The temporary displays at these three sites invite visitors to Oxford to trace in the footsteps of the film crew as well as encounter places and collections that inspired Philip Pullman's reimagining of the city in his famous literary works. Further items to discover across Oxford include a golden compass-like alethiometer at the History of Science Museum and an immersive experience featuring the subtle knife alongside filming props at The Story Museum. The trilogy follows Lyra Belacqua, an orphan brought up in Oxford, who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined.Īn amber spyglass is on display at the Pitt Rivers Museum amongst many other props and costumes on loan from production company, Bad Wolf. His Dark Materials comprises three critically acclaimed novels – Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass – which have since been adapted for television to award-winning success. This display of props has been brought to you with the generous support of Bad Wolf and the BBC HBO adaption of His Dark Materials.

The location of the props reflects the Museum's arrangement of objects by type as well proximity to some of the Arctic collections cared for by the Museum, that were one of the key inspirations for Oxford author Philip Pullman, who created the multiple worlds encountered in His Dark Materials.

We invite you to download our trail and to explore the additional webpages linked to individual objects below, to help you spot the film props alongside some museum collections on display. The displays will run from 12 December 2022 through to 31 December 2023. To coincide with the release of BBC’s final series of His Dark Materials this winter, fans will be able to trace Lyra’s steps around the city that inspired its author, Philip Pullman, with free displays of props and costumes at the Pitt Rivers Museum, the History of Science Museum and The Story Museum. You can find props from the filming, on loan from production company Bad Wolf, at five locations on the three floors of the Museum: three on the ground floors, and one on the first and second floors.

Trace the steps of Lyra Belacqua through the galleries of the Pitt Rivers Museum in this opportunity to see items featured in the BBC HBO production of the television series His Dark Materials within the famous displays.

The northern lights trilogy