Oxford is a historic metropolis in southern England famed for its prestigious college, high museums just like the Ashmolean, and plenty of tremendous parks and open, inexperienced areas. There are many wonderful issues to do in Oxford from touring the well-known schools to strolling alongside the river and exploring town’s lengthy and intriguing historical past.
I’ve been to Oxford many occasions however within the pleasant, age-old rivalry between this metropolis and Cambridge, I have a tendency to search out myself within the latter because it’s not removed from the place I grew up. Nevertheless, Oxford is an unbelievable metropolis that I really like to go to because of the various fantastic locations to see and discover, which you’ll study under.
Town of Oxford can also be a superb vacation spot for foodies with many tremendous cafes, pubs, and eating places serving up a number of British and different cuisines from across the globe. It’s additionally an ideal vacation spot for buying with every thing from unbiased and boutique shops to excessive avenue manufacturers to browse.
Greatest Issues To Do in Oxford
Under, you’ll discover a wide array of vacationer points of interest in Oxford, enjoyable excursions, locations to eat, and much more moreover. I really like visiting town as there’s at all times a lot to see and do irrespective of your tastes or funds. In the event you’re planning on visiting England then sightseeing in Oxford is a should.
1. Take a College and Metropolis Strolling Tour
The College of Oxford is likely one of the most prestigious universities on this planet, in addition to one of many oldest. Alumni have included figures such because the playwright and poet Oscar Wilde, Pakistan’s first feminine prime minister Benazir Bhutto (plus numerous UK prime ministers), physicist Professor Stephen Hawking, and actor Hugh Grant amongst many others.
Top-of-the-line issues to do in Oxford for first-time guests is to take a strolling tour of the college. Step inside a number of the oldest schools within the land together with All Souls and Trinity, see the spectacular Bodleian Library, and go to the College Church of St Mary.
You’ll be led by a pupil of Oxford so will acquire an interesting perception into the interior workings of college life. This two-hour tour is the right option to get acquainted with town and see a few of its most iconic landmarks. Click on right here to search out out extra and e-book.
2. Go to the Ashmolean Museum
The Ashmolean Museum of Artwork and Archaeology is likely one of the finest museums on this planet alongside the British Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, and the Louvre in Paris. As somebody with an enormous curiosity in historical past, that is one in all my first stops within the metropolis and top-of-the-line free issues to do in Oxford as there isn’t an entrance charge.
You’ll discover reveals on every thing from pre-history to the trendy day. See an historical Egyptian mummy, the swimsuit of a Samurai, and artifacts from throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and past. The museum is dwelling to some main historic items from the Alfred Jewel to Man Fawkes’ lamp.
The museum is open each day from 10 am to five pm and there’s no have to e-book or purchase tickets. You possibly can test the web site to search out out what occasions and visiting exhibitions are at the moment on. There’s an onsite restaurant serving lunch and afternoon tea (final orders 4:30 pm), and a present store.
Handle: Beaumont Avenue, OX1 2PH
3. Take a River Cruise With Afternoon Tea
A superb approach to absorb the highest issues to see in Oxford is to take a cruise on the River Thames. You’ll begin off on the well-known Folly Bridge and cruise downstream alongside water meadows and previous the College School boat homes to the picturesque Suburb of Iffley (top-of-the-line locations to remain in Oxford).
You’ll be handled to a conventional English afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, do-it-yourself scones, strawberry jam, and thick, Westcountry clotted cream (I really like a superb cream tea, and this one is supplied by the top-rated Folly Restaurant). This is likely one of the finest issues to do in Oxford for {couples}. Click on right here to e-book now.
4. Hop On and Hop Off the Sightseeing Bus
Sightseeing buses get a little bit of a foul rep for being just a little cheesy, however they’re a good way to get round and see a number of the high sights in any metropolis; this one in Oxford is good. Tickets are legitimate for twenty-four or 48 hours that means it’s one of the handy methods to get round with 20 stops.
The route begins at Oxford Railway Station and takes in landmarks from the West Gate to Christ Church, the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Fort, Trinity School, and plenty of extra. Headphones are supplied with commentaries in a number of languages, and there are elective extras similar to a guided strolling tour out there. Click on right here to e-book.
5. See the Historic Church of St Mary
The College Church of St Mary is likely one of the most iconic landmarks within the metropolis with its Baroque, 14th Century spire rising majestically above the rooftops of the universities. The church has been a spot of worship for over 1,000 years and is positioned within the middle of the college grounds.
You possibly can go to the church to admire the spectacular structure, attend a service, or one of many many weekly occasions from espresso mornings to e-book readings and poetry workshops. The church is open to the general public from 9 am till 5:30 pm Monday to Saturday, and from 12 pm till 5 pm on Sundays. The doorway is free.
Handle: The Excessive Avenue, OX1 4BJ
6. Go to the Well-known Bodleian Library
The Bodleian dates again to 1602, making it one of many oldest libraries in Europe. It’s dwelling to over 13 million books and is the principal analysis library for college students at Oxford College. There’s one thing I really like about previous libraries just like the Bodleian and Trinity in Dublin (the scent of previous books is intoxicating).
One of the attention-grabbing issues in regards to the Bodleian is that guests should take an oath earlier than being granted entry (as of 2017 the oath is offered in 100 completely different languages). Witnessing this spectacular, historic middle of studying is unquestionably one of many high issues to do in Oxford and will be mixed with a tour of the college. Click on right here to search out out extra.
Handle: Beaumont Avenue, OX1 3BG
7. Take a Tour of the Harry Potter Filming Areas
This two-hour tour of Oxford means that you can see town by the eyes of Harry Potter and examine life at Hogwarts to that of life at Oxford College. You’ll get to study in regards to the historic college, soak up most of the Harry Potter filming places, and take a look at your information with a Potter-mania quiz on the finish.
This is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Oxford for households and Hogwarts followers. You’ll discover out why JK Rowling urged Oxford as the right place for filming with a visit to Turf Tavern Lane which resembles Knockturn Alley (be sure you check out the Turf Tavern pub for a chunk to eat). Click on right here to study extra and e-book.
8. Go Punting on the River Cherwell
In the event you’re on the lookout for cool stuff to do in Oxford then punting on the River Cherwell is a good possibility. Identical to Cambridge, punting is a well-liked approach for college kids to earn a bit of additional money and it’s a superb approach for guests to see town whereas studying one thing of its historical past.
The River Cherwell is a tributary of the Thames and runs by town and schools so that you’ll get to see most of the high Oxford points of interest at a cushty tempo. You may also head in the wrong way and punt by the attractive Oxfordshire countryside.
The punting season lasts from mid-March to mid-October with the summer season months being the busiest time on the river. You possibly can rent boats from Cherwell Punting for £22 per hour or £110 for the entire day. Select from over 70 hand-made boats together with conventional punts, rowing boats, or Canadian canoes. Click on right here to search out out extra.
Handle: Bardwell Street, OX2 6ST
9. Discover Oxford Fort and Jail
One of many high issues to do in Oxford is to go to the traditional fort and jail complicated positioned within the middle of town. Climb the 101 steps to the highest of St George’s Tower for gorgeous panoramic views of Oxford, descend into the previous crypt beneath the fort by candlelight, and discover the austere 18th Century jail cells.
The fort and jail host plenty of common occasions from jail escape rooms to historical past walks, ghost excursions, and homicide thriller events. That is one in all my favourite locations to go to in Oxford as there’s at all times one thing enjoyable happening and it’s an ideal spot for pictures.
The fort is open from 10 am to five:30 pm on weekdays and 10 am to six pm on weekends. Tickets price £17.50 for adults and £11.25 for youngsters, (you will get a reduced value should you e-book on-line as much as two days prematurely). Click on right here to study extra.
Handle: 44-46 Oxford Fort, OX1 2PH
10. Loosen up within the Tranquil Botanic Gardens
There’s nothing I really like greater than strolling round a botanic backyard as if you would be anyplace on this planet. With such quite a lot of vegetation from across the globe, it jogs my memory of dwelling within the tropics. Oxford’s Botanic Backyard and Arboretum is hooked up to the college and is the oldest in Britain.
In the event you’re on the lookout for just a little day trip after sightseeing that is the right place to unwind. The backyard was based in 1621 and homes over 5,000 completely different species of vegetation. There’s a phenomenal walled backyard which is just a little sanctuary of calm in the midst of town.
The gardens are open each day from 10 am to five pm (the final entry is at 4 pm) and tickets price £6.30 for adults and youngsters below 16 go free. It’s finest to e-book prematurely which will be achieved by the official web site. Click on right here for more information.
Handle: Rose Lane, OX1 4AZ
11. Discover Oxford on Two Wheels
Biking is one in all my favourite hobbies and I typically discover it’s top-of-the-line methods to get round a brand new metropolis. This two-hour bike tour of Oxford could have you setting off with a pupil of the college as a information who’ll present you the highest landmarks of town utilizing peddle energy.
Discover the well-known college as you’re employed your approach by the winding lanes and alleyways with Oxford’s well-known spires overhead. You’ll get to see locations the place well-known writers and students spend time from their properties, some treasured native pubs, and extra. You’ll additionally get to cycle as much as the gorgeous Port Meadow (see under). Click on right here to e-book now.
12. Take a Spooky Oxford Ghost Tour
Find out about Oxford’s darkish previous on this enjoyable ghost tour. The expertise lasts for 2 hours and also you’ll get to see the spooky underbelly of this well-known metropolis. The tour is predicated on the e-book Haunted Oxford by native creator Rob Walters. This is likely one of the finest issues to do in Oxford at night time for lovers of the macabre. Click on right here to search out out extra.
13. Have a Picnic on Port Meadow
Port Meadow is a big nation park simply to the north of town middle and is the right place for a stroll, picnic, barbecue, or perhaps a dip within the river. This is likely one of the finest issues to do round Oxford as there are such a lot of methods to fill your time; from wildlife recognizing to strolling alongside the Thames, volunteering or simply taking a break from town.
The park is open 24/7 one year a 12 months and is free to enter.
Handle: Walton Properly Street, OX2 6ED
14. Take a Day Journey to Tub and Stonehenge
One of the spectacular locations to go to close to Oxford is the traditional stone circle at Stonehenge. Today journey from Oxford additionally features a go to to the historic metropolis of Tub the place you’ll be able to see Roman baths courting again over 2,000 years. You’ll obtain a guided tour of Tub’s high websites from Pulteney Bridge to Tub Abbey and the Royal Cresent.
After leaving Tub you’ll journey alongside the scenic A303 throughout Salisbury Plains to the neolithic Stonehenge the place you’ll be able to marvel at this feat of historical engineering. The expertise lasts 9 hours and provides you loads of time to discover each websites at your leisure with return transport from Oxford included. Click on right here to e-book now.
15. Discover the Beautiful Cotswolds
Top-of-the-line issues to do close to Oxford is to take a tour of the picturesque Cotswolds that sits proper on town’s doorstep. This seven-hour tour units off from Oxford Railway Station and takes in a number of the most lovely cities and villages in England together with Decrease Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Stow-on-the-Wold.
The Cotswolds is one in all my favourite components of the nation because of its honey-colored cottages, winding rivers and historical stone bridges, and rolling countryside that appears prefer it’s been lifted straight from a postcard. Click on right here to e-book.
Fast Journey Itineraries For Oxford
Undecided what to see in Oxford first? Under, you’ll discover a number of itineraries that can assist you get essentially the most out of your journey to this historic metropolis. These itineraries embrace all the highest points of interest in Oxford and a few wonderful day journeys too.
1 Day in Oxford Itinerary
With simply sooner or later to spend in Oxford be sure you take a look at town’s prestigious college. The easiest way to do that is to take a tour and study in regards to the historical past from one in all its college students. For lunch, head to the Turf Tavern pub which has welcomed luminaries similar to Invoice Clinton and the Harry Potter solid by its doorways.
After consuming, pay a go to to the world-renowned Ashmolean Museum the place you’ll be able to see reveals from Egyptian mummies to up to date artwork and a complete lot extra. Afterward, take a while out within the attractive botanical gardens earlier than ending off the night with a meal and drinks at No 1 Ship Avenue.
2-3 Days in Oxford Itinerary
With a few days to spend in Oxford, discover town additional by taking a biking tour or benefit from a 24-hour ticket on the hop-on, hop-off Oxford sightseeing bus. Discover the fort and jail, and take a look at a number of the different nice eateries within the metropolis similar to The Cherwell Boathouse.
Take a river cruise alongside the River Cherwell, a tributary of the mighty Thames. You possibly can go for a day cruise with afternoon tea or a night outing with a three-course meal. Cruising alongside the river with a glass of one thing bubbly is likely one of the finest issues to do in Oxford for {couples}.
1 Week in Oxford Itinerary
When you have every week to spend in Oxford, you’ll have loads of time for day journeys to close by locations of curiosity. This full-day tour of the picturesque Cotswolds takes within the gorgeous villages of Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, and Bourton-on-Water. This day journey to Tub and Stonehenge is one other wonderful day journey from Oxford.
With any spare time remaining, discover the gorgeous Port Meadow Park which is ideal for a summer season’s stroll, a picnic, and escaping town (it’s additionally top-of-the-line issues to do in Oxford for households). Spend time looking Oxford’s many unbiased retailers and consuming within the wonderful eating places and pubs within the metropolis.
The place to Keep in Oxford
These are a number of of the perfect neighborhoods in Oxford for vacationers:
Metropolis Heart – Greatest for First-Time Guests
Town middle is the perfect place to remain for first-time guests as you’ll be inside a brief strolling distance of all the highest Oxford points of interest such because the College, Bodleian Library, and Ashmolean Museum. The world can also be full of some wonderful pubs and eating places, making it an ideal possibility for foodies too.
Courtyard by Marriot is an expensive four-star lodge proper within the metropolis middle, just a few steps from the fort and schools. The deluxe double rooms include an en-suite lavatory, backyard views, an onsite restaurant, and free WiFi all through. Click on right here to search out out extra.
Jericho – Greatest for Nightlife
The Bohemian suburb of Jericho, simply to the north of town middle, is the hippest place to remain in Oxford. That is the place you’ll wish to be to expertise the perfect nightlife town has to supply from pubs to wine bars and golf equipment. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for reside music, cocktails, or someplace to bop till dawn, that is one in all my favourite components of town for an evening out.
The Outdated Parsonage Resort affords four-star lodging in Jericho with most of the metropolis’s high bars inside shouting distance. Rooms include an en-suite lavatory, desk, space for storing, and free WiFi. An outstanding full English breakfast is included. Click on right here to e-book now.
St Clements – Greatest for Households
Leafy St Clements is a quiet neighborhood simply to the east of Oxford College and is the right place for households to remain. It’s only a quick stroll to town middle however you’ll profit from the peace and quiet to retreat to after a day’s sightseeing. The Botanical Backyard is just some minutes stroll away.
This Central Oxford Townhouse in St Clements sleeps as much as six folks so is the right place for households or bigger teams. The property comes with three bedrooms and two loos, a fully-fitted kitchen, and a patio and backyard good for al fresco eating throughout summer season evenings. Click on right here to study extra.
Greatest Eating places in Oxford
Oxford is a improbable vacation spot for foodies with many fantastic cafes, pubs, and eating places dotted across the metropolis. My high 5 picks are listed under:
No 1 Ship Avenue is an award-winning restaurant in Oxford metropolis middle. Select from the 2 or three-course set lunch or á la carte menus on this fashionable British brasserie which places an emphasis on dishes constituted of recent, seasonal produce. Costs are cheap with mains from simply £19. Click on right here for instructions.
The Cherwell Boathouse is located proper on the River Cherwell on the punting station. Select from indoor eating, the conservatory, the riverfront, or the surface gazebo, all of which supply gorgeous views. That is one in all my favourite locations for Sunday lunch in Oxford. Click on right here for instructions.
The Turf Tavern is a conventional British pub positioned in a beautiful Grade II listed constructing within the coronary heart of Oxford’s college quarter a stone’s throw from well-known landmarks such because the Bodleian Library and New School. Come right here for hearty pub grub from fish and chips to burgers and lighter bites. Click on right here for instructions.
The Outdated Tom is an Oxford pub with a distinction. As an alternative of the standard pub fayre, you’ll discover a luxurious menu of Thai dishes from prawn tempura to purple and inexperienced curries (I really like a superb Thai purple curry). All this may be washed down with a superb number of native ales amongst rustic environment. Click on right here for instructions.
Turtle Bay is a Caribbean-inspired restaurant that provides a style of sunshine within the coronary heart of Oxford (which let’s face it, with British climate the way in which it’s, we’d like all of the solar we will get). The Bottomless Brunch is a wonderful cope with grills, bowls, and limitless cocktails for 2 hours. Click on right here for instructions.
Attending to Oxford
Oxford is conveniently positioned within the south of England simply 64 miles (103 km) from London and on the doorstep of the picturesque Cotswolds. The closest worldwide airport is Heathrow with flights to and from locations internationally. There are direct coaches from Heathrow to Oxford with journey occasions of round an hour, and each day trains by way of London.
Trains depart a number of occasions an hour from London’s Victoria Station and simply over 95 minutes. There are additionally frequent buses from Victoria Coach Station. If driving, it’s round a two-hour journey by way of the M40. There are additionally plenty of excursions from London that embrace Oxford in addition to different Cotswolds cities and villages. Click on right here to search out out extra.
Getting across the metropolis middle is simple with all the foremost issues to see in Oxford inside strolling distance. You may also use the helpful hop-on, hop-off buses, hire a bicycle, or use taxis and native buses to get farther afield. You should definitely take a ship journey or punt down the river to get round and see a number of the high Oxford points of interest.
Issues To Do in Oxford: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting Oxford:
Oxford is understood for its prestigious college that dates again to the thirteenth Century and has seen alumni from Oscar Wilde to Stephen Hawking cross by its hallowed halls. Town can also be well-known for its high museums and libraries from the Ashmolean to the Bodleian and Radcliffe Digicam.
Oxford is a improbable vacation spot year-round with heaps to see and do regardless of the climate. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are wonderful occasions as you’ll keep away from the peak of the vacationer season and nonetheless be capable of take pleasure in clearer skies.
Oxford is unquestionably value visiting as there are such a lot of fantastic issues to see and do from exploring the traditional schools to wandering by a number of the finest museums on this planet. It’s additionally a improbable place for eating out with plenty of award-winning pubs and eating places.
Three to 4 days (a protracted weekend) is the right period of time to spend within the metropolis and can mean you can expertise all the perfect issues to see in Oxford. If you wish to discover the gorgeous Cotswolds and take day journeys to close by points of interest similar to Tub and Stonehenge, then every week is best.
Oxford is a very secure metropolis for vacationers with low ranges of violent crime. Take common precautions and keep away from unlit areas exterior of town middle at night time, maintain your valuables hidden in busy locations, and don’t flash giant quantities of money about.
Visiting the college, Ashmolean Museum, and Bodleian Library are three of the most well-liked issues to do in Oxford. Punting on the river is one other well-liked exercise, as is looking the retailers and exploring town’s culinary delights.
Two of essentially the most well-known meals from Oxford embrace Banbury truffles (from the small city of Banbury, close to Oxford) and Oxford sausages. You possibly can strive these dishes in lots of cafes, tea retailers, and eating places throughout town or purchase them to remove on the Coated Market.
As a big metropolis within the south of England Oxford isn’t as low cost as another locations within the north and west of England, however there are many bargains available in the case of meals, lodging, and transport. E book resorts and transport prematurely for the perfect costs, and journey exterior of the height season (faculty holidays).
Oxford makes for a superb day journey from London and different cities within the UK, and plenty of excursions additionally embrace a number of the lovely Cotswold villages as a bonus.
In Closing
Now you realize what to do in Oxford, one in all England’s most well-known and well-loved cities. Town is bursting with historical past from the college and plenty of tremendous archaeological museums, lovely structure, and a plethora of fantastic eateries. With an enviable location on the sting of the Cotswolds Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence and simply a few hours from London, this metropolis must be excessive on the record of any traveler to the UK.
