Situated between the upper River Thames and River Cherwell, just a short distance from West London lies the city of Oxford. Oxford is oftentimes referred to as ‘The City of Dreaming Spires’, known for its stunning skyline complete with Gothic steeples and towers. Most of the buildings occupying the iconic city skyline belong to the infamous University of Oxford and were built in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries, making the university the oldest in the world. Oxford is diverse and historic and there are many wonderful ways to explore the city: walking tours, river tours, and even open bus tours.
However, the historic center of the city is condensed enough to explore on your own on foot and is ready for you to explore! With its age-old university, beautiful buildings, and quintessential skyline, Oxford is one of the most famous cities in all of England. Here are this author’s top eleven things to do whilst you’re exploring this incredible city!
The University of Oxford
The main attraction! The University of Oxford is one of the most notorious and prestigious universities, not just in the United Kingdom but also in the entire world. Individuals travel from all over to marvel and gawk at the infamous hallowed halls, candle-lit chapels, and marvelous architectural beauty. Even if not a prospective student, the University of Oxford is so well-known that it is definitely worth a look! Why not get to know this place of study by those who know it best? The university offers behind-the-scenes tours of the libraries, quads, and libraries, led by Oxford students and graduates. They last around two hours.
This is your chance to find out what it is like to study at one of the best universities in the world. You even get a glimpse into some areas of the venue that were used in the Harry Potter movies! If a tour isn’t your thing, the University of Oxford remains a stunning location and a great venue for simply admiring or pleasantly strolling around.
Location: Oxford, OX1 2JD
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History
The Oxford Museum of Natural History is located on the University of Oxford campus, housing the university’s collections of zoological and geological specimens. The building in which the museum lies is classed as a grade one building, known for its breathtaking neo-Gothic architecture. The museum offers much to see and do, amongst its most popular exhibitions are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs and the dodos. Whether you’re here to soak in the natural history and learn or simply admire the beautiful building, The Oxford Museum of Natural History is a great tourist attraction for you to consider! Plus, entry is FREE!
Location: Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3PW
Oxford Castle and Prison
The Oxford Castle and Prison is an incredible, immersive way of soaking up over one-thousand years of Oxford’s history. Through a combination of costumed characters and animated performance, learn all about the rich history of Oxford Castle and the prison located beneath through the Oxford Castle and Prison tour. It is a truly exciting learning experience! Plus, why not venture up St George’s Tower and take in stunning views of the city below? A visit to the Oxford Castle and Prison is one that all the family can enjoy, so make sure to have a nosy!
Location: 44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford, OX1 1AY
The Oxford Artisan Distillery
Attention gin lovers! Take a trip to the heart of the city of Oxford and discover the Oxford Artisan Distillery. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience, learning about the Artisan approach to craft distilling, utilizing sustainable heritage grain and handmade copper stills! This experience is truly one for the books, as you are let in on the secret of what goes into the Oxford Artisan spirits and begin to understand how grain to grass distillery works. Psst…expect a few samples too! Obviously, only if you’re over eighteen. If you’re not fancying the tour, why not pop into the Oxford Artisan Distillery shop? It’s free for the public to enter! Don’t miss your chance to glimpse into the world of a gin distillery, or simply grab a sample or even a gift basket of some of the best available gin in Oxford!
Location: Old Depot, South Park, Cheney Ln, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7QJ
The Oxford Ghost Trail
Why not keep one of your trip evenings free to embark on a spooky adventure across Oxford? Tour through the city, accompanied by your very own dramatically costumed tour guide, and learn about some of the most tortuous and chillingly terrifying deaths to ever occur in England. Expect a few visits from some surprise guests upon the way…perhaps a ghost or ghoul, who will reveal a few more details about spectacularly awful crimes! Lasting around seventy-five minutes, this tourist attraction is one of the most exciting and interactive that the city offers. If you’re brave, then make sure to take this fun opportunity to explore the eerie streets of Oxford by night and learn about the city’s troubled past!
The Story Museum
Oxford’s Story Museum is truly magical and, in fact, is one of this author’s favorite tourist attractions in all of the city! Celebrating storytelling from all over the world and providing a perfect introduction to Oxford’s literary history, the Story Museum is a must-stop for any story lover. The museum is a truly incredible interactive experience! Travel through a wardrobe door and enter the magical world of Narnia, rediscover your favorite storybook characters, and tour through a multitude of exciting story worlds.
Explore a spellbound library, wherein a trip to the numerous bookshelves with take you on a trip inside of a story! The Oxford Story Museum is a wonderful, hands-on experience for all of the family, especially the children. In addition to the regularly scheduled magic, the museum hosts performances, talks, workshops, and events. The venue truly has it all! For a unique and quirky, interactive experience, make sure you check out the Oxford Story Musem.
Location: 42 Pembroke St, Oxford, OX1 1BP
The Bridge of Sighs
Linking the buildings of Hertford College together, the Bridge of Sighs exists as a prominent landmark within the city of Oxford. Built from late 1913 to early 1914 and named after the Ponte Dei Sospiri in Venice, Italy, the landmark is very popular amongst tourists. The Bridge of Sighs is one of the most significant and stunning sights to be seen in Oxford and is worth a quick stop for a photograph.
Location: Bridge of Sighs, New College Ln, Oxford, OX1 3BL
The Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library is oftentimes described as a must-see cultural destination, known all over the world for its stunning architectural beauty and impressive academic library system. The library itself was founded by Sir Thomas Bodley and officially opened up to the public in 1602. Generations of famous scholars, Nobel Prize winners, and Prime Ministers have found themselves studying within the reading rooms of the Bodleian Library, including names such as C.S Lewis and Oscar Wilde. The library is truly stunning, with many of the interior areas featured in productions such as ‘A Discovery of Witches’ and ‘Harry Potter’. So, you may recognize a few spots whilst you walk around! In addition to study space and magnificent sight for admiration, the library offers many wonderful exhibitions featuring works from the libraries’ spectacular collections, that in themselves are free to explore. There is also a lovely little cafe and two quaint gift shops to have a look through. There is so much to see and do in this truly important building, don’t miss your chance to take a look!
Location: Broad St, Oxford, OX1 3BG
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is a sight to behold! Existing as the birthplace of Winston Churchill and the current home of the twelfth Duke of Marlborough, this giant country house is complete with parklands, flamboyant staterooms, and a yew maze. Though, in technical terms, the venue is not a palace. But, its size and splendor will have you easily fooled! Get a glimpse into how the other half lives with a trip to one of the most beautiful locations in the city. Why not take part in the ‘Upstairs Tour’ and have a look around the private apartments of the Marlborough family and see where Charlie Chaplin, Bill Clinton, and Sylvester Stallone once stayed!
Location: Woodstock, OX20 1PP
Christ Church, Oxford University
Harry Potter fans! How would you fancy touring the venue that inspired Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Look no further than Christ Church. Christ Church is Oxford’s largest and grandest college and is the home of Oxford’s cathedral. The grounds are home to the splendor of magnificent buildings just waiting for you to gawk at! If the architectural beauty isn’t enough to entice you, the history of Christ Church will! A quick glance at the list of alumni and you’ll see the extensive list of past politicians, philosophers, scientists, and literary scholars.
Speaking of literature, much of Christ Church inspired the famous tale of Alice in Wonderland. For instance, the Christ Church Great Hall inspired Lewis Carroll’s rabbit hole, the long-necked firedogs found inside the building inspired Alice’s elongated neck, and the portrait of Henry VIII that can be seen hanging on the college wall inspired the Queen of Hearts. Christ Church is such a significant and important building and so worth a visit!
Location: Oxford, OX1 4JF
The Pitt Rivers Museum
The Pitt Rivers Museum is one of the most popular attractions in all of Oxford and is truly an exciting world of discovery! The museum itself is characterized as the world-famous museum of ethnography and archaeology, known for its numerous collections from all over the world displaying artifacts from cultures past and present. Displayed within one large room spread across three levels, the exhibits are electric and mesmerizing! Let your mind buzz with the incredible sights, be amazed by the new things you learn, and experience all this for no cost at all! That’s right, the Pitts Rivers Museum won’t cost you a penny.
Location: Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3PW
