Oxford.
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Overview

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

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.

The divide and sometimes enmity between the "town and gown," or, in other words, the university and everyone else, is quite real, and has been the case since the middle ages. A local legend has it that the steeple of a local church was removed, since it was being used as a snipers' nest by crossbowmen who would fire on any passers by in academic dress.

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 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 for Oxford from Experience Oxfordshire.

Central Oxford 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 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, restaurants 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 focused (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

By road 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 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. Buses going from Seacourt P+R terminate west of the train station, around a 10-minute walk from the city centre. This is due to works on the Botley Road bridge, and the reopening of this route has been indefinitely delayed.

The streets contained within the trial area are 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 Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain

Cross Country Trains run through Oxford, mostly running 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.

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).

Services run from several convenient London bus stops to Gloucester Green coach station in Oxford. They start at the London Victoria station, running westward via Marble Arch, Notting Hill, Shepherd's Bush and Hillingdon. For central Oxford, disembark at High Street (Queens Lane), St. Clements, or the final stop at Gloucester Green Bus Station. Some peak-time 'express' journeys take slightly different routes in London.

Return tickets are valid for a month after the outbound leg. An Oxford Tube return ticket is approx.

While there are no train services between 00:30 and 05:00, the Oxford Tube runs 24/7, making it the only public transport option between Oxford and London during the late night and early morning.

The Airline There are regular bus services between Oxford and London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports with The Airline, run by Oxford Bus Company.

Stagecoach X5 There is also an X5 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 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 1 hr 45 min.

It is operated by Stagecoach. A day ticket allows you unlimited travel and allows you to make connecting journeys anywhere on Stagecoach's buses in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, or Wiltshire.

Local Stagecoach buses Local buses from Bicester, Blenheim Palace, and Banbury are run by Stagecoach, and arrive at Magdalen Street, near Cornmarket. There are also bus services from Reading, Abingdon, and Didcot run by the Oxford Bus Company to St Aldate's, also in the city centre.

By plane 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 is the closest major airport, followed by Gatwick . Road access from 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. Travels from Heathrow Terminal 5 via 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 using the Heathrow Central bus station for Terminals 2&3. From Terminal 4, there's a free shuttle bus to Terminal 5 that leaves from bus stand 7.

between London Gatwick and Oxford. Travels from Gatwick South Terminal via Gatwick North Terminal. The route takes an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes, but this can be increased due to traffic congestion.

National Express bus company runs airport bus services from Luton Airport and Stansted Airport .

Birmingham Airport has fewer destinations than the London airports, but it has the shortest public transport travel time to Oxford. 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. 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

On foot 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.

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, use D-locks when possible, 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 e-bike As of 2025, there are two providers of e-bikes within Oxford, Voi and Lime. Both offer the ability to unlock bikes which can be found around Oxford using the relevant app, and charge by the minute for their use (you can also buy subscriptions). As with bicycles, they're not really necessary unless leaving the compact city centre. It is recommended that a helmet is used with them; they can move fairly quickly so may not be suitable for inexperienced riders. Unlike scooters, they can be used on cycle paths.

By scooter 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 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). The main hubs for local buses are the rail station and St Aldates.

It can take several hours for the Key to be ready once recharged.

CityZone 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:

Gloucester Green Travel Shop. You can sign up for an Oxford Key, top it up in-store and purchase tickets for the Airline bus.

High Street Travel Shop. Only provides sightseeing information.

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. Parking charges apply at Pear Tree, Redbridge, and Seacourt.

Oxford has 5 park & ride bus stations:

Pear Tree. North, near Wolvercote Roundabout on the and the Peartree Roundabout which connects the and . Has a petrol station, Travelodge, KFC, Waitrose and Starbucks.

Oxford Parkway. North. On the between Oxford and Kidlington. It is next to the train station of the same name.

Redbridge. South, in Donnington. By the .

Seacourt. West, in at the Botley Interchange where the and meet.

Thornhill. East, in Headington on the towards London. Has a coffee stand inside the main building called Thornhill Coffee.

Black Cabs are quite pricey but are convenient for short hops if travelling in a big group.

See

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.

Bodleian Library. The main research library of the University of Oxford, the Bodleian is one of the oldest libraries in Europe (opened in 1602, based on the collection of Thomas Bodley), and in the UK is second in size only to London's British Library. The Bodleian now possesses numerous branches throughout the university; visiting bibliophiles will be most keen to peruse the central site, which includes Duke Humfrey's Library above the Divinity School, the Old Schools Quadrangle with its Great Gate and Tower, the Radcliffe Camera, Britain’s first circular library, and the Clarendon Building.

Radcliffe Camera. Built 1737–49, this is a library and reading room for Oxford students and so is not generally accessible. The grand exterior, however, is well worth viewing.

Hertford Bridge. A quaint pedestrian bridge for the students of Hertford College which has popularly become known as the "Bridge of Sighs" of Oxford.

Sheldonian Theatre. This unusual building was Sir Christopher Wren's first major architectural commission. At the time he was a professor of Astronomy at the university. There is a series of busts outside the theatre facing Broad St with strange expressions and facial hair.

Taylorian Institute. The university's centre for the study of modern European languages and literature, established in 1845. Its library contains the largest specialist collection in its field in Britain. It is in a neo-classical building designed by Charles R. Cockerell and erected between 1841 and 1844 by the university to house the institution and the Randolph Galleries (now the Ashmolean Museum).

Tolkien's House. Fantasy author J. R. R. Tolkien lived in this mansion from 1930 to 1947, and wrote The Hobbit here. For the uninitiated little more than an average house in a residential street, but a must see for Lord of the Rings fans.

University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Some of the best views of Oxford are afforded from the tower of the church, dating to 1280. The church, rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries (with various additions after this time), is full of architectural and historical interest. The church has a coffee shop, the Vaults and Garden, now re-opened under the management of Will Pouget (already known for his 'Alpha Bar' in the Covered Market) and specialising in organic food and fair trade tea and coffee.

The Shark House. An ordinary terraced house in suburban Oxford, with a 25-foot shark buried face-first in the roof. Supposedly erected as an anti-war statement, this one-time controversial sculpture has become a much-loved public artwork and photo spot.

Godstow Abbey. A nunnery dissolved during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and eventually abandoned during the English Civil War. A beautiful place to explore, as it is completely open and able to be wandered through. It was the final resting place of a mistress of Henry II.

Oxford Castle. Oxford Castle was built shortly after the Norman Conquest. The castle later became a functioning prison until the late 20th century. Today, guided tours take visitors through cells, the Saxon St George’s Tower, and up to the motte for sweeping views over Oxford.

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.

Christ Church. The college of Brideshead Revisited fame, Christ Church is an Early Modern period college founded in 1525 by Cardinal Wolsey as "Cardinal College". Noted for associations with Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland) and was a location for the filming of the first Harry Potter film. Although not used for the actual filming, its Great Hall served as the inspiration for the design of the Great Hall of Hogwarts set in the Harry Potter film series. The Christ Church Meadows south of the college is a beautiful green space offering nice views of the spires and quiet corners to relax.

Magdalen College. Founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, Magdalen (pronounced Mawdlin) is frequently the first college seen by many visitors if coming into Oxford on the London Road, its high tower serving as a much-loved landmark. A must-see is the glorious deer park and the Gothic chapel. Significant Magdalen alumni include C.S. Lewis, Oscar Wilde, Seamus Heaney and Edward Gibbon. Visitor gift shop and afternoon café. Maximum 20 people in a group.

Ashmolean Museum. Vast, impressive, and has undergone major redevelopment, the Ashmolean is Britain's oldest public museum, having been founded in 1683. The museum displays ancient art from Egypt, the Near East, Greece and Rome, a fine collection of Western art and artifacts and a sizeable Eastern Art collection. Highlights include the Amarna Princess Fresco and the Alfred Jewel. A restaurant and gift store also feature.

Christ Church Picture Gallery. Houses an internationally renowned collection of Old Master paintings and drawings – some 300 paintings and almost 2000 drawings. The paintings include works by Carracci, Tintoretto, Filippino Lippi, Van Dyck and Frans Hals. Christ Church’s collection of Old Masters drawings is one of the most important in the country and includes work by major artists such as Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Durer and Rubens. For reasons of space and conservation, it is not possible to show the entire collection but a selection of drawings is always on view.

Modern Art Oxford. An art gallery often showing temporary exhibitions of art and photography by renowned contemporary artists, which are accompanied by well designed talks and workshops. Excellent cafe with cheap and great quality eats.

The Story Museum. Family-oriented museum about the power of story-telling and fiction.

Museum of Oxford. The museum tells the tale of the growth of the city and university.

Museum of the History of Science. This museum is in the Old Ashmolean building and houses an unrivalled collection of early scientific instruments. The Old Ashmolean building is the world's oldest surviving museum-purpose building. It is a department of Oxford University and a public museum. Its website offers an online database of their collection.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Houses the university's scientific collections of zoological, entomological, geological, palaeontological and mineralogical specimens, accumulated in the course of the last 3 centuries. The exhibits occupy a large central court with elegant Victorian cast-iron columns supporting the great glass roof, and surrounded on four sides by upper and lower arcades. They are devoted to the history and diversity of life on Earth and the rocks and minerals that form it. Highlights include the famous Oxford Dodo, the largest display of dinosaur remains outside London, a great collection of skeletons, and the nesting swifts in the museum's main tower.

Oxford University Press Museum. This small museum explains the history of the University of Oxford's involvement in printing and publishing from the 15th century to the present day. Among other things, the exhibitions show the OUP's buildings, printing equipment, the first publication of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and how the Oxford English Dictionary came to exist.

Pitt Rivers Museum. Oxford's museum of anthropology and ethnology, still largely arranged in Victorian style, making this a rare museum experience. The Pitt Rivers requires time and effort but gives great satisfaction. The collection is displayed according to the types and functions of the objects, instead of periods or origins. The museum does a great job educating about its past role in reinforcing colonial power structures. Certain controversial items, such as the Shuar tsantsa ("shrunken heads"), remain in the museum's inventory but are no longer on display due to ethical concerns.

Bate Collection of Musical Instruments. Museum with a collection of 2000 instruments, run by the University of Oxford. The collection focuses on orchestral instruments.

Many of Oxford University's colleges have parks and gardens to walk through that are open to the public.

University of Oxford Botanic Garden. The oldest botanic garden in Great Britain and one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world.

Oxford University Parks. Large expanse of park along the Cherwell River with paths running from Marston to the City Centre.

Do

Oxford is the home of the MINI. The MINI Plant Oxford continues to produce the iconic British car. Its award-winning factory tours, held several times daily, provide detailed insights into the manufacturing processes, including robotics and logistics.Factory Tours MINI

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.

There are a number of Harry Potter walking tours in Oxford that are such as Oxford Magic Tours. The guide's here are professional Magicians and the only tour's that offers Magical entertainment on the tours. others are 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.

Oxford United FC. Oxford were relegated in 2026 and now play soccer in League One, the third tier. Their Kassam Stadium (capacity 12,500) is 3 miles southeast of city centre.

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. Punting. In the summer, punting is an ever-popular activity, involving propelling a wooden boat along the river with a pole. You can also hire someone to do the punting for you, although it is easy and fun to do it yourself. Bring a bottle of wine and good balance along for a more interesting trip (although it helps to have a sober crew member along!) Punt rental is available from several locations in Oxford.

In the summer, check out the nesting swifts (birds) at the Oxford Museum of Natural History. 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.

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.

Odeon (Gloucester Green). Largest cinema in the Oxford city centre.

Phoenix Picturehouse. Vibrant independent cinema with an assortment of viewings available.

Ultimate Picture Palace. Small independent cinema housed in a majestic grade II listed building with an assortment of viewings available.

Vue. 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:

Burton Taylor Theatre. Tickets sold at the Box Office of the Oxford Playhouse (see above)

Old Fire Station Theatre (OFS). Charity-run culture hub showcasing contemporary UK and local art, drama and music. Also has a café.

The Oxford Playhouse. Worthwhile plays.

New Theatre. Popular shows, musicals and ballets.

Oxford Show Details. Aggregation website that highlights shows worth seeing in Oxford.

The Sheldonian Theatre. Once voted the most uncomfortable concert hall in England, the Sheldonian never has a shortage of both professional and amateur classical music concerts, and though it is "uncomfortable", it cannot be denied that its baroque majesty is truly beautiful.

Learn

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

Covered Market. High Street. Oxford has the oldest covered market in England. Unusual small shops, including a chocolate shop, cake shop, fine butchers, hat shop, florists, glassware, and charming cafes.

Clarendon Centre. Small shopping centre located on the southern Cornmarket with modern shops for clothes, electronics and food.

Westgate Shopping Centre. Westgate has mostly designer clothing shops such as Levis, Timberland, Hugo Boss and Cath Kidston. There is also a large John Lewis and yet another Blackwell's store.

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:

University of Oxford Shop. 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:

Botley Retail Park. Has a Currys/PC World, Argos, Pets at Home, Hobbycraft and other large stores.

Seacourt Tower Retail Park. Has a Sports Direct, Homebase, Dreams and Decathlon.

Books Unsurprisingly for a university city, Oxford is noted for antiquarian, specialist and new books.

Blackwell's Books. 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.

Oxford University Press Bookshop. Stocks a wide variety of books published by Oxford University Press.

Waterstones. 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

Alpha Bar. One of the healthier options inside the Covered Market, Alpha Bar serves up organic, fair-trade food. 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.

The Alternative Tuck Shop. 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.

Ben's Cookies. 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!

Brothers and Georgina's. 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!

Dosa Park. 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.

G&D’s (George and Davis). The original G&D’s was opened in Little Clarendon Street by an Oxford University student and soon became an Oxford institution. No other ice-cream themed shop has survived long in Oxford due to the fierce loyalty of G&D’s customers. Popular flavours include ‘Oxford Blue’ (blueberry), Crunchie bar, Turkish delight and InLight Delight (white chocolate with chocolate chip cookie dough). G&D’s also offers bagels, salads and baked goods, all extremely reasonably priced and extremely tasty.

The Grand Cafe. Lunch options include Waldorf salads, oak smoked salmon and varied sandwiches, but the real draw here is the afternoon tea. True extravagance!

Byron's. 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.

Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indochinese

Angrid Thai. 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.

New Dancing Dragon. Contemporary restaurant specialising in primarily Cantonese cuisine, but has other Asian dishes too.

Taberu. 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.

Thaikun. An extensively decorated Thai restaurant.

Taste Tibet. Authentic Tibetan food, good curries and momo dumplings with a delicious chilli sauce they make at home. Foods for all tastes.

Majliss. 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.

Spice Lounge. 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.

Pizzeria Trattoria Mario. 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.

Pilgrims Pizza. Very good pizza within a relaxed atmosphere. The place has several arcade games set up to keep busy while the pizza is being prepared.

The Mission. Also sells imported Jarrito's soft drinks and Corona beer to provide a true Tex-Mex experience.

The Mission (King Edward St). The King Edward St. location of the Mission chain.

Wilding. Opened in 2021, is a wine shop-cum-restaurant on Little Clarendon St.

Brasserie Blanc. Raymond Blanc’s French brasserie is intimate and full of charm. A great place for a date or to bring your mother.

Gees Restaurant. Gee's is an Oxford restaurant serving traditional British food with an emphasis on seasonal food, simple, good cooking and value for money

Quod Brasserie. Quod Brasserie & Bar on the famous High Street in Oxford, with its terrace and bar forms the hub of the Old Bank Hotel

The Randolph Hotel. Afternoon tea at the Randolph is world-renowned, but a sit-down dinner in the beautiful dining room is an experience. Their cheese trolley is an indulgent way to end the meal.

Drink

Brew Coffee Shop. 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!

The Missing Bean. 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!

Quarter Horse. 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!

The Handle Bar Cafe and Kitchen. 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.

The Natural Bread Company. 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.

Costa Coffee. Costa Coffee has been named best chain coffee shop in UK, friendly staff & wide range of hot & cold drinks, sandwiches and cakes. ,

Pubs and bars Oxford has many old pubs, as well as newer nightclubs.

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.

Angel and Greyhound. Popular with Friday evening after-work crowd, letting their hair down. In quieter moments good for board games. Food is average.

The Bear Inn. A small pub, but curiously full of old school ties. The oldest pub in Oxford by its own description, founded in 1492, and probably has the lowest ceilings of any pub in Oxford.

The Eagle and Child. Popularly known as "the bird and baby", this pub was the frequent haunt of the Inklings, a group of Oxford literary dons that included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, authors of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings respectively. Very atmospheric, with a great range of ales and the best pork scratchings you've ever tasted! As of January the 1st, 2024, the pub is indefinitely closed and has been for three years, though its ownership has indicated plans to reopen.

The Fir Tree. Good beer, open till 2AM on Fridays and Saturdays, friendly atmosphere.

The Gardener's Arms. Very pretty with a beer garden, and an excellent all-vegetarian menu with vegan dishes offered as well.

Half Moon. 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.

Head of the River. Perfectly located, right on the Thames. This place buzzes on summer evenings, when the large garden gets extremely busy. Food is mediocre.

The King's Arms. A popular student pub — selection of beers and reasonable food although perhaps prices are a little high. Excellent location.

The Lamb and Flag. A big old pub, long, with lots of nook and crannies. A secondary meeting place of the famous Inklings club, the literary grouping of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and friends. Above the main door is an inscription in Tolkien's Elvish. Quite reasonably priced for its location, and often less busy than its literary fame would lead one to expect. Its kitchen was renovated in 2022.

The Old Black Horse. 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.

The Old Bookbinders' Arms. Hidden in the back streets of Jericho. Has eccentric decorations, but friendly and with lots of beers.

Royal Blenheim. Quirky, friendly place with good beer and food. Check out the Chuck Norris quotes in the gents.

The Royal Oak. Graduate and North Oxford local pub, offering Schneider Weiße from Germany. Popular with scientists and doctors working in the area.

Turf Tavern. A well-hidden pub, but also well known by locals. Good range of beers. Nice beer garden with coal fires where you can roast marshmallows on chilly evenings in spring and autumn. This ancient pub (a favourite with Inspector Morse) is an unmissable Oxford institution that many consider to be the best pub in the city — in the summer watch out for drenched students enjoying the end of their exams. Famously the location where U.S. president Bill Clinton "Did not inhale" marijuana during his time at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

Cocktail bars Oxford has a few cocktail bars. Most are in the Jericho area or on the Cowley Road.

The Cowley Retreat. Lively student pub with a decent cocktail selection. Staff are friendly until 11PM, at which point you'll be rudely kicked out.

The Duke of Cambridge. Fashionable for young students wanting great cocktails with some cheeky bar staff. Swisher than you might expect.

Freud. This bar and restaurant occupy a grand neo-classical church building producing a unique, slightly austere atmosphere. When buzzing with people, this becomes a great place for an evening out; the restaurant area is cleared to become a dance floor later in the evening.

LJ's (Love Jericho). 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.

Raoul's. A trendy and upmarket cocktail bar with a strange and rather futuristic interior design. Often very busy at weekends.

Gastropubs Oxford has a few gastropubs, often with clean modernist decor and a large emphasis on food.

Big Society. 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.

The Black Boy. Headington gastropub named after a racehorse, hence its unusual name. Apparently has a nine year award winning streak.

The Dew Drop Inn. 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.

Jacobs' Inn. Tucked away in the affluent village of Wolvercote lies the Jacobs' Inn.

The Jericho Tavern. An upmarket pub which is a great place for a drink and maybe some food. Also has a stage upstairs that is famous for being the place that Radiohead played their first show.

The Bullingdon. 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 Certain weeknights are student-only at some clubs, so you should probably check before going.

The Bridge. 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! VIP room.

Atik. Nightclub frequented by students and locals. Come here to drink heavily and dance to uninspired pop tunes. Student ID required for both.

Plush. Colourful LGBT bar and nightclub located in one of the old Oxford University coal cellars.

O2 Academy Oxford. Live music venue and stop-off for many a band's UK tour, turned nightclub after hours.

Thirst. Also has an extensive outdoor smoking area with a bar and shisha.

Sleep

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 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.

St Edmund Hall. A constituent college of Oxford University, and the oldest academical society for the education of undergraduates in any university. It is the last surviving medieval hall at the university, and offers double private rooms in a dormitory scheme with shared bathrooms and toilets to travelers visiting for academic purposes. Breakfast is included in the dining hall at ground level.

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.

Travelodge (Pear Tree). Premier Inn and next to the Pear Tree Park & Ride making it a great place to stay on a budget.

Travelodge (Abingdon Road). 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.

Premier Inn (Oxford). Another budget hotel.

Holiday Inn Express. 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.

YHA Oxford. 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.

Central Backpackers Hostel. 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.

Oxford Backpackers. Cheap and a little dingy. 2-min walk the rail and bus stations.

Victoria House Hotel. Popular 3-star hotel in the heart of Oxford on George Street.

Leonardo Hotel. 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.

Tower House. Comfy little B&B, only one shared bathroom and rooms are small, but great value for this location.

Oxford University Rooms. Some of the colleges rent out rooms out of term time, providing a B&B-like experience.

The Galaxie Hotel 4-Star B&B Summertown.

Royal Oxford Hotel. 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.

Linton Lodge. 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".

The Bell at Hampton Poyle. Country pub of character with nine rooms and great cooking.

Macdonald Randolph Hotel. A 5-star hotel. Plush English accommodation, located directly opposite the Ashmolean Museum, could be hired for conferences and parties.

Malmaison Oxford Prison Hotel. Set in the old prison, this modern quirky 4-star hotel also allows pets!

Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons. 5-star hotel with a 2 Michelin star restaurant run by Raymond Blanc.

The Old Parsonage Hotel. Small, modern luxury hotel in Oxford 5 minutes from the city centre.

The Old Bank Hotel. This chic hotel is within walking distance to the cities theatres, museums and gardens.

Oxford Spires Hotel. Close to the city centre but set in a large garden area. There's an indoor pool and spa treatments are available.

The Store opens in April 2024. It's in the former Boswell's department store on Broad St.