oxford tourist information center

Visiting Oxford

Oxford is a beautiful city of stunning architecture, history and culture. You'll find ancient and modern colleges, fascinating museums and galleries, and plenty of parks, gardens and green spaces in which to relax. Plus, the city centre is small enough to cover on foot, and only a few minutes walk from the main rail and coach stations.

Things to see and do at Oxford University

Oxford is not a campus university, so it is not all located on one site. It is made up of many different buildings, including academic departments, colleges and halls, located around the centre of Oxford. Many University buildings, such as gardens, libraries and museums, as well as many of the colleges, are open to visitors during the day, although please note that they may have varying opening hours, fees and rules for groups.

You can find more information, including opening times and fees, at the links below:

• Visiting the Colleges
• Visiting Museums, Libraries and Places of Interest
• What's on at the University
• Shopping at the University

To make the most of your visit, bring along a copy of our leaflet, ' Explore the University of Oxford ', which contains a map and information on opening times of colleges, museums and other places of interest. 

Tours of Oxford University

Oxford University does not organise tours but a city walking tour is offered by the Bodleian Libraries in association with the Oxford Guild of Tour Guides. The tours, all operated by Blue and Green Badge Guides, begin at the beautiful modern Weston Library before heading through the historic and famous streets of the city. Tours take around two hours and can be  booked through the Bodleian Libraries .

A number of independent operators also offer guided tours of Oxford. A range of general and themed tours are available, as are tours by cycle, rickshaw and bus. For a list of tour companies, please visit the  Daily Information  website. 

Please note that all operators are independent of Oxford University. Details are provided here for information only. 

Disabled access

The collegiate University is committed to improving access and is currently continuing to develop its Access guide . As more of our historic buildings are modified the Access guide will become more comprehensive. In the meantime, the Access guide is a helpful first point for information on accessible buildings. Where there are gaps in the information we suggest you contact the places you wish to visit directly.

Information for prospective students

If you're thinking about applying for an undergraduate degree and want to see more of Oxford, our Virtual Open Days are an excellent opportunity to see the University, get to know the city, and meet tutors and students.

Additional information for visitors to the city of Oxford

Experience Oxfordshire  offers advice on walking tours, accommodation, things to do in Oxford, and more.

• History of the University
• Oxford Glossary
• Oxford people

Special offers for alumni

Make sure to bring your Alumni Card with you and see our special offers on the Alumni website

Accommodation in Oxford

• Accommodation at the University and the Colleges
• Visit Oxfordshire - where to stay
• TripAdvisor - hotels near Oxford University

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Oxfordshire Pitt Rivers Museum

Oxford city centre, oxford castle, where you will find the best of art and culture.

Modern Art Oxford

Just as the name suggests, the Modern Art Oxford features modern and contemporary art pieces.

Ashmolean Museum

This museum is home to some of the most unique cultural items and ornaments.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Modern Art Oxford

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

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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…

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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

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

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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

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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.

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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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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Must-See Oxford Attractions

Oxford Castle & Prison

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The Sheldonian Theatre

The Sheldonian Theatre was designed by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford. The building is named after Gilbert Sheldon.

Old library (Duke Humfrey’s)

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Christ Church College

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Top Free Oxford Attractions

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Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

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Alice’s Shop

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Free self-guided walking tours.

If you prefer to explore at your own pace and delve into the charm of Oxford independently, consider embarking on a free self-guided walking tour . I’ve created a few options based on places I enjoy visiting!

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

If you’re visiting Oxford just for the day, you might want to explore the city and its colleges and museums at your own pace. Here’s how.

Free Self-Guided Tour: Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum of Archaeology

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Oxford Neighbourhoods Self-Guided Walking Tour and Map

If you’re moving to Oxford (or within it) and you’re feeling adventurous, here are some walking tours to get familiar with the neighbourhoods.

Oxford City Centre Free Self-Guided Walking Tour to Explore at Your Own Pace

This Oxford City Centre walking tour will allow you to see the city’s highlights. An ideal self-guided tour if you’re in Oxford for just a few hours.

Other Tours and Experiences

If you enjoy a pre-planned wander, though, you will probably prefer some of these experiences offered by various reliable companies in Oxford. For instance:

Other experiences:

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Harry Potter in Oxford

If you love the Harry Potter books or movies, you’re probably well aware a lot of the latter were actually filmed in Oxford. And there’s little doubt Hogwarts takes enormous inspiration from the University, too. So, if you’re visiting and you like the series, you should definitely check these out:

All of Oxford’s Harry Potter Filming Locations and How To Visit Them

A lot of Harry Potter scenes were filmed in Oxford. Explore the exact locations, what they were used for, and how to visit them.

Oxford’s Harry Potter Filming Locations: Hogwarts’ The Great Hall

A detailed guide to visiting Harry Potter’s The Great Hall in Christ Church, Oxford. Opening times, tickets, and all the must-see details.

Oxford’s Harry Potter Filming Locations: Hogwarts’ Hospital Wing

A detailed guide to visiting Harry Potter’s Hospital Wing or Infirmary, Oxford. Opening times, tickets, and all the must-see details.

Oxford’s Harry Potter Filming Locations: Hogwarts’ Staircase

A detailed guide to visiting Harry Potter’s Staircase in Christ Church, Oxford. Tickets, opening times, and all the must-see details.

Oxford Ghost Stories

Oxford Ghost Stories: The Ghost of Amy Robsart at Cumnor Place

Oxford ghost stories: the ghostly librarian at duke humfrey’s library.

Oxford Ghost Stories: The Phantom Cavalier of St. John’s College

Oxford Ghost Stories: The Spirit of Sir Thomas Bodley

Oxford Ghost Stories: The Ghostly Choir of New College

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The University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is one of the leading academic institutions in the world – and the home of many unique traditions. If you want to learn more about the University, its different colleges, fun facts, ceremonies, terms, and much more – follow the links below!

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Oxford Colleges

The University of Oxford has 39 semi-autonomous constituent colleges and six permanent private halls . Some of them include:

Exeter College

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

Merton College

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All Souls College

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St Cross College

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Things to Do in Oxford

Bored and looking for something to do in Oxford? These are some of our suggestions and ideas for unique activities you can try:

Sandy’s Piano Bar Oxford

Sandy’s Piano Bar is an Oxfordian live music venue offering original cocktails, spirits, beers, and wine by the glass.

The Randolph Hotel

The Randolph Hotel, situated in the heart of Oxford, stands as a distinguished landmark of the city, attracting guests from around the world.

The Turl Street Mitre Hotel

The Turl Street Mitre Hotel offers both 17th-century charm and modern comfort for those visiting Oxford.

The Autumn Fours Rowing Races

The Autumn Fours Rowing Races is a side-by-side rowing regatta that takes place in Oxford during the autumn.

Rowing in Oxford – Oxford Row Courses and Private Lessons

Oxford is the perfect place to learn how to row. Here are the best options for private or group rowing classes, events, and activities.

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Privacy Overview

• 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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Explore the city with Oxford Official Walking Tours

Oxford, oxfordshire.

The fantastic walking tours are the perfect way to explore and learn about the history, famous residents and odd traditions of this unique city.

Oxford Official Walking Tours cater for all interests, whether you're an Oxford veteran or are taking your first steps in the illustrious city. If it's the latter, you can start with The Official University and City tour which runs daily from the Oxford Visitor Information Centre. The route takes you on a delightful stroll through the heart of the historic city centre, past the city's most famous and impressive university buildings, including the Bridge of Sighs and the Bodleian Library.

Alternatively, you can follow in the footsteps of the city's celebrated TV detective, and his successor Lewis, by joining our Inspector Morse Tour which departs every Saturday.

If you've visited before and are looking to find out something new, the special Themed Tours may catch your eye, giving you the chance to discover parts of Oxford's heritage you'd never have found by yourself. Some of the more popular Themed Tours include CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien; Philip Pullman and even a magical mixture of Harry Potter & Alice in Wonderland. 

• Find out more about Oxford Official Guided Walking Tours
• Find more things to do in Oxford and Oxfordshire

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Itineraries

One-day sight-seeing itinerary.

Start at Carfax Tower (1) (Corners of Cornmarket Street, High Street, St. Aldate's, and Queen Street)

Walk up Cornmarket Street passing the oldest building in Oxford - the Saxon Tower of St Michael at the North Gate (2), continue onto Magdalen Street (Cornmarket turns into Magdalen) to the Martyr's Memorial (3).

Across the street, on Beaumont, you can see the Ashmolean Museum (4)

Come back down Magdalen, turn left onto Broad Street (see the Martyr's cross on the ground). Pass Balliol College (5) and Trinity College (6) on your left. Pass Blackwell's Bookstore (7) on your left. Pass the Sheldonian Theatre (8) and the Clarendon Building (9) on your right.

Make a right onto Catte Street, and a quick left onto New College Lane to see the Bridge of Sighs (10). Pass New College (11), and St. Edmund Hall (12) as you continue onto Queen's Lane. Turn right onto High Street, pass Queen's College (13) on your right. Pass St. Mary's Church (14) on your right. Turn right onto Catte Street and see All Soul's College (15) on your right. Go around the Radcliffe Camera (16), passing the Bodleian Library (17) on the way, and head back towards High Street, passing Brasenose College (18) on your right.

Go down Magpie Lane, turn left onto Merton Street, pass Merton College (19).

Continue on Merton Street to High Street, and make a right. Pass Magdalen College (20) on your left.

Across the street from Magdalen College are the Botanical Gardens (21). Turn onto Rose Lane, and follow the path by the river, turning onto Broad Walk, with the Christ Church Meadows now on your left.

Pass Christ Church (22) on your right.

Turn right onto St. Aldate's

Turn right onto Blue Boar Street, pass the Museum of Oxford (23).

Turn left onto Alfred Street, cross over High Street and go into the Covered Market (24).

Click here to print out this itinerary and a map with all the sights marked

Two-day sight-seeing itinerary.

Start at Christ Church on St. Aldates - see the cathedral and the great hall.

When you exit the college, turn left, and follow the path until you reach the gates at Rose Lane. Walk on Rose Lane.

At High Street, turn right. Turn right into the Botanic Gardens . When finished looking through the gardens, exit onto High Street.

Cross High Street and visit Magdalen College - walk through the cloisters, exit the blue wrought-iron gate onto Addison's Walk, walk along the river, see the deer park on your left.

Exit onto High Street and turn right. Turn right onto Catte Street to see the Radcliffe Camera .

Continue on Catte, pass the Bodleian Library on your left, and then make a left onto Broad Street. See the Sheldonian Theatre and the Clarendon Building on your left, and Blackwell's Bookstore , Trinity College , and Balliol College on your right.

Buy souvenirs for your friends and family (or yourselves, of course)

Start at the intersection of George Street/Magdalen Street/Broad Street and Cornmarket Street .

Walk south on Cornmarket Street (along the car-free pedestrian walkway), passing the Saxon Tower of St Michael at the North Gate on your left, to the end to Carfax Tower .

Walk up High Street, turn left into the Covered Market . Browse through the market.

Continue on High Street to St. Mary's University Church on your left. Visit the tower on a clear day for great views of the city.

Turn right onto Magpie Lane, then left onto Merton Street. Visit Merton College - see the old library and the gardens

Continue on Merton Street, at end, make left onto High Street.

Turn right onto Queen's Lane (turns into New College Lane) to see the Bridge of Sighs (Hertford Bridge).

Turn right on Catte, then left on Broad. At the end of Broad street, turn right on Magdalen Street and see the Martyrs' Memorial . Turn left after the Randolph Hotel onto Beaumont Street. Visit the Ashmolean Museum (on your right) (closed Mondays), and treat yourself to a well-deserved cream tea (scones with jam and clotted cream, and tea of course).

What to do if it's raining

If it's raining in Oxford, and you don't have much time, throw on a raincoat, grab an umbrella and visit the colleges anyway, because it would be a shame to miss them due to the weather.

If you are here for long enough that you're not worried about missing out on the colleges, our favorite ways to pass the time are eating, shopping, and visiting the museums:

Browse the covered market

Visit the Ashmolean Museum or the University Museum of Natural History/Pitt Rivers Museum

Have a nice, long lunch in a pub

Hang out in Blackwell's Bookshop (they have new and second-hand books and a cafe)

Sit down for a lovely, long afternoon tea at the Old Parsonage Hotel on Banbury Road, a short walk from the city center (after 3:30pm)

See a movie - check out our cinema page for showtimes and theatres in Oxford, which show everything from mainstream blockbuster films to foreign films.

Learn about the history of Oxford at the Museum of Oxford

Take a bus tour of Oxford (sitting in the lower-level, of course)

Self Guided Film Trails

Oxfordshire has featured in many blockbuster films and TV programmes over the years. Follow in the famous footsteps of Harry Potter, Inspector Morse, Lyra and others and explore some of those magical locations around the city and county. Location Oxfordshire has kindly put together free downloadable pdf maps to help you along:

Attractions

The finest oxford attractions.

With a backdrop of wide streets and noble building to multiple movies and TV programmes, Oxford is without doubt one of the most recognisable cities in the UK. If you’re visiting for a day-out or on a short-stay break, explore the city of Oxford and the wider county to discover world-class arts and culture, stunning venues and the finest Oxford attractions.

Listed below are various tourist attractions and things to do in and around Oxford.

DETAILS OF OXFORD ATTRACTIONS

Improve the visibility of your business by listing on oxfordcity.co.uk

Clue The Looking Glass

An immersive, outdoor adventure on the streets of historic Oxford. Part escape room, part treasure hunt, part Crystal Maze. Use an app on your phone to follow the trail of clues across the city. You’ll find intriguing puzzles & secret locations, interact with characters and discover exciting objects you’ll need to use.

CityDays create treasure hunt-style adventures in cities worldwide. Immersive experiences lead teams with clues, riddles and challenges that once unravelled lead them around the city.

Text Quest is a fun way of exploring a city. Your team receive a text with directions to a place and a clue to crack. Reply with the right answer, then get the next clue. You can play against other teams and make it a race, or you can stroll at your own pace and take in the sights.

Oxford Botanic Garden

Founded in 1621, the Oxford Botanic Garden is the UK’s oldest botanic garden and occupies a world-class position in terms of its history and academic location. Its mission is to share the scientific wonder and importance of plants with the world.

Bate Collection

The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, in the Faculty of Music at Oxford University, houses over 2000 instruments from the Western orchestral music traditions from the Renaissance, through the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and up to modern times.

History of Science Museum

The Museum of the History of Science houses an unrivalled collection of early scientific instruments in the Old Ashmolean on Broad Street. Discover objects associated with such diverse figures as George III, Einstein, and Lawrence of Arabia.

Pitt Rivers Museum

The Pitt Rivers Museum holds one of the world’s finest collections of anthropology and archaeology, with objects revealing humankind’s extraordinary problem-solving and craft skills from every continent and throughout human history.

Harcourt Arboretum

Harcourt Arboretum, in the village of Nuneham Courtenay, has the best collection of trees in Oxfordshire set within 130 acres of historic picturesque landscape.

• Next »

Initial visit and stay

Planning your travel and accommodation, visitor accommodation.

Oxford is always busy, so it is strongly recommended to book your accommodation before you travel. You can sample Oxford life by staying in one of the colleges, or there are plenty of hotels and bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) in the city centre, even including a converted prison (now the Malmaison hotel in the Castle Quarter).

University Rooms provides a booking service for rooms in colleges and other University-owned accommodation at reasonable rates, particularly during the University vacations. Rewley House , home to the University's Continuing Education Department, also has guest rooms available for short stays.

You can book a hotel or B&B through the Oxford Visitor Information Centre, either online or in person at their office on Broad Street. The Oxford University Gazette advertises visitor accommodation and short-let properties.

Sight-seeing

A downloadable version of the official University map will help you find your way around, or you can download the Mobile Oxford app. The University has also created a virtual video tour .

All the main tourist sights are within walking distance of the city centre. You may like to follow a suggested itinerary from the Oxford City Guide which includes themed trails and children's activities. The Know your Oxford audio tour introduces the University and city from a student perspective, or this article from the New York Times picks out some of the local highlights.

If you would like to see further afield, you could take an open-top bus tour or a river cruise . In the summer, you can hire a punt (with optional chauffeur!) for a leisurely afternoon on the River Cherwell.

Disclaimer: Please note that the University does not endorse any of the external websites listed above, or elsewhere in this guidance.

[email protected]

Popular links

• University map
• Mobile Oxford app
• Oxford Visitor Information Centre

Explore the tour

Bus Tour + Panorama

Bus Tour + Explore

Tour information.

From April 26 to April 29, St Cross Road will be closed. This means that, unfortunately, we will not be able to serve Stop 12 on our bus tours during this time.

Hop on and off the bus as many times as you like.

20 stops near all the major sights.

Audio commentary available in 14 languages.

Free headphones at the start of your journey.

Full hygiene measures.

Kids’ commentary available.

Stepping Through Oxford Walking Tour (45 mins).

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Ticket accepted on phone

Entry to Carfax Tower.

Town & Gown Walking Tour (90 minutes).

3 self-guided Vox City Walks Tours.

Multi-lingual audio guide on self-guided walks.

Discover Oxford with our iconic bus tours

Our award-winning open-top bus tour lasts approximately one hour and allows you to discover the best sights and historical insights into the City of Dreaming Spires !

Tickets are available for 24 and 48 hours, so you can hop on and hop off as many times as you wish and explore all the famous sights and attractions around Oxford.

Where can I buy tickets?

There are plenty of options and you can purchase your tickets from:

• Online on our booking page
• Our friendly drivers (there’s no need to pre-book your tour)
• Our informative city ticket seller colleagues located at Oxford Rail Station and several other locations around Oxford
• The Oxford Visitor Information Point on High Street – click here for a map
• Oxford Bus Company’s Gloucester Green Travel Shop – click here for a map

Official Walking Tours

Enjoy fascinating storytelling delivered by your VOX City Walks guides as you explore, discover and immerse yourself in Oxford’s quaint and charming streets.

Hop-off your guided tour and self-guide whenever you wish; enjoying multilingual audio commentary, suggested walking itineraries, pinpointing your favourite sights and discovering photo hotspots, all offline, day or night – it couldn’t be easier! When you’re ready, hop back on a guided tour, and continue your sightseeing adventure.

The Great Cities Combination Ticket

Join City Sightseeing, the experts of exploration, and embark on a thrilling adventure to discover the famous sights and attractions of two of the most remarkable cities in the UK!

With our new The Great Cities Combined Ticket , you can enjoy London AND Oxford from the top deck on our award-winning sightseeing bus tours, get up close and personal on exclusive walking tours, and more! 

How do I get to the City Sightseeing Oxford tours?

Oxford is well connected by road and rail to major cities including London. The best way to get to Oxford city centre is by public transport. We’re proud to hold the Good Journey Mark for welcoming car-free visitors. To find out how to get to City Sightseeing tours in Oxford, visit our Getting Here page.

What are others saying about the tour?

See what others have to say, we’re hiring .

We’re currently looking for enthusiastic and motivated ticket sellers, guides and drivers. Interested? Email your CV to [email protected] or find out more by clicking here .

Explore the Tour!

Frequently asked questions, can i purchase my ticket in advance, how is it best to use the hop-on and off feature, what does the walking tour include, can wheelchair users and buggies travel on your buses.

View all FAQs →

Incorporating Guide Friday Quality Assured Visitor Attraction Certified

Deals, Offers & Extras

Group discounts.

Booking 10 or more tickets?

Contact us for a group discount.

Private Hire & Weddings

Hire a whole bus for your own private Oxford City tour or for use at a special event.

Super Saver Tickets

Oxford bus tour + attraction tickets. Historic buildings, boat trips and more!

Buy Oxford Bus Tour Tickets Online!

Buy your tour tickets quickly, easily and securely on our website.

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Henley-on-thames, wallingford.

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