The Story Museum

The Story Museum stands in Oxford, a city known for its literary heritage. It occupies Rochester House on Pembroke Street, a building that once served other purposes before becoming a hub for storytelling. The museum’s mission is to celebrate all kinds of stories and to make them accessible to everyone. It operates as a registered charity, relying on donations and grants to fund its work. Every year, up to 100,000 people visit its galleries and take part in its programmes. The museum began in 2003 as a virtual project with no physical home. In 2009, a £2.5 million gift allowed it to move into Rochester House. A major redevelopment costing £6 million started in 2018, supported by grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England. The work finished in 2020, creating spaces for exhibitions, performances and learning. In 2026, it launched 1001 Stories, a free online collection to encourage reading. Inside, visitors find the Whispering Wood, an Enchanted Library and Small Worlds, designed for younger children. A 100-seat theatre hosts performances, while a learning studio runs workshops. Temporary exhibitions change regularly, and drop-in activities welcome casual visitors. The museum also runs skills courses and community projects across Oxfordshire. Its corridors and rooms hum with stories from the past and present.