Here Be Dragons exhibition opens at The Story Museum, Oxford

The Story Museum in Oxford is launching a new exhibition, Here Be Dragons, this July.  Co-curated by Cressida Cowell and dragon Toothless, this exhibition offers an insight into the enduring appeal of the dragon across cultures.

Join the heroes of the How To Train Your Dragon series as they guide you safely through the realms of Earth, Air, Fire and Water to learn more about this diverse range of mythical creatures that have captivated the imaginations of people for thousands of years and across many cultures.

What to expect

Dragons have featured in stories dating back thousands of years from the Epic of Gilgamesh through to the modern day. From the Soup Dragon in the children's classic TV show of The Clangers to a pickled dragon in a jar, there's plenty to keep all ages entertained, including the chance to have a go at racing dragons, picking a suitable outfit in which to meet a dragon and seeing if you're brave enough to wake the dragon that lies at the heart of the museum's Treasure Chamber.  For in the words of Ursula K. Le Guin, 'It is one thing to read about dragons and another to meet them.'

The exhibition will also feature eight specially commissioned illustrated portraits of dragons from different mythologies around the globe. The Story Museum has chosen a diverse group of both established and emerging artists to create a dragon each in their own unique style. The artists are: Chiaki Taylor, Cintia Nguyen, Emily Kimbell, Isher Dhiman, Merdokht Amini, Sajan Rai, Thiago De Moraes and Viola Wang. There is also a Vault of Dragon Lore created by interactive installations experts Tina and Amy Bicât.

Costs and opening times

Here be Dragons, co-curated by Cressida Cowell and Toothless is now open and will run until July 2025.  The exhibition is included with a ticket to the Museum Galleries. Tickets cost £14 (ages six to adult).

The Museum is open daily from 10:00-17:30 during Oxfordshire state school holidays and open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-16:00 during term time.