Oxford travel guide

Memory of Oxford

“It is both charmingly quaint and stunningly grand simultaneously, which gives it a rare individuality. I certainly have never felt so enchanted by a city’s mere ‘prettiness’, it is the contrasting, looming grandeur that makes it awe-inspiring.”

Claire, Cape Town, South Africa

A city full of character

Oxford is known as the 'city of the dreaming spires' - a term first coined by poet Matthew Arnold in reference to the gentle spires and harmonious architecture of the city's university buildings. The beauty of the city's colleges and riverside setting, literary links and stunning film and TV locations, shops with local character and music and drama ranging from candlelit evensong in college chapels to Shakespeare in the park – these ingredients blend with Oxford's lively mix of restaurants, pubs, theatres and tourist attraction to give this historic city its alluring, vibrant and cosmopolitan buzz.

Culture & heritage

Oxford’s golden-stone university buildings include some of England’s most impressive architecture, notably the Bodleian Library , a masterpiece of English Gothic, Sir Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre , and the Radcliffe Camera. Looking at these beautiful buildings, it’s no surprise that Oxford is one of Britain’s Heritage Cities.

Attractions

Credit: Holly Hayes

The most famous attraction in Oxford is its university. Explore one of Oxford's grandest colleges, Christ Church, founded in 1525. It is home to the city’s famous cathedral and birthplace of Lewis Carroll's famous Alice books. Harry Potter fans will love the Great Hall which provided the model for the hall at Hogwarts.

Food & drink

Oxford has a rich and generous mix of places to eat and drink. Establishments with historic connections include the elegant The Grand Café on the site of England’s first coffee house established in 1651; The Parsonage bar and restaurant in the Old Parsonage Hotel with its Oscar Wilde connections; and the Eagle & Child pub, the regular meeting place of JRR Tolkien and his literary group, the Inklings.

Shopping

For a unique shopping experience, head to Oxford’s Covered Market. It was created in 1772, but today’s market is a lively mix of small shops selling everything from handmade hats and gifts to Oxford sausages or antiquarian books. And the High Street offers a range of unique boutiques, antique shops, bookshops and gift shops set amongst beautiful historic buildings.

Buy before you fly

There are so many great things to see and do in Oxford, so don't waste time standing in queues, buy your travel and attraction tickets online! For more great offers, go to VisitBritain Shop .