The weight of history is felt in every footstep in atmospheric Oxford, where life revolves around the world-class university that occupies its heart. The City of the Dreaming Spires is a walkable one (and likely visually familiar, given its turn as a Harry Potter filming location), though you can also get another view by punting along its waterways in true student fashion. Visiting the university’s colleges, plus highlights such as the Bodleian Library and Ashmolean Museum, are also among the top things to do in Oxford, though you shouldn’t leave town before enjoying an evening in a snug pub.
Summer is the busiest time to visit Oxford, and little wonder: The university’s green lawns and dreaming spires look idyllic on sunny days, and the weather is perfect for punting along the water. However, autumn is a good option for exploring outside of the busy tourist season. Fall is an evocative time to see this most scholarly of cities: The weather should be comfortable enough for wandering among colleges and you can warm up with a pint in a pub.
It’s less than an hour by direct train from London to Oxford, and the Oxford Tube (which is, despite its name, a coach service) also links the two cities. Oxford proper is a very walkable city, with pedestrianized stretches, though city bus services do provide a local transit option. Otherwise, private taxi companies offer one more way to get around town.
Oxford has 39 different colleges, and they all have different visiting policies. For some of the most in-demand colleges like Christ Church—where several Harry Potter scenes were filmed—tickets need to be requested in advance; the popular Magdalen and Balliol offer paid entry, while others are only open to students or by appointment. If there are any in particular you wish to see, it’s worth researching policies in advance; otherwise, join an organized tour for no-hassle exploring.
Attractions 21 | Tours 186 | Reviews 0 |
Freelance writer Theodora was lucky enough to study in Oxford, and still goes back occasionally—for both work and pleasure.
pick up a paper pictorial city map. You get more of a sense of how the city fits together than with Google Maps, and you’ll miss less.
starts with a walk across Port Meadow for a riverside lunch at the 17th-century Trout Inn and continues with a museum visit and a play at one of the city’s theaters.
Christ Church College really is one of the grandest colleges. You don’t have to be a Harry Potter fan to appreciate the huge quad, ornate architecture, and dramatic stairways.
On a sunny summer day, take a walk—or, even better, a punt—along the river. It’s the perfect way to see a quieter side of the city.
climb the 13th-century tower of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin. The views of the colleges and the Radcliffe Camera dome are spectacular.
is thinking that Oxford University occupies a single orderly campus. There’s a concentration of beautiful buildings around Broad Street, but both colleges and administrative buildings are scattered across the city.
Oxford is famous for the dreaming spires of Oxford University, which is the the oldest university in the western world with roots dating back almost 1,000 years. Besides the colleges, the city offers the Covered Market, historic pubs, meadows, and rivers. Punts (flat-bottomed boats propelled using long poles) are particularly popular.
...MoreRather than one campus, Oxford University is a collection of buildings scattered around the city, mostly in the center. See essentials such as Radcliffe Camera, Bodleian Library, and Bridge of Sighs, and pick a few colleges. In summer, hire a punt; in winter, pick a pub with an open fire.
...MoreYes, some scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed in Oxford, and other sets take inspiration from the historic architecture. Top Harry Potter filming locations include the New College Cloisters, the Bodley Staircase in Christ Church College, and the Divinity School, which was used for the Hogwarts Hospital in some of the films.
...MoreOxford is just 60 miles (97 kilometers) from London, or a little over an hour by train. There are also regular bus and coach services. The city aims to minimize car traffic so self-driving is not recommended. Most travelers park in out-of-town lots and ride the bus into the city.
...MoreOxford city center—which is home to the Covered Market, most colleges, Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and more—is one of its nicest areas. Jericho is a characterful neighborhood with a lively bar scene, while Godstow and Port Meadow are great for getting out in nature.
...MoreYes, Oxford is worth a visit. Historic architecture and green spaces make it attractive, even if Harry Potter doesn’t draw you. The university means there’s a diverse theater, music, comedy, and cultural scene. The Ashmolean Museum is world-class. The compact center is easy to explore on foot or by bike.
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