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Why we love Oxford

Just an hour by train from London and you’re in the city of dreaming spires. And Oxford is crammed with them. A seat of scholars for 800 years, it houses Britain’s oldest university, botanical gardens, and pubs. It has more quadrangles, gothic spires and listed buildings than you can shake a gown at. Add cobbled lanes, canals and the odd punt along its rivers and it becomes a real heart-breaker. Although bursting with museums, libraries and galleries, there’s more to this gem than its beauty and towering intellect. Harry Potter fans can spot film locations, shoppers will love its nearby bargains, foodies will drool over its lip-smacking choice. And if that isn’t enough, it sits on the doorstep to the Chilterns, the Cotswolds and the baroque country pile of Blenheim Palace.

Things to do in Oxford

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Soak up the atmosphere as you walk around the Dreaming Spires of historic Oxford University, one of the world’s top universities.

Find out more about Oxford University

VisitOxford

Oxford

An old hall with grand ornate walls in the Divinity School, part of Oxford's Bodleian Library
University of Oxford

Walk through 1000 years of history in Oxford Castle and Prison, climbing the Tower, one of Oxford’s oldest buildings and descending into the crypt deep below.

Book tickets for Oxford Castle and Prison

Photo: Philip J.A Benton

Sunset at Oxford Castle and Prison
Oxford Castle

One of Britain’s best museums is the quirky Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford with artefacts from all over the world.

Find out more about visiting the Pitt Rivers Museum

Experience Oxfordshire

An overhead view of the exhibits and displays at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford
Pitt Rivers Museum

Want designer clothes at a discount? Head to Oxfordshire’s Bicester Village, one of Britain’s favourite shopping destinations for bargains.

Visit to Bicester Village

Bicester Village

Bicester Village
Bicester Village

Britain’s greatest palace is in the Cotswolds – the magnificent Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill.

Book tickets to Blenheim Palace

VisitBritain/Marina Comes

Blenheim Palace

Woman walking in Blenheim Palace gardens surrounded by greenery
Blenheim Palace

Dating back to 1683, the Ashmolean is packed to the rafters with art, natural history and photography.

Discover the Ashmolean Museum

Ashmolean Museum

Winter-an evening at a museum
Ashmolean Museum

Discover the Oxford landmarks that starred in the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ and ‘Goblet of Fire’ films.

Book a Harry Potter Film Locations tour
Christ Church CollegeatChrist Church _ Experience Oxfordshire
Oxford Alumni Harry Potter Tour

Explore key Oxford filming locations from the TV series of Morse, Endeavour and Lewis.

Discover Inspector Morse Tour of Oxford with Lewis and Endeavour Sites

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Man walking through a sandstone archway
Inspector Morse Tour of Oxford

Take a fascinating guided tour of the Divinity School, Old Quadrangle and Duke Humphrey’s Library.

Plan your trip to Bodleian Library

VisitOxford

Oxford

An old hall with grand ornate walls in the Divinity School, part of Oxford's Bodleian Library
Bodleian Library

This library has inspired novelists, artists and film-makers alike, and features around 600,000 books.

Get tickets for Radcliffe Camera

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Man looking up at a historical building with dome
Radcliffe Camera

Swing and leap your way through thrilling high-ropes bridges, treetop walkways and soar down zip lines.

Visit Go Ape Wendover

Go Ape Wendover

A child climbing up a tree at Go Ape Wendover
Go Ape Wendover

Dip your paddle into the River Cherwell, to discover pristine countryside and wildlife-rich waters.

More about Oxford Kayak Tours

Oxford Kayak Tours

A man steering a kayak down a river in Oxford
Oxford Kayak Tours

Come for the golf, stay for the party - a riotous mash-up of crazy golf, drinks and pumped-up tunes.

Book Junkyard Golf Club

Junkyard Golf Oxford

Two people posing with golf clubs at Junkyard Golf in Oxford
Junkyard Golf Club

From headless bishops to haunted pubs, these tours have just the right balance of history and hilarity.

Get tickets for Oxford Ghost Tours

Oxford Ghost Tours

People sat in a historic hall on a ghost tour of Oxford
Oxford Ghost Tours

Welcome to one of the UK’s oldest cinemas, which specialises in arthouse and independent films.

More about The Ultimate Picture Palace

Ultimate Picture Palace/Ian Wallman

An outside shot of the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford
The Ultimate Picture Palace

Immerse yourself in stellar contemporary art from all over the world at this vibrant gallery.

What’s on at Modern Art Oxford

Oxford Atelier/Modern Art Oxford

Two people looking at an art exhibit in Modern Art Oxford
Modern Art Oxford

Learn the secrets of heritage grain spirits on these behind-the-scenes tours.

Book The Whisky Tour or Distillery Tour 

The Oxford Artisan Distillery Tour

A woman holding a tray of whiskey shots as part of a distillery tour in Oxford
The Oxford Artisan Distillery Tour

Discover a world of fine English-grown wines, small-batch ales and exceptional hospitality.

Visit Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery

Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery

An outside shot of Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery
Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery

Take your pick from authentic Indian curries, Ethiopian stews, traditional British pies and much more…

Get to know Gloucester Green Market

Gloucester Green Market

Crowds of people shopping at Gloucester Green Market in Oxford
Gloucester Green Market

So spectacular are these landmarks and locations, that even non-Potter fans will be spellbound.

More about Harry Potter Film Locations - Experience Oxfordshire

Experience Oxfordshire

An inside shot of a hall in Christ Church college, Oxford, a filming location for the Harry Potter film series
Harry Potter Tour - Experience Oxfordshire

Real ales, cosy interiors and a resident bassett hound – what more could you wish for?

Book The Jolly Farmers

The Jolly Farmers

An outside shot of the Jolly Farmers in Oxford
The Jolly Farmers

For over 20 years, this loud-and-proud festival has celebrated the city’s LGBTQIA+ community.

More about Oxford Pride

Oxford Pride

Crowds of people in front of a rainbow coloured bus as part of Oxford Pride
Oxford Pride

Classical concerts, virtuoso recitals and dance shows – with cash prizes for the stand-out performers.

More about Oxford Music Festival

Oxford Music Festival

A group of people preparing to play guitars on stage as part of Oxford Music Festival
Oxford Music Festival

Catch lively debates, workshops and seminars involving hundreds of different speakers from around the globe.

What’s on at Oxford Literary Festival

Oxford Literary Festival

Crowds of people watching a talk on stage at Oxford Literary Festival
Oxford Literary Festival

The ponds are busy with dragonflies, while the towering treetops bristle with birds and squirrels.

More about C S Lewis Nature Reserve

Ross Mackenzie/CS Lewis Nature Reserve

A lake in the CS Lewis Nature Reserve in Oxford
C S Lewis Nature Reserve

Take your pick from sightseeing trips, sunset voyages, and gourmet sailings on the River Thames.

Book Oxford River Cruises

Photos by John Cairns

A group of people on a river boat in Oxford
Oxford River Cruises

Soak up the atmosphere as you walk around the Dreaming Spires of historic Oxford University, one of the world’s top universities.

Find out more about Oxford University

VisitOxford

Oxford

An old hall with grand ornate walls in the Divinity School, part of Oxford's Bodleian Library
University of Oxford

Walk through 1000 years of history in Oxford Castle and Prison, climbing the Tower, one of Oxford’s oldest buildings and descending into the crypt deep below.

Book tickets for Oxford Castle and Prison

Photo: Philip J.A Benton

Sunset at Oxford Castle and Prison
Oxford Castle

One of Britain’s best museums is the quirky Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford with artefacts from all over the world.

Find out more about visiting the Pitt Rivers Museum

Experience Oxfordshire

An overhead view of the exhibits and displays at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford
Pitt Rivers Museum

Want designer clothes at a discount? Head to Oxfordshire’s Bicester Village, one of Britain’s favourite shopping destinations for bargains.

Visit to Bicester Village

Bicester Village

Bicester Village
Bicester Village

Britain’s greatest palace is in the Cotswolds – the magnificent Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill.

Book tickets to Blenheim Palace

VisitBritain/Marina Comes

Blenheim Palace

Woman walking in Blenheim Palace gardens surrounded by greenery
Blenheim Palace

Dating back to 1683, the Ashmolean is packed to the rafters with art, natural history and photography.

Discover the Ashmolean Museum

Ashmolean Museum

Winter-an evening at a museum
Ashmolean Museum

Discover the Oxford landmarks that starred in the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ and ‘Goblet of Fire’ films.

Book a Harry Potter Film Locations tour
Christ Church CollegeatChrist Church _ Experience Oxfordshire
Oxford Alumni Harry Potter Tour

Explore key Oxford filming locations from the TV series of Morse, Endeavour and Lewis.

Discover Inspector Morse Tour of Oxford with Lewis and Endeavour Sites

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Man walking through a sandstone archway
Inspector Morse Tour of Oxford

Take a fascinating guided tour of the Divinity School, Old Quadrangle and Duke Humphrey’s Library.

Plan your trip to Bodleian Library

VisitOxford

Oxford

An old hall with grand ornate walls in the Divinity School, part of Oxford's Bodleian Library
Bodleian Library

This library has inspired novelists, artists and film-makers alike, and features around 600,000 books.

Get tickets for Radcliffe Camera

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Man looking up at a historical building with dome
Radcliffe Camera

Swing and leap your way through thrilling high-ropes bridges, treetop walkways and soar down zip lines.

Visit Go Ape Wendover

Go Ape Wendover

A child climbing up a tree at Go Ape Wendover
Go Ape Wendover

Dip your paddle into the River Cherwell, to discover pristine countryside and wildlife-rich waters.

More about Oxford Kayak Tours

Oxford Kayak Tours

A man steering a kayak down a river in Oxford
Oxford Kayak Tours

Come for the golf, stay for the party - a riotous mash-up of crazy golf, drinks and pumped-up tunes.

Book Junkyard Golf Club

Junkyard Golf Oxford

Two people posing with golf clubs at Junkyard Golf in Oxford
Junkyard Golf Club

From headless bishops to haunted pubs, these tours have just the right balance of history and hilarity.

Get tickets for Oxford Ghost Tours

Oxford Ghost Tours

People sat in a historic hall on a ghost tour of Oxford
Oxford Ghost Tours

Welcome to one of the UK’s oldest cinemas, which specialises in arthouse and independent films.

More about The Ultimate Picture Palace

Ultimate Picture Palace/Ian Wallman

An outside shot of the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford
The Ultimate Picture Palace

Immerse yourself in stellar contemporary art from all over the world at this vibrant gallery.

What’s on at Modern Art Oxford

Oxford Atelier/Modern Art Oxford

Two people looking at an art exhibit in Modern Art Oxford
Modern Art Oxford

Learn the secrets of heritage grain spirits on these behind-the-scenes tours.

Book The Whisky Tour or Distillery Tour 

The Oxford Artisan Distillery Tour

A woman holding a tray of whiskey shots as part of a distillery tour in Oxford
The Oxford Artisan Distillery Tour

Discover a world of fine English-grown wines, small-batch ales and exceptional hospitality.

Visit Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery

Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery

An outside shot of Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery
Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery

Take your pick from authentic Indian curries, Ethiopian stews, traditional British pies and much more…

Get to know Gloucester Green Market

Gloucester Green Market

Crowds of people shopping at Gloucester Green Market in Oxford
Gloucester Green Market

So spectacular are these landmarks and locations, that even non-Potter fans will be spellbound.

More about Harry Potter Film Locations - Experience Oxfordshire

Experience Oxfordshire

An inside shot of a hall in Christ Church college, Oxford, a filming location for the Harry Potter film series
Harry Potter Tour - Experience Oxfordshire

Real ales, cosy interiors and a resident bassett hound – what more could you wish for?

Book The Jolly Farmers

The Jolly Farmers

An outside shot of the Jolly Farmers in Oxford
The Jolly Farmers

For over 20 years, this loud-and-proud festival has celebrated the city’s LGBTQIA+ community.

More about Oxford Pride

Oxford Pride

Crowds of people in front of a rainbow coloured bus as part of Oxford Pride
Oxford Pride

Classical concerts, virtuoso recitals and dance shows – with cash prizes for the stand-out performers.

More about Oxford Music Festival

Oxford Music Festival

A group of people preparing to play guitars on stage as part of Oxford Music Festival
Oxford Music Festival

Catch lively debates, workshops and seminars involving hundreds of different speakers from around the globe.

What’s on at Oxford Literary Festival

Oxford Literary Festival

Crowds of people watching a talk on stage at Oxford Literary Festival
Oxford Literary Festival

The ponds are busy with dragonflies, while the towering treetops bristle with birds and squirrels.

More about C S Lewis Nature Reserve

Ross Mackenzie/CS Lewis Nature Reserve

A lake in the CS Lewis Nature Reserve in Oxford
C S Lewis Nature Reserve

Take your pick from sightseeing trips, sunset voyages, and gourmet sailings on the River Thames.

Book Oxford River Cruises

Photos by John Cairns

A group of people on a river boat in Oxford
Oxford River Cruises

Places to stay in Oxford

City Centre

Be among the oldest university in the English speaking world, checkout the architecture, the bookshops and cool bars, and The Malmaison - a former Victorian prison that you can stay in.

Summertown

An affluent part of Oxford with red-brick Victorian houses and tree-lined streets. It’s peaceful nature, and you’re budget will go further here. Explore the canal network here.

Cowley

Is diverse, full of life and has lots of diverse restaurants and bars, and is the home of Oxford’s street art. It’s close to Magdalen College and the Oxford Botanic Gardens are here too. It also has a summertime carnival. 

Jerico

For literary types and lovers of small pastel painted houses and independent cafes, this is your place. Situated in the north, you’ll find some cracking restaurants and cocktail bars. Both the Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of Natural History are here.

Explore nearby

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

Cities

VisitBritain/Hazel Parreno

Picadilly Circus underground station

Lush rolling pastures, pretty stone villages and rambling rivers - the Cotswolds has it all.

Countryside

VisitBritain

Cotswolds, England

Pärchen, das sich im Garten in der Nähe eines Springbrunnens umarmt

Lovers of The Crown can wrap themselves in royalty as this town is about as regal as it gets.

Cities

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2022

Guards marching, Windsor Castle

Cool creative Bristol is a must-see for art, culture and action-packed adventure.

Cities

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Lit up hot air balloons and fireworks in the night sky

Getting to Oxford

Oxford is located in South East England, in the county of Oxfordshire. Heathrow is the closest international airport to Oxford and is 45 miles (72km) away, a journey which takes just over an hour by car. The train from Heathrow to Oxford takes up to two and a half hours via central London. Oxford is approximately 60 miles (97km) from London. The average train time from Central London to Oxford is 1 hour.

Travelling by coach from London to Oxford takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. From London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, you can hop on The Airline coach service, which runs 24 hours a day. National Express services from Stansted Airport also serve Oxford, taking just under two hours.

Getting around

Oxford is easily accessible from every corner of Britain, with London to Oxford train services taking around 60 minutes from London Paddington. Experience Oxfordshire has a range of maps and guides to help you plan your visit to Oxford. You can also explore using a bus tour operated by City Sightseeing Oxford.

By punt

Hire punts, pedalos and rowing boats to explore Oxford’s River Cherwell.

By foot

Oxford’s main attractions are best explored by foot, a walk from the train station to the city centre is just 15 minutes.

By bus

The Oxford Bus Company provides frequent and affordable travel across Oxford, with quick and convenient contactless and cash payment options. Stagecoach offers city centre services and runs routes to the stately home at Blenheim Palace to the north, around 35 minutes away. Five Park and Ride locations exist to keep the city centre car free and run into the centre regularly.

By bike

If ever a city was made for cycling, it would be here. Oxford is home to several dockless bike hire operators, where you can access cycles via a free downloadable app by scanning a QR code. Bainton Bikes also provides cycle hire and self-guided tours. You can access a cycle route planner too.

Want to know more?

Check out Experience Oxfordshire for top insider tips and travel inspiration.