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Don’t miss: There’s so much to see here it’s hard to take it all in, but the body art and ornament section explores the history of beautification from head shaping and tooth sharpening to ...
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🏛️The best museums in Oxford 🚞The best places to visit in...
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Literary connections abound in Oxford and this place looks...
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Partially designed by Sir John Vanbrugh (the man behind...
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- Wander historic university colleges. Oxford University can be traced back to the 11th century. Within 200 years, it had taken shape as a loose association of independent colleges, still housed (for the most part) in their original historic buildings scattered around the city.
- Photograph classic Oxford landmarks. No doubt Oxford’s most photographed landmark is Radcliffe Camera, a dome-topped sandy-gold edifice built between 1737 and 1749 in grand Palladian style, then known as Radcliffe Library.
- Tour the Bodleian Library. At least five kings, dozens of prime ministers and Nobel laureates, and luminaries such as Oscar Wilde, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien have studied in Oxford's Bodleian Library, a magnificent survivor from the Middle Ages.
- Indulge your love of bookshops. After that book-lovers pilgrimage to the Bodleian Library, you can continue your literary love affair at the many bookshops of Oxford.
- What Are The Best Things to Do in Oxford? Our Top Five Picks
- Oxford Sightseeing Spots – Must-Visit Oxford University Colleges
- Cool Things to See in Oxford
- Cool Things to Do in Oxford – Exploring Cultural Oxford
- Unusual Things to Do in Oxford
- Best Things to Do in Oxford – Food & Drink
- Best Places to Visit in Oxford – Parks and Green Spaces
- Things to Do in Oxford: Tips For Planning Your Trip
The Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Libraryis 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 Camerato the fortress-like Old Bodleian Li...
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...
The Ashmolean Museum
The Ashmoleanis 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 se...
Christ Church College
If you only have time to visit one of theUniversity of Oxford’s 38 colleges while you are in town, add Christ Churchto 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 Roya...
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, chape...
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 sa...
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 wen...
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 str...
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 a...
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Housed in the same building as the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Oxford Museum of Natural Historyis 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...
Modern Art Oxford
We’ll level with you – we personally think the exhibitions in Modern Art Oxfordcan 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 wher...
Visit the Story Museum
When it comes to quirky Oxford things to do, The Story Museumis 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...
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 suc...
Afternoon Tea at The Grand Cafe
Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British pastime – one that Oxford happens to do very well. The Grand Cafeis 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) a...
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 comp...
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 litera...
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...
Port Meadow
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 1...
Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum
Oxford’s Botanic Gardensis 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,...
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 t...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...Wear comfortable walking shoes. We mean it. Those cobbles will destroy your feet if you venture out in heels.- Explore Historic Oxford City Center. 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.
- Visit the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin. 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.
- Christ Church Cathedral. 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.
- Christ Church College. 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.
Things to Do in Oxford, England: See Tripadvisor's 282,906 traveler reviews and photos of Oxford tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in October. We have reviews of the best places to see in Oxford. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
Aug 31, 2021 · I always wanted to visit Oxford, so this comprehensive guide is a very good resource for me. Between world renowned colleges, palaces, theaters and botanical gardens, there seems to be quite a wide variety of places to visit in Oxford. And definitely no shortage of fun things to do even in the evening as well! Reply
Jan 30, 2024 · The Old Bank. 91-94 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BJ. Situated in the heart of Oxford’s historic city center, The Old Bank offers beautiful amenities and views of the city. Right across the street from All Souls College, The Old Bank boasts incredible reviews and is one of the best places to stay in Oxford. BOOK A ROOM HERE.
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