Bate Collection of Musical Instruments

The Bate Collection is Oxford University's museum of historical musical instruments, named after Philip Bate, who donated his collection of woodwind instruments in 1963. It holds over two thousand items spanning from the medieval period to the present day. The collection moved from its original home at the Faculty of Music on St Aldate's to the newly constructed Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities in 2026.

What to see

The collection covers four main groups: woodwind, brass, strings, and keyboard instruments. Highlights include a set of Baroque oboes, Javanese gamelan instruments, a serpent (an early brass instrument with a distinctive winding shape), and several early keyboard instruments including clavichords and harpsichords. There is also a collection of bows, reeds, and mouthpieces that shows how instrument construction has changed over centuries. The percussion section includes instruments from across the world. Many items are displayed with explanatory material about their construction and musical context.

Practical notes

Admission is free. The collection is relatively small and a visit takes around forty-five minutes. It is a specialist museum — most visitors are music students or instrument enthusiasts, so it is rarely crowded. Check opening hours before visiting, as they can vary during university vacations. The collection occasionally hosts recitals and demonstration events.