This comprehensive guide will help you understand the best things to see in Oxford, historical attractions & unique experiences.
Steeped in rich history, culture, and literature, Oxford and its “dreaming spires” are among the most popular cities from the UK’s tourism point of view. For more than 800 years, Oxford has been home to scholars, royals & artists – showcasing the city’s richly diverse culture. Today, it has become an established town that houses many world-class universities, gothic-style buildings & magnificent architecture. It’s an ideal destination for all tourists, offering them plenty of activities & experiences. And this guide will focus on some of the amazing things to see in the Oxford City of the UK.
Located 58 miles from London, this cosmopolitan city doesn’t comprise giving out the tourists a lifetime experience. Whether you are here for a few hours or a full-day excursion, Oxford will give you the chance to indulge in some great experiences. The city is a mix of ancient & modern representations of the UK. With so many historic buildings, colleges & museums to visit, you can never get enough of Oxford.
Most travelers come down to visit the city only because of the beautifully preserved colleges scattered across. Thanks to their gothic-styled aesthetic appeal, they have inspired many films to shoot their scenes at this picturesque place. Many scenes from the Harry Potter movie were shot in the city, as producers & directors took the opportunity to showcase the beautiful exterior & interior detailed view of the buildings.
Apart from the universities, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Oxford. You can take a walking tour of the city, explore the town’s medieval streets, and enjoy some top attractions like – Botanical Gardens, Pitts River Museum, Radcliffe Camera, and the gorgeous University Church of St Mary the Virgin.
So to help you have smooth travel plans in the city, here’s our list of Oxford’s attractions and experiences.
BEST THINGS TO SEE IN OXFORD CITY OF THE UK
VISIT THE OXFORD BOTANICAL GARDEN & ARBORETUM
Located near Magdalen College in Oxford, this botanical garden should be on your list when you plan to travel the city. Founded in 1621, it is the UK’s oldest botanic garden, with spaces spreading across 120 acres. With picturesque landscapes, this garden is home to some finest conifer collections. There are more than 6,000 types of plants for you to explore. Ideal for travelers who need a quick break from the busy city life!
THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY
The Bodleian Library is one of Europe’s oldest & undoubtedly the most beautiful library. It’s considered to be the primary research library of the University of Oxford. A must-see cultural destination if you plan to travel to Oxford anytime. There are guided tours to take you on this gothic architectural tour, making you explore Duke Humfrey’s Library & some other historical places. This library has also been featured in many films & TV series because of the tall structures & the interior building design.
PITT RIVERS MUSEUM
Founded in 1884, Pitt Rivers Museum offers a unique atmosphere with over half a million objects & artifacts displayed in glass cabinets. This quirky museum gives visitors a different sort of tour experience with its rich history & culture. All the arrangements at the museum are collected according to specific typologies – musical instruments, jewelry, textiles, and tool; allowing tourists to understand how challenges or issues were solved during a particular era. There is some exciting stuff to see here– Japanese Noah masks, Hawaiian feather cloaks & shrunken heads. It’s creepy, dark & a little gruesome, but trusting that you will love the discovery of the whole museum.
UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN
Located at the center of Oxford, this beautiful University Church of St Mary the Virgin is one of the city’s most beloved buildings. It has been a prayer house for Christian worship for over a thousand years, since the Anglo-Saxon times. Opt to explore the decorative gargoyles and grotesque of the church & admire its beauty. You can also explore the church tower for a 360-degree view of the Oxford campus or stop in at the clock mechanism room to understand the gothic structure. It’s open to visitors daily from morning till late afternoon and is nearby from other Oxford’s main attractions. As it’s one of the most photogenic places in Oxford, the place should be on your itinerary if you plan to travel.
ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM
The world’s oldest public museum, Ashmolean, is home to a fascinating collection of priceless art & archaeology, which was founded half a million years ago. It’s one of the best things to see in Oxford to gain a deeper understanding of the rich heritage. With a modern & contemporary collection of relics & runes, the exploration of the museum is broad in scope. Any history lover would find this place as their dreamy destination. All the artifacts restored here represent an era of a specific period. From Egyptian mummies and English silverware to Greek and Minoan poetry, you can easily view all the intriguing objects & dwell back in the past. There’s also a section of art paintings by famous artists – John Constable, Paul Cezanne, and Pablo Picasso. This museum has been a part of the University of Oxford and is open daily for tourists from morning till late afternoon.
RADCLIFFE CAMERA
Radcliffe Camera is Oxford’s most iconic landmark. No city tour is complete without visiting the famous spot of the city. Its eye-catching dome with the unusual cylindrical shape stands out amongst all the neo-Gothic structures in the city. With such impressive architecture & reading rooms that house the Bodleian Library, this place is one of the most photogenic spots.
The word ‘camera‘ from the name is derived from Latin, meaning ‘room.’ Today, the place is a part of the university and can be accessed by students or those taking guided tours. You can take a walking tour around & explore the nearby attractions within the university.
CHRIST CHURCH COLLEGE
Founded in 1546 – Christ Church College is one of the oldest and massive colleges in the whole of Oxford. The grand architecture display of the college itself is a sight to witness for many tourists.
Today, you’d probably relate Christ Church is home to one of the modern-day great films of Harry Potter. A large portion of film direction happened in this college, including the famous shot location of Hogwarts’s Great Hall.
You’d connect more dots to the film if you were to take a wizardly walking tour of Oxford city. I recommend you take it up, as this is one of the fun ways to explore the city.
| QUICK READ – Check out our ‘Magical Guide to the Warner Bros. Studio in London‘ for more details on visiting the famous Harry Potter set, iconic locations, tour activities & ticket prices. This would entice any die-hard Harry Potter fan to visit the real-set studio in London. |
POPULAR GUIDED TOURS OF THE OXFORD CITY
I’ve partnered with GetYourGuide to showcase relevant guided tours and excursions. The amazing collection of tours they boast are popular across the globe. Below are some of them which you could choose as a part of your Oxford travel plan –
For more walking tours & excursions, visit here.
BEST RESTAURANTS ON OXFORD
With so many things to see and do in Oxford, it is no surprise that the city hosts some great options of cafes & restaurants. And when it comes to food & drinks, the city will spoil you for sure! With an increasing number of options and a variety of world-class cuisines, there is something for tourists for their budget & taste.
Oxford has some hidden secrets stored in the city, from elegant restaurants and award-wining ones to local bistros & cafes. This detailed guide will exploit the city’s treasure if you’re looking for a food tour in Oxford. However, some of the recommended options for you are –
THE MAGDALEN ARMS
Located at a 3-minute walkable distance from Merton College, the Magdalen Arms is a bistro pub serving modern British cuisine with a strong Italian influence. Great place for family, friends & college students to have a take on their popular & signature dishes.
ARBEQUINA
A must-visit place for all tourists traveling to Oxford city. This simple, elegant bohemian tapas bar is a great place to try out some of the best tapas in the country. All the dishes on the menu are flavor bombs, especially the ‘crunchy salt cod croquetas with aioli.’
TWO ONE FIVE
One of the best places to eat in Oxford, Two One Five, is most famous amongst the city’s residents. They have got a delicious menu, with flavored dishes packed with great local ingredients. Some recommended dishes at this restaurant – Merrifield Duck, confit leg cake, and Praline Parfait.
HOW TO REACH THE OXFORD CITY
Oxford is one of the most accessible cities in the UK. With plenty of transportation options, one can find its way to the city quite easily.
By Train – Train services are operational from London Paddington Station to Oxford and London Marylebone Station to Oxford Parkway station. The average time to reach the city is 55minutes with 3-4 stops. Other services operate from the north via Birmingham New Street, from the south via Reading, and from the west via Didcot or Reading.
By Private Car – If you are traveling via private vehicle or a rental car, then it takes approx. 1hr 26minutes to reach Oxford city.
By Coaches – The X90 and the Oxford Tube are the two frequent coaches who travel between Oxford and London.
ADDITIONAL TRAVEL INFO ON OXFORD CITY
The best part about Oxford city is all of the main attractions are within a walkable distance. It doesn’t matter if you are in the town only for a half-day excursion, because there is plenty to do & see.
Oxford is best visited on foot. Make sure you carry some drinks & snacks along the way to ensure you are hydrated all the time. Some of the attractions may take time to explore, so plan the itinerary accordingly.
You can always combine other major attractions with Oxford if you plan to add something to your itinerary. Warner Bros. Studio is only an hour’s drive away from the city, and it is approx. It takes 3 hours to visit the entire studio.
Cotswold, one of the most scenic places in the UK, is a 50-minute drive away from the city.
Bath, a great tourist destination, is a 94-minute drive away.
These nearby places make Oxford a city center, within other touristic destinations. And it’s always a great idea to combine two or more areas if you have more days in hand to explore.
Hope you enjoyed reading this short guide on Oxford city! In addition to this, I’ll be coming up with more travel ideas and other unique things to do near Oxford to help you have a great vacation in the UK.
Stay tuned!
