Soldiers Of Oxfordshire Museum
Tuesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 17:00
Friday: 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 11:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 14:00 - 17:00
About Soldiers Of Oxfordshire Museum
Welcome to the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum (SOFO), Oxfordshire's newest and only military museum. Do come along and visit us!
Soldiers Of Oxfordshire Museum Description
Until now, Oxfordshire, unlike most counties, has not had a military museum easily accessible to the public. For about 70 years the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry museum was located in Cowley barracks in Oxford, but access was very difficult. After several moves to various parts of Oxfordshire we ended up in a privately rented building in Hensington Road in Woodstock.
It was also becoming increasingly difficult to care for the collections, so in 2000 the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust was established to find a permanent home for the archives and collections. The main core is the collections, both objects and archives, of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars.
It became apparent that there is much more to the history of Oxfordshire's people and their part in the nation's conflicts at home and overseas. The Trust set about creating the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum. After many years of fundraising and securing the lease of the land behind The Oxfordshire Museum building work began in August 2013. Overall the project has cost approximately £3. 2 million. The Trust is self-funded and relies solely on grants and donations in order to run.
In December 2013 we took possession of our beautiful new building and began to move everything in. We opted for a self-move and this unenviable task was undertaken by our staff and volunteers who also unpacked and sorted the huge collection of objects, archives and library we have. By January 2014 we were well and truly settled in our new home. Whilst the build was taking place and the move being organised work continued at pace planning and creating the galleries and exhibitions
Reviews
Our soldier's not very impressed with the rainy weather today... Luckily there's plenty to see indoors at SOFO, including the brilliant Bayeux Mosaic! We are open at weekends: 11am-5pm on Saturdays, and from 2-5pm on Sunday afternoons.
Answers to Quiz 7!
Quiz 7: Coal and Potatoes (again)
Our final quiz from 'War' magazine is all about fuel. We hope you've enjoyed trying to answer these quiz questions, as I'm sure the soldiers did during WW2. Answers to follow tomorrow morning!
The Chairman of the SOFO Friends invites you to attend this special fundraiser event which marks the launch of a series of events remembering the Second World War.
Shrabani Basu’s ‘Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan’
Date: Friday 29th March 2019. 7.00pm.
... Venue: BANBURY TOWN HALL, BRIDGE ST, BANBURY, OX16 5QB
Ticket Price: £15
Shrabani Basu, bestselling author of Victoria & Abdul (now a major feature film starring Judi Dench) discusses the inspiring story of Noor Inayat Khan, a secret agent in the Second World War. She was the first woman radio operator to be infiltrated into occupied France in 1943, working under the code name ‘Madeleine’.
Hear about her extraordinary life as an SOE operative, which led to her being awarded the George Cross for bravery.
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Wednesday 13th February 2019. 7.00pm – 8.30pm. Doors open 6.45pm. Refreshments available.
Author Virginia Moffat discusses her book Echo Hall, a novel that tells the story of three generations of women who experience love, loss and conflict during times of war. It spans the time period 1911-1991 and asks the question: is conflict inevitable, or can we find another way?
Answers to Quiz 6!
Quiz 6: Mountains and Vertebrae
In the penultimate quiz from WW2 magazine 'War', we have a variety of general knowledge questions. Check back tomorrow for answers!
Answers to Quiz 5!
How did you do? There are two more quizzes left in the series, so keep a look out for next Friday!
Quiz 5: Slugs, Snails, and Pig Swill
Welcome back to our series of quizzes, originally featured in 'War' magazine in WW2! This week is all about pests and contains some of our favourite questions of the whole series. Look out for the answers tomorrow!
Happy New Year from all of us at SOFO! The museum has now re-opened for 2019. Check our What's On page for our upcoming events, and be sure to catch our new touring exhibition 'I Am A Rifleman' from the Rifles Museum from the 5th Jan onwards! http://ow.ly/Eyhy30n9Ojf
Wishing you a very happy holiday season from the SOFO staff! The museum is now closed, and will re-open on the 2nd January 2019. See you next year for plenty of exciting new exhibitions and events!
Quiz 4 Answers!
A little earlier than usual due to our Christmas closure. We'll be back quizzing again on the 4th January with our Pest Quiz from 'The Merchant Navy' issue of 'War' magazine.
Quiz 4: Clouds and Storms
That's right, it's the weather quiz! If you know about barometers you are in luck, as there are three questions about them.
This is our last quiz until after Christmas, so make sure to impress your friends and family with your newly learned facts.
🎄Christmas and New Year🎄
Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum will be closed from:
22nd December 2018 until 2nd January 2019
... Please see www.sofo.org.uk/visit-us for all alterations to standard opening times.
🎄 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! 🎄
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Quiz 3 Answers!
You'll be able to show off your potato peeling knowledge in time for Christmas! How did you do?
Quiz 3: Potato Peelings and Bombing Raids
This quiz is all about economising during the war. Questions will be typed out in the comments as usual.
Answers to Quiz 2!
Of course, we all know that there are 50 states in the USA, so a bonus point if you can name the remaining two not featured on the 1942 map.
Quiz 2: 48 States of the USA
Our second quiz is from 'The U.S. Army' edition of 'War' magazine. Can you name all the states without looking them up?
We are sorry to announce that the display of 'I Am A Rifleman' has been postponed until January 5th due to unforeseen circumstances.
We still have plenty to see at SOFO in December, including the fabulous 1066: A Medieval Mosaic! Check out what's on: http://www.sofo.org.uk/whats-on/
What great work you do connecting the families and descendants of those who fought in the Oxfordshire regiments. We shall remember them.
Well worth a visit, we had a memorable night on the 2nd August to be able to see the work Stephen Barker had , especially relating to my Grandfather William Stanley Finch.
Very good displays and a wide range of exhibits, as well as thought provoking artwork from local schools. I particularly liked the stories provided by family members, illustrated with them holding a photo of their ancestor who fought and/or died in WW1 and artefacts kept in the family for 100 years. Well worth a visit!
The receptionist was friendly and helpful,really enjoyed my visit,it was interesting.
Swift and Bold. Fantastic museum with plenty of local military history including that of the famed Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire light infantry.
Oxfordshire scooter alliance visited on 26 oct 14, we all had a fantastic visit and loved the way staff greeted us and looked after us. A very well recommended place to visit.
Great place to visit with very interesting displays giving lots of information. A little gem and well worth a visit. Very friendly staff plus they sell lovely coffee!
Brilliantly interactive when you have a young family. This was our first visit and we will be back!
What great work you do connecting the families and descendants of those who fought in the Oxfordshire regiments. We shall remember them.
Well worth a visit, we had a memorable night on the 2nd August to be able to see the work Stephen Barker had , especially relating to my Grandfather William Stanley Finch.
Very good displays and a wide range of exhibits, as well as thought provoking artwork from local schools. I particularly liked the stories provided by family members, illustrated with them holding a photo of their ancestor who fought and/or died in WW1 and artefacts kept in the family for 100 years. Well worth a visit!
The receptionist was friendly and helpful,really enjoyed my visit,it was interesting.
Swift and Bold. Fantastic museum with plenty of local military history including that of the famed Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire light infantry.
Oxfordshire scooter alliance visited on 26 oct 14, we all had a fantastic visit and loved the way staff greeted us and looked after us. A very well recommended place to visit.
Great place to visit with very interesting displays giving lots of information. A little gem and well worth a visit. Very friendly staff plus they sell lovely coffee!
Brilliantly interactive when you have a young family. This was our first visit and we will be back!
More about Soldiers Of Oxfordshire Museum
Tuesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 17:00
Friday: 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 11:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 14:00 - 17:00