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Why we love Oxford

Just an hour by train from London and you’re in the city of dreaming spires. And Oxford is crammed with them. A seat of scholars for 800 years, it houses Britain’s oldest university, botanical gardens, and pubs. It has more quadrangles, Gothic spires and listed buildings than you can shake a gown at. Add cobbled lanes, canals and the odd punt along its rivers and it becomes a real heart-breaker. 

Although bursting with museums, libraries and galleries, there’s more to this gem than its beauty and towering intellect. Harry Potter fans can spot film locations, shoppers will love its nearby bargains, foodies will drool over its lip-smacking choice. And if that isn’t enough, it sits on the doorstep to the Chilterns, the Cotswolds and the baroque country pile of Blenheim Palace.

Bodleian Libraries/Stu Heppell

Every book ever written at Bodleian Library 

Take a guided tour of the country’s second largest library , which holds a copy of every single book ever published in England since 1662.

Vintage chic

An Aladdin’s cave of treasures, Unicorn is a centre of Oxford’s quirky vintage scene. It’s rammed to the rafters with vintage clothes, accessories and shoes from 1950s tea dresses to sequinned waistcoats.

VisitBritain/Marina Comes

Blenheim Palace

Britain’s greatest palace is in the Cotswolds – the magnificent Blenheim Palace and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. One of the most popular attractions in the Cotswolds, you can take an upstairs or downstairs tour and wander around its famous maze.

Gloucester Green Market

In the heart of Oxford, this eclectic open-air market takes place every day from Wednesday to Saturday – combining locally-made produce with street food from all over the world. Look out for clothes, crafts, second-hand curios, and cuisine from authentic Indian curries, Ethiopian stews, traditional British pies and much more.

Photos by John Cairns

Oxford River Cruises

No trip to Oxford is complete without a cruise on the River Thames , which passes through the city on its journey to London and beyond. Take your pick from sightseeing trips, sunset cocktail voyages, and gourmet sailings galore – featuring afternoon tea, decadent lunches and picnic hampers. With its electric-powered boats, Oxford River Cruises is a sustainable choice too.

Things to do in Oxford

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University of Oxford

Soak up the atmosphere as you walk around the Dreaming Spires of historic Oxford University, one of the world’s top universities.

VisitOxford

Oxford Castle

Walk through 1000 years of history in Oxford Castle and Prison, climbing the Tower, one of Oxford’s oldest buildings and descending into the crypt deep below.

Photo: Philip J.A Benton

Pitt Rivers Museum

One of Britain’s best museums is the quirky Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford with artefacts from all over the world.

Experience Oxfordshire

Bicester Village

Want designer clothes at a discount? Head to Oxfordshire’s Bicester Village, one of Britain’s favourite shopping destinations for bargains.

Britain’s greatest palace is in the Cotswolds – the magnificent Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill.

Ashmolean Museum

Dating back to 1683, the Ashmolean is packed to the rafters with art, natural history and photography.

Oxford Alumni Harry Potter Tour

Discover the Oxford landmarks that starred in the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ and ‘Goblet of Fire’ films.

Inspector Morse Tour of Oxford

Explore key Oxford filming locations from the TV series of Morse, Endeavour and Lewis.

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Bodleian Library

Take a fascinating guided tour of the Divinity School, Old Quadrangle and Duke Humphrey’s Library.

Radcliffe Camera

This library has inspired novelists, artists and film-makers alike, and features around 600,000 books.

Go Ape Wendover

Swing and leap your way through thrilling high-ropes bridges, treetop walkways and soar down zip lines.

Oxford Kayak Tours

Dip your paddle into the River Cherwell, to discover pristine countryside and wildlife-rich waters.

Junkyard Golf Club

Come for the golf, stay for the party - a riotous mash-up of crazy golf, drinks and pumped-up tunes.

Junkyard Golf Oxford

Oxford Ghost Tours

From headless bishops to haunted pubs, these tours have just the right balance of history and hilarity.

The Ultimate Picture Palace

Welcome to one of the UK’s oldest cinemas, which specialises in arthouse and independent films.

Ultimate Picture Palace/Ian Wallman

Modern Art Oxford

Immerse yourself in stellar contemporary art from all over the world at this vibrant gallery.

Oxford Atelier/Modern Art Oxford

The Oxford Artisan Distillery Tour

Learn the secrets of heritage grain spirits on these behind-the-scenes tours.

Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery

Discover a world of fine English wines, small-batch ales and exceptional hospitality.

Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery

Take your pick from authentic Indian curries, Ethiopian stews, traditional British pies and much more…

Harry Potter Tour - Experience Oxfordshire

So spectacular are these landmarks and locations, that even non-Potter fans will be spellbound.

The Jolly Farmers

Real ales, cosy interiors and a resident bassett hound – what more could you wish for?

Oxford Pride

For over 20 years, this loud-and-proud festival has celebrated the city’s LGBTQIA+ community.

Oxford Music Festival

Classical concerts, virtuoso recitals and dance shows – with cash prizes for the stand-out performers.

Oxford Literary Festival

Catch lively debates, workshops and seminars involving hundreds of different speakers from around the globe.

C S Lewis Nature Reserve

The ponds are busy with dragonflies, while the towering treetops bristle with birds and squirrels.

Ross Mackenzie/CS Lewis Nature Reserve

Take your pick from sightseeing trips, sunset voyages, and gourmet sailings on the River Thames.

Car Chase Heroes

Always wanted to get behind the wheel of a Porsche 911? Well, now’s your chance…

Alamy Stock Photo

Enjoy Happy Hour cocktails from 11pm, and a banging playlist of pop and dance music.

Westgate Oxford

Browse some of Britain’s best-loved fashion, beauty and food brands, such as John Lewis and Primark.

Discover antiques emporiums, craft shops, art galleries and fashion stores – plus delis and cafés galore.

Blackwell’s

Looking for your next favourite author? The staff are all book lovers, so ask for their recommendations.

Oxford Walking Tours

Take your pick from a vast range of themed experiences, with both private and small-group options.

Chiltern Hills Cycling

Whether you love smooth road cycling or gnarly downhill trails, set your sights on the Chiltern Hills.

Featured things to do

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One of the city’s most beautiful spots

Located just opposite Magdalen College, you can dart in here and escape the bustle of the High Street and hide among the newly sprouting trees and blooms.

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Take a punt

Hop onto a relaxing punt down the River Cherwell. Discover the inspiration behind Lewis Carol’s Alice in Wonderland, and enjoy a picnic aboard this hand-crafted beauty.

oxfordcastle

Head into history

For those who dare - check out tours of the castle and 900-year crypt. Learn about the ghost of Matilda, Henry I’s daughter, or a headless King Charles I.

An evening at a museum

The Ashmolean dusts off the old image of artefacts and adds a new twist, and find out just how a camel sculpture escaped the Nazis.

Places to stay in Oxford

City centre.

Be among the oldest university in the English speaking world, checkout the architecture, the bookshops and cool bars, and The Malmaison - a former Victorian prison that you can stay in.

An affluent part of Oxford with red-brick Victorian houses and tree-lined streets. It’s peaceful nature, and you’re budget will go further here. Explore the canal network here.

Is diverse, full of life and has lots of diverse restaurants and bars, and is the home of Oxford’s street art. It’s close to Magdalen College and the Oxford Botanic Gardens are here too. It also has a summertime carnival. 

For literary types and lovers of small pastel painted houses and independent cafes, this is your place. Situated in the north, you’ll find some cracking restaurants and cocktail bars. Both the Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of Natural History are here.

Explore nearby

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

VisitBritain/Hazel Parreno

Lush rolling pastures, pretty stone villages and rambling rivers - the Cotswolds has it all.

VisitBritain

Cotswolds, England

Lovers of The Crown can wrap themselves in royalty as this town is about as regal as it gets.

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2022

Cool creative Bristol is a must-see for art, culture and action-packed adventure.

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Getting to Oxford

Oxford is located in South East England, in the county of Oxfordshire. Heathrow is the closest international airport to Oxford and is 45 miles (72 kilometres) away, a journey which takes just over an hour by car. The train from Heathrow to Oxford takes up to two and a half hours via central London. Oxford is approximately 60 miles (97 kilometres) from London. The average train time from Central London to Oxford is 1 one hour.

Travelling by coach from London to Oxford takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. From London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, you can hop on The Airline coach service , which runs 24 hours a day. National Express services from Stansted Airport also serve Oxford, taking just under two hours.

Getting around

Oxford is easily accessible from every corner of Britain, with London to Oxford train services taking around 60 minutes from London Paddington. Experience Oxfordshire has a range of maps and guides to help you plan your visit to Oxford. Enjoy a Bus Tour of Oxford .

Hire punts , pedalos and rowing boats to explore Oxford’s River Cherwell.

Oxford’s main attractions are best explored by foot, a walk from the train station to the city centre is just 15 minutes. Head into nature outside the city with a host of walking routes on offer.

The Oxford Bus Company provides frequent and affordable travel across the city, as well as Stagecoach which also operates routes to the stately home at Blenheim Palace. Five Park and Ride locations exist to keep the city centre car free.

If ever a city was made for cycling, it would be here. Oxford is home to several dockless bike hire operators, where you can access cycles via a free downloadable app by scanning a QR code.  Bainton Bikes  also provides cycle hire and self-guided tours. You can access  a cycle route planner  too.

Want to know more?

Check out Experience Oxfordshire for top insider tips and travel inspiration.

Oxford Travel Guide (Practical tips, itinerary + map)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: December 6, 2022

Our Oxford Travel Guide includes recommended places to visit and things to do, accommodation options, tips and more for one of the most famous university cities in the world. Everything you need to plan your visit and essential reading for any visitor to Oxford!

Plan your visit to Oxford

Located only 60 miles (90 km) north-west of London in the county of Oxfordshire is the city of Oxford, home to arguably the world’s most famous and prestigious university.

Nicknamed the ‘City of Dreaming Spires” Oxford is a compact city with many of its main sights situated close to each other.

Oxford is one of England’s most beautiful cities and a popular day trip from London easily reached by train from the capital. Plan to spend the day exploring the University’s famous colleges, magnificent medieval buildings & museums.

What you will find in this complete Oxford Travel Guide

Map of Oxford

When is the best time of year to visit oxford, how many days do you need in oxford, what is the best way to explore oxford, which city should i visit – oxford or cambridge, by train from london, by car from london, take a tour from london to oxford, attractions and things to do in oxford and the surrounding area, accommodation in oxford, tickets, tours & attractions in oxford, best day trips from oxford, books to read before visiting oxford, enjoy your visit to oxford.

Oxford travel guide – Visiting Oxford FAQ’s

Oxford is a beautiful destination whatever time of year you plan to visit.

The summer months are busy with visitors from the UK and abroad flocking to explore the sights.

If you plan to stay in Oxford we recommend booking accommodation in advance during peak season.

During the winter Oxford is quieter but a truly magical experience when frost or snow covers the city.

Spring heralds in blossom-covered trees and colourful flowers across the city whilst visitors during the Autumn will be greeted by multi-coloured leaf displays of golds and reds. Oxford is simply stunning whenever you choose to visit.

It is possible to see the main sights and attractions of Oxford in a day but if you are an art or history lover we recommend 2 days to fully explore the cities museums and colleges.

Oxford is also a great base for further exploration of Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds by car or tour.

The historic centre of Oxford is easy to explore on foot. Alternatively consider buying tickets on the Oxford hop-on-hop-off bus tour and enjoy unlimited hop-on hop-off for 24 or 48 hours.

I would say visit both if you can fit them into your itinerary. Both cities have their own unique charms.

Oxford is the larger city and has lots of things to see and do so could easily fill 2 days if you wish to explore all its colleges and museums. It is also the perfect destination to visit if you are considering a road trip to the Cotswolds. If you are a Harry Potter fan head to Oxford where you will find several film locations used in a number of the movies.

Cambridge is a smaller city than Oxford. There is less to do and see but it is a beautiful and easy city to explore in a day and well worth visiting. Enjoy a stroll along the river Cam, try punting, and enjoy the cities stunning architecture. Read more about Cambridge in my Cambridge Travel Guide .

As I have mentioned both cities are doable day trips from London by train. If you only have one day and want to see both cities take this Oxford & Cambridge Day Tour from London .

What is the best way to travel to Oxford from London?

Oxford is an easy day trip from London but with so much to do and see it is worth considering spending a few days there to fully appreciate the city.

It is also the perfect base for exploring the beautiful Cotswolds . The UNESCO World Heritage listed Blenheim Palace is also close to Oxford.

For timetables and tickets, we recommend the trainline . Take the train to Oxford for the day or incorporate it into your UK train travel itinerary.

Tip – If this is your first time catching a train in the UK read our complete guide to UK train travel which includes all the information you need to know to make travelling around the UK by rail a relaxing and stress-free experience.

• Distance from London: 52 miles / 83 km
• Time taken by train: 1 hour
• Leave from: London Paddington/ London Marylebone

Although located only 54 miles and an hour drive from London I recommend taking the train! Oxford is one of the least car-friendly cities in the UK and it is not worth the hassle if you can avoid it.

If you are planning to visit Oxford as part of a UK road trip and it is your first destination after London I recommend travelling to Oxford by train and picking up a rental car at the station.

If you are travelling to Oxford by car from other UK destinations note that car parking in the city centre is limited and expensive. 5 Park and Ride sites are available if you plan to visit for the day but do take into consideration the additional time you will need. Alternatively, if you plan to stay for longer book accommodation which includes parking.

There are many day tours available which include Oxford in their itinerary. If you are pushed for time we recommend considering booking a tour from London to see the highlights of the city.

• Day Trip to Highclere Castle and Oxford – Relive scenes from Downton Abbey at Highclere Castle, set in 1000 acres of beautiful countryside, followed by a visit to the university city of Oxford.
• Oxford and Cotswolds Villages Day Trip – Escape the hustle and bustle of London and spend the day exploring the historic city of Oxford and the traditional stone villages of the Cotswolds. Travel in comfort through the countryside on a small group tour with a knowledgeable guide.
• Harry Potter Studio Tour & Oxford Day Tour from London – Depart London for a magical day out on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour–The Making of Harry Potter, followed by a visit to the University of Oxford. The full-day trip includes admission to the studio tour and a professional guided walk in Oxford.
• Warwick Castle, Stratford, Oxford & Cotswolds Day Trip – Discover Oxford on a guided walking tour from London. Visit Stratford-upon-Avon to see William Shakespeare’s birthplace as well as his schoolroom and guildhall. Explore inside Warwick Castle.

Click the links for more information about the best things to do in Oxford plus places we recommend visiting in the surrounding area.

ONE DAY IN OXFORD ITINERARY – BEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO

COTSWOLDS TRAVEL GUIDE

VISITING BLENHEIM PALACE

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN OXFORD

Find more special stays in my Accommodation Guide for England.

There are numerous walking tours of Oxford available. Choose the tour that interests you the most – for fans of Inspector Morse and Harry Potter there are excellent themed tours available.

If you prefer to tour the city with a university graduate this is also possible and a great way to learn about life for students at this hallowed university.

• University and City Walking Tour with Alumni Guide – Learn about life at the prestigious university from your student guide. This tour is also available as a private walking tour if you prefer to customise your tour.
• Making of Harry Potter Tour – Explore Oxford through the eyes of Harry Potter and other characters from the Harry Potter movies on a 1.5 to 2-hour tour. Discover how student life at Hogwarts compares with an Oxford education. Test your knowledge with a Potter-mania quiz.
• Morse, Lewis and Endeavour Walking Tour of Oxford – Follow in the footsteps of the fictional Inspector Morse and his sidekick Lewis on a TV locations tour of Oxford. See sites from the books and TV shows created by the author Colin Dexter.
• Private Punting Trip with Optional Walking Tour – Enjoy a relaxing 1-hour outing on the river and learn all about Oxford university, student life, and its proud rowing traditions. Have the option to also add on a guided walking tour afterward.

Oxford is the perfect base for day trips to surrounding areas including the Cotswolds and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace.

I have handpicked the best tours available from Oxford through Get Your Guide (we book most of our day tours and organised activities through Get Your Guide due to their great customer service and cancellation policy)

• Cotswold Explorer Full-Day Tour – Take an unforgettable drive through the glorious Cotswolds, visiting sleepy stone villages, hidden valleys, and breathtaking scenery. Enjoy hearing the history and stories of the old wool and market towns and browsing in the quirky shops and cafes.
• Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace Small-Group Tour – Meander through the quaint villages of Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water, and explore the rich history of Blenheim Palace.
• Blenheim Palace Guided Tour – Enjoy a guided tour of one of England’s most famous palaces and gardens and home to the Churchill family and Duke of Marlborough. Learn about the events which led to the creation of Blenheim Palace. Enjoy a private tour for a maximum of 4 persons.

Oxford is proud of its literary heritage and connections with many famous authors who have studied or taught at one of its colleges. To fully appreciate and enjoy your visit to Oxford we recommend reading some of their works.

These include

• Lewis Carroll
• Oscar Wilde
• JRR Tolkien
• John Betjeman
• Philip Pullman

This guide will have provided inspiration plus practical information to help plan your visit to Oxford. You will find more inspiration and ideas to help plan your travels around England in these travel guides:

• Devon Travel Guide (including tips, itinerary + map)
• Liverpool Travel Guide (including tips, itinerary & map)
• York Travel Guide (including essential travel tips, itinerary + map)
• Peak District Travel Guide
• Lake District Travel Guide
• 10 virtual tours of famous landmarks in the UK

Looking for more inspiration for your travels in England? Check out my England Travel Planning Guide which has lots of ideas, tips and resources to plan your itinerary.

15 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Oxford

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Oxford is one of the oldest and most celebrated university towns in Europe, and for centuries has rivaled Cambridge for academic pre-eminence in England. Its untrammeled spirit of exploration, numerous delightful gardens, courtyards, and university parks - together with the hectic bustle of its pedestrian zone and excellent cultural facilities - all help create a very special atmosphere.

Oxford has plenty of tourist attractions, including Carfax Tower , offering superb views over the city, and the historic Covered Market with its excellent shopping. For a truly unique vacation experience, some university colleges now offer accommodation options, including bed and breakfast.

Harry Potter fans may be interested to learn that various Oxford landmarks appeared in the movies, including Christ Church College, where the dining room was closely copied for the Hogwarts Great Hall. And for something a little quirkier, check out the (in)famous Headington Shark , a shark sculpture stuck headfirst in the roof of a humble terraced house.

To learn more about these and other great places to visit in this lovely part of England, be sure to read through our list of the top attractions and things to do in Oxford.

See also: Where to Stay in Oxford

1. Explore Historic Oxford City Center

2. visit the university church of st. mary the virgin, 3. christ church cathedral, 4. christ church college, 5. magdalen college, 6. radcliffe square & the bodleian library, 7. sheldonian theatre, 8. visit england's oldest museum: the ashmolean museum, 9. history of science museum, 10. martyrs' memorial, 11. shopping in cornmarket street, 12. oxford castle & prison, 13. oxford university museum of natural history, 14. take a trip to blenheim palace, 15. enjoy a drive to abingdon-on-thames, where to stay in oxford for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in oxford.

Although the center of Oxford is not large, plenty of time should be allowed for a visit since there are so many things to do here. The city's four principal streets meet at the intersection known as Carfax , a good starting point for your exploration. Here, you'll find the 14th-century Carfax Tower , a relic of St. Martin's Church (now destroyed), which has great views over the city.

Also worth visiting are the Town Hall, St. Aldate's Church (1318), and Pembroke College, founded in 1624 but with origins dating back to 1446. The nearby Modern Art Oxford , a visual art gallery focusing on exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, regularly offers talks, music, and movies.

Oxford's splendid High Street is lined with numerous magnificent buildings, including many of the colleges the city is so famous for. In fact, it's so pretty, it was famously described by American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne as "the finest street in England."

Address: High Street, Oxford

While sightseeing in the city center, be sure to include the University Church – the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin (or simply St. Mary's) – on your Oxford itinerary. A highlight of your visit should be climbing its finely decorated tower. Built around 1280, this vantage point offers excellent views of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Also of interest is the choir. Rebuilt in 1462, it faces the nave and Lady Chapel, dating from 1490, and the stalls, dating from 1466. Another notable feature is the porch you will have walked through when entering the church. Look carefully, and you'll still see marks made by bullets from the guns of Oliver Cromwell's troops during the English Civil War.

Official site: www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk

Although the present building dates from the 12th century, Christ Church acquired cathedral status in 1546. The most striking feature in the interior is the double arcading of the nave, creating an impression of much greater height.

In the 14th century, the church was extended to the north, and the choir was created in 1500 with fan vaulting overhanging keystones. In the south transept is the Thomas Becket window (1320) and five glass windows designed by Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris in 1871.

Also of note are the St. Frideswide window (1858) and three 14th-century tombs of Lady Montacute, Prior Sutton, and John de Nowers, as well as the remains of the Frideswide's shrine (1289). The grave of philosopher George Berkeley (1681-1735), who gave his name to the town of Berkeley in California, is also located at the cathedral.

Location: St. Aldates, Oxford

Official site: www.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral

Christ Church, one of the largest of Oxford's colleges, was founded in 1525 by Cardinal Wolsey and re-founded after his fall by Henry VIII. Tom Tower , added by Christopher Wren in 1682, contains a huge seven-ton bell known as Great Tom, which peals 101 times every evening at 9:05pm (once for each member of the original college).

The main quadrangle, with its charming fountain, is known as Tom Quad and is the largest courtyard in Oxford. The lower tower, with its fine staircase and fan vaulting, leads up to the hall , an elegant dining room with a magnificent wooden ceiling completed in 1529. Portraits of Henry VIII and distinguished members of the college – including William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania – adorn the walls.

Beyond the Deanery, where Charles I lived from 1642 to 1646, is Kill-Canon , a passage so chilly that it was feared canons would catch their death of cold. Kill-Canon leads to Peckwater Quad, with its library containing drawings and mementos of Cardinal Wolsey.

Art lovers will also want to visit Christ Church Picture Gallery . This fine gallery is home to an important collection of 300 Old Masters and 2,000 drawings.

Location: St. Aldate's, Oxford

Official site: www.chch.ox.ac.uk

Magdalen College was founded in 1458 on a site outside the town walls. Its lovely Magdalen Tower was built in 1482, while the Muniment Tower is the entrance to the chapel where evensong is sung by the college's renowned choir.

There are state apartments with early-16th-century tapestries in the Founder's Tower, and underneath, a passage leads into the cloisters with grotesque figures known as "hieroglyphs." Magdalen College also offers bed-and-breakfast accommodation when rooms are available.

Beyond the college stretches a deer park called the Grove and a bridge leading over the River Cherwell into the Water Walks. Opposite the entrance to the college is the University of Oxford Botanic Garden , founded in 1621 and one of the oldest in England.

Plants from all over the world can be found here, including the Magdalen Rose Garden . This attractive garden was a gift from the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation of New York to commemorate the development of penicillin, in which Oxford played a considerable part. Also worth a visit is the satellite Harcourt Arboretum .

Address: Rose Lane, Oxford

Official site: www.magd.ox.ac.uk

Located in the city center, Radcliffe Square is home to many of the city's most important college buildings. Here, you'll find the Old Schools Quadrangle (1613) and the Radcliffe Camera (1737), a rotunda that originally housed the Radcliffe Library.

The 16-sided room on the ground floor is now a reading room for the Bodleian Library , the university library and the country's first public library, founded in 1598. A copy of every book published in Britain is deposited here, including some two million volumes and 40,000 manuscripts. From the library, you can also explore the magnificent Divinity School .

Address: Broad Street, Oxford

Official site: www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Constructed in 1664, the Sheldonian Theatre was Sir Christopher Wren's second major building. Of special interest here is the historic venue's spectacular ceiling fresco. Restored in 2008, the fresco – which depicts "Truth" removing "Ignorance" from the University – consists of 32 panels originally painted in the 1600s. Guided tours (as well as self-guided tours) are available.

In addition to being used for concerts and lectures – as well as the occasional theatrical performance – it's still used for the university's annual Commemoration.

Official site: www.sheldonian.ox.ac.uk

The Ashmolean Museum – formerly known as the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology – was founded in 1683. Not only is it the oldest museum in the country, it's also the most important of the four university museums. The Neoclassical building houses a magnificent collection of art and antiquities, including classical sculpture, Far Eastern art, Greek and Roman pottery, and a valuable collection of jewelry.

Other Oxford museums that should be added to travel itineraries include the Pitt Rivers Museum, with its fascinating anthropological and archaeological collection, and the Museum of Oxford , a local history museum that deals with both the city and the university's rich pasts.

For something a little different, visit the fun Story Museum . This attraction is especially popular for its literary-themed events, including the popular Alice Days celebrating the first ever telling of Oxford-educated Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland .

Address: Beaumont Street, Oxford

Official site: www.ashmolean.org

The History of Science Museum – housed in the Old Ashmolean Building, the world's first purpose-built museum building – is a fascinating facility that specializes in the study of the history of science and the development of western culture and collecting.

The museum includes the blackboard that Albert Einstein used during his Oxford lectures of 1931, and a fascinating display showing the development of clocks.

Other nearby attractions include the Holywell Music Room (1748), reputedly the oldest concert hall in the world, and Kettell Hall (1620), with its beautiful chapel and fine woodcarvings.

Official site: www.hsm.ox.ac.uk

A cross in St. Giles Street marks the spot where the reformers Latimer, Ridley, and Cranmer were burned at the stake between 1555-56, an event commemorated by the Martyrs' Memorial (1841). The nearby Rhodes House , headquarters of the Rhodes Trust founded in honor of South African statesman Cecil Rhodes, is also worth checking out.

Also close by is the Oxford University Museum of Natural History . Built in 1855, it contains a number of interesting collections, including geological, mineralogical, and zoological sections, as well as work by Darwin, Burchell, and Hope.

There's also a pleasant walk along the Cherwell past Parson's Pleasure to a path called Mesopotamia, which leads to Magdalen Bridge.

Location: St. Giles, Oxford

Pedestrian-friendly Cornmarket Street, commonly known as the "Corn," is Oxford's busiest shopping street. Along with its many big-brand shops and department stores, it's also home to the historic Golden Cross arcade, popular for its craft and jewelry shops, and the Covered Market . Dating from 1774, the market houses an eclectic mix of food retailers.

Also of interest is the former Crew Inn . Here, Shakespeare is said to have stayed on his journey between Stratford and London. It's also where you'll find St. Michael's Church , notable for its early Norman tower.

Address: Cornmarket Street, Oxford

Oxford Castle has been a place of incarceration since 1071, continuing until the closure of Her Majesty's Prison Oxford in 1996. Today, visitors can learn about the real people and events from the site's turbulent past through fascinating displays and re-enactments.

Other highlights include the chance to climb the Saxon St. George's Tower , Oxford's oldest building, and enjoy its stunning 360-degree views. Afterwards, descend deep underground into the 900-year-old crypt.

Other areas to explore include the confines of the 18th-century Debtors' Tower and the 11th-century motte-and-bailey castle. Guided tours and numerous fun themed events are available.

Address: 44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford

Official site: www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk

One of the top free things to do in Oxford, a visit to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH) is certainly time well spent. Opened in the mid 1800s to showcase the university's growing natural history collection, it's located on Parks Road adjacent to another must-visit attraction: the Pitt Rivers Museum .

In addition to its displays and exhibits focusing on the university's rich science and learning traditions, you'll see samples collected by university alumni that date back hundreds of years. Also on display are samples from the university's mineralogy, medicine, zoology, and anatomy collections.

Two cafés are located on-site, and a special treat if you're traveling in summer is to enjoy your snacks and beverages outdoors on the museum's lovely lawn. Be sure to keep an eye out for the migrating swallows that have been stopping over on the museum roof since nesting boxes were installed in the 1940s.

Address: Parks Road, Oxford

Official site: www.oumnh.ox.ac.uk

Located in Woodstock, just eight miles northwest of Oxford, is Blenheim Palace. Seat of the dukes of Marlborough and the Spencer-Churchill family, it is also famous as the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

This magnificent 200-roomed palace was built between 1701 and 1724 for John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, with the financial support of Queen Anne. It's recorded that the Queen wished to express her thanks to the Duke for his victory in 1704 over the French at the Battle of Blenheim, an event commemorated on the ceiling of the Great Hall.

In addition to visiting the splendid main building with its Neoclassical columned entrance hall and quadrantal annexes with crowned corner-towers and colonnades, be sure to explore the adjoining wings. Here, you'll find a number of large courtyards, as well as the vast main courtyard.

Another highlight is the chance to explore the magnificent gardens, with their French Rococo borders, and the Capability-Brown-designed parklands. Other outdoor attractions include Italian gardens and herb gardens, a butterfly house, and a maze.

Location: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock

Official site: www.blenheimpalace.com

An easy drive just six miles south of Oxford, Abingdon is a charming town on the banks of the River Thames. A large number of interesting houses and churches are found here, including the old two-story county hall, built in 1678 and now home to the Abingdon County Hall Museum .

Also of note is the beautiful St. Helen's Church, with its graceful spire, double aisles, and elaborately painted paneling (1390), as well as Christ's Hospital, founded in 1553.

Parts of the once influential Benedictine abbey (AD 675) can still be explored, including later features such as the Checker Hall (13th century), the Long Gallery (about 1500), and the abbey doorway (1450).

Abingdon has several leisure and recreation facilities, including the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, Tilley Park, and the Southern Town Park. Each year in October, the town center is closed for the Ock Street Michaelmas Fair , the longest street fair in Europe.

Address: Market Place, Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Official site: www.abingdon.gov.uk/partners/abingdon-county-hall-museum

We recommend these popular hotels in Oxford with easy access to the famous colleges and other top attractions:

• Old Bank Hotel : This luxury boutique hotel is set in a Georgian building in a great central location and features understated elegance and marble bathrooms.
• Vanbrugh House Hotel : A popular mid-range hotel, Vanbrugh House features individually decorated rooms, private gardens, plus complimentary breakfast and snacks.
• Remont Oxford Hotel : Affordable rates, a short bus ride to town, colorful room accents, and a hearty free English breakfast are just a few of the reasons why this hotel is highly rated.
• Premier Inn Oxford Hotel This budget hotel is an easy drive to Oxford city center and features modern decor and family rooms.

• (1) Somerville
• (3) Regents Park
• (4) St John's
• (5) Trinity
• (6) Mansfield
• (7) Balliol
• (8) Waldham
• (9) Manchester
• (10) St Cross
• (11) St Catherine's
• (12) Ruskin
• (13) Worcester
• (14) Nuffield
• (15) St Peter's
• (17) Lincoln
• (18) Brasenose
• (19) Exeter
• (20) Hertford
• (21) New College
• (22) All Souls
• (23) Queen's
• (24) University
• (25) Magdalen
• (26) Wayneflete
• (27) Pembroke
• (28) Corpus Christi
• (29) Merton
• (30) St Hilda's
• (31) Frewin Hall
• (32) Union Soc Rooms
• (33) Sheldonian Theater
• (34) Clarendon Building
• (35) Bodleian Library
• (36) Radcliffe Camera
• (37) Carfax Tower
• (38) Peckwater Quad
• University Museum
• Rhodes House
• Ashmolean Museum
• St Michael's Church
• Christ Church
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Botanic Gardens

More on England

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Oxford Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

Oxford is a charming, historic city located just a short ride from London . The city is famed for its prestigious university, which is one of the oldest in the world (it was founded in the 11th century).

Oxford first earned fame in the Middle Ages as a hub for theological learning. It then expanded into medicine and law. Today, the university is home to over 24,000 students and you can study with the best and brightest in pretty much any field here.

While the city can feel stuffy and lacks the cut-loose university town feel that cities like Bristol have, visiting Oxford and seeing the old architecture more than makes up for it.

This Oxford travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and ensure you have an amazing visit to the historic city!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Oxford

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Oxford

1. Tour Oxford

The University is the main attraction here. 24,000 students study at the famed college and on a visit to Oxford, you can tour fascinating museums, botanical gardens, and relax in the many pristine green spaces around campus. Bodleian Libraries offers guided tours of the university, including the inside of many historic buildings, which have been featured in countless movies over the years (including Harry Potter). They provide a look at university life, the history of the school, the architecture, and more. Tours last a couple of hours and cost 20 GBP.

2. Visit Balliol College

Founded in 1263 by wealthy landowner John I de Balliol, Balliol College is one of the oldest colleges in the University of Oxford. After Balliol’s death, his widow Dervorguilla continued to fund the founding of the college. This college was one of the first to create academic opportunities for women after only admitting men for 700 years and now the walls inside are lined with portraits of female graduates. Four Prime Ministers are alumni of Balliol college, as well as influential philosophers like Adam Smith and Aldous Huxley. It’s a prestigious college within Oxford and has a student body of about 400 who study Biology, English, History, Law, and more.

3. Admire South Park

Located in east Oxford, South Park is the largest park in Oxford, with free admission and a sweeping view of the city, including the university skyline. The land was privately owned until 1932 when the Oxford Preservation Trust acquired it and transformed it into a public park. The park is a favorite spot for photographers and from the highest point you’ll be able to see the towers of Oxford College. Within the park, you’ll find a 19th-century bridge and the Oxford Artisan Distillery. On a nice day, the park is filled with locals getting a tan, playing sports, and lounging. There are also a variety of events held there throughout the year including parades, firework displays, food festivals, and concerts.

4. Stroll under Hertford Bridge

This bridge is known as the ‘Bridge of Sighs’ because college students sigh under it on their way to take exams, and because it resembles the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Hertford Bridge has an iconic design and connects the Old and New Quadrangles of Hertford College. It was completed in 1914 and serves as a convenient link between the two buildings. Visit the nearby Turf Tavern and commiserate with the students over a pint. You’ll be drinking in good company — Elizabeth Taylor, Stephen Hawking, and Margaret Thatcher have all paid a visit to Turf Tavern over the years.

5. Visit the Ashmolean Museum

Founded in 1683, this is Britain’s oldest public museum with a focus on art and archeology. It was originally constructed to house a “cabinet of curiosities” that Elias Ashmole donated to the University of Oxford in 1677. Ashmole’s collection was combined with older university treasures that supposedly included Guy Fawkes’ lantern and Jacob’s Coat of Many Colors. It recently went through a renovation in 2009 and displays Ancient Egyptian art, as well as an impressive Eastern Art collection. Today the museum is also working to preserve history, while simultaneously decolonizing the language and practices surrounding certain exhibits. Make sure to see the Amarna Princess Fresco and the Alfred Jewel before you leave. Admission is free.

Other Things to See and Do in Oxford

1. take a free walking tour.

One of the first things I do in a new city is take a free walking tour. It’s the best way to get the lay of the land and connect with a local guide. Footprints Tours are run by students and offer a solid introduction to the city. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

2. Admire the University of Oxford Botanical Gardens

When it opened in 1621, the botanical gardens here were the first of their kind in the UK. Today, the collection includes traditional English landscape designs and some of the UK’s oldest redwood trees. There are over 5,000 plant species here spread out over 4.5 acres. Admission is 6.30 GBP and pre-booking is highly recommended to guarantee entry.

3. Shop for snacks at the Covered Market

This historic 250-year-old market has dozens of coffee bars, restaurants, traditional butchers, fish merchants, and independent shops. You’ll be able to find everything from artisanal sausage to sushi. There are a lot of homemade meals served here and it’s the best place to do some cheap shopping for groceries in the city. In addition to food, there are also lots of local vendors selling handmade wares, including clothing, souvenirs, and jewelry.

4. Browse the Bodleian Library

As the main research library of the University of Oxford, the Bodleian is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the second-largest library in the UK (after London’s British Library). Opened in 1602, its English Gothic architecture is gorgeous — so much so that it has served as a set for numerous films, including the first two Harry Potter films (its Divinity School, with its fan-vaulted ceiling and ornate decoration, was used as the Hogwarts hospital wing.) Entry is free and tours start at 9 GBP.

5. Go punting

Punting is a quirky and unique summer activity in Oxford. It’s essentially pushing a small boat around the River Thames or the River Cherwell with a pole. Punting season takes place from mid-March to mid-October when you can rent a boat or hire someone to take you. Rentals cost 30 GBP per hour and can fit up to 5 people.

6. Visit the Museum of Natural History

Established in 1850, this museum holds the University’s scientific collections of zoological, entomological, geological, paleontological, and mineralogical specimens. The exhibits are devoted to the history and diversity of life on Earth. One of their most famous exhibits is the Oxford Dodo. It has the only surviving dodo soft tissue remains in the world as well as a dodo skull (the dodo is an extinct flightless bird that was endemic to Mauritius). Admission is free.

7. Learn about medieval life at Oxford Castle Prison

Originally built in the 11th century, visiting this Norman castle prison (which was in operation until 1996) is like stepping back in time. You can descend into a 900-year-old crypt and then climb to the top of Saxon St George’s Tower for a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding area. You’ll also learn about the past residents of the prison and hear stories of their crimes, which range from murder to tyranny to religious rebellion. Admission is by guided tour only and costs 15.25 GBP.

8. Get lost in Blackwell’s Books

For the bookworm, this historic shop is a must. Opened in 1879, it’s home to the Norrington Room, which holds the Guinness Record for the largest bookselling room in the world. Named after Sir Arthur Norrington, a former president of Trinity College, the 10,000-square-foot (929-square-meter) basement is just one of Blackwell’s four floors of books.

9. Take a day trip to Blenheim Palace

This underrated attraction is just 8 miles (12 kilometers) outside of Oxford. Built in the early 18th century, it is the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Aside from the amazing Baroque architecture, the rooms are preserved with their original furniture and the grounds include a beautiful garden and a butterfly house. The entire palace is filled with statues, tapestries, priceless furniture and fine china, and huge oil paintings. Highlights include the room in which Winston Churchill was born and the Blenheim Tapestries, which are 10 large tapestries that commemorate the first duke’s conquests. Fun fact: this 17th-century palace is the only non-royal house in the UK that’s still allowed to be referred to as a palace. Admission to the palace, park, and gardens is 35.00 GBP.

10. Have a pint at the student pubs

A lot of Oxford’s energy comes from the huge student population. Around Oxford, you’ll find everything from small, quirky dive bars to romantic cocktail bars. The Eagle and Child pub on St Giles’ street is one of the most famous of Oxford’s pubs. The pub was a popular meeting spot for literary heavyweights like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

For more information on other cities in England, check out these guides:

• Bath Travel Guide
• Brighton Travel Guide
• Bristol Travel Guide
• Cambridge Travel Guide
• Liverpool Travel Guide
• London Travel Guide
• Manchester Travel Guide

Oxford Travel Costs

Hostel prices – There is currently just one hostel in Oxford and a bed in a dorm with 8 beds costs 35-40 GBP. Free Wi-Fi and self-catering facilities are included.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is available outside the city for 14 GBP per night. This gets you a basic tent plot without electricity.

Budget hotel prices – Budget hotels that include free Wi-Fi and breakfast start at around 80 GBP per night.

There are lots of Airbnb options available in Oxford. A private room costs at least 25-35 GBP per night, while an entire home/apartment starts around 60-90 GBP per night.

Avoid visiting during alumni weekend (which takes place in September) and the annual Oxford Boat Race, which draws 250,000 visitors around Easter. The city fills up fast and prices rise!

Food – While British cuisine has evolved in leaps and bounds due to immigration (and colonialism), it’s still very much a meat and potatoes country. Fish and chips remain a popular staple for both lunch and dinner while roasted and stewed meats, sausages, meat pies, and the quintessential Yorkshire pudding are all common options as well. Curry (and other Indian dishes, such as tikka masala), are super popular here too.

You can eat cheaply in Oxford if you stick to the cafes centered close to the university. Most give discounts to students, and whether you pick up a sandwich, salad, or bagel, you won’t pay more than 9 GBP for a meal (even if you aren’t a student).

You’ll find most student restaurants on and around George Street with small takeaway windows and stands selling everything from falafel to burritos. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 7 GBP for a combo meal while a pint at a pub costs around 5 GBP.

A personal pizza can cost as little as 5.55 GBP while Chinese food costs around 8 GBP for a meal.

Expect to pay 12 GBP for a meal at an inexpensive casual restaurant, while a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant costs 25 GBP per person, including a drink.

If you’re cooking your own food, a week’s worth of groceries costs around 40-60 GBP. The best places to buy cheap groceries are Lidl, Aldi, and Sainsbury’s.

Backpacking Oxford Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Oxford, expect to spend about 70 GBP per day. This budget covers a hostel dorm, public transit, limiting your drinking, cooking your own meals, and doing mostly free attractions like hanging out in the parks and exploring Oxford University. If you plan on drinking, add 5-10 GBP per day to your budget.

A mid-range budget of 140 GBP per day covers staying in a private Airbnb room or private hostel room, eating out for most of your meals, taking the occasional taxi, enjoying a few drinks, and doing some paid activities like a guided tour of Oxford or going punting.

On a “luxury” budget of about 240 GBP or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink more, rent a car or bike to explore, and do as many tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in GBP.

Oxford Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

As one of the UK’s biggest university towns, Oxford has many free and low-cost things to do. With plenty of cheap pubs, student-focused restaurants, and lots of public spaces, cutting your costs and saving money is easy here. Here are my top ways to save money when you visit Oxford:

• Take a free walking tour – One of the best ways to learn about Oxford is with a free walking tour. Footprints Tours runs free walking tours that can introduce you to the city. Just be sure to tip your guide!
• Cook your own food – Like elsewhere in the UK, eating out in Oxford will destroy your budget. Cook as much as you can to save money.
• Eat cheap food – If you do plan on eating out, head out to neighborhoods outside the city center, where most of the students live. Stick to fast food and take-out joints for the cheapest options.
• Bike or walk everywhere – Oxford is not a large city so you can pretty much walk or bike everywhere. Skip the taxis and public transportation if you can.
• See the student theater – You can see cheap and cutting-edge student theater for a couple of pounds at the Burton Taylor Studio (near the bus station). It’s a small theater, but because it hosts student and independent productions, you can find a good deal on the ticket prices — even for last-minute tickets.
• Stay in an Oxford University dorm – When classes aren’t in session, it’s possible to stay in a dorm on the university campus. Exeter College is located in the center of the city and offers bed-and-breakfast-style accommodation in the dormitory. Rooms are only available during the Easter, summer, and winter vacations. (Not currently available due to COVID).
• Stay with a local – If you’re on a budget you’ll definitely want to try Couchsurfing . It’s a great way to cut costs while connecting to the local scene. Many students are away in the summer, however, so be sure to apply early.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Oxford

Oxford currently has just one operational hostel. Fortunately, it’s a good one!

• Central Backpackers

How to Get Around Oxford

The easiest way to get around Oxford, especially if you stick to the central tourist areas, is by walking. Oxford is compact enough to get around on foot.

Bus – There is an extensive bus network through Oxford to get around if you choose to take public transportation. Three separate bus companies operate public transport in Oxford, with single trip fares as low as 1.20 GBP and day passes costing around 3.90 GBP.

Bicycle – Oxford is very bike-friendly if you stick to the bike paths. Pony Bikes and Donkey Bikes are dockless bike companies operating in Oxford, meaning the bikes can be picked up and left anywhere on the sidewalk. Download and rent directly from their respective apps.

If you’d rather pay for a full day of access, you can rent a bike from Summertown Cycles for as little as 18 GBP for your first day (6 GBP for each following day). Brompton Bike Hire offers folding bikes for 5 GBP per day, which you can pick up from the self-serve bike locker next to Oxford Station.

Taxi – Taxis cost around 4.60 GBP to start and 2.40 GBP per mile, but the price depends on the time of day and traffic. You can also use an app like MyTaxi to order your ride. Given how expensive they are, I wouldn’t take one unless absolutely necessary.

Uber – Uber is available in Oxford, but again, walking or cycling are the easiest way to get around in the compact city so I’d skip them if you can.

Car rental – Car rentals can be found for as little as 25 GBP per day for a multi-day rental. Keep in mind you’ll be driving on the left and that most cars have a manual transmission. Drivers need to be at least 21 and have had their license for at least one year.

When to Go to Oxford

Summer (July-August) is peak tourism season in Oxford, and temperatures are the warmest during this time — but rarely do they go above 22°C (72°F). It’s perfect weather for exploring, punting, and relaxing in the many parks.

Spring (May-June) and autumn (September-October) are also fantastic times to visit as the city is abuzz with student life and temperatures are mild. This is my favorite time to visit.

Winter lasts from December through February, and tourism crowds thin out dramatically during this time. Temperatures can dip below freezing, and prices are slightly lower. The days are cold and grey, however, so I wouldn’t suggest visiting during this time if you can avoid it.

How to Stay Safe in Oxford

Oxford is safe and the risk of violent crime is low. The biggest risk here is petty theft and pickpocketing, especially in the busy student pubs and clubs (however, it’s still quite rare).

Solo travelers, including female travelers, should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

If you’re partying in the student pubs, be aware of your surroundings and avoid dimly lit alleys and pathways when heading home. Pickpockets tend to work in teams, so stay alert and keep your valuables tucked away.

Scams here are rare, but if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you experience an emergency, dial 999 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Oxford Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Oxford Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling England and continue planning your trip:

The 14 Best Things to Do in Bristol

Where to Stay in London: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 8 Best Hostels in London

How to Spend a Week in London

The 9 Best Walking Tour Companies in London

70+ Free Things to Do in London

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With its honey-coloured colleges arrayed in splendour beside the river, the university town of Oxford is a seductive vision of medieval learning and modern charm.

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EXPLORE OXFORD AND AROUND OXFORDSHIRE

Oxford is one of the oldest and most celebrated university cities in the world, and you can be forgiven for thinking Oxford is just about its highly successful universities. But there is so much more to see and do here , you really need to explore Oxford to really appreciate its beauty, history and vibrant culture.

Explore Oxford for attractions, restaurants, art and entertainment

Oxford has numerous major tourist attractions including the iconic Bodleian Library; Carfax Tower which offers superb views over the city; and the historic Covered Market with its many tourist shops . Explore Oxford’s wide streets, intricate network of smaller lanes lined with noble buildings and places to enjoy arts and entertainment ; stop and relax for great food and drink , and see if you can see familiar sights often used as the backdrop to many TV programmes and films, from Inspector Morse to Harry Potter.

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Things to do in Oxford: 24 Must-See Oxford Attractions

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The city of dreaming spires, Oxford is a beautiful city packed with places to see. Looking for the best things to do in Oxford? Here’s where to start.

We might be biased, but Oxford is one of our favourite places in the UK – not least because we spent three years at university there. 

Personal bias aside, there are few places in the UK or Europe that can rival the city’s beautiful architecture and important history.

Whether you are visiting Oxford for the first or fiftieth time, there’s always something new to discover – some secret spot to find.

Check out the best things to do in Oxford – well-known spots and hidden treasures. Ready to explore? Let’s go.

PS – Only in Oxford for a short time? Read my guide to 24 Hours in Oxford.

What Are The Best Things to do in Oxford? Our Top Five Picks

The bodleian library.

The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest and biggest libraries in Britain.

The library (which is actually a series of interconnected libraries dotted throughout Oxford that are collectively referred to as the Bodleian Libraries) has an impressive history – some of its buildings have been libraries since the Middle Ages.

All very well and good, but it’s the library’s architecture that is really going to blow you away. From the gorgeous domed Radcliffe Camera to the fortress-like Old Bodleian Library, the “Bod” boasts some of the most striking buildings in Oxford.

If you only have time to visit two, make them the Radcliffe Camera and the Old Library.

The Bod’s interiors are no less impressive – it’s a working library so large sections of the library are off-limits unless you book onto a tour , which we highly recommend.

Even if you don’t – pay to enter The Divinity School, not only is it one of the Bodleian’s most ornately-decorated rooms, it also pops up in the Harry Potter films.

🦉 Check out these guided tour of Harry Potter filming locations in Oxford or read my guide to self-guided tour of Harry Potter locations .

The Radcliffe Camera

The building that launched a million camera clicks. The Radcliffe Camera is an iconic piece of Oxford architecture and sits at the heart of the city of dreaming spires. Ask anyone for the top places to go in Oxford and it will be there, right at the top of the list.

The Rad Cam, as its fondly nicknamed, was built in the 18th century – so it’s actually pretty modern by Oxford standards. Today, it functions as one of the main reading rooms of the Bodleian Library as well as the home of several of the library’s collections.

As with other parts of the Bodleian, it’s a functional library and off-limits unless you book onto a tour.

Want to see the very best of Oxford’s landmarks? Book onto a walking tour like this one to ensure you don’t miss a spot.

The Ashmolean Museum

The Ashmolean is Oxford’s flagship museum and one of the top Oxford sights. Widely recognised as the first modern museum in the world, the Ashmolean has been the university’s historical and archaeological collections since 1683.

Though it’s no longer in its original building (it’s grown way too big for them), The Ashmolean remains a fascinating walk through the history of different cultures from around the world.

The eclectic collection spans a broad range of artefacts and exhibits. Want to see larger-than-life casts of Greek and Roman sculptures? They’ve got you covered. How about ceramics and textiles from the Middle East? Same.

The Ashmolean underwent a huge renovation in 2009. The tart-up did it a world of good – collections are thoughtfully and interestingly presented.

Allot at least a few hours to explore. Plus, when you’re finished, spend some time in their rooftop cafe – one of the best cafes in Oxford .

Read More: The Best Museums in Oxford

Punting on the Cherwell

Going punting, with a picnic in tow and perhaps a cheeky concoction of Pimms and Lemonade, is one of the best things to do in Oxford (during the summer months).

Two rivers run through Oxford – the Isis (Thames) and the Cherwell. You can go punting on both—punting is that slightly weird form of boating where you propel the boat with a metal pole—on both.

We recommend the Cherwell for several reasons. First of all, it’s way prettier than the Isis —and obviously, that’s a very important thing.

➥ Book this student-guided punting tour on the Cherwell .

Secondly, if you punt away from the city centre, you slowly leave the crowds behind until it’s just you, your crew and the (sometimes scary) swans that will happily steal your lunch.

Start at Magdalen Bridge, punt upriver to the Victoria Arms in Marston to disembark for a leisurely lunch before floating downstream to where you began. Perfection.

➥ If punting sounds too scary, hop on a sightseeing boat tour like this one to explore Oxford from the water. 

The Pitt Rivers Museum

The Pitt Rivers Museum is one of Oxford’s quirkier and most interesting museums.

Centred around the collection of Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt Rivers, the museum opened in 1887 to showcase its anthropological treasures from around the world.

The Pitt Rivers features over half a million artifacts, which together tell the story of the history of man.

Don’t judge a book by its cover – this really is one of the top things to do in Oxford. Walking around the well-presented exhibits, which are ordered by type and by date, is a peek into faraway cultures.

Admission is free but there is a suggested donation of £5.

Oxford Sightseeing Spots – Must-Visit Oxford University Colleges

Christ church college.

If you only have time to visit one of the University of Oxford’s 38 colleges while you are in town, add Christ Church to your Oxford to do list.

Christ Church’s important history and beautiful architecture make a visit hands down one of the best places to visit in Oxford.

The college was founded almost 500 years ago, by Cardinal Wolsey – until he fell from favour and the college was pinched by King Henry VIII (he of divorced, beheaded, died fame… ).

Over the years, this connection with the Royal family continued. Christ Church was even the seat of King Charles I’s royal parliament during the brief four year period when Oxford was England’s capital during the Civil War.

Fast forward to the present day and you’ll find one of Oxford’s most magnificent colleges and definitely the only one to have its own cathedral.

Start with the vast Tom Quad, flanked by the Christopher Wren-designed Tom Tower then make your way to the dining room – one of Oxford’s unforgettable Harry Potter filming locations.

➥ Take this tour of Oxford University with Christ Church option .

Magdalen College

There aren’t many Oxford colleges that can say they have their own deer park within their grounds… but then Magdalen isn’t like many other Oxford colleges.

First up, Magdalen (pronounced maudlin ) is one of the richest colleges within the university (perhaps that explains the deer park).

Secondly, it’s just so very beautiful that you shouldn’t miss it on your list of places to visit in Oxford.

Like many Oxford colleges, you have to pay to enter. Once you do, take a peek at the cloisters, chapel and hall and, of course, take a turn around the deer park. It would be rude not to.

Keble College

Find yourself getting a bit desensitised to all that handsome sandstone? It’s OK, we’ve all been there.

Enter the Victorian Gothic masterpiece that is Keble College.

We are flabbergasted that Keble doesn’t make it onto many lists of Oxford tourist attractions – there are several reasons why you should add it to your Oxford sightseeing itinerary.

Keble’s crazy architecture – largely redbrick with contrasting white, black and golden patterns – was always meant to make a statement. Think it’s safe to say the architect William Butterfield definitely succeeded in that mission.

What’s more, Keble has a chapel striking enough to stop you in your tracks. Once inside, don’t miss the world-famous Light of the World painting by Holman Hunt – it’s secreted in a small room to the side of the chapel.

As if that’s not enough, the college’s hall is the longest in Oxford – not to mention its most impressive – it makes Christ Church’s look teeny by comparison!

Cool Things to See in Oxford

Sheldonian theatre.

Situated next to the Old Bodleian Library, you’re bound to notice the Sheldonian Theatre – it’s the Neoclassical style D-shaped building that projects out onto Broad Street. Wondering what it is?

The Sheldonian is the official ceremonial hall of Oxford University. As the place where you matriculate (are formally enrolled at the university) and graduate, it holds a special place in students’ hearts.

The Sheldonian was the first significant architectural project of Christopher Wren (who then went on to design some of the most important landmarks in London after the Great Fire – including St Paul’s Cathedral).

If you have time, book a Sheldonian tour , which explores the University’s history and gives you a chance to see the theatre’s interior – dominated by the ceiling fresco “Truth descending on the arts and sciences to expel ignorance from the university”.

University Church of St Mary’s

St Mary’s Church forms one side of Radcliffe Square – clustered by All Soul’s College, Brasenose College, the Old Bodleian and the Radcliffe Camera – it’s one of the top places to see in Oxford.

While the church itself is worth a visit, we’ll let you in on a little secret – the tower should be on your itinerary of things to see in Oxford. For a small fee, you can climb to the top of St Mary’s Tower for the best views of the city.

Now, we won’t lie… climbing to the top of medieval churches strikes fear into our hearts, favourite thing to do and this one is no exception. The steep winding stairs that take you to the top of the tower are vaguely terrifying, particularly on the way down.

That said, the views are absolutely spectacular – you can walk around all four sides for four completely different but equally mesmerising panoramas.

Worth the terror and the sore legs? Totally.

The Bridge of Sighs

Another of Oxford’s sights, the Bridge of Sighs may look vaguely familiar. That’s because it supposedly looks a bit like the famous bridge of the same name in Venice.

The bridge connects two parts of Hertford College – but really much of its appeal is its quirky appearance.

PS, the entrance to the Turf Tavern – one of Oxford’s oldest and prettiest pubs – is tucked down the alley to the left of the bridge if you’re walking away from the Bodleian Library.

➥ Take this tour of that makes a stop at the Bridge of Sighs .

Oxford Castle & Prison

Had enough of historical sites yet? Tough luck if the answer’s yes.

The Oxford Castle & Prison is a medieval Norman castle that’s been transformed into a historical site, hotel and entertainment complex in one.

It’s not as bizarre as it sounds – the hotel (Malmaison) has pimped up the former cells into comfortable rooms, while the bars and eateries are worth a pit stop.

More interested in the actual castle than its contemporary fripperies? You can take a guided tour to learn about the history of the building – which includes a 900-year-old crypt.

Ignoring the fact that the tours are led by costumed characters (shudder) and it’s actually an interesting way to learn about a side of Oxford that has nothing to do with the university.

➥ Book a guided tour of Oxford Castle and Prison .

Cool Things to do in Oxford – Exploring Cultural Oxford

The oxford university museum of natural history.

Housed in the same building as the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Oxford Museum of Natural History is one of the more surprising things to do in Oxford.

The building is impressive enough – its light-filled interior is one of my favourites. Add to that a large collection of zoological and geological specimens and you’ve got an Oxford sightseeing must.

You can’t help but notice the huge dinosaur skeletons that dominate the museum’s collection. Fossils and replicas give you an up-close-and-personal look at the different species on display.

Other highlights include the Oxford Dodo – one of the few of its kind in the world and said to be the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s character in Alice in Wonderland.

Modern Art Oxford

We’ll level with you – we personally think the exhibitions in Modern Art Oxford can be a bit hit and miss. But that’s standard for small galleries who show innovative exhibitions.

Don’t let it put you off. This small gallery is one of the more unusual things to do in Oxford but is well worth a visit.

Where else can you see exhibitions that aren’t afraid to challenge you or question the status quo – and for free too? When it’s good, it’s really good.

Hunt Out Oxford’s Harry Potter Filming Locations

Harry Potter geeks (us included) will want to check out the famous filming locations dotted across Oxford.

Even if you’re a little more lukewarm about Harry Potter (we’re not sure – can we even be friends?), visiting the filming locations is still an interesting way of seeing different parts of Oxford you might have found otherwise.

The atmospheric New College Cloisters are the perfect example – most people have no reason to hunt them out.

However, when we did (they double up as the spot where Mad Eye Moody turns Draco into a ferret), we found one of Oxford’s hidden treasures and a new favourite spot.

🦉 Check out these highly recommended tours of Harry Potter locations .

Discover Literary Oxford

Given its strong literary heritage, it’s perhaps no surprise that Oxford has more than its fair share of literary spots. Book-lovers can lose themselves in a world of finding the real life inspirations and locations from their favourite books.

Take Alice in Wonderland for example – Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Dodgson) was a scholar at Christ Church. Influences as diverse as the Dodo in the Oxford Museum of Natural History and the door into Christ Church’s cathedral garden find their way into the famous books.

Not forgetting the fantastical Narnia series, written by the well-known Fellow of Magdalen College, C.S Lewis.

Although there are traces of Narnia throughout Oxford, the best-known is the wooden door in the alley that runs down the side of St Mary’s Church.

Look closely and you’ll see that the door is flanked by two fauns, and has a lion on its centrepiece. It’s said to be the wardrobe door the book’s characters step through to reach Narnia…

📚 Take a this private C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien walking tour of Oxford .

Unusual things to do in Oxford

Visit the story museum.

When it comes to quirky Oxford things to do, The Story Museum is an often overlooked spot. This family-friendly spot celebrates the art of stories and story-telling, and the positive effects this has on people’s lives.

Head through the Whispering Wood and the Enchanted Library as stories from the city are told in an immersive and engaging way.

You can also hop onto the magical Story Craft, which allows you to fly through thousands of years of Oxford history – delving deeper into ancient myths and famous literature.

Take a Spooky Ghost Tour

Ready to get spooked? Maybe it’s just us, but we think that one of the best ways to explore a city is to take a creepy ghost tour at night – this one is led by author of Haunted Oxford , Rob Walters.

You’ll begin your journey on the corner of Turl Street – a spot that was once the city ditch and witness to terrible murders and persecution. But that’s only the beginning of your ghost-chasing evening.

From there, your guide will lead you through the creepiest parts of the city, passing sites such as the University and Bridge of Sighs as you go.

👻 Book the official “Haunted Oxford” ghost tour .

Best Things to do in Oxford – Food & Drink

Afternoon tea at the grand cafe.

Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British pastime – one that Oxford happens to do very well. The Grand Cafe is the place for afternoon tea in Oxford.

It stands on the site of England’s oldest coffee house – times and tastes may have changed but The Grand will always dish up fluffy, hot scones, huge slabs of cake and the requisite teas and coffees.

A cream tea, with two (very large) scones, accompanied by lashings of jam and clotted cream (which should be applied to the scone in that order) and a hot beverage of your choice is £10.95. 

An afternoon tea, which features the above, with an additional selection of finger sandwiches and petit fours is just under £20. Go hungry.

Read More: Unmissable Afternoon Teas in Oxford

Explore Oxford’s Cool Cocktail Bars

It would be a huge mistake to visit the city and not spend some time in Oxford’s brilliant cocktail bars .

In particular, Jericho , in the north of the city is a good place to find a cocktail bar or two.

Raoul’s has a reputation for serving up the best. Nearby, The Duke of Cambridge is a brilliant choice (they also just so happen to have a brilliant happy hour).

Freud’s boasts the most impressive setting – it’s located in an old Neoclassical-style church, but cocktails are a bit lacklustre compared to its nearby competitors.

When it comes to cocktails with a view, it should come as no surprise that Oxford has a few contenders – The Varsity Club looks straight out over central Oxford, while The Alchemist offers a different view from atop the Westgate Centre.

Still not enough? Strike out along Cowley Road for more options.

Read more: The Best Cocktail Bars in Oxford

The Eagle & Child

Any Tolkien or C.S Lewis fans in the house? You’ll want to add The Eagle & Child to your things to see and do in the Oxford itinerary.

What may look like a relatively standard pub at first glance has an intriguing history.

It’s best known as the former meeting place of “The Inklings”, a group of writers that included –  you guessed it – Tolkien and Lewis.

The group met here on a weekly basis to discuss and critique each other’s work – maybe if you sit in the same spot, a little of their literary genius will rub off on you…

Oxford Historic Pub Crawl

Whether tucked away on hidden alleys or sat in plain view – Oxford has more than its fair share of historic pubs . We’re yet to find another British city with so many gorgeous old boozers and a mini pub crawl between them is a fun thing to do in Oxford (for adults).

Start with one of the oldest – The Bear Inn. Hidden in the maze of streets between Christchurch and the High Street, there’s been a pub in this spot since 1242 – though its current incarnation dates from the 17th century.

Move on to our favourite, The Turf Tavern, thought to have opened in the 15th century. It’s a bit hard to find, but when you do, you will find a quaint old building that’s straight out of the history books and some of Oxford’s best pints.

From there, it’s a short hop to The Lamb & Flag. Perched across the road from The Eagle & Child, the Inklings also used The Lamb & Flag as one of their meeting spots.

It’s also rumoured that Thomas Hardy wrote much of Jude the Obscure sitting in the pub. Cheers to that.

Read More: Historic Pubs and Cool Drinking Dens in Oxford

The Covered Market

The 18th-century Covered Market sits in the heart of Oxford. Over 40 traders have stalls and shops within the market – pop in for a browse and you’re never sure what you’ll come out with.

The best way to explore is to just have a wander around, but there are a couple of places you shouldn’t miss while you’re there.

Coffee lovers should make a beeline for Colombia Coffee Roasters, an independent coffee shop who sources their beans from their own family farm in Colombia.

Hop into Ben’s Cookies next door for one (or three) of their indulgently gooey and delicious cookies or iScream for a tasty gelato.

Read More: The Best Cafes in Oxford

Best Places to Visit in Oxford – Parks and Green Spaces

Christ church meadow.

Those wondering what to see in Oxford will be delighted to find out that the city has a surprising number of green spaces – including Christ Church Meadow.

Sandwiched between the River Isis (the stretch of the river Thames that runs through Oxford), the river Cherwell and Christ Church College, the Meadow is one of the best places to visit in Oxford on a warm summer’s day.

Rowers heave boats onto the river from the boat houses that line the Isis – plump yourself down on the grass and watch as they skull their way along the river, or have a picnic under the shade of a tree – just watch out for the cows.

Port Meadow (and a Few Gorgeous Pubs)

Much beloved by locals but largely overlooked by tourists, Port Meadow is an extensive meadow in the north of Oxford, above the Jericho area of town.

The meadow is part of an ancient patch of grazing land that dates back over 4,000 years. You’ll still find cows and horses roaming free on the meadow today.

While it’s nice enough for a stroll or a picnic on the banks of the Thames, it doesn’t hurt that the meadow leads to two of Oxford’s prettiest pubs – The Perch and The Trout.

The Perch – a 17th-century country inn – is closer and a lovely spot for a quiet drink or two.

It’s a bit of a walk to The Trout but the walk takes you through bucolic scenes that have remained largely unchanged for millennia.

What’s more, the pub serves great food AND has peacocks roaming freely in its gardens.

Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum

Oxford’s Botanic Gardens is the oldest botanic garden in the UK and one of the oldest in the world. They’re the peaceful escape in the heart of the city – bursting with over 6,000 plant species that are organised into a series of collections.

It’s educational, but the real joy is simply appreciating the dramatic plantings, which somehow look good at any time of the year.

The glasshouses are our favourite part of the garden – a stroll through them transports you to different parts of the world, where tropical palms grow taller than houses, or where desert cacti burst into rare blooms.

Any fans of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy should also keep an eye out for a bench overlooking the Isis, which is said to be the place where the main characters Lyra and Will return year after year in their respective worlds.

Fans have etched tribute messages into the bench – you will know it when you see it.  

There we are – the top things to do in Oxford. Are you ready to explore?

Things to do in Oxford: Tips for Planning Your Trip

• Oxford makes the perfect day trip from London – but we always advise to spend more time there if you can. We suggest three days to explore the city at a leisurely pace.
• Don’t bother with the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus. The city centre is surprisingly small and very walkable. So many of the best things to do in Oxford are clustered in a small area that taking the bus just isn’t worth it.
• There are millions of tours of Oxford and not all of them are created equal. We’ve used GetYourGuide for tours in the past as they are very reliable. The tours offered by the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian and The Ashmolean are all very interesting.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes. We mean it. Those cobbles will destroy your feet if you venture out in heels.
• We’ve only covered central Oxford as this is what most visitors focus on – but there’s a lot more to discover down the Cowley and Iffley Roads if you have a little more time.

Oxford Attractions: Map

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• 1.1 History
• 1.2.1 Central Oxford
• 1.2.2 Surrounding districts
• 2.1 By road
• 2.2 By train
• 2.3.1 Oxford Tube
• 2.3.2 The Airline
• 2.3.3 Stagecoach X5
• 2.3.4 Stagecoach S2
• 2.3.5 Local Stagecoach buses
• 2.4 By plane
• 3.1 On foot
• 3.2 By bicycle
• 3.3 By scooter
• 3.5.1 Oxford Key
• 3.5.2 Park and ride
• 3.6 By taxi
• 4.1 Landmarks
• 4.2 Colleges
• 4.3 Museums and galleries
• 4.4 Parks, gardens and open spaces
• 5.1 Sport and recreation
• 5.2 Stage and screen
• 5.3 Concerts
• 8.2.2 American
• 8.2.3 Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indochinese
• 8.2.4 Indian, Nepalese, Bangladeshi
• 8.2.5 Italian
• 8.2.6 Mexican
• 8.2.7 Other
• 8.3 Splurge
• 9.1 Coffee shops and cafés
• 9.2.1 Traditional pubs & inns
• 9.2.2 Cocktail bars
• 9.2.3 Gastropubs
• 9.2.4 Other
• 9.3 Nightclubs
• 10.1 Budget
• 10.2 Mid-range
• 10.3 Splurge
• 11.1 Police stations
• 11.2 LGBT scene
• 12.1 Hospitals and clinics

Oxford is the oldest university city in the United Kingdom , some 50 miles (80 km) to the west of the capital London in its own county of Oxfordshire , on the rivers Thames and Cherwell. Together with Cambridge (the second oldest university city and Oxford's great rival), Oxford has long represented the English academic establishment and elite ("Oxbridge"), a haven of tradition and endeavour. Oxford's famous "Dreaming Spires" refer to the medieval churches and colleges that dominate the bustling modern town in all their Gothic splendour. Picturesque architecture and a vibrant modern life, driven by students, light industry and technology, all set in the rolling countryside of Oxfordshire, make this a great destination.

Understand [ edit ]

History [ edit ]

Oxford was first occupied in Saxon times, and was known as "Oxanforda". The settlement began with the foundations of St Frideswide's nunnery in the 8th century, and was first mentioned in written records in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for the year 912. By the 10th century Oxford had become an important military frontier town between the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex and was on several occasions raided by the Danes.

The University of Oxford was founded in the 12th century and therefore constitutes the oldest English-speaking university. Oxford, like Cambridge , differs from many other universities in that there is no 'campus' as such, and no central university building. Instead, the university consists of approximately 40 colleges and associated buildings, such as the Exam Schools (on the High Street: closed to the public), the world-famous Bodleian Library (main buildings in Radcliffe Square, off the High Street: limited access to the public), and several world-class museums. Each college has its own individual character, some date from the 13th century, others are merely a few decades old. Many of the colleges are closed to the public, particularly during term times, but some are open at different times. For example: Christ Church (the college of "Brideshead" fame) is mostly open, and has the added bonus of having a (small) cathedral attached, where excellent music is performed at Evensong everyday; it also has an excellent art gallery . Some of Christ Church's buildings are used in films such as Harry Potter . Other colleges of note are Magdalen (pronounced 'maudlin'), which has a deer park, and those along the High Street, all of which have an impressive list of alumni. Shelley fans should visit University College. Former women-only colleges such as the pretty Somerville (Woodstock Rd) further to the north of the centre are interesting to get a feel for the range of colleges in Oxford.

During World War II, Oxford was spared from the German carpet bombing that levelled many other British cities, making it one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the United Kingdom. The city has a population of 150,000, and the metro area 244,000.

Orientation [ edit ]

One of the best online resources for planning a visit to Oxford is the Virtual Tour of Oxford , hosted by the university's chemistry department.

• Visitor information fir Oxford from Experience Oxfordshire.

Central Oxford [ edit ]

Central Oxford is bound to the west and south by the River Thames, which in Oxford is known as the Isis , and to the east by the Cherwell , which confluents into the Isis at Boathouse Island, a centre for university rowing. The city centre is built around two intersecting thoroughfares which cross at Carfax:

• the High Street — running east–west, this is the main road coming in from Headington and Cowley.
• George Street — runs west from the centre and is known for the New Theatre and its restaurants
• Running north–south is another road, essentially continuous, but with separate ancient names for its various stretches — St Aldates and St Giles , separated by Cornmarket (now a pedestrianised shopping boulevard).

Surrounding districts [ edit ]

• Jericho is an affluent area just north of city centre. Jericho is home of the Oxford University Press and its museum. It also has plenty of nightlife, including pubs and cocktail bars.
• Summertown is an affluent area north of central Oxford. Most of Summertown is directly on the Banbury Road, however there are shops and restaurants on the side roads such as the South Parade.
• Kidlington is north of Summertown. It is apparently Britain's largest village. It has a small high street with a Tesco's and Co-operative supermarket, several pubs, resaurants and a large Sainsbury's supermarket.
• Wolvercote is an affluent village to the north-west of Oxford. It has a church, three pubs (The Plough, The White Hart and Jacobs' Inn), a village store and a common for walking on.
• Headington is to the east, perhaps most notable for one of Oxford Brookes University's main campuses. It has a small high street and Thornhill Park & Ride nearby. There is also a house with a large shark sculpture in the roof, located just off the high street, which may be of interest.
• Botley and Osney are west of the train station. Much of the area is industrialised and therefore uninteresting to tourists. However the area has the city's Waitrose store and several retail parks such as Botley Retail Park and Seacourt Tower Park, along with Seacourt Park & Ride nearby.
• Cowley , to the south east of the city, has a plethora of restaurants, pubs and shops, many of which are independent. Confusingly the term Cowley can refer to two distinct areas: the area along the Cowley Road to the east of Magdalen Bridge tends to be more commercial and student focussed (and is the part which appeals more to tourists), while the suburbs to the south east of this are more residential and working class. In this more outlying area is Plant Oxford where cars have been made for over 100 years, the Templars Square Shopping Centre (and nearby Templars Retail Park), and the Oxford Retail Park with a large 24-hour (on weekdays) Tesco supermarket.
• Blackbird Leys is south of Cowley. It is a social housing (housing projects) area and is generally not recommended to tourists. However the Kassam Stadium, home to Oxford United F.C., and the Ozone Leisure Park nightlife complex opposite may justify a trip.

Get in [ edit ]

By road [ edit ]

Oxford is linked to London by the 50-mile (80-km) south-eastern stretch of the M40 motorway. The journey takes 50–90 min, depending on traffic, which can be heavy. The north-western continuation of the M40 conveniently links Oxford with England's second largest city, Birmingham , and the West Midlands .

Parking and access restrictions are very stringent on the narrow streets of central Oxford, policed by both wardens and cameras, with heavy fines applicable. The one-way traffic systems are circuitous and confusing, making it difficult to get around by car. An alternative is to use one of the five municipal park and ride sites which are located on the outskirts of all sides of Oxford, and are well signposted. Park and ride sites are open 24/7, and you can park there for a maximum of 72 hours. Forget about using the Thornhill Park and Ride on weekdays; it is invariably full. The first hour's parking is free, after which you pay £2 for up to 12 hours, £4 for up to 24 hours, and so on. In addition, the return bus trip to the city centre costs £2.80. (May 2022) .

Since February 2022, a zero-emission zone (ZEZ) closed to non-electric cars has been under trial in the city centre, albeit on streets which are essentially pedestrianised, making it easy to avoid for the time being. However, the council has plans to expand this zone to enclose much of the centre of Oxford.

By train [ edit ]

Cross Country Trains run through Oxford, mostly running to/from Manchester and Southampton . These trains run approximately half-hourly in both directions until about 9PM. All of these trains stop at Reading going south, and Leamington Spa for Warwick and Warwick Castle, and Birmingham going north.

By bus [ edit ]

Oxford tube [ edit ].

The express coach service between London and Oxford is called the Oxford Tube , and is run by Stagecoach. The "Tube" runs very frequently and the journey time is usually 100 min (longer during rush hours).

There are frequent and comfortable coach services that run from several convenient bus stops to Gloucester Green coach station in Oxford. They normally start at the London Victoria station, running westward and parallel to the London Underground Central line via Marble Arch , Notting Hill , Shepherd's Bush and then Hillingdon . Before arriving in Oxford, there is one last stop at Lewkner. Stops in Oxford include Thornhill Park & Ride, Headington, Oxford Brookes University, St. Clements, High Street (Queens Lane) (which is best for daily visitors, as it is right in the middle of the majority of University Colleges) and finally the Gloucester Green bus station, which is also well situated.

As of Feb 2023, prices for the Oxford Tube are £12/£11/£4 for an adult/concession/under-16 one-way and £18/£16/£7 for an adult/concession/under-16 period return ticket. Some peak-time journeys take slightly different routes in London, so the place that you want to go to/from may influence when you board the coach. If you wish to travel late at night, the Oxford Tube runs 24 hours a day. You can also book London to Oxford coach travel through Megabus.com , but you'll be travelling on an Oxford Tube coach.

The Airline [ edit ]

There are regular bus services between Oxford and London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports with The Airline , run by Oxford Bus Company.

Stagecoach X5 [ edit ]

There is also an X5 [dead link] bus between Oxford and Bedford (via Milton Keynes), taking approximately two hours, along with the S6 service to Swindon. Several coaches in other parts of the country are run by National Express.

Stagecoach S2 [ edit ]

Another useful (but infrequent) service is the S2, which travels using the A40 from Cheltenham to Oxford via Charlton Kings, Andoversford, Northleach, Burford, Witney and Eynsham, which runs from the bus station about every two hours and takes approximately an hour and three quarters.

This is operated by Stagecoach and it is possible to buy a day ticket for it which allows you unlimited travel on it and allows you to make connecting journeys anywhere on Stagecoach's buses in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, or Wiltshire.

Local Stagecoach buses [ edit ]

Local buses to Bicester, Blenheim Palace, and Banbury are run by Stagecoach , and depart from Magdalen Street, near Cornmarket. There are also bus services to Reading, Abingdon, and Didcot run by the Oxford Bus Company from St Aldate's, also in the city centre.

By plane [ edit ]

51.837298 -1.319298 4 Oxford Airport ( OXF  IATA ) at Kidlington is used mainly for private and charter aircraft and has only intermittently had scheduled airline flights; it is useful only if you fly your own plane, or are able to charter a small aircraft.

The nearest commercial airports are those around London , to the south-east, or Birmingham , to the north, with most foreign travellers preferring London.

Heathrow ( LHR  IATA ) is the closest major airport, followed by Gatwick ( LGW  IATA ) in terms of size and popularity. Road access from both Heathrow and Gatwick (fastest) is by M25 (heading north and west respectively) and then the M40 to Oxford's outskirts (follow the signs).

Oxford Bus Company runs several airport bus services called The Airline to Oxford Gloucester Green bus station (running in from Thornhill Park & Ride, then Headington and up the High St with several convenient stops: check web pages below). The Oxford Bus Company recommend allocating a minimum of an hour for between when the coach arrives and flight check-in:

• between London Heathrow and Oxford . generally every 30 minutes . Travels to Heathrow Terminal 5 and then Heathrow Central bus station. The route takes an average of 1 hour 20 minutes, but this can be increased due to traffic congestion. The Oxford Bus Company recommend stopping at the Heathrow Central bus station for Terminals 2&3. For Terminal 4, there's a free shuttle bus from Terminal 5 that leaves from bus stand 7. £23 single, £30 return . ( updated Nov 2018 )
• between London Gatwick and Oxford . hourly 7AM-11PM, less frequently thereafter . Travels to Gatwick South Terminal and then Gatwick North Terminal. The route takes an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes, but this can be increased due to traffic congestion. £28 single, £37 return . ( updated Nov 2018 )

National Express bus company runs airport bus services to Luton Airport ( LTN  IATA ) and to Stansted Airport ( STN  IATA ).

Birmingham Airport ( BHX  IATA ) has fewer destinations compared to the London airports (it still has quite a lot), but it is the closest to Oxford in terms of public transport travel time. Birmingham Airport has its own railway station called Birmingham International , which is connected to the airport terminal building via the free AirRail Link cable car shuttle, taking 1–2 min. From the railway station, trains depart to Oxford every hour between 6:14AM and 10:14PM and take about an hour. A non-advance, non-rail card single costs £25.50, a return £28.80 off-peak or £51 any time. You could do a lot cheaper by booking an advance ticket though (but be careful as tickets are valid only on the booked train, so if your flight is late and you miss the train, you will have to buy another ticket).

Get around [ edit ]

On foot [ edit ]

Oxford city centre is very compact and easily walkable. Many areas of the city centre are pedestrianised, and all major tourist sights are well signposted.

That the narrow streets of the city centre are pedestrian-friendly, difficult for cars and full of beautiful buildings that will draw your attention upwards (rather than onto a more horizontal plane) does not mean that the roads of the city are overspill pavements. You will find most cyclists quite forgiving on this point as they are used to it and are often themselves pedestrians tempted to do the same as long as you suppress the urge to pass comment on any near-misses actually arising from your standing in the middle of the road.

By bicycle [ edit ]

The preferred mode of transport for the university student is the bicycle and, like Amsterdam or Copenhagen, there are hundreds of them. Most trains into Oxford allow bicycles to be carried for free. There are cycle lanes on most streets near the centre, however you will sometimes be sharing the road with other motorists. Though the bus traffic can be daunting, the familiarity of cyclists to local drivers makes cycling safer than it seems at first. The best option is to follow the locals as they know what they are doing. It is illegal for cyclists to run red lights (although many do) and you must use lights at night; local police frequently set up checkpoints and impose fines. Bike parking is available everywhere, but make sure you get a strong lock as bike theft is common. Avoid cable locks as they are cut through frequently, and try to avoid leaving your bike locked in the same place in public for an extended period of time (especially overnight), since unlocked wheels or even the saddle may be stolen.

If you expect your time in Oxford to be spent largely in the city centre, getting around on foot is often just as convenient as by bike due to the high density of pedestrians in the centre. Only if you plan to frequently venture to the outskirts of the city, for example to Summertown, Cowley, or Iffley, does a bike really become worth your while.

By scooter [ edit ]

Since at least 2022, a trial of electric scooters for hire has been running in central Oxford. These can be found at designated points across the city and unlocked using a smartphone app, and provide an inexpensive means of travel if you want to venture a little further out of the city centre. However, they must be used on the roads, which, coupled with the volume of road traffic, can make travelling this way fairly daunting.

By car [ edit ]

Avoid driving in central Oxford. Traffic is heavy, the one-way system is very confusing, the streets are often very narrow with restrictions, and parking is very expensive. Use the park and ride system, or forget the car and come in by public transport. If you have a motorcycle or a scooter, things are a little easier.

Local urban buses are mostly operated by the Oxford Bus Company (largely in the south and east of the city) and by Stagecoach (largely in the north and west). Fares are expensive and are charged by distance (starting at £1.10 single, £2 return (Oct 2018), pay the driver when boarding: cash or contactless; change is available), but if you plan on making more than two trips in one day, buy an all-day pass (£4.20, Oct 2018) to save money. The main hubs for local buses are the rail station and St Aldates.

Oxford Key [ edit ]

If you are in town a while, there is also a rechargeable smart-card known as the Oxford Key that gives discounted bus fares for a week, month, 13 weeks, or a year. It can take several hours for the Key to be ready once recharged.

• CityZone [dead link] is the standard Key which allows travel only on Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel buses, the radius covers as far north as most of Kidlington to as far south as Cowley, Kennington, and Blackbird Leys.
• SmartZone allows the same travel as CityZone including Stagecoach buses (which is very convenient, particularly in rush hour).
• CityZone Extra extends the CityZone radius to include as far north as Woodstock to as far south as Abingdon.

The Oxford Bus Company have two travel shops where you can top-up or ask questions in-person:

• 51.7539 -1.2622 1 Gloucester Green Travel Shop , 89 Gloucester Green, OX1 2BU . M–F 8AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 9AM-4PM . You can sign up for an Oxford Key, top it up in-store and purchase tickets for the Airline bus. ( updated Jul 2020 )
• 51.7541 -1.2573 2 High Street Travel Shop , 44 - 45 High Street, OX1 4AP . 9:30AM-5:30PM . Only provides sightseeing information. ( updated Jul 2020 )

Park and ride [ edit ]

Oxford Bus Company operates several park and ride services for people visiting the city by car, because parking is difficult to find and expensive in the centre.

The purple buses operate from 6AM to 11:30PM on weekdays and Saturdays. Return fares start at £2.80 per adult, and children travel free when accompanied. Parking charges apply at Pear Tree, Redbridge, and Seacourt.

Oxford has 5 park & ride bus stations:

By taxi [ edit ]

Oxford has Black Cabs (Hackney Carriage) which can be flagged down from the street or taken from taxi stands located around the city, and 'minicabs' which must be ordered by phone or app, 001 & Royal Cars are the most popular services. Black Cabs are quite pricey but are convenient for short hops if travelling in a big group. Minicabs are much cheaper for long-distance journeys; the fare should be agreed over the phone when booking or should be bargained with the driver for long distance, however within city the fare is set by meter within every taxi–never get in a minicab without agreeing the price.

Uber is not yet available in Oxford.

See [ edit ]

Visitors to Oxford should definitely visit at least one museum, visit at least one college and – if possible – hear one of the world-class college chapel choirs. A walking tour (see 'Do' below) is a good way of achieving this.

Landmarks [ edit ]

Colleges [ edit ]

Many Oxford colleges allow tourists to visit their grounds during certain hours and certain seasons, although some are closed to tourists at all times. During certain times of the year, those that do open their doors generally offer reduced public opening hours or are closed completely to tourists, especially during University terms (approximately October/November, January/February and May/June). This is particularly true in May/June, which is when examinations are taken. It is advisable to visit the college's website before visiting, or to enquire at Oxford's local tourist information office to be certain you are not disappointed.

Each college has a unique history and something interesting to offer in terms of striking architecture or historical notoriety.

Balliol , University , and Merton Colleges each claim to be the 'oldest' in the university, with founding dates in the 13th century, although the exact year may be unclear or contested. They are fine examples of the collegiate Gothic architecture for which Oxford is renowned.

Exeter College on Turl Street is an example of one of Oxford's smaller colleges. Built in 1314, it is also one of the oldest and in its front quad exemplifies collegiate architecture in Oxford. The Victorian neo- Gothic chapel is modelled on the Sainte Chapelle in Paris , and houses 'The Adoration of the Magi', the famous pre-Raphaelite tapestry by William Morris. The Fellows' Garden neighbours the Divinity School and the Bodleian Library and offers one of the best views in Oxford, over Radcliffe Square.

New College on Holywell Street is interesting for being the only college to be built straddling the ancient city wall, which cuts through the center of the grounds.

The Queen's College along High Street, founded in 1341, is renowned for its grand 18th-century Classical style architecture for which is unique among the ancient (medieval) colleges, which have otherwise each been rebuilt or expanded over the years in a largely Gothic or neo-Gothic style. Tourists are not admitted to this college.

All Souls , also along High Street, is famous not only for its striking towers, but also in that it does not accept undergraduate members, but rather elects only two graduate fellows each year based upon their performance in what has been described as the 'hardest exam in the world'.

Finally, two colleges (some of the largest and most famous in Oxford) that have somewhat established themselves as tourist destinations are Magdalen and Christ Church . You're as likely to see a tourist inside as a student, but they do offer regular visiting hours, tourist facilities, meticulously manicured and beautiful grounds, and ticket booths for charging admission fees.

Museums and galleries [ edit ]

Parks, gardens and open spaces [ edit ].

Many of Oxford University's colleges have parks and gardens to walk through that are open to the public.

Do [ edit ]

Walking tours, starting from St Aldates in the city centre, are an excellent way of visiting some of the more famous colleges, such as Christ Church and Merton. Independent general and ghost tours also start nearby in Broad Street. In general, a walking tour lasts about two hours and can cost around £20 plus college admission fees.

The only Oxford-based Harry Potter walking tour is offered by the Oxford Tourist Information Centre . Like all the non-Oxford-based Potter tours, Duke Humfrey’s Library is not included (only Bodleian Library staff can lead visitors into this hallowed space). Harry Potter Places Book Two—OWLs: Oxford Wizarding Locations guides Potterites through the decision-making process required to enjoy all Oxford Harry Potter sites, including Duke Humfrey’s Library.

Sport and recreation [ edit ]

• University Boat Races (usually W-Sa of Week 7 of Hilary Term and W-Sa of Week 5 of Trinity term - check www.ox.ac.uk for term dates) Twice a year, the river is taken over by the inter-college boat races. The races are a great way to experience the Oxford obsession with rowing first-hand. The river is full of people and there is a great atmosphere of college spirit. Races take place south of the city centre on the Isis, between Donnington Bridge and Christ Church Meadows. The best places to watch are either the towpath along the side of the river, or at the bottom of the meadows - both accessible by foot from the centre (about 10-15 minutes). Word of warning however for those watching along the towpath, the towpath is likely to be swarming with marshals and bike riders while the crews are racing. The towpath does however offer the best vantage points, particularly for the bumps races where crews will often 'bump out' halfway along the course. Most college boathouses will also be serving food and drink throughout the week of racing. Races take place 11AM-6PM, with the better boats racing later in the day.
• 51.751414 -1.246342 2 Oxford Punting , Magdalen Bridge Boathouse, High St, OX1 4AU , ☏ +44 1865 202643 , [email protected] .  
• 51.746084 -1.256175 3 Salter's , Folly Bridge, Oxford, OX1 4LA , ☏ +44 1865 243421 .  
• 51.768116 -1.257267 4 Cherwell Boathouse , Bardwell Rd, OX2 6ST , ☏ +44 1865 552746 .  
• In the summer, check out the nesting swifts (birds) at the Oxford Museum of Natural History [dead link] . These elegant little birds have been nesting in ventilation flues in the tower of the University Museum for many years, providing a wonderful opportunity for scientists. Visitors to the museum between May and August can watch live pictures from three of the nests in the tower on a television monitor.

Stage and screen [ edit ]

Oxford has four city-centre cinemas, screening mainstream (Odeon) and art films (Ultimate Picture Palace, Phoenix Picturehouse). The latter sometimes has showings at 11:30PM for night owls.

• 51.7537 -1.261398 5 Odeon (Gloucester Green) , George St, OX1 2BL , ☏ +44 333 0067777 . Largest cinema in the Oxford city centre.  
• 51.760275 -1.266421 6 Phoenix Picturehouse , 57-58 Walton St, Jericho, OX2 6AE , ☏ +44 871 9025736 . Vibrant independent cinema with an assortment of viewings available.  
• 51.717473 -1.211804 8 Vue , Ozone Leisure Park, Grenoble Rd, OX4 4XP , ☏ +44 871 2240240 . Large mainstream cinema located just opposite the Kassam Stadium.  

Oxford also hosts a number of London productions on tour, as well as playing host to a large number of student productions each year. Oxford has a lively student-drama scene. The following theatres put on amateur student productions during term-time, which are often very good value for money:

• 51.754515 -1.261223 9 Burton Taylor Theatre , 11 Beaumont St, OX1 2LW , ☏ +44 1865 305350 . M-Sa 8AM-1:30PM . Tickets sold at the Box Office of the Oxford Playhouse (see above)  
• 51.753493 -1.262213 10 Old Fire Station Theatre (OFS) , 40 George St, OX1 2AQ , ☏ +44 1865 263980 . Tu-Sa 11AM-6PM . Charity-run culture hub showcasing contemporary UK and local art, drama and music. Also has a café.  
• Oxford Show Details . Aggregation website that highlights shows worth seeing in Oxford.  

Concerts [ edit ]

Learn [ edit ].

Most lectures are only open to members of the University of Oxford; however, a variety of public talks and lectures are organised throughout the year.

It is also possible for members of the public to attend residential summer schools within the university, such as with Oxford Royale Academy or Lite Regal Education . The university's Department of Continuing Education also runs a series of short courses on various subjects.

As well as the obvious world-famous university, those wishing to study in Oxford may wish to enter at Oxford Brookes , an entirely separate institution.

Buy [ edit ]

A large number of shops in the city centre specialise in selling the ubiquitous Oxford University range of souvenirs. One is official, the others less so, but all do a roaring trade in T-shirts, sweaters, calendars and paraphernalia:

• 51.752345 -1.256559 4 University of Oxford Shop , Oriel College, 106 High St, OX1 4BW , ☏ +44 1865 247414 , fax : +44 1865 724379 . M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM . The official outlet for university souvenirs and gifts. (Bank Holidays and Sundays in June 11AM–4PM, Sundays in July and August 11AM–5PM.)  

Larger stores selling apparel, electronics and furniture can be found in Oxford's retail parks at the Botley/Seacourt area:

• 51.752068 -1.286602 5 Botley Retail Park , Botley Rd, OX2 0HA . Has a Currys/PC World, Argos, Pets at Home, Hobbycraft and other large stores. ( updated Sep 2018 )
• 51.754054 -1.294992 6 Seacourt Tower Retail Park , OX2 0FB . Has a Sports Direct, Homebase, Dreams and Decathlon. ( updated Sep 2018 )

Books [ edit ]

Unsurprisingly for a university city, Oxford is noted for antiquarian, specialist and new books.

• 51.754582 -1.25768 7 Blackwell's Books , 48–51 Broad Street ( opposite the Sheldonian Theatre ), ☏ +44 1865 792792 , [email protected] . Founded in 1879, Blackwell's main Oxford shop is a veritable tourist attraction in itself, the vast 10,000-square-foot Norrington Room excavated beneath Trinity College Gardens laying claim to being the largest space dedicated to book sales in Europe. Another 9 speciality branches of this Oxford institution dot the city.  
• 51.753057 -1.26283 8 Oxford University Press Bookshop , 116 High Street , ☏ +44 1865 242913 , fax : +44 1865 241701 , [email protected] . Stocks a wide variety of books published by Oxford University Press.  
• 51.75409 -1.260772 9 Waterstones , William Baker House, Broad St , ☏ +44 1865 790212 , [email protected] . Situated in the grade II listed William Baker House is one of the largest branches of Britain's dominant bookshops. The bookshop houses many different works both academic and leisurely catering to many tastes and preferences. There is also a café making it perfect for meeting friends or taking a break.  

Eat [ edit ]

Budget [ edit ]

• 51.7529 -1.2567 1 Alpha Bar , 89 Covered Market, Avenue 3 , ☏ +44 1865 250499 . 9AM–5PM(ish) . One of the healthier options inside the Covered Market, Alpha Bar serves up organic, fair-trade food. Sandwiches are reasonably priced, at around £3.50, and you can choose from their many interesting fillings, including baked tofu, seaweed and roasted vegetables. Their salads are priced by the pound and you can fill your recyclable container with good-for-you grains. A favourite among students for lunch, but make sure you get there early — they tend to run out of the more popular ingredients by around 3:30PM. ( updated Jan 2021 )
• 51.755068 -1.251836 2 The Alternative Tuck Shop , 24 Holywell Street, OX1 3SB , ☏ +44 1865 792054 . M-F 8:15AM-6PM . One of the best sandwich shops in Oxford. Cheap, lightning-fast service, high-quality food. Offers a great selection of sandwiches (warm and cold), panini, pasties and cakes. Friendly and efficient staff. Queues during term time are longest in the lunch rush 12-2pm, but don't be put off by this. Minimum £5 spend when paying by card.  
• 51.752432 -1.256404 3 Ben's Cookies , 108-109 Covered Market, OX1 3DZ , ☏ +44 1865 247407 . M-Sa 9:15AM-5:30PM; Su 10AM-4PM . Great little shop right in the centre of Oxford, and much better quality than some of the other, over-priced coffee shops. Also notable for being the first store in what would later become an international chain. Popular with Oxford University students!  
• 51.752853 -1.256749 4 Brothers and Georgina’s , Covered Market, OX1 3DY , ☏ +44 1865 249527 . M–F 8:30AM–5PM . Georgina’s is tucked away on the upper floor of the Covered Market, and this small café has a fairly groovy, hippy-ish décor and atmosphere. You’ll pay more for your sandwiches and wraps here than you would at other places, but portions are huge and, for the most part, healthy. An exception to the latter is their loaded potato skins, which are slightly spiced and come with a heaping of sour cream. Delicious! £ .  
• 51.752465 -1.26814 5 Dosa Park , 25 Park End St, OX1 1HU ( next to the train station ), ☏ +44 1865 791197 . M-Sa 11AM-10:30PM, Su noon-10PM . Tiny South Indian restaurant/café/takeaway next to City Centre bus stands and train station, whose appearance belies its quality — some of the most mouth-watering authentic South Indian food out there, and dirt cheap too! Well worth a stop if travelling through Oxford Station and needing a snack or meal. £ .  

Mid-range [ edit ]

Café [ edit ].

• 51.750544 -1.257007 7 G&D’s (George and Danver) , 94 St. Aldates, OX1 1BT , ☏ +44 1865 245952 . 8AM–midnight . £ . ( updated May 2023 )
• 51.748374 -1.239233 8 G&D’s (George and Delila) , 104 Cowley Road, OX4 1JE , ☏ +44 1865 727111 . 8AM–midnight . £ . ( updated May 2023 )
• 51.752382 -1.250416 9 The Grand Cafe , 84 High Street, OX1 4BG , ☏ +44 1865 204463 . 9AM – 8PM . Lunch options include Waldorf salads, oak smoked salmon and varied sandwiches, but the real draw here is the afternoon tea. For £16.50 you get a couple of sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, handmade chocolate truffles, tea or coffee and a glass of champagne. True extravagance! ££ .  

American [ edit ]

• 51.753555 -1.260584 10 [dead link] Byron's , 33 -35 George Street, OX1 2AY , ☏ +44 1865 792155 . Part of a chain. An upmarket diner experience offering burgers, fries and milkshakes. Recommended to try are the "hard shakes" which add a shot of liquor (such as rum or Bailey's) to any milkshake. ( updated Nov 2017 )

Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indochinese [ edit ]

• 51.753742 -1.26121 11 Angrid Thai , Threeways House, 36 George St, OX1 2BJ ( Opposite the Odeon cinema in Gloucester Green. ), ☏ +44 1865 791898 . 11:30AM-11PM . An inexpensive Thai fast-food establishment right in the centre of Oxford that offers great value dishes and a casual atmosphere. Recommended to try are the panang curries and the prawn crackers with a helping of sweet chilli sauce. A 15% student discount is available.  
• 51.780463 -1.266469 12 New Dancing Dragon , 283 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7JF , ☏ +44 1865 554475 . Contemporary restaurant specialising in primarily Cantonese cuisine, but has other Asian dishes too. Located on the site of former cheap buffet restaurant Dancing Dragon. ( updated Sep 2016 )
• 51.748392 -1.239495 13 Taberu , 100 Cowley Rd, OX4 1JE ( west end of the Cowley Road opposite Big Society and the church ), ☏ +44 1865 434100 . M-Th noon-3PM, 5:30PM-10:30PM; F-Su noon-10:30PM . Authentic Japanese restaurant with a superb atmosphere and menu to boot. Start your meal with some delicious takoyaki, a snack dish originating from Osaka that involves frying octopus in dough and garnishing with sauces. Enjoy traditionally made sushi or go for katsu curry or a bento dish instead. While alongside having a sake beer or instead a Ramune which is a Japanese-made soft drink.  
• 51.753707 -1.260857 14 Thaikun , 36 George St, OX1 2BJ , ☏ +44 1865 591960 . noon-10:30PM . An extensively decorated Thai restaurant in the centre of town. ( updated Nov 2017 )

Indian, Nepalese, Bangladeshi [ edit ]

• 51.746129 -1.231861 15 Kadai & Naan , 209 Cowley Rd, OX4 1XF , ☏ +44 1865 241493 . Restaurant specialising in primarily Nepalese cuisine but also offers Indian dishes too. The Nepalese food here is strong and bursting with flavour particularly the rum-rum chicken. Also recommended are the momo dumplings, served with a delicious spicy tomato chutney they both compliment the meal or serve as an excellent appetiser.  
• 51.748364 -1.239036 16 Majliss , 110 Cowley Rd, OX4 1JE , ☏ +44 1865 726728 . Su-Th noon-2:30PM, 5:30-11:30PM; F Sa noon-2:30PM, 5:30PM-midnight . Contemporary designed authentic restaurant specialising primarily in Indian cuisine but also caters to other Asian delicacies. Food is delicious regardless of the diner's spice preference and the service is excellent. ££ .  
• 51.775908 -1.264538 17 Spice Lounge , 193 Banbury Rd, OX2 7AR , ☏ +44 1865 510071 . Oxford Spice Lounge has a delicious Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine with a very friendly staff. They offer a lunchtime buffet on Sundays from noon to 3PM. At the Spice Lounge the emphasis is on organic and creative dishes. Ethnic recipes are used to provide a diverse, unusual menu, while focusing on healthy eating.  

Italian [ edit ]

• 51.748351 -1.238314 18 Pizzeria Trattoria Mario , 103 Cowley Rd, OX4 1HU , ☏ +44 1865 722955 . M-Sa 6-11PM, Su 6-10:30PM . Rustic Italian restaurant with typical cuisine. Offers a selection of pizzas, pastas and a specials menu. Has plenty of vegetarian dishes and some vegan dishes as well.  
• 51.748949 -1.262302 19 Pilgrims Pizza , Westgate Centre Roof Terrace RU12, OX1 1PG , ☏ +44 1865 808030 . M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10:30PM, Su noon-9:30PM . Very good pizza with in a relaxed atmosphere. The place has several arcade games set up to keep busy while the pizza is being prepared. £8.50-12 . ( updated Mar 2019 )

Mexican [ edit ]

• 51.754155 -1.262118 20 El Mexicana , 92 Gloucester Green, OX1 2BU , ☏ +44 1865 251253 . 11AM-9PM . ( updated Nov 2017 )
• 51.753523 -1.259131 21 The Mission (St Michael’s Street) , 8 St Michael’s Street, OX1 2DU ( off Cornmarket ), ☏ +44 1865 202016 , [email protected] . Su-W 11AM-10PM, Th-Sa 11AM-11PM .  
• 51.752091 -1.254743 22 The Mission (King Edward St) , 2 King Edward Street, OX1 4HS ( off High St. ), ☏ +44 1865 722020 , [email protected] . The King Edward St. location of the Mission chain. Delicious burritos at a low price.  

Other [ edit ]

• 51.758545 -1.261907 23 Wilding , 11-12 Little Clarendon St, OX1 2HP , ☏ +44 1865 985630 . Open daily 10AM-11PM . Opened in 2021, is a wine shop-cum-restaurant on Little Clarendon St. ( updated Feb 2022 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• 51.760889 -1.267534 24 Brasserie Blanc , 71-72 Walton Street, OX2 6AG , ☏ +44 1865 510999 . 11AM – 11PM . Raymond Blanc’s French brasserie is intimate and full of charm. Considering the quality of the food, prices are extremely reasonable – a rack of lamb, potatoes and cabbage will set you back £17.50, and for vegetarians the grilled Crottin goats’ cheese and beetroot tart is an exquisite choice. A great place for a date or to bring your mother.  
• 51.764322 -1.261003 25 Gees Restaurant ( Gees ), 61 Banbury Rd, OX2 6PE , ☏ +44 1865 553540 . Gee's is an Oxford restaurant serving traditional British food with an emphasis on seasonal food, simple, good cooking and value for money  
• 51.7525 -1.2531 26 Quod Brasserie , 92–94 High Street , ☏ +44 1865 202505 . Quod Brasserie & Bar on the famous High Street in Oxford, with its terrace and bar forms the hub of the Old Bank Hotel ( updated Jan 2021 )
• 51.755 -1.2594 27 The Randolph Hotel , ☏ +44 1865 791678 . Afternoon tea at the Randolph is world-renowned, but a sit-down dinner in the beautiful dining room is an experience. Mains include roast loin of Highland venison, served with chestnuts and sprouts at £26.50, and fillet of wild seabass, fennel puree and langoustine sauce at £25.50. Their cheese trolley is an indulgent way to end the meal. £££ . ( updated Jan 2021 )

Drink [ edit ]

Coffee shops and cafés [ edit ].

• 51.764694 -1.261263 1 Brew Coffee Shop , 75B Banbury Rd, OX2 6PE . M-F 7:30AM-6PM; Sa Su 8:30AM-5:30PM . Serving up some of Oxford's best coffee in all its forms from espresso, to pourover. Brew also stocks coffee to buy from all over the world as well as everything you need to make the perfect cup at home. Run by friendly coffee experts and frequented by locals and students who enjoy its intimate atmosphere, delicious treats and excellent caffeinated beverages!  
• 51.753195 -1.25625 2 The Missing Bean , 14 Turl Street, OX1 3DQ ( only 1 minute's walk from the main quadrangle of the Bodleian ). 8AM–6:30PM . Hidden halfway down Turl Street is this little gem of a coffee shop; it only opened in October but already has a reputation for the best coffee in Oxford. Laid-back atmosphere & friendly staff. Ask for the famous flat white!  
• 51.74884 -1.240726 3 Quarter Horse , 76 Cowley Road, OX4 1JB ( over the Magdalen Bridge, through the roundabout and a short walk up Cowley Road ), ☏ +44 1865 248808 . Venture over the Magdalen Bridge to the delights of East Oxford and take a break at Quarter Horse, another of Oxford's serious coffee ventures. They offer delicious, expertly crafted cups of coffee, some cold drinks and delicious baked goods and sandwiches. The Banana Bread is a must if you have a sweet tooth!  
• 51.753265 -1.260421 4 The Handle Bar Cafe and Kitchen ( Zappi's Bike Cafe ), 26-32 St Michaels Street, OX1 2EB ( inside above Bike Zone ), ☏ +44 7964 241212 . M-Sa 8AM-11PM; Su 10:30AM-6PM . Need to recharge after some hectic sightseeing in Oxford? Then Zappi's is the place to go for a fantastic cup of coffee or a simple lunch or snack. Located in the middle of town just off Cornmarket Street.  
• 51.758148 -1.26306 5 The Natural Bread Company , 29 Little Clarendon Street, Jericho, OX1 2HU ( a short walk from the centre of town, in 'Jericho' ), ☏ +44 1865 302996 , [email protected] . M-Sa 7:30AM-5PM; Su 9AM-4PM . Just north of the city centre on Little Clarendon Street, the Natural Bread Company offers a fantastic coffee as well as its famous cakes and sourdough bread. Perfect for a quiet break away from the standard tourist trail. ( updated Feb 2017 )
• 51.751721 -1.259411 6 Costa Coffee , 29 Queen St, OX1 1ER . Costa Coffee has been named best chain coffee shop in UK, friendly staff & wide range of hot & cold drinks, sandwiches and cakes. ( updated Feb 2017 ) ,

Pubs and bars [ edit ]

Oxford has many old pubs, as well as newer nightclubs.

Traditional pubs & inns [ edit ]

Oxford has a lot of traditional pubs and inns. While some are modern, many are hundreds of years old and are notable enough to have their own Wikipedia page.

• 51.750279 -1.242596 7 Angel and Greyhound , 30 St Clement's St, OX4 1AB . Popular with Friday evening after-work crowd, letting their hair down. In quieter moments good for board games. Food is average.  
• 51.744406 -1.240044 10 The Fir Tree , 163 Iffley Rd, OX4 1EJ ( on the corner of Bullingdon Road and Iffley Road ), ☏ +44 1865 245290 . Good beer, open till 2AM on Fridays and Saturdays, friendly atmosphere.  
• 51.762696 -1.266618 11 The Gardener's Arms , 39 Plantation Road, OX2 6JE , ☏ +44 1865 559814 , [email protected] . Very pretty with a beer garden, and an excellent all-vegetarian menu with vegan dishes offered as well.  
• 51.75033 -1.243562 12 Half Moon , 17-18 St Clement's St, OX4 1AB . Ignore the plastic faux-Irish outlets in the city centre and head out along the High St and over Magdalen Bridge and enjoy the relaxed vibe in this small, friendly pub.  
• 51.746799 -1.256226 13 Head of the River , St Aldate's, 40 Pembroke Square, OX1 4LB ( follow St Aldate's down past Christ Church college until you reach the river (the pub's on the far bank) ), ☏ +44 1865 721600 . M-Sa 11AM-11PM; Su noon-10:30PM . Perfectly located, right on the Thames. This place buzzes on summer evenings, when the large garden gets extremely busy. Food is mediocre.  
• 51.749998 -1.242761 16 The Old Black Horse , 102 St Clement's St, OX4 1AB ( opposite the Angel and Greyhound ), ☏ +44 1865 244691 . Quaint little pub used formerly as a coaching inn from the 17th century, still offers lodgings to those who need them to this day. Serves sub-zero Carling and often shows live football on an adequately sized TV. Sometimes there is the odd round of chess played among patrons too.  
• 51.758447 -1.269754 17 The Old Bookbinders' Arms , 17-18 Victor St, OX2 6BT ( go down Great Clarendon Street, turn right into Canal Street ), ☏ +44 1865 553549 , [email protected] . Hidden in the back streets of Jericho. Has eccentric decorations, but friendly and with lots of beers. Bookings to made by telephone only.  
• 51.750739 -1.261555 18 Royal Blenheim , 13 St Ebbes St, OX1 1PT , ☏ +44 1865 242355 . Quirky, friendly place with good beer and food. Check out the Chuck Norris quotes in the gents.  
• 51.760687 -1.261736 19 The Royal Oak , 42-44 Woodstock Road, OX2 6HT ( opposite the Radcliffe Infirmary ), ☏ +44 1865 310187 . Graduate and North Oxford local pub, offering Schneider Weiße from Germany. Popular with scientists and doctors working in the area.  
• 51.755 -1.254444 20 St. Aldates Tavern , 108 St Aldates, OX1 1BU ( located on the former Hobgoblin site ), ☏ +44 1865 242369 . Su-Th 11AM-11PM; F Sa 11AM-midnight . Small and traditional Victorian tavern but with adequate seating, with drinks varying in price depending on how early you get there.  

Cocktail bars [ edit ]

Oxford has a few cocktail bars. Most are in the Jericho area or on the Cowley Road.

• 51.747184 -1.236037 22 The Cowley Retreat , 172 Cowley Road, OX4 1UE ( located on the former Hobgoblin site ), ☏ +44 1865 247878 . Lively student pub with a decent cocktail selection. Staff are friendly until 11PM, at which point you'll be rudely kicked out.  
• 51.758693 -1.261556 23 The Duke of Cambridge , 4 Little Clarendon St, Jericho, Oxford, OX1 2HP , ☏ +44 1865 558173 , [email protected] . Fashionable for young students wanting great cocktails with some cheeky bar staff. Swisher than you might expect.  
• 51.757966 -1.263676 25 LJ's (Love Jericho) , 30 Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford, OX2 6AA ( on the old site of Sweet Browns and adjacent to Raoul's ), ☏ +44 1865 424631 . M-Sa 4:30PM-1AM . Cocktail bar with a great atmosphere and vibrant menu. There is a variety of flavours to be chosen from, ranging from sweet to spicy. Patrons consider the place to be trendy and also has a happy hour.  
• 51.758051 -1.263741 26 Raoul's , 32 Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford, OX2 6AA ( adjacent to LJ's (Love Jericho) ), ☏ +44 1865 553732 , [email protected] . Su-Tu 4PM-midnight; M-Sa 4PM-1AM . A trendy and upmarket cocktail bar with a strange and rather futuristic interior design. Often very busy at weekends.  

Gastropubs [ edit ]

Oxford has a few gastropubs, often with clean modernist decor and a large emphasis on food.

• 51.748584 -1.239412 27 Big Society , 95 Cowley Rd, OX4 1HR , ☏ +44 1865 792755 . Noon-midnight . A modern bar with minimalistic decor and an emphasis on murals. Serves a US-inspired diner menu complete with burgers, fries and milkshakes (along with excellent Southern-fried chicken). Has free Wi-Fi with a password that rotates on a daily basis and plenty of entertainment activities including pool, table tennis and an upright arcade machine with a plethora of classic titles.  
• 51.764185 -1.210724 28 The Black Boy , 91 Old High St, Headington, OX3 9HT , ☏ +44 1865 741137 . Headington gastropub named after a racehorse, hence its unusual name. Apparently has a nine year award winning streak. ( updated Nov 2017 )
• 51.777636 -1.264524 29 The Dew Drop Inn , 258 Banbury Rd, Summertown, OX2 7DX , ☏ +44 1865 559372 . Summertown's own pub is now a gastropub. The menu is a bit expensive, though recommended is the Bloody Mary station that allows customers to add their own amounts of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce. ( updated Nov 2017 )
• 51.783604 -1.293515 30 Jacobs' Inn , 130 Godstow Rd, Wolvercote, OX2 8PG , ☏ +44 1865 514333 . Tucked away in the affluent village of Wolvercote lies the Jacobs' Inn. ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 51.747357 -1.235928 32 The Bullingdon , 162 Cowley Rd, OX4 1UE , ☏ +44 1865 434998 . Lively and unpretentious with a mixed clientele. Live music and club nights in the back room. Jazz club on Tuesday nights. Blues on Monday nights.  

Nightclubs [ edit ]

Certain weeknights are student-only at some clubs, so you should probably check before going.

• 51.75327 -1.266006 33 The Bridge , 6-9 Hythe Bridge St, OX1 2EW , ☏ +44 1865 242526 . Nightclub frequented by students. Two floors — R&B on one, dance on the other. Plenty of acceptable seating, long bars and quite importantly clean bathroom facilities! Drinks can be a bit pricey: bottled beer £3 (no draught), double vodka coke £2.70, entry £4–£5. VIP room.  
• 51.752684 -1.265611 34 [dead link] Atik ( previously 'LavaIgnite' ), Cantay House, Park End St, OX1 1JD , ☏ +44 1865 250181 . M–W 9PM–2AM; Th–Sa 9:30PM–3AM . Nightclub frequented by students and locals. Come here to drink heavily and dance to uninspired pop tunes. £1-5 cover, £3 pints, £3 mixed drinks (some nightly drink specials). Monday is Brookes student night, Wednesday is OUSU student night (many bottled drinks £1.50). Student ID required for both.  
• 51.752324 -1.257008 35 The Varsity Club , 9 High St, OX1 4DB , ☏ +44 1865 248777 . Su-Th noon-midnight; F Sa noon-3AM . ( updated Dec 2016 )
• 51.753021 -1.25921 36 Plush , Frewin Court, OX1 3HZ , ☏ +44 1865 247966 . 6PM-3:30AM . Colourful LGBT bar and nightclub located in one of the old Oxford University coal cellars. ( updated Nov 2022 )
• 51.746955 -1.234578 37 O2 Academy Oxford ( previously Carling Academy and The Zodiac' ), 190 Cowley Rd, OX4 1UE , ☏ +44 1865 813500 . Live music venue and stop-off for many a band's UK tour, turned nightclub after hours.  
• 51.752844 -1.26534 38 Thirst , 7-8 Park End St, OX1 1HH , ☏ +44 1865 242044 , [email protected] . M–W 6:30PM–2AM; Su 6:30PM–1:30AM . A small nightclub with a cocktail bar - drinks from £1.75. Also has an extensive outdoor smoking area with a bar and shisha.  

Sleep [ edit ]

Oxford has a large number of B&Bs and guesthouses, located both centrally and in the suburbs. Check the website of the Oxford Association of Hotels and Guesthouses [dead link] to get some ideas of available options.

Most hotels in the city centre are pretty expensive, and you pay almost London prices. Book in advance if you are travelling in summer: accommodation can be scarce during high season. The tourist information office in the city centre can help find available accommodation for a small fee.

For visitors of Oxford University, low cost residency may be available in St Edmund Hall .

Travelodge and Premier Inn have budget hotels on the outskirts of Oxford, although one will need to take a 20-minute (or more) bus ride to get to the centre.

• 51.79451 -1.282815 2 Travelodge (Pear Tree) , Moto Service Area, Peartree Roundabout, Woodstock Road, OX2 8JZ , ☏ +44 8719 846206 . Premier Inn and next to the Pear Tree Park & Ride making it a great place to stay on a budget. From £49 per night .  
• 51.731278 -1.248997 3 Travelodge (Abingdon Road) , Abingdon Road, OX1 4XG , ☏ +44 8715 591877 . On the bottom of the Abingdon Road - 1.6 miles (2.6 km) away from Oxford city centre. It's next to Redbridge Park & Ride, making getting into the city centre convenient. From £57 per night .  
• 51.741938 -1.115605 4 Travelodge (Wheatley) , Harvester A40, London Road, Wheatley, OX33 1JH , ☏ +44 8719 846207 . ( updated Nov 2016 )
• 51.731049 -1.202971 5 Premier Inn (Oxford) , Oxford Business Park, Garsington Road, OX4 2JT , ☏ +44 8715 595454 . Another budget hotel. From £49 per night . ( updated Feb 2017 )
• 51.71552 -1.206374 6 Holiday Inn Express , Kassam Stadium Grenoble Rd, Oxford, OX4 4XP , ☏ +44 1865 780888 , [email protected] . Check-in: 3PM , check-out: noon . A modern hotel next to Kassam Stadium with free parking, free WiFi, inclusive breakfast and easy access to Oxford city centre, hotel is less than 5 miles (8 km) from central Oxford's bus and railway stations. £56 per night . ( updated Feb 2017 )

Alternatives in the centre include:

• 51.752685 -1.271601 7 YHA Oxford , 2a Botley Road, OX2 0AB , ☏ 0870 770 5970 (high cost number), +44 1865 727275 (outside UK) , fax : +44 1865 251182 , [email protected] . Housed in newish, purpose-built building next to the railway station and minutes from the city centre, prices from £20.50 adult, £15.50 under 18s. Prices are a bit steep, and unfortunately no longer include breakfast. Location is convenient although avoid getting a room facing the train station as the sound of passing trains and station PA announcements can become annoying after a while.  
• 51.752855 -1.265745 8 Central Backpackers Hostel , 13 Park End Street, OX1 1HH , ☏ +44 1865 242288 . Close to the city centre. Clean and airy. Make sure to grab a pair of the free earplugs they hand out at the reception, though, as the bar crowd on the street can get noisy at night. From £14 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• 51.753227 -1.266159 9 Oxford Backpackers , 9a Hythe Bridge Street, OX1 2EW , ☏ +44 1865 721761 , fax : +44 1865 203293 , [email protected] . Cheap and a little dingy. 2-min walk the rail and bus stations. Dorm beds from £13.  
• 51.753643 -1.260366 10 Victoria House Hotel , 29 George St, OX1 2AY , ☏ +44 1865 727400 . Popular 3-star hotel in the heart of Oxford on George Street. From £71 a night .  
• 51.758821 -1.216242 11 Dial House Guest House , 25 London Rd, Headington, OX3 7RE , ☏ +44 1865 425100 . Bed and breakfast from £91 .  
• 51.7876 -1.2836 12 Leonardo Hotel ( formerly Jury's Inn ), Godstow Rd OX2 8AL , ☏ +44 1865 489988 . Located near the Wolvercote Roundabout with plenty of amenities nearby and easy access to the number 6 bus to the city centre. This 4-star hotel offers decent accommodation along with pool & spa facilities. From £125 per night .  
• 51.784627 -1.269079 13 Remont Boutique B&B Oxford Hotel , 367 Banbury Road, OX2 7PL , ☏ +44 1865 311020 , [email protected] .  
• Tower House , 15 Ship St OX1 3DA ( one block west of Bodleian ), ☏ +44 7402 008003 . Comfy little B&B, only one shared bathroom and rooms are small, but great value for this location. B&B double £120 .  
• Oxford University Rooms . Some of the colleges rent out rooms out of term time, providing a B&B-like experience. ( updated Dec 2016 )
• 51.775211 -1.263813 14 [dead link] The Galaxie Hotel 4-Star B&B Summertown , 180 Banbury Road, OX2 7BT , ☏ +44 1865 515688 .  
• 51.782519 -1.267083 15 Burlington House Hotel , 374 Banbury Road, OX2 7PP . £157 .  
• 51.744688 -1.258857 16 Ethos Hotel , 59 Western Road, Grandpont, OX1 4LF , ☏ +44 1865 245800 . £130 .  
• 51.752932 -1.267165 17 Royal Oxford Hotel , Park End Street, OX1 1HR ( near the Saïd Business School ), ☏ +44 1865 248432 . Three-star hotel on the west-side of town. It has its own restaurant Jam Factory , and the city's first Korean restaurant called Bamboo .  
• 51.770276 -1.259569 18 Linton Lodge , 11-13 Linton Rd, OX2 6UJ , ☏ +44 1865 553461 , [email protected] . Mid-sized hotel in a quiet side street of Banbury Road, 5 min from a bus stop and ca. 15 min from the University Engineering Faculty. Full Continental breakfast, garden, lounge, and well equipped rooms with bath tub and comfortable beds. No air conditioning. Express checkout available. Wifi is free, submit random name and room number on the landing page and click "Connect". £94 . ( updated Mar 2019 )
• 51.835 -1.27 19 The Bell at Hampton Poyle , 11 Oxford Rd, Hampton Poyle, Kidlington OX5 2QD , ☏ +44 1865 376242 . Country pub of character with nine rooms and great cooking. B&B double £130 . ( updated Jul 2020 )
• 51.751549 -1.262517 21 Malmaison Oxford Prison Hotel , Oxford Castle, 3 New Rd, OX1 1AY , ☏ +44 1865 689944 . Set in the old prison, this modern quirky 4-star hotel also allows pets!  
• 51.75948 -1.260317 23 The Old Parsonage Hotel , 1 Banbury Rd, OX2 6NN , ☏ +44 1865 310210 . Small, modern luxury hotel in Oxford 5 minutes from the city centre.  
• 51.740494 -1.25168 25 Oxford Spires Hotel , Abingdon Road , ☏ +44 1865 324324 , fax : +44 1865 324325 , [email protected] . Check-in: 3PM , check-out: 11AM . Close to the city centre but set in a large garden area. There's an indoor pool and spa treatments are available. £79-£229 .  
• The Store opens in April 2024. It's in the former Boswell's department store on Broad St.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Although Oxford is an affluent university city and is generally very safe, as with any city care should be taken with personal belongings and surroundings.

Street crime in the centre of the city, with the exception of bicycle theft, is low, though proper precautions as would be followed in any other city should be taken. Avoid getting caught up in drunken revelry or street fights, and, remember, traffic is on the left (so look both ways). Oxford has a lot of student cyclists, especially during term time (January, February, April, May, October, and November), making hearing alone insufficient for checking whether a road is clear.

Though having seen improvement following local government investment, the suburb of Blackbird Leys on the southern outskirts of the city ranks amongst the 10% most deprived areas in the country, and has a higher rate of crime than one might expect in Oxford. Visitors are, however, unlikely to visit this area of the city other than on football matchdays.

Oxford has a relatively high rate of not only street performers but also beggars (though still a low number of the latter by international standards). Police advise not handing over money to those who expressly ask for it unless threatened.

Police stations [ edit ]

For emergencies , dial 999 or 112 . For non-emergency situations use 101 . 101 is a charged call.

• 51.748166 -1.256285 3 Police Station (St Aldates) , St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1SZ , ☏ +44 1865 841148 . 8AM-10PM . Parking is for disabled badge holders only and fines are hefty.  
• 51.734451 -1.213764 4 Police Station (Cowley) , Oxford Rd, OX4 2LE .  
• 51.813245 -1.278598 5 Police Station (Kidlington) , Oxford Rd, Kidlington, OX5 2NX . M-F 8AM-5PM . Free parking available, closed on bank holidays.  

LGBT scene [ edit ]

Oxford has a small gay scene and a gay area, which is accepting and friendly. The city's LGBT population is not as high as in places like Manchester, Brighton, London, Blackpool; but it is a safe and comfortable feeling for gay visitors. The Plush Lounge , Frewin Court, is the most popular gay nightclub in the city, busy on Friday & Saturday nights, though visitors should be aware that it is largely the haunt of undergrads during the Autumn months.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

In a life-threatening medical emergency, dial 999 or 112 . For urgent, but not life-threatening emergency issues it is recommended to call 111 and ask for assistance.

Hospitals and clinics [ edit ]

Although there are many hospitals in clinics in Oxford, the following are most likely to be of use to the sickly traveller.

• 51.764268 -1.219434 6 John Radcliffe Hospital ( JR Hospital ), Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU , ☏ +44 300 3047777 . The largest hospital in Oxford, used for most illnesses. Has an Accident & Emergency department for severe injuries.  
• 51.750135 -1.213861 7 Churchill Hospital , Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LE , ☏ +44 300 3047777 .  

Connect [ edit ]

Oxford itself has a reasonably good mobile signal available on all carriers including Vodafone, O2, EE and Three.

Oxford's own public library has free internet available. It has moved to the Oxford Castle temporarily due to the construction of the new Westgate Shopping Centre.

The hostels near the train station all provide the Internet to residents.

There are also internet cafes in the city. One to try is located above the baguette (sandwich) shop on the far south end of New Inn Hall Street (the little lane running perpendicular to George Street, right across from Gloucester Green bus station and immediately parallel to Cornmarket Street). They also offer international telephone calls, international fax, and printing.

• 51.7521 -1.2599 15 La Baguette , New Inn Hall St, OX1 2DW . Sandwich shop with a whole internet cafe setup upstairs. Computers run Windows. ( updated Nov 2017 )

Go next [ edit ]

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

• 51.8986 -1.1508 2 Bicester . 10 mi (16 km) north of Oxford, a nice little town famous for its outlet shopping centre Bicester Village.  
• 51.75187 -1.09053 1 Waterperry Garden . Near Thame , A lovely wander through manicured gardens.  

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Visit Oxford

Oxford is a wonderful place to visit. It is home to magnificent architecture and history, famous literary figures and unique traditions. Visit the Experience Oxfordshire website to find out about things to do, where to stay and planning your trip to the city of dreaming spires.

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Weekend in Oxford: A Perfect 2 Day Itinerary From a Local

Synonymous with one of the oldest universities in the world, literary and filming locations and great British pubs famous for its former clients, Oxford is just an hour away from London , which it makes the perfect weekend getaway from the English capital.

Most people just pay a day visit to Oxford, but after having lived there for almost 2 years, I can safely say a 48-hour trip is more than worth it to discover its classical and modern artistic, gastronomical and cultural highlights.

Let’s begin a trip down Oxford’s cobblestone streets and discover the best things to do on your visit if you have a 2 day weekend in Oxford !

Weekend in Oxford Itinerary: Day 1

Climb carfax tower in cornmarket street.

After checking into your hotel, head over to the city centre.

You will most probably end up in Cornmarket Stree t, the main pedestrian road where you will find banks, fast-food restaurants and plenty of shopping options.

However, we are in Oxford so you are bound to find some history in every corner. And Carfax Tower is proof of this.

This 23m-high belltower, once part of a 12th-century church, offers great city views from the top (once you climb the 100 steps up!).

I believe there is no better way to start your visit to Oxford than admire it from above!

Visit Christ Church

Founded in 1525 and with 13 British Prime Ministers among its former students, Christ Church also served as an inspiration for the great dinner hall in the Harry Potter films, and its grand staircase was even used as a filming location for the saga.

Several literary figures have also attended and taught in Christ Church. Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland, for example, was a professor here and was inspired by many of the college’s architectural details.

After visiting the interior, take a stroll down Christ Church Meadows, bordered by the Cherwell and Thames rivers, where you’ll probably catch a glimpse of some University rowers.

Have lunch at the Covered Market

For lunch, head back north and enter the picturesque Covered Market in High Street.

Home of various unique food stalls, the Market was built back in 1774 and is still one of the best and most visited places to eat in Oxford.

Here you will find lots of options to satisfy your British and international gastronomy needs: pies and mash, french baguettes, thai dishes, cheese, chocolate chip cookies, Colombian coffee…

There is pretty much anything in here: you just need to take your pick!

My personal favorite? Alpha Bar, a tiny stall with tasty, affordable organic salads. It’s so good there’s always a queue (I promise it’s worth it)!

Take a picture under the Bridge of Sighs

Leave the Market after lunch and turn left to Brasenose Lane, which will lead you to one of Oxford’s most famous landmarks: the Radcliffe Camera (don’t worry, we’ll explore it more later).

A few steps from here, you will also find another well-known tourist spotlight (and probably lots of tourists underneath it): the beautiful and ornamented Bridge of Sighs .

Also known as Hertford Bridge (because it joins two parts of the College of the same name), it has gained its more poetic nickname from its resemblance with the Venetian Bridge of Sighs in Italy.

Join the tourists and get your picture under it!

Explore the Bodleian Library

I only visited the Library a few months before moving out of the city, and I cannot believe I waited so long!

One of the oldest surviving libraries in Europe, the Bodleian consists of five separate buildings around Broad Street. Access to most of them is restricted to visitors, but you can access them via tours offered by the Library.

I highly recommend going on the 90-minute tour , which will take you to the 15th-century Divinity School (also used as a filming location in Harry Potter), Convocation House, Chancellor’s Court, Duke Humfrey’s medieval library, Radcliffe Camera and Gladstone Link.

It’s always best to book your tickets at least 1 or 2 days ahead due to limited availability.

Go for drinks at Turf Tavern

There is no better way to spend an evening in Oxford than enjoying one of its many famous pubs.

Join the University students in one of their favorites (and mine!): Turf Tavern .

This quaint little pub is a bit hard to find, down St Helen’s Passage next to the Bridge of Sighs, but once you get there you’ll get the hype: plenty of seating room in the garden in a nice secluded area, and lots of good beers to pick from!

Weekend in Oxford Itinerary: Day 2

Walk around summertown.

Start off your second day in Oxford by heading north to my favorite neighborhood in the city: Summertown .

This residential area is perfect to just wander around while admiring the grand and splendid Victorian houses.

Down these streets you’ll also find the house of JRR Tolkien , author of the Lord of the Rings, who lived here from 1930 to 1947.

If you are looking for a green space respite, go west to Port Meadow and the Oxford Canal for a break from the city noise and a good old relaxing time.

Go punting in the river

The most popular leisure activity amongst University students is punting , and you’ll probably see lots of them trying their best at moving their boats along the Oxford rivers.

The basic technique of punting is to shove the boat along with a pole by pushing directly on the bed of the river which, yes, it’s as difficult as it sounds!

If you want to join the crowds, visit Cherwell Boathouse and try your skills at this traditional Oxford pastime.

Don’t dare to punt? Then choose a normal rowboat or an electrical boat at Salter’s Steamers or book a trip on one of the larger cruises – it’s a great way to see the city from another perspective!

Have lunch at The Eagle and Child

After all that punting you’ll probably be hungry, so my advice is to grab a typical British lunch in The Eagle and Child (temporarily closed).

This famous pub has a strong link with British artistic history, since this was the place professors C.S. Lewis (author of the Chronicles of Narnia) and JRR Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit), among others, met for drinks and literary discussions after work.

Today, you can sit at their favorite part of the pub, “the Rabbit Room”, while you enjoy a juicy burger and a delicious craft ale.

Learn about history in the Ashmolean Museum

Right around the corner from The Eagle and Child you will find the Ashmolean Museum , the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology, founded in 1683.

I think of the Ashmolean as a smaller, more approachable version of the British Museum in London. This means you can easily visit it in an afternoon and not worry about missing anything!

Highlights of the collection include drawings by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael; paintings by Picasso, Rubens and Cézanne; the Alfred Jewel (a piece of Anglo-Saxon goldsmithing work) and an extensive collection of Egyptian antiquities.

Admission is free and it’s open every day from 10 am to 5 pm.

Finish your visit at hipster Jericho

For your last evening in Oxford, my suggestion is to end on a high note in hipster neighborhood Jericho .

Just a few blocks up from the Ashmolean, you can take Little Clarendon Street and enter the backstreets of this picturesque area.

Here you will find some of the best pubs and bars of Oxford, including Old Bookbinders (really good French cuisine and quirky decoration), Jericho Tavern (great for live music and the venue where local band Radiohead first performed) and Frevd (a restored stone church with stained glass which now serves as a cocktail bar).

Whatever you pick, I am sure you will have a great last night in Oxford!

What to eat in Oxford

If none of the options I have mentioned above are of your liking, here are some other great places I recommend for eating in Oxford:

Oli’s Tai

The best-rated in the city, this nice little restaurant has the greatest Thai food you’ll ever have for a really affordable price. Be sure to book your table ahead (months in advance) as seating is very limited.

Turl Street Kitchen

This trendy café has great modern dishes, with lots of vegetarian alternatives. It’s also run by a charity, so you know your money is going to a good cause!

If you are looking for great Italian pizza and pasta, look no further than Mamma Mia. There are options in Jericho and Summertown, both of them great.

Society Cafe

The place to get your Instagram-worthy latte in contemporary Scandinavian furniture. But not just that: the coffee is great and the staff will make you feel at home in its cosy environment.

Where to stay in Oxford

Finding good, affordable accommodation in Oxford is not a simple task, unfortunately.

Due to the high demand of tourists and business visitors, the city is not short on bad-quality rooms at scandalous prices.

There are a few exceptions, however:

Budget: Central Backpackers

If you are on a budget, Central Backpackers is a great option, just a couple of blocks away from the city centre.

Beds are comfortable, staff is friendly and common areas are clean and well equipped.

Mid-range: St Margaret’s Hotel

Mid-way between the city centre and Summertown, the St Margarets Hote l is located in one of the best neighborhoods in Oxford.

With open, spacious rooms and firm beds, this hotel is a great option in a really pleasant environment.

Luxury: The Old Bank

If you are looking to splurge a bit more, there is no better alternative than The Old Bank .

This superb hotel is perfectly located in the city centre’s High Street, so everything is within walking distance.

The facilities are extremely comfortable with plenty of high-end details, there is excellent customer service and the view from the rooftop bedroom is unlike anything else!

How to get to Oxford

Oxford is very well connected with other English cities, and there are plenty of railway and bus connections to and from it.

Oxford is located about 56 miles (90 km) northwest of London. If you are thinking of renting a car, you can compare rates between different companies on www.discovercars.com .

Oxford’s train station is located on the west, just a 10-minute walk from the city centre.

Here you will find frequent connections to and from London’s Marylebone and Paddington stations (1 hour and 20 minutes journey) and other English cities, such as Birmingham, Bristol and Winchester.

The bus station, also known as Gloucester Green (where it is located), has connections via 3 main companies: The Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach .

National Express connections also include Bath, Birmingham and Bristol.

Oxford has no airport of its own, but it’s not too far away from London’s Heathrow and Gatwick.

From Heathrow you can take The Airline service run by The Oxford Bus Company , which takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and leaves every 20 to 30 minutes (less frequent during the night).

The same company connects Gatwick and Oxford, with a journey that takes 2 hours and 30 minutes and with buses leaving hourly during the day (every two hours at night).

If your time is short you can visit Oxford on a one day tour from London like tours:

How to get around Oxford

Oxford is not a big city, so walking around is the best way to see it.

If you want an alternative and the weather is nice, hiring a bicycle is also a great option. You can hire one at Cyclo Analysts or Summertown Bikes.

Even though Oxford is a safe city in general, there are quite a few bike thefts around the city centre, so always make sure you lock your bike when parking it!

As well as serving connections to other cities, Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach have an extensive local network that can get you pretty much anywhere in Oxford and its surrounding areas.

Bus tickets are 2.20 for a single journey (you can pay on board with contactless cards or cash) and 3.70 for a return. If you plan on taking a few buses during the day, consider getting a day pass for 4.20.

Oxford Travel Tips

Best time to visit oxford.

There is really no bad time to visit Oxford, as every season has its charms.

However, I do prefer spring or autumn, when the streets are filled with flowers or different shades of yellow and orange, which really adds to the classic ambience.

What to pack for your trip to Oxford

Being a student city, everyone dresses pretty casual here, even in restaurants and pubs at night.

So even no fancy outfit is needed (unless you are attending a formal college dinner), I would still suggest you pack a few essential items for your trip to Oxford.

British rain is famous for appearing at the most unexpected times, so even if you visit in the middle of the summer always carry an umbrella and a waterproof jacket with you.

Comfortable shoes and clothes are a must for walking around the city – and for giving punting a try down the river!

Finally, remember British plugs look very different from anywhere else, so make sure you pack a UK electrical adaptor for your electronic devices.

Pilar and and her partner Jorge are obsessed with traveling, writing, taking pictures and drinking mate, their country’s signature drink.

They have been traveling pretty much non-stop since 2015 around Europe and the American continent and sharing their tips, itineraries and memories in their Spanish-written blog, el antitour , where they hope to inspire readers to go out and explore the world.

You can follow Pilar and Jorge’s travels on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest .

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One comment.

This is a great guide. I was born and have lived in England for 30 years but still haven’t been to Oxford. Might have to change that this year, I’ll be keeping in mind these tips!

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Oxford Free Self-Guided Walking Tour to Plan a Visit at Your Own Pace

Oxford is a gem of a town. There’s so much to see, and you can visit practically all of their attractions on foot. This is why walking tours are an excellent option for those coming to Oxford. Some will choose to have a guide, while others might prefer to explore the city, its University museums and sights at their own rhythm . We’ve created these maps to help you do exactly that. Below, you will find free walking tour maps (you can download them to your phone if you prefer) to see all that Oxford has to offer. Pubs and restaurants? We got it. Colleges and libraries? Of course! How about a bit of shopping or a Harry Potter-themed adventure? Look no further. 

(Want to see a self-guided walking tour for Oxford Museums only? Check this link ). 

Oxford Basic Free Self-Guided Walking Tour

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Let’s start with a quick overview of the town. This walking tour is perfect for those visiting Oxford for just a few hours. It is a leisurely tour that should give you a great idea of what the town is all about. There are two paths I like to do myself when walking around Oxford:

In pink : Start from the train station or bus station and make your way to the centre of the city. This short walk should take about 30 minutes to an hour at a relaxed walking pace – and cover the best attractions in Oxford: Its colleges, churches, museums, and shops.

In purple : If the day is nice and you have an extra 40 minutes, you can also walk down St Aldate’s and into Christ Church meadow, where you will be able to relax in the shade and see the famous Cherwell river. Make your way back north through the Botanic Garden path and enter the city through the east, where you will see some of the oldest colleges of the university. 

Let’s go into a little more detail if you want to do the short (or pink) self-guided walking tour. 

• Arriving at the train or bus station, walk down George Street. If you are already hungry, this is the perfect opportunity to grab a bite, as there are several restaurants and bars here. If not…
• Continue walking until you reach St Michael at the North Gate . This was the city limit when Oxford was surrounded by a wall!
• Turn right and walk down Cornmarket Street, the central commercial vein. Don’t miss 24-26 Cornmarket Street , a house dating back to the 14th century (it’s on the left, right across the tower).
• You can continue walking down the street and check out the Covered Market , or turn left on Market Street and continue down Braselose Lane, which will eventually lead you to the landmark Radcliffe Camera library. To your right, you will also see the Church of St Mary the Virgin, and to the left, the Bodleian Library .
• Turn left again after you exit, and you’ll see the Sheldonian Theatre and, right across Broad Street, Trinity College .
• Walk up to Corn Steet and turn left again, so you can enjoy a pleasant stroll up Parks Road and see the Natural History Museum and Keble College .
• You can continue until Keble road to close the circuit or turn left on Museum Road to see a secret passage and the most beautiful tree in Oxford!

What You Shouldn't Miss in This Self-Guided Walking Tour

(You can click here to see all the historical places you will encounter )

University Church of St Mary the Virgin

This is the largest church in Oxford and is popular with students, professors, and visitors. The first church here was built in 1086, although the building that can now be seen on the north side of the chancel is from 1320 (when the Univesity was officially founded). The Baroque porch (considered “the most beautiful porch in the world”) was designed by Nicholas Stone, and the tower (also from the 13th century) can be climbed and offers an excellent view of Oxford. 

Radcliffe Camera

This circular library is probably considered by most locals and visitors as “the very centre of Oxford”. It was built in 1749 by James Gibbes and has an Edwardian Palladian style. Although it appears to have three stores from the outside, it’s actually one main floor. This floor is divided into different bays separated by Corinthian columns. Today, the Radcliffe Camera holds over 600,000 books. It’s open to students but not to the public. 

The Bridge of Sighs

Although you also won’t be able to cross this bridge (unless you are a Hertford College student), you can still admire its beauty from the street level. The bridge was built in 914 by Sir Thomas Jackson and received its name because it looks like its homonym in Venice. The geometrical concept is also inspired by Archimedes in the 3rd Century BC (the area of the parabolic segment is 4/3 of an inscribed triangle). 

St John’s College

A constituent college of the University of Oxford, St John’s College was founded in 1555 as a men’s college but turned coeducational later.

Keble College

Keble College is one of the University of Oxford’s constituent colleges. It is located on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum.

Exeter College

A constituent college of the University of Oxford in England, Exeter College is the fourth-oldest college of the university.

Christ Church College

Christ Church is college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII and is one of the larger colleges.

Brasenose College

Oxford University’s Brasenose College (BNC) was founded in 1509 and is home to one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world.

All Souls College

All Souls College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. It was founded by Henry VI and it has no undergraduate members.

See all Oxford Colleges >

Oxford Museums

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford is Britain’s first public museum. It was founded in 1683.

Oxford University University Museum of Natural History

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History or OUMNH displays many of the University of Oxford’s natural history specimens.

See all Oxford Museums >

Oxford Libraries

Radcliffe Camera is a neo-classical style building inside Oxford University, built from 1737 to 1749 for the Radcliffe Science Library.

Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library is one of Oxford’s most famous landmarks. Among the oldest in Europe, it’s easy to visit and incredible to see.

See all Oxford Libraries >

Un-Missable Stops in an Oxford Walking Tour

If you’re exploring Oxford on your own, there are a few places you should consider stopping by. This includes colleges (which are normally open to visitors during the day), museums, the Botanic Garden , shops, and definitely, if you can, the Bodleian Library !

Of course, Oxford has something for everyone, so if you’re looking for places to shop or parks to relax, you can see some good options in the list below this section.

However, before you move on, if you’re interested in visiting the best Oxford museums (and combining them with the city walking tour), you can use this map.

Also, here’s the complete guide covering the most popular Oxford Museums .

And the direct link to download the museum walking tour map . 

Best for Shopping in Oxford

There are two – possibly three – shops you should NOT miss if you’re visiting Oxford and doing a self-guided walking tour. These are Alice’s Shop (with tons of Alice in Wonderland memorabilia, all beautifully displayed in a historically-relevant little building!), The Shop of Secrets (more Harry Potter merch than you can dream of), and Blackwell’s Bookshop , founded in 1879.

Of course, as Oxford continues to grow, there re several other places you can visit if you’re looking for unique gifts or just a memorable experience. Below is a more comprehensive list with all of them. 

Blackwell’s Bookshop

Blackwell’s Bookshop first opened its doors in 1879, on Broad Street, Oxford. They have been trading continuously from there ever since. The History of Blackwell’s Bookshop The first Blackwell’s Bookshop

Alice’s Shop

Alice’s Shop is a little shop placed exactly where Alice Liddell (the “real” Alice that inspired the books) used to buy sweets.

Arcadia Bookstore

Arcadia is a popular bookstore in Oxford, offering second-hand books and stationery with a vintage and whimsical vibe.

The Shop of Secrets

The Shop of Secrets is Oxford’s chamber of Harry Potter collectibles and merch. A shopping must-to in the city, this is why you should visit.

Parks and Meadows

Oxford has many beautiful parks and meadows – which make perfect spots for a picnic or a relaxing stop. These parks are large and tend to have exotic plants and students practising sports or reading a book under the shadow of a tree. The best thing about adding a visit to a park during your self-guided walking tour is that you can visit them any time of the year. University Parks , for example, are evergreen and have seats no matter the season. Of course, if you like plants and quietness you should not miss the Botanic Gardens, they are included in the map above and have exotic species, lots of secret corners, and even a pond with fish!

Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum

The Oxford Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in the UK. It was founded in 1621 and holds unique and important species.

Christ Church Meadow

Christ Church meadow is open to the public all year round. This open space in the heart of Oxford is an ideal choice for recreation.

Oxford University Parks

Oxford University Parks (or University Parks) is a large park area northeast of the city. The park is open to the public during the day.

Port Meadow

Port Meadow is a large open space in the north of Oxford. The River Thames flows through its heart and the plains are home to many animals.

Learn More About Oxford

Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum: A Brief History

Oxford College Gardens

Oxford Aerial Map and Guide

Insight Guides Great Breaks Oxford

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Planning an Oxford Day Trip: A Guide to Visiting Oxford from London

Last updated: November 11, 2021 - Written by Jessica Norah 38 Comments

Oxford is a university city situated about 60 miles from London, making a Oxford day trip an ideal way to get out of the bustling capital for a day or weekend to explore this compact historical city. Nicknamed the City of Dreaming Spires, Oxford is best known as the home of England’s oldest university, the University of Oxford, which is still one of the most respected in the country.

A trip to Oxford wouldn’t be complete without touring a couple of university buildings, but Oxford has much else to offer. A visitor might go on a walking tour of the downtown, browse for souvenirs at the Covered Market, go punting on the River Cherwell, take a tour of a medieval castle, stroll in a pretty garden, enjoy a drink in a historical tavern, or even take a short drive to visit one of England’s most beautiful and famous country homes.

Laurence spent a lot of time in Oxford growing up and we’ve visited it a few times now over the past several years and really love this university city. We’ll share our advice and tips on planning a perfect Oxford day trip from London, and also offer plenty of things to do if you want to stay over and spend a few days in this history-filled city.

Table of Contents:

Basic Information about Oxford

Below we share all the planning information to help you get to Oxford from London, how to get around Oxford, where to stay if you decide to spend the night, and further travel resources.

Where is Oxford? 

Oxford is located within the county of Oxfordshire in southeast England. It is about 60 miles northwest of London and 73 miles east of Bristol. 

How to Get from London to Oxford?

You have a variety of options for getting to Oxford from London (or elsewhere in the UK), including by car, bus, or train. You can also visit Oxford via a guided tour or by booking a taxi or private transfer from London. 

Oxford by Car

If you have your own car, it is about a 1.5 hours drive from Oxford to central London. You can check and compare rental car prices across companies at Auto Europe  if interested in renting a car for the trip. We often find that Enterprise has the best car hire rates.

If you are driving, there  are a number of paid  public car parks in Oxford, just be sure to stay out of permit-only parking zones. 

Oxford by Bus

If you are interested in traveling by bus it is about a 1.5 journey and you can check prices at National Express as well as the Oxford Bus Company .

Oxford by Train

It is also convenient to get from London to Oxford by train and the journey takes about an hour, check National Rail for train schedules and prices. 

Oxford by Taxi

It is about a 1.5 hour taxi ride from London to Oxford. If you want to book a taxi during your time in the UK, we recommend comparing prices and booking via minicabit .

Taking a Guided Day Tour to Oxford from London

Another option if you don’t want to drive or take public transportation is to take a guided tour. These will include your transport to and from London, a guide, and many tour prices include some entrance fees.

Some day tours may also only go to Oxford, but most also include other attractions like Windsor Castle, the Cotswolds villages, Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehenge, Cambridge, and/or Blenheim Palace.

Here are some options:

• This full day tour from London visits Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and the Cotswolds.
• This tour includes Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Oxford.
• This guided tour visits both Oxford and Cambridge, England’s oldest and most prestigious university towns.
• This private tour by Oxford Alumni visits Oxford, Bath, and Stonehenge and allows you to customize the itinerary as you wish.

Getting around Oxford?

The best way to get around central Oxford is on foot as most attractions are centrally located. But you can also take a public bus , drive, or taxi to get around the town or explore the wider Oxfordshire area.

Staying in Oxford? 

If our articles temps you to decide to spend the night in Oxford rather than visiting as a day trip, there are a number of lodging option in and around Oxford, from luxury hotels to comfortable  bed-and-breakfasts to budget-friendly  hostels . You can compare all the lodging options here .

If you are visiting by train or bus, you’ll want to choose something in central Oxford and within easy walking distance of most of the city’s main attractions.

Here is a list of suggested options for those exploring on foot for all budgets (lowest to highest):

• Central Backpackers – This well-rated hostel offers dormitory style beds and lives up to its name with a central location in Oxford. Located near the train station and a 8 minute walk from the center of Oxford. A great option for those on a tight budget.
• The Richmond – A good value hotel that offers budget-friendly rooms, breakfast, and a restaurant. A 15 minute walk from the center of Oxford.
• Museum Hotel Oxford – This popular midrange hotel offers one of the best locations in  Oxford in a building dating back to the 16th century. Centrally located; a 2 minute walk from Carfax Tower.
• Macdonald Randolph Hotel   – A  5-star hotel within a landmark city building. It is located across from the Ashmolean Museum and offers a restaurant, bar, and popular spa.
• Old Parsonage Hotel – A 5-star luxury boutique hotel set in a historical 17th century house, offering a garden library, bar, and restaurant. It is located within a short walk of the city center.

Those with a car can also choose from lodging outside the city center which is often a bit less expensive. Here are a few more options further away from the town center:

• Green & White House – A well-rated good value B&B that offers free bike hire, on-site parking, and breakfast. Located a bit outside the center. A 4 minute drive or a 25 minute walk to the city center.
• Noa Residence – A well-rated self-catering apartment hotel that offer well-equipped kitchens, free parking, and daily cleaning services. Located 1 mile from the city center.
• Swinford Manor Farm B&B – A beautiful countryside B&B set in a historical manor farmhouse located along the River Thames. Offers a free breakfast, extensive woodland views, and free parking. A 12 minute drive from central Oxford.
• Hawkbill House – A 4-star hotel made up of two 19th century manor houses in the nearby village of Iffey. Hotel offers a restaurant, bar, 24-hour room service, and free parking.  A 7 minute drive from the town center.

Further Information on Oxford? 

The local tourism office offers a variety of information and can help you make any bookings as needed. While you are in the city, stop by the Oxford Visitor Information Centre (telephone: 01865 252200), located at 15-16 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AS in central Oxford for information, maps, public transit schedules, luggage storage, and tour bookings.

You can also visit the tourism website  Experience Oxfordshire  for planning your time in Oxford and the wider Oxfordshire area.

If you have the time, we’d also recommend staying over and spending a couples of days in the city and then exploring the area further afield. Oxford also makes a great jumping off point to continue your exploration of this part of England to visits places such as Stonehenge , Bath, and the Cotswolds villages.  You can read our  one-week UK itinerary  and 2 week UK itinerary for even more recommendations.

Planning your Oxford Day Trip from London

We’ll share a number of great things to do in Oxford so you can put together an itinerary for your own Oxford day trip from London no matter what your interests.

Take a Walking Tour

A walking tour is almost always a great way to get a good introduction to a new city. There are a number of walking tours, bike tours, and bus tours that you can take while in Oxford, including some that are free with a requested donation. 

We decided to take the 2-hour Oxford University and City Tour , which starts at the visitor center and is run by the tourism board . Another popular option is to take a tour of Oxford with a student , which will give you another perspective on living and learning in the city.

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and guided us through part of the historical downtown, The Covered Market, Radcliffe Square, and two of the university buildings, including an optional stop at the beautiful Divinity School. Our guide was great at pointing out shops, university buildings, and museums along the way that might be of interest for us to visit which helped us better plan the rest of our time in the city.

In addition to these more general city tours, there are also other Oxford tours focused on the town’s history,  Inspector Morse , literature,  Harry Potter , architecture, etc.

Get a Bird Eye’s View of Oxford

Getting a good view of a city is always a great way to gain a better sense of its layout and to get some great cityscape photos. Some of the best city vantage points can be found by visiting the iconic St. Martin’s Tower, known to most residents as Carfax Tower (the only remaining part of the 12th century St. Martin’s church), the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and St. Michael Northgate.

We enjoyed an excellent view from the top of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin , which is right next to the Radcliffe Camera. 

All of these vantage points charge small admission fees and require visitors to climb a number of stairs. There is also a decent city view from the tower during the Oxford Castle tour we did.

Feed Your Inner Scholar at the Museums

As you might suspect with a city best known for its university, there are a lot of museums to be found in the city, most associated with the university. They are numerous and range from the broad in focus to the very narrow, so you are sure to find at least one that is of interest. The best thing is that just about all the city’s museums offer free admission!

The Ashmolean Museum  was the first ever public university museum, starting as a small 17th century collection of curiosities and portraits and now containing a wide collection of paintings, coins, musical instruments, antiquities, and statues housed in a beautiful old building.

The  Museum of Oxford , located in the Town Hall, focuses on the history of Oxford and tells the story of the city’s development through a range of archaeological and social history objects. You can also book a tour of the Town Hall for a small fee. 

For modern art lovers there is the Modern Art Oxford museum and those who love drawings should check out the Christ Church Picture Gallery .  Oxford University Museum of Natural History includes the university’s collection of zoological, geological, entomological, paleontological, and mineralogical specimens and artifacts.

The  Pitt Rivers Museum , adjacent to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, is a museum devoted to ethnographic and archaeological objects from around the world.

Others include museums devoted to printing , musical instruments , and the history of science  ( housed in the original historical Ashmolean Museum building).

There are also regular exhibitions (often free and open to public) happening all over the city, both in and out of museums, so be sure to check to see what is on during your visit. T he Bodeleian Libraries in particular often seem to have public exhibitions, and while we were visiting one of the original Magna Carta copies (the library has 4!) and related objects were on display to commemorate the 800th anniversary of this important document. 

Get Locked up at Oxford Castle

On the western side of central Oxford, you’ll find the ruins of Oxford Castle dating back to the 2nd century. Much of the castle was destroyed during the 17th century English Civil War and in the 18th century, the building was turned into the city prison. It actually continued to serve as a prison until 1996!

Today, you can book guided tours of  Oxford Castle Unlocked of the remaining safe historical sections of the castle/prison, namely St. George’s Tower and the crypt. Costumed guides will take you around the castle and tell you about its history, with a focus on the castle’s role in two of England’s civil wars (The Anarchy and the Barons’ War) and you’ll hear tales about Empress Matilda, Robert D’Oyly the Younger, and King Stephen.

After the tour, you can explore the outdoor areas, mainly the Motte (a big earth mound), on your own. Even if you decide to forego the tour, the castle is worth a look from the outside if you are nearby.

Try Punting on the River Cherwell

Oxford sits at the confluence of two rivers, the mighty Thames and the Cherwell, and the city owes it early development to the presence of these two rivers. In the past, a male-only bathing spot (Parson’s Pleasure) and female-only nude bathing spot (Dame’s Delight) were to be found along the river although these have been closed in recent decades.

Today, visitors can still enjoy river boat trips as well as punting on the rivers. During our visit, Laurence decided to try to teach me about punting. We headed to the Cherwell Boathouse  to rent a punt, which looks a bit like a canoe except it is a flat-bottomed boat with a square-cut bow. One person sits down and the other stands on a section of the boat with a pole and pushes the pole against the river bed and sides with a pole. It turns out that a punt is more difficult to steer and navigate than a canoe, at least in our inexperienced cases!

A good thing about punting is that it is quite a slow-going process and you can easily stop off along the trip for a picnic, to take a walk, or to visit one of the local bars along the river. Just ask the boathouse for tips about where to go before you set off.  We had a female duck climbing in and out of our punt during part of the trip which kept me very amused while Laurence was doing the hard punting work!

Have a Drink

Like any university town, you won’t find a shortage of bars and pubs in Oxford. Laurence recommends The Eagle & Child (popular with Tolkien), The White Horse, the Lamb and Flag, and the King’s Arms (oldest pub in Oxford).

During my first trip to Oxford, we sought out The Turf Tavern   which is down a little alley called St Helen’s Passage (originally Hell’s passage), between Holywell Street and New College Lane, next to Oxford’s Bridge of Sighs. 

The Turf Tavern is one of the oldest pubs in Oxford, and has a lovely outdoor beer garden as well as plentiful indoor seating and a wide selection of beers as well as food. It is something of a pilgrimage site with university students, famous visitors, and us average tourists all venturing into this back alley haunt. One of the more famous visitors was Bill Clinton who was a Rhodes scholar at Oxford.

If you are looking for something less alcoholic and a bit more civilized, a you might want to have a traditional afternoon tea experience at the Macdonald Randolph Hotel  (reservations strongly recommended) or   The Grand Cafe (served all day). Or grab a Tawainese bubble tea from the  Formosan Tea Bar.

Go Shopping 

Oxford is also a great place for some retail therapy. Along Oxford’s High Street you’ll find a number of local and independent boutiques, gift shops, and handicrafts that are popular with both students and visitors. Book lovers will want to make a stop at the famous Blackwell’s book store which has been selling books and textbooks in Oxford since 1879.

Most people make their way at some point to Oxford’s Covered Market which has been around since 1774. You’ll find everything from butchers to fishmongers ready to serve up fresh food and produce and bakers and baristas serving ready-to-eat treats and coffee. In addition to food, you’ll also find shops selling clothing, flowers, toys, souvenirs, jewelry, and pet supplies.

For those seeking discounted luxury goods, you might head a bit out of town to Bicester Village  which boasts over 100 retail shops. You can get to the shopping village by public bus (about 35 minutes), taxi, or by car (about a 20 minute drive) from Oxford.

Visit Blenheim Palace 

The English countryside is full of beautiful historical country homes, and just outside of Oxford you’ll find one of the most famous English homes, Blenheim Palace . Blenheim Palace is the official residence of the Duke of Marlborough and is also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill .

This famous 18th century country house is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and stands in a romantic park created by the famous landscape gardener Lancelot “Capability'” Brown. Both self-guided and guided tours are available of different sections of the house.

There are also restaurants, cafés, a gift shop. There is a lot to see and do here so we’d recommend allotting at least a few hours for your visit. 

If Blenheim Place sounds interesting, you can read our separate post about our tips for visiting Blenheim Palace and on finding Winston Churchill’s grave located nearby.  

You can reach Blenheim Palace by car, public bus, or as part of  a guided tour from Oxford .

Explore the University Buildings

Although no one actually knows when the University of Oxford started, there is evidence of teaching here since 1096 and the university received an official charter in 1248. It is believed to be the oldest English-speaking university in the world and the second oldest university in the world still in operation!

The university buildings would give the city its nickname “City of Dreaming Spires” and the university still remains one of the most prominent features of the city.

Oxford University is made of thirty-eight colleges, each of which is independently governed, and a visit to at least one of the colleges is a must-do on a Oxford day trip. Many of the colleges allow visitors (usually for a small fee) to visit some of the buildings, such as the main square, gardens, chapel, and/or dining hall. But whether a college is admitting visitors depends a lot on the time of year and time of day and what is happening at the college at the time (e.g., exams, graduation, meals, summer break) and each college has its own schedule and policies.

During our time in Oxford, we specifically visited several colleges either as part of our city walking tour or later on our own including Wadham College, Jesus College, Exeter College, and Trinity College. We also visited the beautiful Divinity School which is a 15th century medieval building used for lectures and exams in theology, and today forms part of the Bodleian Libraries .

While the interior is normally closed to the public, visitors can get a good view of the interesting circular Radcliffe Camera (used as student library and reading rooms) from Radcliffe Square.

Harry Potter fans may be particularly interested in visiting both the Divinity School and Christ Church college which were both used as prominent film locations in the Harry Potter films. You can also book a specific Harry Potter walking tour of Oxford of course !

Before your visit, I would make a list of colleges you’d like to visit and then when in town you can stop at each college’s porter’s office (near the entrance of each college) and check to see if the college is allowing visits and check visiting hours.

You can also book a tour that includes university buildings on the tour as we did at the tourism office.

Note that you can even stay in one of the university residence halls which are rented out in some colleges during holiday and summer breaks – you can search for available rooms here .

Attend a Performance or Festival

There is almost always a play, concert, festival, recital, film, lecture, or art exhibition happening on any given day in Oxford. Many of those that are connected to the university are free or low-cost and make a perfect way to enhance an Oxford day trip. This is a great way to experience the wonderful cultural offerings of Oxford and see inside some of the lovely venues.

Going to the theater is a popular activity in Oxford, especially the outdoor performances of Shakespeare plays in the summer. You can check what is happening during your visit at the Oxfordshire Tourism Board and the Oxford City Guide websites or by stopping by the tourism board.

If you intend to see a show or performance while in town, you should check the listings at the individual theaters (such as the Oxford Playhouse and the Old Fire Station ) and buy your tickets in advance. 

Explore Oxford’s Gardens & Parks

Oxford has a number of lovely green spaces and gardens that can be explored when you need a break from museums, shopping, and the university buildings. For instance the 70-acre University Park offers a great place to walk and stretch your legs, watch a free cricket game, or spy on the ducks at the duck pond.

You’ll also find several other parks and meadows in the area, including the oldest botanical garden in England . The Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum was founded back in 1621!

We found some lovely flowers and views while walking along the River Cherwell and some of the University of Oxford colleges such as Trinity College have gardens that are open to the public. 

Which of these would be on your list if you were planning an Oxford day trip? Have you made an Oxford day trip from London? Do you have any recommendations for things to do in Oxford? As always, feel free to comment and we’re happy to answer any questions about Oxford day trip. 

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**Disclosure: We’ve visited Oxford numerous times. On one of our trip to Oxford Visit Britain covered our accommodation, walking tour, punting trip, and Oxford Castle visit and Auto Europe provide a complimentary rental car during a separate visit to Oxford; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. You can read more in our Ethics Code about how we accept work.**

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shane sterling Post author

July 10, 2023 at 10:59 am

Hi what a great blog on a day trip from London to oxford. i am so glad you mentioned the covered market as so many people leave that hidden gem out. its a great place with some quirky shops. also the walking tours i have been on quite a few of the walking tours and thought they need something that bit extra.. i have come up with my own walking tour, oxford magic tours, which i am just launching. its a tour with live entertainment. if ever your back in oxford and would like to join the tour please let me know. it would be great if you could make it and maybe write about it. keep up the great work regards Shane

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

July 12, 2023 at 5:54 am

Yes, the covered market in oxford is definitely a place we recommend to those visiting Oxford. Glad you are starting your own tours company, we have done the Harry Potter magical tours, like this one , with Visit Oxford but haven’t done a live entertainment magic tour before so sounds like a new type of offering. Hope it goes well and we’ll definitely consider checking it out next time we are in Oxford.

Best, Jessica

Udita Post author

January 5, 2020 at 1:33 pm

Hi we would like to visit Oxford with our two kids aged 9 and 7 . James aged nine and a half is interested in the exploring the university so we would appreciate suggestions and will visit from London. We also need to decide if to do car or train as Stonehenge is also on the itinerary. Thanks Udita

January 6, 2020 at 1:46 pm

We’d recommend train as it is really easy to get from central London to Oxford by train and most things in Oxford can be reached on foot. If you are just going for a day trip, I’d definitely recommend train.

Some parts of the university are open to the public, those that are open often charge a fee for visitors to view a few of the public areas. It also depends on the academic year and school events if certain buildings are open to the public or not. So if there are specific colleges he is interested in seeing, you might want to check in advance if they allow visits and what you can see. But if you are just generally interested in the university, joining a walking tour is a great way to see some parts of the university and learn more about it and the city. We recommend 2 of them in the article above, both which are great for those specifically interested in the university. Or you can arrange a private tour if you want one that is just for your family and they can then adjust it to be a bit more kid friendly.

If there are a lot of things you want to do in Oxford, I’d recommend spending most of the day there as there is plenty to keep you busy for a day out. But if you are just interested in spending a few hours, then you can definitely combine it with a visit to Stonehenge on the same day if you want. Or you can do it on a separate day.

For Stonehenge, if you go by public transit, you can take the train from Oxford (or London) to Salisbury. Then there’s a shuttle bus that goes directly from Salisbury train station to Stonehenge, and it leaves about every 30 minutes. You can use it to just get to and from Stonehenge or you can buy a ticket that includes entry to Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral and can also stop at Old Sarum if you have more time. You can see the shuttle bus timetable here . For more tips, this article about visiting Stonehenge as part of a day trip might be useful to you as well.

When visiting Stonehenge just make sure that if you are doing it as part of a day trip and plan to also stop elsewhere that you keep the schedules in mind as you want to arrive with plenty of time to enjoy the visitor center and displays and the stones themselves. A lot of people end up rushing around.

Hope that helps and enjoy your trip to London! Jessica

Selina Post author

July 9, 2019 at 1:11 am

For a 1-day trip to Oxford, when do things generally close in Oxford? I’m trying to plan my return train trip. Would 8pm be too late?

July 9, 2019 at 10:42 pm

Hi Selina, It depends, but yes, most of the museums and tourist attractions close around 5pm or 6pm. But there will still be shops and other places open in Oxford and you can have a drink or dinner before heading back. So I think a 8pm train back would work fine if you want to spend the day in Oxford and end with a drink or meal. Otherwise, you could book your train a little earlier. Best, Jessica

Sophie Post author

September 22, 2018 at 8:10 am

Fantastic and informative post, guys – great work! I think some tourists who come to London have so many other things they want to see in the city that they might not get round to visiting Oxford. But Oxford is a fantastic place to visit! It’s so pretty and there’s so much history there. It’s a perfect place to go for a day trip if you’re an international student who is living in London, or someone who has come to stay in London for a few months rather than just a week! I’d definitely recommend to anyone if they have the time.

September 25, 2018 at 8:14 pm

Hi Sophie, Thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes, we really love Oxford as well. Laurence used to live and go to school nearby when he was younger and likes to return to visit. It makes a great day trip from London for those interested in seeing a historic university town in England. We need to return again soon ourselves 😉 Best, Jessica

Vandana Post author

May 23, 2017 at 4:43 am

Hello dear,

such a apt write up with lovely pictures.

Me and my husband are planning to be in London next month. We will be in London / or around London for a week and then will be moving to Scotland post that. we plan to visit Oxford or cambridge or both, Stonehedge and York… Could you please suggest which of these places I can visit as day trip from london (i ll be staying with friends in paddington , london) and where I need to spend time overnight. we are young couple interested in architecture, fun, music and pubs

Appreciate your help! Vandana

May 25, 2017 at 3:38 am

Hi Vandana, If you have a week in London, I would probably not want to do more than two day trips from London if you also want to explore London since there is already so much to do there. We’re recommend getting a London Pass which covers most of the London attractions you’ll likely want to see and then consider a couple of the places you listed as day trips.

For the day trips, you can either drive yourself, take a local bus or train, or book a tour. Oxford and Cambridge are both fairly easy day trips from London (about 45 minutes to 1 hour on the train). Stonehenge is also a fairly easy day trip from London and best if you either have a car or book a bus tour – many of the bus tours also stop in the town of Bath as well. York is further away and you’ll need to take the train (2 hours each way) or bus and won’t have a lot of time to explore if you have to return so I’d recommend you stay overnight if you want to visit York or skip it on this trip.

Hope this helps. Best, Jessica

Leah Post author

May 14, 2017 at 1:52 am

Dear Jessica,

This is an excellent post!! We are planning our visit according to it, looking forward to get to Oxford, finally! 🙂 Just one technical question please- there’s a link to Oxford Tourism Board that doesn’t work. I looked it up and came up with this one: http://www.experienceoxfordshire.org/ It matches pretty much everything you mention, Is it indeed the same one..? Also, you mentioned the walking tour you took costs £9, but here the only tours i see start with £16. Not trying to scrimp or anything, just trying to find the one you recommended on 🙂 Would appreciate your advice.

Thanks a bunch!

May 14, 2017 at 2:18 am

Yes, thanks for pointing that out. It appears that one of the websites for Oxford tourism is now gone and whomever took it down did not do any redirects (frustrating for those who have linked to anything on their site!). I will update my links!

So yes, the Experience Oxfordshire is probably the best website in terms of official tourism info as it covers the entire region and I could not find an official one for just Oxford. In terms of the walk, the one we did is this one: Oxford University and City Walking Tour and appears to have risen in price a bit (this one is £14 if booked online). This one is sort of the “official” one and leaves from the visitor center. There are other Oxford city walks through companies such as Footprints , which offer paid and free walking tours in the city but I can’t speak to the quality as we haven’t taken any of them.

Hope this helps you book your tour in Oxford and do let us know if you have any other questions!

Mr. Mahmud Post author

April 19, 2017 at 10:00 am

Thank you for this thorough list about places to see in Oxford England! I’m going to London for the first period next weekend break. With one totally free day I now have various choices to pick for my day journey from London.

April 20, 2017 at 7:24 am

Hi Mr. Mahmud, You’re very welcome. If you only have one day, I would probably spend it in London but if you are there for 6 days or more, I would venture out to do some day trips and Oxford is a really great choice! Best, Jessica

budget jan Post author

May 21, 2016 at 3:56 pm

I’d like Trinity College Gardens, punting and antique shopping. Lovely photos of course 🙂

travelcats Post author

May 22, 2016 at 10:53 am

Hi Jan, those are all great places to visit while in Oxford!

Zaria Post author

May 8, 2016 at 3:21 pm

Hi Jessica and Laurence,

What an amazing experience! I would love to take a tour at the castle, so enchanting! The antique shops along with the architecture are fantastic. I hope one day I will be able to visit Oxford. Great post, thank you!

May 12, 2016 at 12:39 pm

Hi Zaria! Thanks for taking the time to comment on our post. Yes, Oxford is a great place to do some shopping and has some great museums and architecture! I hope you have the opportunity to visit some day. Best, Jessica

Mathavan Post author

May 2, 2016 at 4:34 am

I am really like the London and its places for the architectural style and its heritage building. Your one day trip plan and advice is very useful for who planing to a visit to Oxford from London! Thanks!

May 3, 2016 at 6:46 am

Hello Mathavan, Glad you found our article helpful in helping you plan your time in London. If you have already enjoyed a lot of the attractions in London, then a day trip to Oxford is a perfect way to get out of the city and see something new! A great excursion for those who love history, literature, and architecture. ~ Jessica

eileen g Post author

April 21, 2016 at 6:42 am

A lot of these sites look familiar to me from watching Morse on the BBC. It seems the show made the most of its Oxford setting. It seems like a very charming small city to spend a day or two in!

April 21, 2016 at 12:41 pm

Hi Eileen, Yes, I bet you do. I have never seen Inspector Morse but a lot of the show takes place in Oxford and so you probably are familiar with many of the main sights from watching the show. You would probably enjoy some of the walking tours that are themed around Inspector Morse! Oxford is a great city to explore over a weekend! ~ Jessica

Marcia Post author

April 17, 2016 at 6:34 pm

I love the bird’s eye view of the city. Must have to do that next time. Oxford is such a beautiful city – there’s something to see and do around every corner.

April 18, 2016 at 2:50 am

Hi Marcia, Yes, climbing up towers and getting good views (and photos) is one of Laurence’s favorite things to do in a new place. Luckily, there are a few ways to get good city views in Oxford:) ~ Jessica

Ruth Post author

April 17, 2016 at 3:40 pm

I like all your suggestions. How many days did you spend on the city? I will like to try punting. Well, I will let somebody else do the “rowing” since I do not thing I will be able to maintain my balance ;0)

April 18, 2016 at 2:47 am

Hi Ruth, Laurence actually went to boarding school just outside Oxford so we have stayed in or near Oxford a few times. But in order to get a good overview of Oxford, I would recommend 2 full days or 3 nights. That would give you time to visit a few of the university buildings, climb a tower or two, go punting for a couple of hours, visit the castle if you wanted, see the Covered Market, and visit a couple of museums. Yes, I was nervous about punting as I was afraid of our punt would flip and get all our camera gear wet! But lucky we never tipped over:) ~ Jessica

Rob Post author

April 16, 2016 at 3:37 pm

Have not visited Oxford, but would love to! Particularly to see Trinity and Exeter Colleges. I did not know staying in one of the dorms was an option! That’s something we’ll definitely check into. Great photos – they are certainly adding to the wanderlust we’re feeling!

April 17, 2016 at 1:56 pm

Hi Rob, Yes, it is a great way to visit the city if you don’t mind staying in a dormitory style room (many don’t have kitchen facilities and have shared bathrooms down the hall) and a fairly well-priced option. We have never visited at the right times of year but we’d love to do this in the future as well! ~ Jessica

Jackie Post author

April 16, 2016 at 6:28 am

Thanks for this great post, I linked it up on my Facebook page. We haven’t been to Oxford since the 1990s and were just saying we need to go back.

April 17, 2016 at 1:54 pm

Hi Jackie, Thanks so much for sharing our article on your FB page! Yes, we keep returning to Oxford so I am sure you’d enjoy a return visit as well:) ~ Jessica

Lyn Post author

April 15, 2016 at 9:50 pm

I’ve never been to Oxford but after seeing this now want to go. I just love the photo inside the chapel. There looks like a lot to see and do in Oxford, sounds like maybe more than a daytrip if we want to see it at its best. Thank you for sharing with us!

April 17, 2016 at 1:53 pm

Hi Lyn, oh yes, the Exeter Chapel is fairly small but so beautiful! Many of the chapels, dining halls, and gardens of the university buildings are definitely worth exploring if they are open during a visit. It is amazing how old some of the university and museum buildings are in the city. Yes, I think many people visit Oxford as a day trip from London or elsewhere but I think you could easily spend 2-3 days exploring the city more in-depth. We’ve been a few times together and are planning to return again later this month actually to visit a couple more places. ~ Jessica

Kerri Post author

April 15, 2016 at 9:08 pm

A very comprehensive guide to all things Oxford. I would love to go punting. I’ve been to the UK many times now but have never managed to fit this in.

April 17, 2016 at 1:49 pm

Hi Kerri, Punting is a very good thing to do in the UK. Some of Laurence’s friends from Oxford are very skilled at it! We did OK but it definitely takes some getting used to the steering. I’d definitely advise trying it if you are in the Uk in the Spring or Summer and have a day of good weather – great way to see an area slowly and to spend the afternoon with a picnic. ~ Jessica

Michael Woods Post author

April 14, 2016 at 7:33 am

So jealous! I’ve wanted to tour around London for a looong time. Haven’t found the time yet though..

April 17, 2016 at 1:47 pm

Hi Michael, there are many great places around London that are wonderful places to go – we’ve done many day and weekend trips in the London area. Laurence spent a lot of time growing up around Oxford so we return to that area quite often. I hope you find the time to explore some of these places on future trips! ~ Jessica

Seana Turner Post author

April 13, 2016 at 5:39 am

I’ve never been to Oxford and would love to go. I need to stay long enough in London to allow for it. Such a beautiful city. I would try the punting just for the experience, but learning about the history of places is my favorite part. And climbing towers – I love a good view!

April 17, 2016 at 1:45 pm

Yes, there are so many things to do in London that a lot of people don’t leave the city, especially if time is short. But I think Oxford is a great city to explore if you have the time and want to see a great historical university city in the UK. Yes, there are a few places that you can get a great view of Oxford and some exercise climbing all those steps! 🙂

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Oxford travel guide

Oxford tourism | oxford guide, you're going to love oxford.

Known for its prestigious university, its historic attractions, and its impressive architecture, Oxford is fast becoming one of the most popular vacation destinations in southern England.

Punts on the River Cherwell, the world's oldest museum, leafy lanes, cobbled streets and the city's famous 'dreaming spires' are all part of its charm.

Oxford is home to some of the country's trendiest bars and music venues, and its shady streets and majestic spires have inspired filmmakers and writers for decades.

Whether you're looking for a family vacation destination or the perfect city for a romantic break, there are lots of reasons to choose Oxford.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Oxford

1. that amazing architecture.

Visitors will discover examples of every major English architectural style from Saxon times to the present day in Oxford. Climb the 99 steps of the Saxon Carfax Tower at St Michael at the North Gate Church for incredible views over the city or marvel at the Baroque splendor of Blenheim Palace. Be sure to visit Magdalen College; the bell tower is the city's tallest building and an excellent example of 15th-century English Gothic architecture.

2. Its University Is the Oldest in the UK

Victorian writer Matthew Arnold famously called Oxford the 'city of dreaming spires' when referring to its university buildings in his poem "Thyrsis". Some of the 38 colleges in Britain's oldest university city are open to the public including Christ Church, which is known as the "Brideshead Revisited" college, and Magdalen, which is often the first to be seen by visitors as they drive into the city on London Road.

3. You Can Step Back in Time

Wander cobbled streets and sweeping lawns past landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs, the New College and the Sheldonian Theatre. Or, visit Britain's oldest public museum; the Ashmolean was established in 1683 and its extensive collections include paintings, musical instruments, coins, and Egyptian mummies.

4.It Appeals to the Whole Family

Kids will love visiting the dinosaur exhibition at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, while parents will appreciate the wonderful Neo-Gothic building. Alternatively, rent a punt (a long, narrow boat) for up to five people at Magdalen Bridge Boathouse and spend the afternoon on the river. For £20 per hour, you can punt past the Botanic Gardens, Magdalen Rose Garden, and Christ Church Meadows.

5. It's a Must for Film and Literature Lovers

Linger over a cold beer at the Eagle and Child where a literary group called "The Inklings" once discussed ideas. Members included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and those ideas went on to become some of the world's best-loved stories. Fans of Colin Dexter's Inspectors Morse and Lewis can stop for a drink at the Trout Inn, while Harry Potter enthusiasts will love visiting Christ Church, which was the inspiration for Hogwart's Great Hall.

What to do in Oxford

1. christ church college: hallowed halls.

The first place to visit on a trip to Oxford is the campus of Christ Church College, one of the University's oldest institutions of higher learning. For 500 years England's brightest have studied in these halls, where history is truly at your fingertips. From the atmospheric Tom Quad flanked by gothic architecture, to the famous halls used as Hogwarts in the beloved Harry Potter movies, Christ Church vibes are unforgettable. Enjoy every architectural wonder, from study halls to chapels.

2. Radcliffe Square: A University Town

Surrounded by the 38 colleges of Oxford University, Radcliffe Square is the heart of the city. One of the most iconic buildings resides at the center of this square - the Radcliffe Camera. This serves as the Science Library and houses hundreds of thousands of books, many of which live in tunnels underneath the cobblestones that connect the Camera and the Bodleian Library. Be sure to check out the striking interiors, and don't miss the Sheldonian Theater or University Church either.

3. Ashmolean Museum: Wonder Rooms

Filled with world-class art from ancient to modern times, the Ashmolean was the first established university museum. Here, anyone can become an eager learner, as the collections explore the history of human expression through the ages. From royal jewels, to drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, to paintings by Picasso, to the robe of Lawrence of Arabia, the exhibitions boasts a priceless collection of historical relics. Galleries satisfy all interests and bring patrons back to visit again and again.

4. University of Oxford Botanic Garden: First of its Kind

This is the oldest botanical garden in the United Kingdom, established by the University of Oxford in 1621 and still enthralling visitors 400 years later. Over 8000 species of plants flourish within these diverse grounds, making it a perfect place to appreciate and study flora. Enter through the timelessly beautiful Danby Gateway of the 17th century, and explore the equally venerable walled garden. Beyond, themed lots abound to educate visitors of all ages about beautiful plants from around the world.

5. Pitts Rivers Museum: Of Mankind and Nature

Adjacent to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, this anthropological museum is filled with half a million objects from all over the world, as they reveal insights about the history of human life. Unlike other museums of its kind, the Pitt Rivers categorizes galleries based on tools and how they were used, rather than based on time period or origin. This opens a fascinating window how we survives, something to keep you thinking long after leaving the collection.

Activities & attractions in Oxford

Where to Eat in Oxford

Visit G&D's for the best ice cream in Oxford. The original branch at Clarendon Street is a city institution and popular flavors include Oxford Blue (blueberry), Turkish Delight, and Crunchie bar. If you're in need of a little more sustenance you can tuck into pizza with a pint of beer at the Rickety Press for £10, or enjoy a three-course dinner at the Cherwell Boathouse for £55.

When to visit Oxford

Peak season runs from May to September and the weather is ideal for punting on the River Isis (as the Thames is known here) and picnicking on its banks. Visit in early spring when the cherry trees are in bloom or book a stay in May for "The Bumps", the world-famous Oxford versus Cambridge boat race. The fall colors add a lustrous bronze glow to ancient buildings from October to November and low season rates in hotels are an attractive enticement. The Christmas and New Year period is also popular with tourists thanks to seasonal events like candlelit Christmas carol concerts in the famous colleges.

How to Get to Oxford

Although Oxford has a small local airport for charter and private flights, most overseas visitors will fly to either London Heathrow (LHR) or London Gatwick (LGW) airport. Oxford Bus Company runs regular services from each airport to Oxford Gloucester Green bus station. Other airports with flights that connect easily with the city include Birmingham and Southampton.

Trains run from London Paddington Station to Oxford at 30-minute intervals throughout the day. A single off-peak ticket costs £24.90 and an average journey takes one hour. Trains are also available from other UK cities including Southampton and Manchester. All trains terminate at Oxford station to the west of the city center.

Oxford is easy to reach from most parts of the UK. If you're driving from London and the south, take the northbound M40 to Oxford or follow the M40 southbound to Oxford from Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Oxford Bus Company runs buses from Heathrow and Gatwick airports. A one-way ticket from Heathrow is £23 or £11.50 for a child. From Gatwick, the adult fare is £28 and a child ticket is £14. National Express offers services from most major UK cities including London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester. Buses terminate at Gloucester Green bus station, which is close to landmarks like the Ashmolean and Oxford New Theatre in the city center.

Airports near Oxford

Airlines serving oxford, where to stay in oxford.

Accommodation is plentiful in Oxford whether you're looking for budget hotels like Travelodge, where a one night stay costs £35, or whether you want a mid-range hotel like Jurys Inn for £59 per night. Students may prefer dorm-style rooms in hostels like the Central Backpackers Hostel at £14 per night, while those planning a special vacation will love the city's luxury hotels such as Malmaison at Oxford Castle, a former prison where rooms start at £90 or the Old Parsonage, one of the city's top hotels at £174 per night for a double room.

Popular Neighborhoods in Oxford

City Center - much of the property in the center of Oxford is owned by the university. Landmarks include Hertford College and the Bridge of Sighs, Christ Church, New College, and the Bodleian Library.

Central North Oxford - a prosperous, largely residential area north of the city center. Magical in spring when the cherry trees are in bloom.

Jericho - a lovely area near the canal and west of St Giles with narrow streets and century-old townhouses and cottages. Lots of good restaurants and shops along Walton Street.

Cowley Road - a culturally diverse area that's popular with students. Its known for its thriving art scene and colorful street murals, and is home to some of Oxford's best pubs, clubs, and restaurants.

Where to stay in popular areas of Oxford

Most booked hotels in oxford, how to get around oxford, public transportation.

Local buses are run by the Oxford Bus Company or Stagecoach. The main pick-up points are the train station, St Giles and St Aldates and a single trip to any part of the city costs £2. A day pass can be purchased for £4.20 or buy a rechargeable "Key" card and use all city center services for £14.50 per week.

Oxford has both metered taxis and minicabs in most districts. A journey by metered taxi from Christ Church to Oxford rail station will cost £11.25 and the same trip by minicab is £9.

Narrow streets, hundreds of cyclists, driving on the left side of the road, and a confusing one-way system make it fairly difficult for visitors to navigate the city. However, if you plan to visit local landmarks like Blenheim Palace and Woodstock it can be useful to rent a car. Local car rental companies include Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis and an economy vehicle costs £57.70 per day.

The Cost of Living in Oxford

Shopping streets.

Visit Cowley Street, Oxford's answer to Brick Lane in London, for thrift shops and vintage clothing or browse small one-of-a-kind shops selling everything from cakes to glassware at England's oldest covered market on High Street. While you're on High Street, pick up Oxford University sweatshirts and souvenirs from the University of Oxford Shop. All the leading UK clothing, accessory, and electrical brands can be found at The Clarendon Centre and Templars Square Shopping Centre.

Groceries and Other

Shop for food and basics at supermarket chains like Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Morrison's where you'll pay £2.12 for 12 eggs and £0.82 for a liter of milk. Many neighborhood grocery stores are open late for last-minute items. Baby products, prescriptions, and toiletries can be purchased in pharmacy chains like Lloyd's and Boots.

Oxford is a beautiful city of stunning architecture, history and culture. You'll find ancient and modern colleges, fascinating museums, and parks and green spaces in which to relax. 

Visiting Oxford

Oxford is one of the top visitor destinations in the UK

Visiting the colleges

Information on college opening hours and admission charges

Visiting the museums and collections

Oxford's museums and collections are of national and international importance

How to get to Oxford

How to get to and find your way around Oxford

George McGavin explores some of the University museums

He visits the Museum of Natural History, the Pitt Rivers, Museum of the History of Science and the Ashmolean

For prospective students

Please see our information for:

• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions

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An Ultimate Guide for Your First Time Ever Visiting Oxford City

If London is the dynamic and multicultural city of England, Oxford city is ancient with its very own intellectual beauty. Indeed, Oxford is not only a university city but also attractive because of its beautiful Gothic architecture and the most unique culture in England. Let The Broad Life share with you more information and famous tourist attractions of Oxford city!

About Oxford City

Oxford is an ancient city located in the southeast of England, about 80km from London. The city of Oxford is the administrative center of Oxfordshire and is one of the fastest-growing and most ethnographically diverse cities.

This city was founded in the 9th century to bring the best schools to the people of England. Therein, Oxford University was founded in the 12th century. It is one of the oldest and most famous universities in the world. As a result, Oxford is known as a highly educated city with over 45% of its population having graduated from university and college compared to other cities in the UK.

Besides the ancient and luxurious features, Oxford is always proud of being a modern city with cultural characteristics in the process of world integration. This is also the reason why Oxford is the desire of many young people and tourists. Particularly, international students want to come to experience and learn.

Today, Oxford still retains many valuable ancient architectural works such as the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera Square, Christ Church School, Ashmolean Museum, etc. Therefore, the city is a great attraction for visitors from all over the world as one of the best travel destinations in the cities of England . As a university city, life here is quite friendly and bright, you will easily see the images of students reading and researching on the street.

Oxford City Transport

Many flights will take you from anywhere in the world to a nearby airport in Oxford city in a certain amount of time. Among those, London Heathrow Airport is a good choice to arrive in England and go to Oxford. Then, when you put your step into the city of Oxford, it’s all about the means of transportation that take you to explore the city.

It is a popular choice of transportation chosen by many tourists. This vehicle is cheap to rent but helps you actively explore many places in the city. In Oxford, there is a dedicated bike lane. You can rent a bicycle at any bicycle shop or you can ask the hotel reception to rent it for you.

Taxi in Oxford is special. Typically, it has a black color, and a long roof, and is a traditional British transport symbol. However, the cost of taking a taxi will be much higher than other means of transport.

C. Subway or Tube

The city of Oxford has the most famous, oldest, and most civilized subway system in the world. The subway is fast, cheap, and highly efficient. There are 3 types of subway tickets you can choose from one-way tickets, round-trip tickets, and free round-trip tickets. Especially, the rail network in the UK is spread across the country so you can get anywhere with ease.

Oxford city stands out with the image of a double-decker bus with an eye-catching red color. The bus fare will depend on the length of the distance you travel. You have to buy tickets at the vending machine before getting on the bus. If you stay for a long time, you should buy a weekly or monthly ticket to save money.

The Best Time to Wander Around the City of Oxford

The climate in Oxford is divided into 4 distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Thus, the summer weather is cool when the year’s climate is mild, but the winter is much colder. So, when should you travel to Oxford?

• Spring (March to May): The temperature is only warming up now. Yet, it’s still quite cold from winter weather. In early May, the weather will be more stable.
• Summer (May to September): The most crowded tourist time. The temperature at this time increases. It is warm and very suitable for walking, sightseeing and exploring the city. Moreover, at this time in Oxford, there are many interesting activities and events taking place.
• Autumn (September to November): The weather is a bit chilly. The natural scenery begins to change color, creating a romantic space. Especially in November, at the top of the mountains, sometimes it even snows. This is an extremely suitable time to visit Oxford.
• Winter (December to February): The cold of Oxford is typical of England. In winter, you will fully feel the space of this country. Besides, at the end of the year, Oxford also organizes Christmas festivals, street festivals, and New Year magnificent. On the other hand, in winter, the whole city is covered in white color, suitable for skiing.

Best Hotels in Oxford City Centre

There are a few great hotels in Oxford to give you easy access to the city’s top attractions:

Affordable Choices

Westgate Hotel

Address : 1 Botley Road, Oxford, OX2 0AA.

This is a budget hotel, with cozy decor, and a family room. Convenient location for commuting to attractions. There is a garden.

Rate : from 120$.

The Buttery Hotel

Address : 11-12 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AP.

The hotel’s location is right in the center of Oxford City. It will take you closer to the interesting points for sightseeing and dining.

Rate : from 102$.

Remont Oxford Hotel

Address : 367 Banbury Rd, Oxford OX2 7PL.

Close to the center. Buffet breakfast is included with hot and cold dishes. Prices are very affordable. There are a garden and terrace.

Rate : from 97$.

The Galaxie

Address : 180 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7BT.

English breakfast is served in the morning. There are also many restaurants, pubs, wine bars, and shops around the hotel.

Rate : from 90$.

Holiday Inn Express Oxford Kassam Stadium

Address : Grenoble Road, Oxford, OX4 4XP.

Next by Kassam Stadium and the event center. Buffet breakfast is served. Restaurants and eateries are around.

Rate : from 81$.

Hampton by Hilton Oxford

Address : Grenoble Road , Oxford, OX4 4XP.

Modern business and leisure decor. The location is right in Oxford’s historic sites. For those who love the slower life in a rural area.

Mid-range Choices

Old Bank Hotel

Address : 92-94 High St, Oxford OX1 4BJ.

An excellent location in a Georgian building. Also, the hotel has a luxurious and elegant boutique design, and marble bathrooms.

Rate: from 247$.

Vanbrugh House Hotel

Address : 20 – 24 St Michael’s Street, Oxford, OX1 2EB.

Modern decorated rooms, private gardens, free breakfast, and snacks. Room rates are mid-range.

Rate : from 155$.

Rewley House University of Oxford

Address : 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA.

Right in the heart of Oxford city. Only 20m away from the University of Oxford. English and continental breakfast.

Rate : from 134$.

In addition, the price of accommodation here ranges from 16 euros to 20 euros per dormitory room with full facilities. Nevertheless, you should note that the number of motels in the city is not much, so you have to book a long time in advance, especially in the high season. The average hotel room price is 85 euros – 200 euros/room/night. They are quite close to the center, so it is convenient for traveling as well as using public transport.

Things to Do in the Oxford City Centre

Wandering around the city of oxford.

It’s always good to start a trip by walking around the city to explore all the corners. In this way, you can better feel about the city as well as its culture and history. On top of that, there are attractions in the city that you can visit while wandering around.

Blackwell’s Bookshop

If you’re a book lover, surely you’ll want to stop by Blackwell’s. This is a 10,000-square-foot space, the largest bookshop in Europe with over 3 million books. Whether you’re looking for a new book or just want to check it out, you should make time to come here when you’re in Oxford on your own.

Choral Evensong

Every day of the school year, many large and small churches around the city hold free and public hymns that visitors to Oxford can join. These ceremonies usually take place from 5:15 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. for 45 minutes. Their hymns are pretty cool and suitable for everyone. You don’t have to be religious to enjoy them. The wonderful and divine vocals make the Choral Evensong a cozy experience.

Covered Market

Covered Market is an attractive destination in the city of Oxford. Established in 1770, this place was built to tidy up the streets and arrange the stalls that clog the streets in a reasonable way. This historic market is now an ideal place to stroll and enjoy local specialties at very cheap prices.

Oxford Castle & Prison

This castle was built in the 13th century when the wooden fortress was replaced by a stone fortress. Afterward, when the castle’s military value dropped, they started using it as a prison until 1996. Later, the castle was renovated and turned into a hotel but you can still spend hours sightseeing the radio station and prison area when coming to this tourist attraction. During the summer, musical performances are held in the courtyard. You can check their website for showtimes.

Located to the east of Oxford, South Park is the city’s largest park. Visitors to the park will have a panoramic view of Oxford University. When the weather is nice, people flock here to relax, play sports, or have a picnic. This is a great place to meet people or have a picnic of your own.

University of Oxford

Definitely, this is the top tourist attraction in Oxford city that you cannot miss. Indeed, the University of Oxford is the oldest university in English-speaking countries and the second oldest in the world.

Ashmolean Museum

The Ashmolean was founded in 1683 and became the world’s first university museum. Therefore, this is a place worth visiting when coming to Oxford. At this museum, you will have the opportunity to admire many famous artworks of Amarna ‘Princess Fresco’ or Alfred Jewel.

Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. Certainly, it is a famous place to visit in Oxford that you should not miss. A library is a place of study for the prestigious Oxford University students. At Bodleian, there are currently more than 12 million books of all kinds, including many works of historical value. The number of librarians in the library is also up to 420 people. With the ancient and magnificent architecture, the library is an attractive destination for many tourists.

Christ Church College

Christ Church is one of the largest colleges in the Oxford university complex, which includes 36 schools, founded in 1525 with a history of nearly 500 years. On top of that, Christ Church College has several architecturally impressive buildings such as the Tom Tower, the Tom Quad, and the Great Dining Hall. Christ Church has trained many great men of the world, including Albert Einstein and 13 British Prime Ministers.

Especially, Christ Church College was once chosen as the setting for the famous Harry Potter movie thanks to its ancient architecture mixed with a bit of mystery.

Oxford University Botanical Garden

This is a beautiful botanical garden that has been open since 1621. Visitors will have the opportunity to see 8,000 different types of trees and flowers. The garden is a relaxing place to enjoy the slow pace of the town.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History was founded in 1860 as the center of scientific research at the University of Oxford. Indeed, the museum currently houses collections of geological and animal specimens, most impressively the Oxfordshire dinosaurs. The building was designed in Gothic architecture by an Irish architect. The museum is open to the public free of charge.

Pitt Rivers Museum

In Oxford, Pitt Rivers is another very famous museum that you should not miss. In particular, there are currently more than 500 thousand rare and precious objects on display here. They are arranged according to different themes for the convenience of visitors.

Radcliffe Camera

Radcliffe Camera is a very famous landmark of Oxford. It is the scientific library of the University of Oxford. This was built in neo-classical style in 1737, with a very special drum-shaped dome. Visitors can visit around and take photos here.

University Church of St Mary the Virgin

This is an ancient church with a history of nearly 1,000 years. Also, it’s the main church of the University of Oxford. This church was built in a post-Gothic style with a tower 124 steps high. If you stand at the top of the tower, you can see the whole city of Oxford. On the eaves of the church, there are bullet marks from the war in 1645. In particular, the church is also the place to receive compensation within 500 years from the middle of the 13th century by Oxford citizens to the University after the war between students, university teachers, and citizens.

Outside the City of Oxford

The rural area outside Oxford city always brings peacefulness to anyone who comes. Furthermore, if you have more time to spend on the trip, there are interesting points outside the city of Oxford that you may want to visit.

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim is a magnificent palace, about 8km from the center of Oxford. The building with beautiful British Baroque architecture has appeared in the very famous Hamlet movie. Additionally, this was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Today, it is like a museum with the original interior. There is also a beautiful garden and a butterfly house.

Windsor Castle and Stonehenge

Windsor Castle and Stonehenge tour is popular with tourists in Oxford. From the city of Oxford, it takes you just more than an hour driving or one and half hour going by train to Windsor Castle or Stonehenge. If you want to leave the city for a day, these 2 top travel destinations will satisfy your wanderlust. Tours are available but if you have a car, it will be much more economical.

Eating Out in Oxford City Centre

Main dishes, salt beef bagel.

Thick slices of salted beef sandwiched in hot bagels, a favorite dish of Oxford people. In addition, it can also be served with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickled cucumbers to relieve boredom.

Fish and Chips

This is a traditional British dish, consisting of deep-fried cod fish and chips. Fish & chips served with tomato sauce, green beans, and lemon slices. This dish has a very characteristic flavor of fish, the flesh of peas, and the sourness of lemon.

Yorkshire Pudding

This cake has a long history in England. Yorkshire Pudding is made with eggs, flour, and special Horseradish sauce. The cake has a sour taste, served with potatoes, and grilled meat. Assuredly, this is a dish you must try when you come to the city of Oxford.

Apple Crumble

Actually, this is an apple pie, made from ripe apples, butter, and flour, flavored with cinnamon and sugar. The cake will be baked until it turns golden and fragrant. It’s often served with vanilla ice cream or strawberry ice cream for a much better taste.

This is a famous British dish, which is a great combination of ice cream and tea. To illustrate, frozen ice cream is made from cow’s milk, brought into a pot to freeze, then steamed. When the milk on top is thick, turn off the heat and leave it overnight to get a delicious, greasy cream.

A Few Tips to Explore Oxford City in Budget

• Buy cheap food: If you eat out, you can choose the student area to taste local dishes at an affordable price.
• Watch at the student theater: If you want something for entertainment, you can buy affordable tickets at student theaters for good shows. Many performances during the school year take place at the Burton Taylor Theatre.
• Walking around the city: Oxford isn’t a big city, which means you can walk around to save money as well as get a better feel of the place.
• Stay with the locals: When traveling to Oxford city, if you want to learn more about this place and want to save money on accommodation, try Couchsurfing. This is a great way to learn more about Oxford from the people who live there.

If you travel to England, make sure you don’t miss visiting this city. You should also stay here for a few days since there are many things to do. Hopefully, this article will give you the inspiration to travel to the city of Oxford. Enjoy, and share with me your trip experience when you come back!

Note: This post contains affiliate links from which I can earn commissions if you use services or buy products from the blog’s partners. If you love the blog, please use the services or buy the products. In that way, you give me support for the blog’s maintenance and development. I appreciate it a lot and thank you for that!

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READ MORE ABOUT ENGLAND

It’s because England is a beautiful country with so many amazing places, so why not spend more time exploring the land? Here are more articles about England that I believe you’d love to read:

• A Guide to Visit Lake District and the Best Places to Stay
• The Best Things to Do in the Lake District England
• Top 10 London Attractions: A Guide to the Best of the City

Khoi Nguyen

Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.

20 Comments

Oxford is such a gorgeous city! I love history and architecture. I’d love to take full advantage of this guide one day.

I’m sure that you will enjoy your trip to Oxford city so much following this guide.

pacioalita9

What a great place to visit and there are a lot of things to do here. It is a mix of ancient and modern. I would definitely add this to my list.

Yeah, Oxford city is truly a great place to visit in England.

There’s so much to do there! I’ve been to London once, and we took a day trip to Stonehenge, but that’s the only time I’ve been to England. I would love to visit again, this time with my kids, and do everything on your list! Especially the bookstore!

I’m sure you and your kids will enjoy so much the trip to Oxford city following this guide.

I should stay I have been to Oxford city but you covered almost everything about it in here. I feel like I would have to go back and again look at few things i missed

Enjoy, and have a great trip to Oxford!

Fransic verso

This is interesting, the transport is cool there. I would love to drive alone. And go anywhere I want to go.

That’d be the best way to explore Oxford particularly and the whole England generally.

Oh, I’ve never been to Oxford before but this is a great travel guide! I need to go one day

How was your experience in Oxford?

I like those double decker red buses. I’ve been to London. I’d love to go see Oxford.

Oxford is a good city as well as London.

Ntensibe Edgar

Wow….this is a whole lot of places to visit in Oxford city! Thanks for sharing about the hotels, so much.

Enjoy, and have a great trip to Oxford city!

Neely Moldovan

SO many great places to visit! Thank you!

Lyanna Soria

Never been to Oxford City before so this is gonna be an informative and helpful post for me. Thanks for the share and guidance.

You’re welcome! I hope you have a great trip to Oxford city following this guide.

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