Oxford is a gorgeous city with a rich history, architecture, and culture. There are ancient and contemporary colleges, intriguing museums and galleries, and an abundance of parks, gardens, and verdant spaces for relaxation. In addition, the city center is compact enough to be traversed on foot, and the major train and bus stations are only a few minutes away on foot.
Many of Oxford‘s main tourist attractions are affiliated with the university and colleges. In addition to a number of renowned institutions, the town center is home to Carfax Tower and the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, both of which offer views of the city’s spires. Numerous tourists visit the historic Covered Market to purchase. In the summer, punting is popular on the Thames/Isis and the Cherwell.
Most Valuable Places in Oxford
Several million tourists visit Oxford annually, making it a popular tourist destination. There is much to see in Oxford, and the What’s on in Oxford Guide does not want you to miss any of the stunning attractions. In addition to the magnificent buildings of Oxford University, there are numerous other buildings in the city that are worth visiting. Some are affiliated with the University, while others are not, but the majority are venerable, intriguing, and photo-worthy.
Many first-time visitors associate Oxford with the university. Most travelers will want to look inside at least one of the golden-stone, medieval-style colleges that dot the medieval streets. The allure of college-hopping in Oxford is that each college has its own unique personality, which is only evident upon entering, from the opulence of Christ Church and Magdalen to the coziness of Corpus Christi.
Most are accessible to visitors at varying times and costs. The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, Britain’s oldest public museum, and the University Museum, which contains the Pitt Rivers Museum with its collection of astonishing world artifacts, are additional attractions. These days, not only Oxford’s traditional attractions are worth a visit, but also a number of newer attractions, many of which are educational and geared toward a younger audience. In addition to its structures and institutions, Oxford’s open spaces – parks, gardens, and rivers – are among the city’s finest attractions.
Explore Bodleian Library
The Bodleian is the historical center of Oxford University. It is the primary research library of the institute and one of the earliest in Europe, extending back more than 400 years. It is located in Radcliffe Square and contains rare books, ancient manuscripts, printed ephemera, and maps. Take a guided tour to delve deeply into the drama of its 17th-century chambers, which were originally used to maintain order at the University and were also utilized by King Charles I during the English Civil War.
Explore Oxford Castle and Prison
A one-of-a-kind guided tour of Oxford’s historic citadel, which dates back 1,000 years, will transport you back in time. You can ascend the Saxon St. George’s Tower for a 360-degree view of the city, as well as investigate the ancient crypt and prison, as well as learn the building’s fascinating history from costumed guides. If you’re fortunate, there will be an event occurring within the castle walls, such as the Jericho Comedy Festival or a Shakespeare play.
Visit the Oxford University Natural History Museum
Here, you can view specimens from around the globe, such as a Japanese spider crab that is 150 years old, a magnificent example of neogothic architecture, and a meteorite that plummeted from space 4.5 billion years ago. However, it is the dinosaurs that attract the most visitors. In addition to a towering T-Rex skeleton – ‘Stan,’ the second most complete ever discovered – you will see fragments of Megalosaurus, which was first mentioned in a written text in 1677.
Remain at Keble College
Keble is one of the largest colleges at the University of Oxford, accommodating 800 pupils during term time. If you have ever pondered what it would be like to attend Oxford or Hogwarts, you now have the opportunity to reside here. Choose from a variety of accommodations with views of the college green. Included breakfast is provided in the magnificent gothic dining room.
Explore oddities at the Pitt Rivers Museum
Over half a million objects and artifacts from around the globe are displayed within this eccentric museum, making it a visual feast. There is so much to discover here, from Japanese Noh masks and Hawaiian feather cloaks to grotesque shrunken heads. Highlights include a pair of leather Roman shoes dating back at least 1,500 years and a pair of reindeer-skin undergarments from Siberia.
Visit the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Explore five floors of intriguing art and archaeology spanning 500,000 years. The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology is the second university museum in the globe and the first public museum in Britain. It makes for an excellent, cost-free day trip. From Egyptian tombs to Uccello’s masterpiece The Hunt in the Forest, there will be no shortage of things to see.
Amble via University Parks
University Parks is a 70-acre oasis of greenery located in the center of the metropolis. It is the ideal place to enjoy a picnic and observe the world go by, with a variety of walking paths, a large collection of trees, and plenty of open space. You may be able to witness a game of cricket, lacrosse, football, or even Quidditch – you read that correctly! The Harry Potter sport is performed in the real world.
Visit Oxford’s Modern Art Museum
This modern art museum demonstrates that not all the finest attractions in Oxford are thousands of years old by displaying stimulating temporary exhibitions in its brilliant white, airy galleries. Discover a meticulously curated schedule of seminars, films, performances, and rotating artist residencies. There is a wonderful shop and café bar serving a menu with locally obtained ingredients, adequate coffee, and delectable homemade pastries.
Travel to a pub via Port Meadow
You wouldn’t expect to find a large expanse of ancient open meadow land in the city, but that is precisely the appeal of this peaceful section of Oxford’s countryside. Take a stroll through the flora, past the grazing horses and cattle, and then enjoy a pint at the Perch, a popular 17th-century tavern. They serve a delicious Sunday brunch with vegan options.
Shop within the Enclosed Market
the Covered Market has been a focal point of Oxford life. Inside this imposing structure, you’ll find a wonderful assortment of permanent kiosks and stores selling everything from fresh produce to artisan cheese and handcrafted jewelry. Take a stroll and take in the vibrant ambiance of this renowned marketplace. It is accessible every day, although Sunday hours are reduced.
Take a picture on the Bridge of Sighs
This decorative skyway connects two sections of Hertford College over New College Lane. It is formally named Hertford Bridge, but is more commonly known as the Bridge of Sighs. It gained its moniker due to its purported resemblance to the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice, and is now a well-known landmark in Oxford. The ideal time to take a selfie is early morning or late afternoon, before the area is overrun with travelers.
Admire the magnificent Christ Church
Christ Church is an unmissable tourist attraction due to its compelling combination of majestic architecture, literary heritage, and dual identity as (parts of) Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. It was founded in 1525 and is situated between Oxford’s bustling town center and the tranquil, green Christ Church Meadow. The Renaissance Great Hall, the college’s awe-inspiring dining room, with its hammerbeam roof and portraits of past scholars, is a highlight.
Participate in rowing on the River Cherwell Oxford
You cannot visit Oxford without experiencing punting. Rent a canoe from the Magdalen Bridge Boathouse, prepare a picnic, and punt along the picturesque River Cherwell. Essentially, you use an extraordinarily long oar to propel yourself forward by pushing against the riverbed. It is a classic and quintessentially Oxford way to spend an afternoon, particularly when the sun is shinning.
Attend a performance at the Sheldonian Theatre
This Grade I-listed structure, the first significant design by renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren, is the epicenter of student life at Oxford University. Students are admitted to the university and awarded their degrees within these sacrosanct walls. The theater also routinely hosts classical music concerts; therefore, you should purchase tickets to witness the splendor of the venue for yourself.
Purchase a paperback from Blackwell’s Bookshop
Blackwell’s Oxford branch is not your average bookstore. Blackwell’s is the largest academic and specialist bookseller in the United Kingdom, stocking hundreds of thousands of titles, and is an integral element of university life. The renowned Norrington Room has three miles (five kilometers) of storage, garnering it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the room with the most book shelves.