Penicillin Research

The story of how penicillin was discovered reads like science fiction, except it happened in a modest Oxford laboratory during World War II. This is where Alexander Fleming's accidental discovery - a mould contaminating a bacterial culture - became the drug that changed medicine forever. You can see the actual workspace where Fleming and his team worked, the equipment they used, and get a proper sense of what discovery actually looked like before computers and automation took over.

It's a quiet, thoughtful visit rather than a flashy museum experience. History buffs and anyone with a passing interest in science will find it genuinely moving - the realisation that something so world-changing came from such ordinary surroundings hits home. Families with teenagers who've got any curiosity about how things work won't regret the trip, though younger kids might find it a bit slow.

The site is close enough to Oxford that you can easily combine it with the university's other attractions or a walk along the Cherwell. If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Cedar Hollow Oxford and The Oaks are just a couple of miles away - it makes for a morning or early afternoon excursion without eating into precious park time. Admission details and exact opening hours are best confirmed before heading out, as visiting arrangements can be specific. Allow an hour to do it justice, longer if you want to read everything properly.