Oxford

Come and experience the magic of this scholarly haven in the heart of England, a vibrant university city where students in flowing gowns weave through bustling streets. Oxford University, famed for its prestigious heritage, stands as the city's centerpiece. Founded in the 11th century, it nurtures over 24,000 students across diverse fields. Guided tours reveal historic buildings featured in countless movies, including the magical world of Harry Potter. Explore the Bodleian Libraries, where knowledge whispers through ancient manuscripts.

Delve into the labyrinthine Bodleian Libraries, a treasure trove of ancient manuscripts and first editions, or wander through the covered walkways of the Radcliffe Camera, a majestic dome that dominates the skyline. History buffs will find themselves enthralled by the Ashmolean Museum, a treasure chest overflowing with artifacts from around the world, from Egyptian mummies to dinosaur skeletons.

Grand honey-colored buildings reminder us of centuries past, their walls echoing with the footsteps of scholars and literary giants. Stroll through the tranquil courtyards of the prestigious colleges – Christ Church, with its majestic cathedral, or Magdalen, with its iconic tower overlooking the River Cherwell – and imagine yourself transported to another era.

Founded in 1263, Balliol College is one of Oxford's oldest. Its walls, adorned with portraits of female graduates, reflect progress after centuries of admitting only men. Here, influential minds like Adam Smith and Aldous Huxley once roamed. Immerse yourself in academia, where history and innovation converge.

Beyond the academic haven, Oxford offers a delightful mix of old and new. Explore the bustling Covered Market, a haven for local produce and quirky crafts, or browse the independent shops lining the High Street. For a taste of the city's literary heritage, visit the Eagle and Child pub, a favorite haunt of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, or lose yourself in a world of words at the Blackwell's flagship store, one of the largest bookstores in Europe.

In the evening, sample the city's renowned culinary scene, from traditional pubs serving hearty English fare to Michelin-starred restaurants showcasing innovative cuisine. Oxford comes alive at night. The pubs, many housed in historic buildings, buzz with students and locals enjoying a pint after a long day.

There will also be time for two daytrips to The Cotswolds, travelling to Moreton-in-Marsh on a 30-minute train ride and joining a mini-coach tour.

My hotel suggestion, the 5-star Old Bank Hotel

Oxford Map of Sights, Hotels, Restaurants

For more information see the Official Tourist Information website

Just an hour by train from London, Oxford greets you with its dreaming spires, honey-colored stone buildings and bicycles whizzing past grand college gates. For 800 years, it has been a seat of scholars, cradling Britain's oldest university—the venerable Oxford University.

Oxford isn't your typical bustling British city. Founded in the 11th century, it's a city built around the prestigious University of Oxford, the oldest in the English-speaking world. But Oxford offers more than just scholarly pursuits; it's a vibrant hub with a youthful energy, quirky museums, and a surprising amount of green space.

The grand colleges are the stars of the show, each boasting unique styles – Gothic arches at Christ Church, neoclassical pillars at Balliol, and the imposing Tudor facade of Magdalen College. Many colleges offer guided tours, a chance to peek into hallowed halls and ancient courtyards.

Wander the cobbled streets alongside ancient buildings. One of Oxford's delights is its sheer walkability. Most of the city's attractions are clustered within a small area, making it easy to explore on foot.

Punting on the rivers Thames (locally known as the Isis) and Cherwell feels like a stolen moment. For a truly unique experience, punt down the River Cherwell, past weeping willows and ancient meadows, as you soak in the timeless beauty of this historic city.

Oxford also boasts a surprising culinary scene. Beyond the traditional pubs serving hearty fare like bangers and mash, there's a plethora of independent cafes, gastropubs, and international restaurants.

Ashmolean Museum

Step into the Ashmolean Museum, Britain's oldest public museum. For a peek into Oxford's scientific past, visit the Ashmolean Museum, filled with dinosaur skeletons, Egyptian mummies, and a vast collection of archaeological treasures.

Second only to the British Museum in London, the Ashmolean Museum occupies a mammoth Neoclassical building on the corner of Beaumont Street and St Giles. Ashmolean Museum Beaumont St, Daily 10am–5pm • Free • rooftop restaurant view.

The Bodleian Library, second only to the British Library, cradles every book ever published in England since 1662. Take a guided tour and breathe in the scent of knowledge. This grand library, with its Duke Humfrey's medieval reading room, is a bibliophile's paradise.

For a break from the city bustle, head to Christ Church Meadow, a sprawling green oasis in the heart of Oxford. Locals and students alike flock here for picnics, punting on the River Cherwell, or simply soaking up the sunshine.

Venture beyond Oxford's borders. The Cotswolds beckon, and there stands Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill. Explore its opulent rooms and lose yourself in the maze. Daily: palace 10.30am–3.45pm; gardens 10am–5pm; park 9.30am–5pm or dusk.

PLACES

Bridge of Sighs Spanning New College Lane a few paces off Catte Street, you can't miss the iconic Bridge of Sighs, an archway completed in 1914 to link two buildings of Hertford College.

Carfax Tower Daily: March & Oct 10am–4pm; April–Sept 10am–5pm; Nov–Feb 10am–3pm. The busy Carfax crossroads is a fulcrum, where chiefly gown architecture along the High Street to the east is balanced by the distinctly town atmosphere of Cornmarket and Queen Street to the west.

Cornmarket, now a busy pedestrianized shopping strip lined with familiar high-street stores. There's precious little here to fire the imagination until you reach St Michael-at-the-Northgate, a church recorded in the Domesday Book.

Covered Market High St, For refreshment on the hoof – as well as a fascinating glimpse into the everyday life of Oxford away from the colleges – drop into the Covered Market. Opened in 1774, it remains full of atmosphere, home to butchers, bakers, fishmongers, greengrocers and cheese sellers as well as cafés, clothes boutiques and shoe shops.

The Covered Market, a bustling indoor marketplace, pulsates with energy. Here, you'll find everything from fresh local produce and artisan cheeses to quirky souvenirs and vintage clothing. Mon–Sat 8am–5.30pm, Sun 10am–4pm

Cowley Road is a vibrant, multicultural area to the east of Oxford with many restaurants, shops, bars and arts venues. The area's unique character is celebrated every July at the Cowley Road Carnival.

Divinity School. Entered from the quad, the Divinity School is a highlight. Begun in 1424, this exceptional room is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture, featuring an extravagant vaulted ceiling adorned with a riot of pendants and 455 decorative bosses.

Gloucester Green Market: Don't miss the Gloucester Green Market—a vibrant tapestry of local produce, crafts, and global flavors. Food Wed 9am–4pm; food, antiques & crafts Thurs 9am–4pm; food, arts & textiles Sat 10am–5pm.

High Street, known locally as 'The High', runs from Carfax Tower all the way down and east to Magdalen Bridge.

History of Science Museum holds a leading collection of scientific instruments from Middle Ages to the 19th century. The museum building is also known as the Old Ashmolean Building. The museum was built in 1683, and it is the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum.

Jericho is now one of Oxford's most sought-after areas to live with an excellent choice of pubs, restaurants and shops. It's a laid-back, bohemian neighbourhood, characterised by hip cocktail bars and quiet residential streets of Victorian terraces.

Little Clarendon Street has stylish boutiques, cheese shops, cafes and more. Walk to the end of Little Clarendon Street to Jericho, which boasts more independent shops, bookstores and unique drinking and eating establishments.

Magdalen Bridge Boathouse High St; chauffeured per 30min £25, self-punt per hour £20. The most central location to hire a punt, chauffeured or otherwise.

Modern Art Oxford, Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 11am–5pm

Museum of Natural History, The Oxford University Museum of Natural History unveils fossils and wonders of the natural world.

Museum of Oxford, the only museum dedicated to telling the story of Oxford and its people. Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm No fixed entrance fee.

New Theatre Oxford, is the region's largest live entertainment venue.

Oxford Castle & Prison 44-46 Oxford Castle; tours 10am-4.20pm. It's not England's most imposing fortress, but Oxford Castle dates back more than 1000 years.

Oxford Castle Quarter, mixes the past and present to make every visit memorable.

Oxford River Cruises & The Folly Restaurant, A trip with Oxford River Cruises is so much more than a boat ride.

Pitt Rivers Museum Parks Rd, Mon noon–5pm, Tues–Sun 10am–5pm • Free. Oxford's eye-popping Pitt Rivers Museum is one of the world's finest ethnographic museums.

Radcliffe Camera Surely Oxford's most photographed landmark, the sandy-gold Radcliffe Camera is a beautiful, light-filled, circular, columned library.

University Church of St Mary the Virgin for the highest view over Oxford, https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/

University of Oxford Botanic Garden, is the UK's oldest botanic garden, founded in 1621.

Westgate Oxford is home to prestigious global brands, roof terrace, view

The Colleges

Perhaps the greatest attractions for the visitor to Oxford are the many beautiful colleges, with historic architecture featuring many gothic-style flourishes, and campus gardens providing an oasis in the midst of the city.

All Souls College High St, Mon–Fri 2–4pm; closed Aug • Free

Christ Church College St Aldates, Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 2–5pm. Christ Church's distinctive Tom Tower was added by Christopher Wren in 1681.

Don't be surprised if you have to queue to get in. Christ Church Hall will be familiar to the millions who have enjoyed the film versions of the Harry Potter novels.

Exeter College Turl St, Daily 2–5pm • Free

Magdalen College High St, Daily: Jan–Dec 10am–7pm or dusk. At the east end of the High Street stands Magdalen College (pronounced maudlin), whose gaggle of stone buildings is overshadowed by its chunky medieval bell tower.

Merton College Merton St, Mon–Fri 2–5pm, Sat & Sun 10am–5pm. Merton College is historically the city's most important.

New College New College Lane, Daily: Easter–Oct 11am–5pm, rest of year 2–4pm. Founded in 1379, New College features the magnificent Perpendicular chapel, arguably the finest in Oxford.

Pembroke College The college was founded in 1624 by King James I.

St Edmund Hall Queen's Lane; 10am-4pm. St Edmund Hall ('Teddy Hall') is the sole survivor of the original medieval halls.

Trinity College Broad St, Daily 10am–noon & 2–6pm. Trinity College is fronted by three dinky lodge-cottages.

RESTAURANTS - See map

Alice in the iconic Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels - British Dishes with a contemporary twist https://graduatehotels.com/oxford-uk/restaurant/the-alice/

Arbequina - masquerading under the name of 'R Neville Chemists' which serves truly exceptional tapas.

Ashmolean Café on Beaumont Street

Branca ITALIAN - Big bustling and bright this glitzy Italian eatery serves delicious cocktails and all the requisite pizza pasta and meat and seafood grills.

Brown's Café - This is a family-run cafe, established in 1924, with a Portuguese twist.

Browns Restaurant - This is a more upscale option, part of a brasserie chain.

Cherwell Boathouse - punt station and restaurant on the banks of the river Cherwell.

Chez Mal Brasserie - Malmaison Hotel. Situated in the basement of Oxford's former prison.

Coconut Tree - It serves up Sri Lankan street food in a vibrant, casual setting.

Covered Market - a bustling indoor market with a variety of food options.

Gardeners Arms - Oxford's only 100% vegetarian and vegan pub.

Gee's - Formal restaurant occupying chic Victorian conservatory premises.

George Street Social - A hip and relaxed restaurant serving coffee beer and full meals.

Grand Café - occupies the site of a coffee house opened by a Lebanese Jew named Jacob in or just after 1650. England's oldest coffee house.

Harcourt Arms - This pub focuses on a classic British pub experience.

Jericho Tavern - a laid-back neighborhood pub that offers live music.

Maroc Deli - specializing in Moroccan cuisine.

Missing Bean - a fantastic Oxford coffee shop chain.

Nosebag - This is a long-standing student favourite in a beautiful 15th-century building.

Parsonage Grill - within the 5-star 17th century Old Parsonage Hotel.

Pieminister - Your nose will lead you to this pie shop inside the Covered Market.

Pierre Victoire - Much-loved French bistro in a buzzy little Jericho street.

Queen's Lane Coffee House - boasts the title of Oxford's (and possibly Europe's) oldest continuously operating coffee house.

Quod Restaurant & Bar - in the Old Bank Hotel.

The Folly - in a unique riverside position in the heart of Oxford.

Turl Street Kitchen - Much-loved hideaway on a charming backstreet.

Vaults & Garden - Occupying atmospheric stone-vaulted chambers attached to St Mary's church.

HOTELS - See map

Ali Inn, 3 star 6 GLOUCESTER STREET

Bath Place Hotel - right in the historic heart of the city

Bocardo Hotel, 24-26 George Street

Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre, 4 star

Euro Bar and Hotel, 48 George Street

George Street Hotel, 5 star 15-19 George Street

Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels

Malmaison Oxford, 4 star

Museum Hotel, Oxford, 4 star

Old Bank, 5 star

Old Parsonage Hotel, 5 star

Premier Inn Oxford City Centre (Westgate), 3 star

Royal Oxford Hotel, 3 star - next to station

The Bocardo Hotel, 4 star

The Buttery, 4 star

The Store, 1-5 Broad Street

Vanbrugh House Hotel, 20-24 St Michaels Street

Head of the River

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