Anchored by the 12th-century Oxford University, visitors can meander narrow streets and duck into a few of its 33 colleges. Northwest of London, Oxford’s nickname is the City of Dreaming Spires for its ornate architecture and medieval city center. From the Ashmolean Museum to the Old Bodleian Library to River Punting, Oxford offers travellers a culture-rich getaway paired with the vibrancy of a college town. While in Oxford, take in one of its pubs, oozing English cozy vibes or head out in any direction for a day trip. Here are the BEST things to do in Oxford UK.
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Do a Walking Tour of Oxford University
Walk by the Christ Church College and Christ Church Cathedral
See the Old Bodleian Library
Walk By the Radcliffe Camera
See the Bridge of Sighs
Walk by the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Peek Into the Gardens at Corpus Christi College
Tour the Ashmolean Museum
Visit The Oxford University of Natural History
See the Pitts River Museum
Walk Through The University of Oxford Botanical Garden
Go River Punting or Hire a Pedalo
Walk the Streets of Oxford
Browse in the Oxford Covered Market
Pop Into a Pub
Visit Blenheim Palace
Take a Day Trip
Should You Visit Oxford?
Highly walkable, Oxford is an easy add-on if you are visiting London. As a college town, it features street cafes and pubs.
The Ashmolean Museum and the unique Pitt Rivers Museum are both free. The architecture is especially a draw.
Tour Oxford University
As the oldest University in the English-speaking world, this is a must while in Oxford. It is also one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Touring several colleges is one of the top things to do in Oxford, UK.
It is made up of 30 colleges that are spread across the area. The first colleges were built in the 13th century, and visitors will see several architectural styles. Some of the colleges are best viewed with an organized tour. I took a guided tour, and the University offers several official tours.
Christ Church College and Christ Church Cathedral
Built in the 12th century, it is one of Oxford’s dreaming spires of Gothic and Gothic Revival. and one of the first towers in England. The cathedral offers a stained glass window from 1630. Visitors can listen to the Evensong at 6 p.m. most nights.
Located at Christ Church, St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1DP.
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Bodleian Libraries, including Old Bodleian Library and Weston Library
The Old Bodleian Library, founded in 1602, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. It features several reading rooms and has over 13 million printed materials. Most materials can only be viewed inside the library. Sir Thomas Bodley is responsible for the libraries, hence the name Bodleian.
The Divinity School is within the Bodleian Libraries and was built between 1427 and 1483. Used for lectures, it is the oldest lecture hall at Oxford. Inside, I found the Drake Chair,
For Harry Potter fans, the Divinity School was the Hogwarts Infirmary. Upstairs, the Duke Humfrey’s Library was also used as a library in the series. Both areas are open to tours only, and my tour visited the Divinity School.
Located at Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BG. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To visit the Old Bodleian Library, you must book a tour. The Weston Library is new and free to enter.
For tours, I used the Official University of Oxford Tours; the 2-hour tour met at the Weston Library and walked across the campus, including entering the Old Bodleian Library. This is one of the top things to do in Oxford, UK. It is offered most days; prices start at £25 for adults.
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Radcliffe Camera
Radcliffe Camera is a round building built in the Baroque style from 1737 to 1749. Also part of the Bodleian Libraries (this name can be confusing since it refers to five buildings),
The Radcliffe Camera houses the scientific library. During my tour, I walked past the library. However, visitors can enter it on the official Bodleian Libraries tour.
Located at Radcliffe Camera, Radcliffe Sq, Oxford OX1 3BG.
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Bridge of Sighs
Hertford Bridge connects two buildings in Hertford College, a popular photo backdrop. Completed in 1914, it resembles the Rialto Bridge in Venice.
Located on New College Lane off Cattle St.
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University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
This church is built in the English Gothic architectural style, and its 13th-century tower is particularly fine. The church is close to the Radcliffe Camera and has been central to the university since medieval times.
For a birds-eye view of Oxford, purchase a Tower ticket (£6). Ascending a 127-step medieval turret staircase (that means uneven and sometimes steep). Dating back to 1280, the Tower is decorated with beautifully carved gargoyles and grotesques.
Located on High St, Oxford OX1 4BJ. Open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Visitors can tour the church for free.
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Corpus Christi College
One of the more scenic colleges, Corpus Christi College, was founded in 1517. The college was fundamental in translating the King James Bible.
Corpus Christi College offers a main quadrangle with the Pelican Sundial, dating back to 1579. The gardens are notable as well, dating back to the 16th century. During my visit, I peeked my head into the quadrangle.
Located on Merton St, Oxford OX1 4JF. The college is open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Ashmolean Museum
The Ashmolean Museum, founded in 1683, is an Art and Archaeology museum and the first public museum in Britain. Originally, Elias Ashmole gave Oxford his cabinet of curiosities in 1677.
The Ashmolean Museum offers a Spotlight Trail that will guide visitors to its highlights. You’ll see its Egyptian Mummy, Guy Fawkes’ Lantern (used in the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605), an Islamic Lamp, Alfred Jewel and paintings like Turner’s High Street and Manet’s Portrait of Mademoiselle Claus. There are tours designed for families and special interests, like the Myths and Reality audio tour. This is one of the top things to do in Oxford, UK.
Located on Beaumont St, Oxford OX1 2PH, Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free
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The Oxford University of Natural History and the Pitts River Museum
This sprawling complex is two museums in the same location. Most visitors enter the Oxford University of Natural History first. It is home to the famous Dodo.
Inside this light-filled Neo-Gothic building, visitors wander through rows of glass-enclosed cases with unique displays of creatures from all over the world.I saw the Oxfordshire dinosaurs; it is fascinating. It houses the only soft tissue remains of a dodo; however, it wasn’t on display during my visit.
Whale skeletons are hanging from the ceiling. In other cases, I saw meteorites and gemstones. It is one of the best things to do in Oxford, UK. If you have time for one museum, this is the one to tour.
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The Pitts River Museum
Pitts River Museum is behind the Oxford Museum of Natural History. Founded in 1884, it is dedicated to anthropology and includes the collection of General Pitt-Rivers.
Displayed in glass cabinets, the collection features paper labels describing the items. From the Totem Poles from British Columbia to a carved figure from New Zealand, the collection is expansive and interesting.
There are weapons and tools, like an axe from Papua New Guinea and a Metate from Central America. Visitors will also find a Moai Figure from Rapa Nui or Easter Island and a bronze cast head from Togo.
Located at S. Parks Rd., Oxford OX1 3PP. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a cafe and gift stores. Free
Note: When I visited, my maps app took me to a back entrance. If using, enter the Oxford Museum of Natural History as the address, even though there is not number address for the street.
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The University of Oxford Botanical Garden
The University of Oxford University Botanical Garden is the oldest botanic garden in Great Britain and one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world. Founded in 1621, it grew medicinal plants early on.
Now, it offers over 5,000 different species. For garden lovers, it is a must. Its overall design is English, so you’ll find formal plant beds with lots of different species clumped together.
Located at Rose Ln, Oxford OX1 4AZ. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adults are £9 (can be purchased at the Garden), and kids under 16 enter for free.
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Go River Punting or Hire a Pedalo
The River Cherwell runs through Oxford, with museums, homes and gardens along its edge. One of the more enchanting things to do in Oxford during the summer is rent a boat.
One of the first things I saw on my trip to Oxford was a young man with a long stick trying to maneuver his boat while being heckled by his passengers (in good fun, I hope). If you’ve ever wanted to experience the life of a gondolier, then river punting is a must.
I enjoyed watching, and then my best friend and I rented a pedalo instead. It is a long boat that we pedaled. It was vintage, and sleek and easy to maneuver. We pedaled and took in the sights without breaking a sweat.
We used Magdelen Bridge Boathouse at Magdalen Bridge, Oxford, OX1 4AU. From February 1 to November 30, it is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The pedalo costs £35 an hour.
Walk the Streets of Oxford
There are several shopping streets in Oxford. During our stay, we walked the entire time we were in town.
Market Street is one of the best, and I found a quaint shop with unique home and garden items: Objects of Use at 6 Lincoln House, Market Street, Oxford OX1 3EQ. The Oxford Covered Market is located on Market as well.
Broad Street is another shopping street. We also walked down Banbury Street to and from our accommodations. It passes the adorable pedestrian-only street, North Parade Avenue, with pubs and cafes painted in pastels and decorated with window boxes.
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Where to Eat in Oxford
Oxford offers an impressive list of restaurants, but I love English pubs. So during my trip, I wanted to enjoy traditional English food, from Fish and Chips to Bristol Pies to Bangers and Mash.
Oxford didn’t disappoint in the pubs. Each I visited was cozy and inviting. Some even offered patios, great for long summer evenings. Others offer live music. Most post a menu out front and feature charming window boxes brimming with flowers.
Oxford Covered Market
In the heart of Oxford city centre, the world-famous Oxford Covered Market is home to over 50 independent shops. Opening in the 1770s, it is one of the oldest continually operating markets in the UK.
This is the place for souvenirs, a cup of tea, or a quick bite. During my visit, we went here for lunch one day after our tour guide recommended it. I dined at the Pieminister, serving Bristol-based gourmet meat pies with mash and gravy (vegan options available).
Located at Market St, Oxford OX1 3DZ. Open Monday to Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to enter.
Rose and Crown Pub
On my trip to Oxford, I rented a manual transmission to drive since that sounded fun. It was like learning to drive all over again. I was driving on the left side of the road from the right side of the car, shifting with a hand that had never shifted before.
At the end of my first day of driving, I needed a big plate of comfort food and a pint. The Rose and Crown was just the place. Cozy and comfortable, it featured well-worn tables and a regular clientele. Best of all, it was right across from my lodging.
The Rose and Crown Pub serves a choice of ales on draught and keg beers. The menu is served all day, and you’ll find sausage and mash, fish and chips and savory pies. Sunday is a traditional roast beef with roasted vegetables and Yorkshire puddings.
Located at 14 N Parade Ave, Oxford OX2 6LX. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Royal Oak
Inside a restored 18th-century inn, The Royal Oak offers a maze of rooms, each with its own vibe. The menu leans traditional, and I ordered the Beer-Battered Atlantic Haddock and Chips with Minted crushed peas. Since the day was sunny and warm, we dined under a market umbrella on the patio.
Other options include a Falafel Burger and British-bred Cumberland Sausages and Mash. On Tap, you’ll find ales, beers and lagers, along with some cocktails.
Located at 42-44 Woodstock Rd, Oxford OX2 6HT. Open Monday to Thursday from noon to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from noon to 10:30 p.m.
Day Trips from Oxford
Oxford is a central hub in Oxfordshire and a gateway to the Cotswolds. There are several top attractions in the area, including UNESCO World Heritage sites.
During my visit, I had a rental car and traveled to several sites in the area, all about an hour from Oxford. From Blenheim Palace to Stonehenge to Windsor Castle, add a day trip to your itinerary.
Blenheim Palace
As the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is one of the largest homes in the UK. Built between 1705 and 1722, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Named after the Battle of Blenheim, it was a reward for John Churchill, the First Duke of Marlborough. It is built in the English Baroque style and originally designed by Sir John Vanburgh; however, political infighting, cost overruns and a temporary exile led to its extended construction time.
Generational mismanagement led to a partial liquidation of the massive estate. The 9th Duke of Marlborough married the heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. He used her money to bring the palace back to grandeur.
Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and he spent much time there over his life. However, he was not the heir of the palace. Visitors can learn more about his life in the Churchill Exhibit, including his birthroom.
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Places to See at Blenheim
In many ways, Blenheim Palace is grander than many of the Royal castles. The State Rooms are gilded, with family portraits hanging on the walls.
The grounds are grand, with a Grand Bridge crossing the lake, a Great Park and its Flagstaff Gate. Closer to the house, the majestic Water Terraces, the Duke’s Private Italian Garden, the Churchill Memorial Garden and the beautifully delicate Rose Garden are all stunning.
For Harry Potter fans, it is home to the Harry Potter tree from the Order of the Phoenix. I recommend you allow time to explore the property. It is also featured in Bridgerton, Season 3, The Diplomat, Napoleon, Cinderella and James Bond: Spectre, just to name a few.
Just for kids, Blenheim Palace Adventure Play is a destination in the corner of the estate, accessible by a miniature train. There’s where visitors will find the extensive playground, a Butterfly House, and the Marlborough Maze (made of hedges). During the year, it offers many events, so check the calendar.
Located in Blenheim Park, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1UL. Open 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (The Park open at 9, the cafe opens at 9:30). Adult admission is £41, and kids (3 to 16) enter for £24. The drive to the Blenheim Palace from Oxford is about 20 minutes.
Bombay Sapphire Distillery
I will not lie, I love a good gin and tonic. I also love Bombay Sapphire Gin and its lovely light blue bottle. I save them and use them across my house for everything from my kitchen dish soap to hanging off my bottle tree.
So when I learned its distillery was about an hour from Oxford, I knew I had to take its Discovery Tour. Located in a historic former paper mill, it is an interesting campus to explore.
During our tour, we started with signature cocktails and then learned about its proprietary blend of spices and herbs. Then, we learned about the Bombay Vapour Infusion process. It still uses its original Carterhead stills from the 1830s, named Tom and Mary. To keep up with global demand, it also uses two state-of-the-art 12,000-litre copper pot stills named Henry and Victoria.
Then we went through its stunning greenhouses. They are designed to look like water spilling from a bottle. In each, we say living specimens of their spices and herbs, like Moroccan cubeb berries to the West African Grains of Paradise.
The tour ended in its bar, where the mixologists served a menu of Bombay cocktails for an additional fee. There was an indoor bar space and umbrella tables outside to enjoy a cocktail. For gin-loving adults, this is one of the best gin distillery tours in the UK.
Located at Bombay Gin Distillery, Laverstoke Mill, London Rd, Whitchurch RG28 7NR. Adults are £22, kids 13 to 17 are £10, and those 12 and younger enter for free. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are recommended. The drive to the Bombay Gin Distillery from Oxford is about 50 minutes.
Hidcote Gardens
One of the most influential Arts and Crafts gardens in the UK, this is the place to visit if you want to see English Gardens. Anchored by the Hidcote Manor, an expansive farmhouse dating back centuries, the garden took shape in the early 20th century under American Lawrence Johnson, who immigrated to England in 1907.
Divided into rooms, herbaceous hedges break up the space, infilled with perennials like roses and exotic plants Lawrence sourced from around the world. I visited in July, and the garden was saturated with blooms and fragrance.
The use of hardscaping adds an air of elegance to the space. The pond is actually a Bathing Pool. The Gazebos anchor the Red Border, planted with red-leafed and flowering plants. There is a Great Lawn, a Beech Allee and areas dedicated to a single species, like Hydrangeas and Lilacs. Hidcote Garden is a must for gardeners and plant lovers.
Located at Hidcote Bartrim, near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6LR. From mid-March until December 31, the garden is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Adult admission is £20, kids (5 to 7) are £11, with those 4 and younger entering for free. Those visiting in November and December enjoy a seasonal discount.
The garden is closed from January 1 until mid-March. There is a cafe, shop and small plant nursery. The drive to Hidcote Gardens from Oxford is 45 minutes.
Stonehenge
Some places grab your attention in childhood; for me, it was Stonehenge. On my first trip to England years ago, I couldn’t make it happen. Without a rental car, it is not that easy to visit (outside of the group tour).
Stonehenge is a prehistoric megalithic rock structure on the Salisbury Plain. It is one of many; however, it is the most famous. Starting in 3100 BCE, construction continued until 1600 BCE.
Stonehenge includes a ring of Sarsen stones standing upright, each around 13 feet (4.0 m) high, seven feet (2.1 m) wide, and weighing around 25 tons each. Some stones are topped with lintels. Inside the outer ring is a smaller ring of Bluestone.
At the visitor center, there is a Stonehenge exhibition and Neolithic houses to explore. From the Visitor Center, there is a shuttle bus to the stone circle. I recommend this since the walk is about a mile. During bank holidays and weekends, expect a wait for the shuttle.
If you visit around the time of Summer Solstice, like I did, you might see a processional, reserved for groups that consider Stonehenge significant. The stones are placed to align with sunrise on the solstices. The monument is closed to the general public on the solstice.
Located at Stonehenge, Salisbury SP4 7DE. Adult admission starts at £31.80 and youth (5 to 17) starts at £15.90, with demand pricing. Parking is £4 additional, payable on location and by an app. The drive to Stonehenge from Oxford is about an hour and 45 minutes.
