This is another of Oxford's great treasure-filled museums that it's so easy to miss.

The ground floor serves as an introduction to the museum and science in Oxford as a whole. It's got a great collection of mathematical instruments, astronomical models and clocks, with lots of labels explaining how things worked and the history behind them.

The basement used to be the main laboratory for the University and it still has that great atmosphere of experiment and discovery. It's so much nicer than big, airy modern museums with their light-up signs and patronising information snippets. It's still really child-friendly - all the kids when I went loved the gory bits like the old surgeon's tools and the demonstrations of lightning strikes.

Don't miss: the early cameras, the first Marconiphone, the sirens, the clocks (who would have thought there were so many ways of counting time?!), the first anaesthetic kit.

There's an upstairs as well - I'll leave that to you to explore!

Mouche is so right about this museum. It is full of things I didn't know I was interested in and things that though scientific instruments are beautifully made and beautiful to look at.

We've had a few great family afternoons out here. The children like the trails and treasure hunts and asking "what's that for?". Luckily I have two scientifically minded grandfathers and a father they can ask or I can try and explain with the help of my science O levels and the explanations in the cases.

The museum seems to be making a big effort to get people to come and visit. They regularly have events for older children (7+). They sometimes have live poetry competitions or "slams". Check out the website to see what is on - you'll be suprised.

This is a fascinating little museum perhaps unfairly famous for the bedpans in which the first penicillin cultures were grown. They are certainly interesting (though they don't look much like modern bedpans!) as is the blackboard with Albert Einstein's handwriting on it. But there is so much more to this museum. I found the display of cameras fascinating especially since my father was with me. As he ruefully said it's quite a shock to find one's boyhood birthday presents in a museum! I especially liked the curator who - no offence intended - was the perfect age for a history museum. He had obviously lived through the era when some of the items on display were popular and it was fascinating to hear him talk about them. If you're interested in science, this is a really interesting place to while away some time.

Admission is free.