you.

Café and shop

The centre runs its own café.

You can buy tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, together with a selection of biscuits and snacks. Many of our drinks and snacks are Fairtrade. Our drinks are all freshly made in teapots and cafetieres.

We do not provide sandwiches or meals, but you are welcome to bring your own and eat them at one of the café tables.  

The shop stocks a variety of books and CDs on local and family history.

The café and shop open at the same time as the history centre, but close at 4.30pm.

General rules

The history centre has a formal set of Rules which apply to all users. However, the most important things to know are as follows:

• Bags and cases may not be taken into the searchroom, but must be left in the lockers in Reception. There is no charge for this.
• Pencils only may be used in the searchroom; no pens or permanent markers of any kind are allowed.
• You will need a readers' ticket to see material from the strongrooms.
• Please avoid making noise in the searchroom; other users may be trying to concentrate. Speak quietly, and do not bring in ipods, mobile phones, or similar devices.
• Food and drink are forbidden in the searchroom. However, you are welcome to eat and drink in the café. We do have toilets.
• You are welcome to bring in your laptop, but please mute the sound. If you plug it into our power supply, it is at your own risk.
• Our first priority has to be the preservation of unique material. Please understand if we cannot produce an item for you because it is simply in too poor a condition to be handled.