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Visit England once and you wouldn’t want to pack your bags. There is no shortage of popular tourist attractions in Oxford, making it difficult for travelers with limited time to choose what to see.
Amble along with me as my Oxford blog will help you find some of the top things to do in Oxford.
In my opinion, 4 days in Oxford is good time to see the best that city has to offer. But if you can spare couple of days more that’s even better, you can take the sights more slowly. So, without further ado, let me present you some of the best things to do in Oxford, top things to do in Oxford and some helpful travel tips.
1. Bodleian Library
Belonging to the Oxford city’s University, Bodleian Library is an impressive library.
Certainly a place most bibliophiles might only dream of being in. The attached cafe also offers gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives, just ask if its not in the menu.
Quick Facts:
- It is Giles Gilbert Scott who conceptualized and turned it into a reality.
- Bodleian Library was opened in November 1602.
Address: Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BG, United Kingdom
2. Radcliffe Camera
Quick Facts:
- It is James Gibbs who conceptualized and turned it into a reality.
- The was built somewhere around 18th-century.
- The was opened on 13 April 1749.
Without a doubt this wonderful is one amongst the top things to do in Oxford.
Address: Radcliffe Sq, Oxford OX1 3BG, United Kingdom
3. Oxford Castle
Oxford Castle are the ruins of an erstwhile castle located in Oxford.
Quick Facts:
- Robert D’Oyly, Daniel Harris are the prominent architects who were involved in designing and building it.
- The castle ruins traces its origin back to the Norman era.
- The castle ruins was opened on 1073.
Address: Oxford OX1 1AZ, United Kingdom
4. University Church of St Mary the Virgin
A beautiful addition to city’s architecture, University Church of St Mary the Virgin is a pretty old church located in Oxford.
There is so much beauty in this church, from the front facade to the interior that it’s hard to choose a favorite. The inside of the church is adorned with a variety of gorgeous artwork.
Quick Facts:
- Built in the classic English Gothic architecture style, its highlight include the stunning spire from the 14th-century.
- The church is located on the northern end of the High Street.
- The church was built somewhere around 14th-century.
- The church was opened on 1280.
- The church belongs to the Parish faith, but is visited by others too.
A natural crowd puller, University Church of St Mary the Virgin is right up there in the list of best things to do in Oxford.
Address: The, High St, Oxford OX1 4BJ, United Kingdom
5. Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Oxford University Museum of Natural History is a great place to learn more about the biodiversity of the region.
Kids will love the terrarium, they can even learn how to make one themselves.
Quick Facts:
- Benjamin Woodward, Thomas Newenham Deane are the prominent architects who were involved in designing and building it.
- Oxford University Museum of Natural History is housed in a historic neo-Gothic building.
Address: Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PW, United Kingdom
6. Oxford Botanic Garden
Oxford Botanic Garden is a large expanse of green located in the very heart of Oxford.
The Oxford Botanic Garden is a botanical delight consisting of an arboretum, a herbarium and numerous greenhouses.
This greenhouse is where city’s most exotic plant species are to be found. The arboretum is something to be seen, with thousands of species arranged scientifically.
Quick Facts:
- Oxford Botanic Garden was opened in 1621.
- The botanical garden is operated by the University of Oxford.
An incredible sight, Oxford Botanic Garden scores high in the list of the best things to do in Oxford.
Address: Rose Ln, Oxford OX1 4AZ, United Kingdom
7. Bridge of Sighs
Quick Facts:
- It is actually Thomas Graham Jackson who is credited with designing this whole place.
- The covered bridge was built somewhere around 1914.
- Bridge of Sighs is a magnificent example of a Covered bridge, Skyway.
- The covered bridge was opened on 1914.
8. The Covered Market Oxford
Quick Facts:
- The historic covered market traces its origin back to 1770.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Oxford trip.
Address: Market St, Oxford OX1 3DZ, United Kingdom
9. Pitt Rivers Museum
Pitt Rivers Museum is an ethnography museum showcasing the people and culture of Oxford region.
Get to know about the beliefs, religious practices and the everyday life of the people who once populated the area. Everything that defines a civilisation, an era can be found here – traditional clothing, decorative items such as jewelry, household items such like furniture, and crafts such as pottery.
Quick Facts:
- It is Augustus Pitt Rivers who is credited with found this gem of a site.
10. Port Meadow
Port Meadow is wide plateu, a mountain pasture, surrounded by a lush green tree cover.
Several trails lead from here and it is quite popular starting point for the mountain hikers.
You can also enjoy a little picnic with a packed lunch admist the beautiful nature. Enjoy the views of the surrounding peaks, crisp mountain air, and chirp of the birds.
Add it to your Oxford trip if you have time.
Address: Walton Well Rd, Oxford OX2 6ED, United Kingdom
11. Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is an old Cathedral located in the Oxford city.
You may climb to the top of the church’s distinctive dome for an even better panoramic view of the city. The façade of the cathedral is incredibly attractive with several high-arched stained-glass windows.
Quick Facts:
- A fine example of Romanesque, Gothic, the cathedral is a center of Parish faith.
- The cathedral was built somewhere around 12th-century.
Address: St Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 1DP, United Kingdom
12. Carfax Tower
The Carfax Tower towers over the old town center and is easily visible from every single direction.
Quick Facts:
- Touching a height of 23 meters, the bell tower was built in 12th-century.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Oxford trip.
Address: Queen St, Oxford OX1 1ET, United Kingdom
13. The Headington Shark
Quick Facts:
- A marvel of design, it was John Buckley who was responsible for building it.
- The quirky statue was built somewhere around 1986.
- The quirky statue was opened on 9 August 1986.
Address: 2 New High St, Oxford OX3 7AQ, United Kingdom
14. Bury Knowle Park
Bury Knowle Park is a beautifully landscaped park spread over a large area in Oxford.
It is a good way to reconnect with nature – relax under the shady trees, watch the kids play.
Find solace in this beautiful park, and spend an afternoon away from the hustle bustle of Oxford. The park has a small lake where you can spot ducks swimming enjoying their day.
Quick Facts:
- Spreading over an expanse of 17-acre, it’s difficult to see it all in one go.
Add it to your Oxford trip if you have time.
Address: 178 London Rd, Oxford OX3 9ED, United Kingdom
Thanks for reading this travel blog, hope now you know plenty of must see places in Oxford. In this Oxford travel blog post, I have listed not just what to see in Oxford but also what to do.
And it’s not difficult to create an itinerary that includes some of the best tourist attractions in Oxford. If you have any questions or suggestions on sightseeing in Oxford, I would love to hear them in the comments section below.