Oxford Story Museum exhibition – Mystery Academy review

It was the Famous Five who got me hooked, starting a love affair with detective fiction that’s lasted decades, and which my daughter has inherited – so the clues pointed to the new Oxford Story Museum exhibition being perfect for us.

paid collaboration/contains affiliate links*

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

Due to run until Spring 2027, there’s 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.

The scene is set at the open day for the Mystery Academy… but the head teacher Christie Moyo has mysteriously vanished. And the big question is, can you help find her?

Right from the start, you’re 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’s considered the first ever detective fiction story, to a string of Victorian sleuths and Golden Age detectives to Oxford’s own Inspector Morse and newer detectives like Mma Ramotswe.

Then it’s 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.

In the centre sits a Cluedo board on the head teacher’s desk, while in each of the four corners, you’ll find a room devoted to one aspect of detective stories – logical deducation, observation, disguise and forensic science – along with other smaller sections in between.

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

And it’s done very cleverly to appeal to different ages: in one corner, you can dress up and draw your own disguise, in another you’re cracking (easy) codes and learning about the Enigma machine.

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.

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’ll discover everything from a replica Enigma machine to ways of communicating, such as Morse code and semaphore, to other basic codes to break.

But you’ll also find details of star pupils who excelled in that particular skill – logical deduction in this case, with mention of the main characters from The London Eye Mystery and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.

And every area mentions books suitable for different age groups, so you’ll have plenty of ideas for more reading, whether that’s 5+ or sixth form standard.

In each area, you’ll 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’re feeling inspired to write your own story or newspaper article.

Some are as simple or as complicated as you’d like to make them, from creating your own coded message to drawing a map or picture of yourself as a detective.

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.

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

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

And without giving too much away, the more attention you pay, the more you’ll discover here too!

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

Not to mention poisons, fingerprints and other essentials of forensic science, of course.

Last but not least, there’s the opportunity to hone your skills as a master of disguise – and even more fun, to dress up with hats, cloaks and mirrors to admire your new look.

But don’t get distracted by too many red herrings – you’re here to solve the mystery of Miss Moyo’s disappearance after all, and there are leads and information to spot throughout.

Staff are there to help – and it’s well worth talking to them about the puzzle, as we realised we’d collected half the information without completely understanding what we were actually meant to do with it!

I won’t spoil it… but don’t forget to keep an eye out for the hairpins. Having found the answer, we realised we’d spent well over an hour on the trail of the solution. Time flies when you’re chasing clues!

Check out my review of a visit to The Story Museum in Oxford or more ideas of the best things to do in Oxford with kids

Mystery Academy exhibition review: Need to know

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.

Tickets to the Story Museum cost £16 for adults, £8.25 for age 1-4 (the main galleries and exhibition are recommended for age 5+). 

During August 2026, child prices are currently reduced further as part of the government’s Summer Savings scheme which has cut VAT on attraction tickets

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 (£1 to use), plus everywhere is wheelchair accessible.

Disclosure: My visit was free for the purpose of review and part of a paid collaboration with The Story Museum in Oxford – all opinions are my own (and my daughter’s). This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

Images copyright MummyTravels

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