Bate Collection of Musical Instruments
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The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments includes examples from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern periods.
The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, housed at Oxford University's Faculty of Music, was founded thanks to the generous donation of Philip Bate in 1968. Today, it stands as one of the most significant collections of musical instruments in the world, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry that went into their creation.
Instruments through the eras
Learn about the musical and mechanical development of musical instruments over the centuries. Explore woodwind, brass and percussion instruments from various historical periods. The collection also features over a dozen historically significant keyboard instruments, including the harpsichord, a mainstay of the Baroque era.
World music
While the Bate Collection primarily focuses on Western orchestral instruments, it also encompasses a diverse range of instruments from a broader history of music across the globe, offering a deeper understanding of how music has transcended borders throughout history.
Learning and performance
A valuable resource for scholars and musicians, students at Oxford University have the privilege of studying archival materials and even playing some of the instruments in the collection themselves, fostering a deeper understanding of the music these instruments were designed to produce, keeping the sounds of the past alive for years to come.
Visitor information
Address
Faculty of Music, St Aldate's, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1DB
01865 276139
Opening times
Mon – Fri, 2pm – 5pm
Admittance by pre-booked ticket only.
Exclusions and safety measures
We have carried out a full Covid-19 related risk assessment. We have introduced timed ticketing, bookable on-line only. There are three 45 minute slots available each weekday. There is one ticket available for each slot, which will give admitance to a maximum of three people at any one time. We provide hand sanitiser for use on entry, and ask that all visitors who are able to wear a face covering do so at all times during their visit. Visitors will be asked to check-in using the Covid-19 app, or to provide contact details orally if preferred.
