{"id":7034344,"date":"2026-08-08T23:52:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T23:52:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/oxford-story-museum-exhibition-mystery-academy-review\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T23:52:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T23:52:15","slug":"oxford-story-museum-exhibition-mystery-academy-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7034344","title":{"rendered":"Oxford Story Museum exhibition – Mystery Academy review"},"content":{"rendered":"


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It was the Famous Five who got me hooked, starting a love affair with detective fiction that\u2019s lasted decades, and which my daughter has inherited \u2013 so the clues pointed to the new Oxford Story Museum exhibition being perfect for us.<\/p>\n

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paid collaboration\/contains affiliate links*<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Mystery Academy: School for Young Detectives<\/a> is the latest temporary exhibition taking place, set between the Museum\u2019s Whispering Wood and Enchanted Library, and whether you\u2019re a novice sleuth or fancy yourself the next Sherlock Holmes (or Hazel Wong), it\u2019s a perfect mix of interactive activities, inspiration and introduction to detective fiction from across almost two centuries.<\/p>\n

Due to run until Spring 2027, there\u2019s a chance to solve your own brain-teaser as you explore too. So grab your magnifying glass, prime your little grey cells, and let us reveal all you need to know in this Mystery Academy review.<\/p>\n

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The scene is set at the open day for the Mystery Academy\u2026 but the head teacher Christie Moyo has mysteriously vanished. And the big question is, can you help find her? <\/p>\n

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Right from the start, you\u2019re introduced to a few big names when it comes to fictional detectives, walking past portraits of everyone from C Auguste Dupin, who appears in what\u2019s considered the first ever detective fiction story<\/a>, to a string of Victorian sleuths and Golden Age detectives to Oxford\u2019s own Inspector Morse<\/a> and newer detectives like Mma Ramotswe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Then it\u2019s time to follow in their footsteps and learn the essential skills required for any self-respecting detective in the exhibition itself, as you hunt for clues along the way.<\/p>\n

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In the centre sits a Cluedo board on the head teacher\u2019s desk, while in each of the four corners, you\u2019ll find a room devoted to one aspect of detective stories \u2013 logical deducation, observation, disguise and forensic science \u2013 along with other smaller sections in between.<\/p>\n

Created by author Sharna Jackson<\/a>, plus creative input from Robin Stevens (whose Murder Most Unladylike<\/a> series was long one of my daughter\u2019s favourites), it\u2019s also involved the museum\u2019s Story Curators, aged between 12 and 16 who work with the Story Museum team so you\u2019ve got expertise from kids as well as professional plotters.<\/p>\n

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And it\u2019s done very cleverly to appeal to different ages: in one corner, you can dress up and draw your own disguise, in another you\u2019re cracking (easy) codes and learning about the Enigma machine.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere you have to work out antidotes for poisons, while in another, the crime-themed crossword had a couple of clues that almost stumped both myself and my 14-year-old.<\/p>\n

In fact, as you start to wander around, you realise how incredibly detailed the displays are and how easy it is to appreciate it on different levels. In the first room, you\u2019ll discover everything from a replica Enigma machine to ways of communicating, such as Morse code and semaphore, to other basic codes to break.<\/p>\n

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But you\u2019ll also find details of star pupils who excelled in that particular skill \u2013 logical deduction in this case, with mention of the main characters from The London Eye Mystery<\/a> and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And every area mentions books suitable for different age groups, so you\u2019ll have plenty of ideas for more reading, whether that\u2019s 5+ or sixth form standard.<\/p>\n

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In each area, you\u2019ll also find activities to get stuck into, with pens (and some pencils) provided if you want to complete the task there and then, or the option to take them home if you\u2019re feeling inspired to write your own story or newspaper article.<\/p>\n

Some are as simple or as complicated as you\u2019d like to make them, from creating your own coded message to drawing a map or picture of yourself as a detective.<\/p>\n

This really is somewhere to linger if you can: so many details are hidden in plain sight, from the award congratulating visitors on paying attention to another for canine companions in fiction, where I was amused and delighted to discover that both Timmy and Scooby Doo got a mention.<\/p>\n

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In fact, we spent around half an hour investigating the first couple of rooms alone (and finishing that faintly fiendish crossword puzzle).<\/p>\n

The other three main rooms are also themed around different skills: observation came next, with Agatha Christie\u2019s Miss Marple among those picked out as one of detective fiction\u2019s most eagle-eyed (and too often underrated) observers.<\/p>\n

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And without giving too much away, the more attention you pay, the more you\u2019ll discover here too!<\/p>\n

Passing by secret societies and a corner with games inspired by detective fiction, you\u2019ll find yourself entering the lab, where you\u2019ll encounter everyone from Bearlock Holmes<\/a> to Lord Peter Wimsey<\/a>, via Malorie Blackman novel Operation Gadgetman<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Not to mention poisons, fingerprints and other essentials of forensic science, of course.<\/p>\n

Last but not least, there\u2019s the opportunity to hone your skills as a master of disguise \u2013 and even more fun, to dress up with hats, cloaks and mirrors to admire your new look.<\/p>\n

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But don\u2019t get distracted by too many red herrings \u2013 you\u2019re here to solve the mystery of Miss Moyo\u2019s disappearance after all, and there are leads and information to spot throughout. <\/p>\n

Staff are there to help \u2013 and it\u2019s well worth talking to them about the puzzle, as we realised we\u2019d collected half the information without completely understanding what we were actually meant to do with it!<\/p>\n

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I won\u2019t spoil it\u2026 but don\u2019t forget to keep an eye out for the hairpins. Having found the answer, we realised we\u2019d spent well over an hour on the trail of the solution. Time flies when you\u2019re chasing clues!<\/p>\n

Check out my review of a visit to The Story Museum in Oxford<\/a><\/em><\/strong> or more ideas of the best things to do in Oxford with kids<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mystery Academy exhibition review: Need to know<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Entry to the Mystery Academy exhibition is included with a ticket to the Galleries, which also covers the Whispering Wood, Enchanted Library and Story Arcade.<\/p>\n

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Tickets to the\u00a0Story Museum<\/a>\u00a0cost \u00a316 for adults, \u00a38.25 for age 1-4 (the main galleries and exhibition are recommended for age 5+).\u00a0<\/p>\n

During August 2026, child prices are currently reduced further as part of the government\u2019s Summer Savings scheme which has cut VAT on attraction tickets<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your ticket for The Galleries is valid all day (last entry one hour before closing). The Story Museum is closed on Mondays in term time, open daily during most school holidays. There is a buggy park and lockers (\u00a31 to use), plus everywhere is wheelchair accessible.<\/p>\n

Disclosure: My visit was free for the purpose of review and part of a paid collaboration with The Story Museum in Oxford \u2013 all opinions are my own (and my daughter\u2019s)<\/em>. This post contains affiliate links \u2013 any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission<\/em><\/p>\n

Images copyright MummyTravels<\/p>\n

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