Did you know lions, elephants and mammoths once roamed through Oxfordshire? That the remains of the oldest bread in Britain were found at Yarnton? Or tha pottery made in Roman Oxfordshir was used all over Britain and royalty stayed at Woodstock Palace to hun in the surrounding forests? Did yo know Europe s first nuclear reacto r opened at Harwell in 1947, or tha Oxfordshire is the most rural county in the south east of England?

These are just some of the fascinating discoveries your pupil s can make about their county at The Oxfordshire Museum.

Housed in a beautiful 18th-century building in the heart of histori c Woodstock, this Oxfordshire County Council-run museum reflects the county s archaeology, history and natural history as well as looking a more recent contributions that the county has made to the world of science and technology.

The child-friendly displays ar perfect for giving pupils an overvie w of their county. All of the galleries ar fully accessible to wheelchair users with chair-lift access to the uppe r floors OUR CHANGING COUNTRYSIDE Anew gallery is opening at the museum on February 19. Our Changing Countryside is a thought-provoking look at the rapid changes that have taken place in Oxfordshire since 1945. 24 Squar Miles, filmed near Banbury in 1946 will enable pupils to make clea r comparisons between then and now The gallery will look at how World War Two affected post-war farming how new roads, housing developments and industries hav altered the countryside; how village life has changed and the impact of all of these changes on our environment.

This exhibition will complemen the museum s existing displays on Oxfordshire habitats and will help pupils to recognise species that ar threatened or on the rise, as well a s provide stimulus for consideration by all age groups, of the impact our actions have on the world around us CHANGING EXHIBITIONS The museum has a lively programme of temporary exhibitions on a wide variety of themes for which specia workshops, linked to the nationa curriculum or exam syllabi, are often provided for schools. The programme for this year includes Within Walls: A Castle Unveiled (March 2 to 30) - three Oxford-based artists, Madi Acharya-Baskerville, Mohamed Bushara and Helen Ganly, will exhibit their responses to a Frenc medieval tower, used as a prison, a which they had a residency last year The work will include painting, prin making, photography and installation.

Holograms: the first 60 years (May 10 to July 6) - this will be a exciting celebration of the history and versatility of this amazing imaging technique.

Flocks to Frock (May 24 t September 28) - a vibrant and theatrical collection of garments inspired by the museum s collection of wild birds, conceived and created by costume designer Kate Plumtree.

The 70s . . . the decade tast forgo t (July 12 to October 12) - thi s promises to be a fun, interactive and informative look at the popula r culture, politics and attitudes of the time.

Look out for further details of these exhibitions and accompanying workshops. Adverts are usuall y targeted at subject co-ordinators in primary schools or departmen heads in secondary schools. Call the education officer for further detail s and to see whether an exhibition may be of value to your pupils EXCELLENT FACILITIES The museum has an excellen education room, the Coach House used for a wide variety of practica workshops and lectures.

One teacher said: "The education room facilities are beautiful; clean warm and very suitable for purpose." It was refurbished with the aid of the Museum Friends and a Heritage Lottery Grant. Subject to availability it can also be booked, at no cost, a s a base and lunch space by school s coming on self-led visits. In fine weather, lunches can be eaten in the museum s attractive walled garden.

You can also hire the Coac House education room for INSET days, so why not take advantage of this comfortable, well-equipped facility in beautiful surroundings?

SEE FOR YOURSELF Ifyou haven t been before, why no visit at a weekend or during a school holiday to see what is on offer?

For the general visitor, the museum has a popular coffee shop with delicious cakes and ligh lunches.

For families there is an activity trolley full of trails and crafts t complement the displays, plus backpacks to help families explor the museum as nature detectives o r to focus on the theme of materials All of these are available for free.

During the school holidays ther are free family drop-in activities plus a kids club for children aged between eight and12 VISITS AND ENQUIRIES Charges are made for workshop s complementing temporary exhibitions, but self-led visits can b made for free. The education office r will be happy to help you plan these.

All visits, whether for a workshop o r self-led, need to be booked in advance by calling the education officer on 01993 814115.

The museum is open Tuesdays t Saturdays, 10am to 5pm, and on Sundays and Bank Holida y Mondays, from 2pm to 5pm .

Admission is free.

9:56am Tuesday 29th January 2008

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