31 Things to Do in Oxford, England

Within a minute of stepping foot on High Street, it’s clear why Oxford, England, is called the City of Dreaming Spires. Its towers reaching skyward, the arches and vaults of the colleges, the gargoyles that peer out from medieval roof lines—the whole effect is intoxicating. Beyond the University and its beautiful buildings, it is also a city filled with world-class museums, fun pubs, and great sites to explore. There are lots of fun things to do in Oxford, and every time we return, we discover something new.

Oxford holds a special place in my heart because I spent a month living here as part of a program for high school students the summer I was 17. At the university, I met new people from all over the US and the world, immersed myself in British life, and explored what to do in Oxford, London, and beyond. It was the place that made me want to become a traveler.

It took me 20 years to return to this place, but now I can’t stay away, and I’ve gotten Lance love it, too. Here’s a look at some of our favorite things to see and do in Oxford.

Tour Christ Church

Christ Church is probably the most well-known of the colleges of Oxford University. Not only are its buildings remarkable, but the college has educated philosophers and world leaders for centuries. If you only have time to visit one college, Christ Church is worth it.

Christ Church was founded in 1546, and walking through its halls, you feel every bit of that history. I first visited here in high school, and the majesty of its Tom Tower, the richness of the stained glass in its cathedral, and the image of its portrait-lined dining hall were some of my most vivid memories. They are just as brilliant now as they were then.

After visiting the college’s quads and buildings, you can wander through the Christ Church Memorial Gardens or head a few steps away to Christ Church Meadow, a popular spot for picnicking, walking, and relaxing.

Thanks to the college’s appearance in Harry Potter, Christ Church is one of the top places to visit in Oxford, and it’s very popular. As a result, you need to book timed tickets in advance, which requires planning ahead. In the fall, my self-guided visit was leisurely. However, when I found myself alone in a normally popular location in the college, one of the guards mentioned that 30 people per minute move through in the summer.

See Radcliffe Camera

For one of the best views in the city, head to Radcliffe Square. The sides of the square are formed by magnificent buildings, including the medieval University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, the renowned Bodleian Library, and the 15th-century All Souls College. The circular library in the middle of the square, Radcliffe Camera, is a standout among the city’s architectural wonders.

I’m always a sucker for a skyline. So, while the view on the ground is lovely, heading up the tower at St. Mary’s is one of my favorite Oxford activities.

At 127 steps, the climb is fairly tame compared to many other towers in Europe. Along the way, you can pause to see the mechanisms of the 300-year-old clock. At the top, you’re rewarded with panoramic views of spires, towers, and amazing gargoyles. I have made the climb more than once because it’s so stunning.

To see inside the Radcliffe Camera, you’ll need to take one of the guided tours that lets you explore the reading rooms and more. Tickets are available two weeks in advance. Also, don’t miss the interior of St. Mary’s, which dates predominantly from the later 15th and early 16th centuries. It is free to visit without the tower ticket.

See Radcliffe Camera and other famous sites on a small-group walking tour. For a private tour, check out this highly-rated option.

Have afternoon tea

You can’t spend any amount of time in England without having a proper afternoon tea. One of my favorite places to go in Oxford for tea is the The Grand Café on High Street. It bills itself as the oldest coffee house in England, established around 1650. Options range from simple scones with jam and clotted cream to the “Grand High Tea,” with sandwiches, scones, petit fours, and champagne. Across the street, The Rose has similarly old roots and is also a solid choice.

Visit the Ashmolean Museum

The oldest public museum in England, the Ashmolean was founded in 1683 to house a massive collection of art and archaeological artifacts.

The collection spans everything from ancient Egypt to modern China with such impressive artifacts as Guy Fawkes’s lantern, a Stradivarius violin, and Michelangelo’s studies for the Sistine Chapel. One of my favorite sights was the huge deerskin mantle (a cloak) of Native American leader Powhatan—it dates from the early 1600s at the time of the first contact between the native tribes and colonizers.

Once you’ve finished visiting the museum’s collections, which are some of the most impressive things to see in Oxford, head upstairs to the rooftop restaurant for a snack, afternoon tea, or even a Sunday roast. You’ll find not only good food but gorgeous views of the city. Advanced booking is recommended.

Admission to the Ashmolean is free, so it’s hard to think of a better place to spend time, especially if the weather isn’t cooperating.

Go punting on the Thames

Cutting through the city, the River Thames (locally called The Isis) is a central feature of the city. When the weather is good, going punting is one of the best things to do in Oxford from spring through early fall.

Punting–cruising down the river in a flat-bottomed boat propelled by your own effort and a wooden pole–is best enjoyed when you have several spare hours to learn to do it properly. It can be a bit of a workout, so it’s also a good idea to make sure your route includes a pub. Luckily, one of the boathouses has a pub on-site, so you can still have a pint even if your punting efforts don’t get you as far as you’d like.

See the Bridge of Sighs

One of the most photographed sites in the city, the unique Bridge of Sighs is officially named Hertford Bridge. Its nickname supposedly comes from its similarity to the more famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice. The walkway joins two buildings of Hertford College over New College Lane, and you can frequently see people crossing between the two while others pause in the street below for selfies.

Buy a souvenir at Alice’s Shop

Alice in Wonderland is just one of the classic stories dreamed up in Oxford. Written by Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll), a lecturer at Christ Church, and inspired by the college dean’s 10-year-old daughter Alice, the story has captivated readers for over 150 years. Alice’s Shop is the perfect place for lovers of the tale.

The shop itself—a small, 15th-century building—was a candy store in the days Dodgson and Alice wandered here, and it even makes an appearance in the book as the old sheep’s shop. Now, Alice fans can find a wide variety of Wonderland-themed items from umbrellas and plates to postcards, jewelry, and, of course, books.

Explore the Museum of Natural History

The dodo is a creature that lives in people’s imaginations. It’s used as everything from a cautionary tale of extinction to a cartoonish presence in Alice’s wonderland. It’s been gone for over 350 years, so I never considered that any evidence of it still existed. But it does at Oxford’s Museum of Natural History.

The parts of the dodo, which likely died about 1662, are just one of the remarkable specimens at this free museum. It’s fitting for a place that also hosted one of the most famous debates about Charles Darwin’s research and his theory of evolution.

Although the dodo remains aren’t generally visible to the public, a replica and the bird’s story can be seen alongside the seemingly infinite number of dinosaur skeletons, elephant bones, and taxidermied animals that fill the unique space.

Each case and panel has detailed information about the different species, and there are lots of ongoing public events, tours, and workshops to teach adults and children. One thing I found particularly interesting at the museum was the number of panels dedicated to highlighting the research contributions of female scientists, who may or may not have previously gotten the credit they deserved.

Visit Pitt Rivers Museum

The Pitt Rivers Museum is a collection of the interesting and unusual from around the world. It was founded in 1884 when General Augustus Pitt Rivers, a noted ethnologist and archaeologist, gave his vast collection to Oxford University.

The museum houses more than 500,000 objects, photographs, and documents from nearly every country and throughout every age in human history.

The displays are organized by type of artifact rather than the more common organization by geographical region or time period. This means that there are collections of masks, weapons, writing tools, musical instruments, jewelry, and many other objects that show how different cultures solved the same problems over time. Among the most unique artifacts are the towering totem pole from British Columbia and the museum’s collection of shrunken heads.

Like the Ashmolean and the Museum of Natural History, seeing the Pitt Rivers Museum is one of the best free things to do in Oxford. It adjoins the Museum of Natural History, so it’s convenient to visit both at the same time.

Stroll the University of Oxford Botanic Garden

Founded in 1621, the botanic garden at the University of Oxford is the oldest botanic garden in the UK. The compact and diverse collection features a walled garden and glasshouses with plants and flowers from across the globe. This beautiful setting is said to have inspired Oxford professors and authors Lewis Carroll and J.R.R. Tolkien as they created the fantastical worlds of Alice in Wonderland and The Lord of the Rings.

Go to Choral Evensong

Attending Choral Evensong is a perfect opportunity to hear glorious music in glorious buildings. You don’t need to be religious to appreciate the skillful singing and sumptuous interiors of the chapels, many of which date back at least 300 years.

Every evening during the school term, many chapel choirs at the Oxford colleges and select parish churches offer Choral Evensong, a service which is almost entirely sung and open to anyone who wishes to attend. The 45-minute service features typical hymns sung by the congregation as well as musical presentations by the choir.

Evensong is available throughout Oxford at many different locations depending on the day. I opted to attend the Sunday night service at Christ Church Cathedral, which has been home to a choir of some sort since 1526. The music and setting were as beautiful as I had hoped, and attending the service gave me limited access to the college grounds and the cathedral itself. If you’re interested in visiting Christ Church but don’t have time for the tour (or don’t want to pay), attending Evensong will let you see the cathedral and walk through the famous quad for free.

Have a pint at Turf Tavern

Well-hidden among ancient buildings is the Turf Tavern, an historic, 400-year-old pub that still fills with locals and students every night of the week. Thanks to its long history, the pub has welcomed British celebrities from C.S. Lewis to Tony Blair, and it’s the location where Bill Clinton famously “did not inhale” when he was studying here. Signs all over the pub tell visitors about interesting events in the establishment’s past.

The Turf Tavern is a bit tricky to find down the small St. Helen’s Passage at the end of a winding alley, but once you get there, you find an authentic and traditional pub experience. You can grab a pint at the bar and order fish and chips or opt for a gin and tonic and spicy grilled halloumi under the umbrellas outside. Either way, a visit to the Turf Tavern is a good time. It’s a must see.

Tour Oxford Castle & Prison

Originally built in 1071, Oxford Castle has a long history as both a castle and a prison. Over the years, it served as everything from a point of defense to a court and execution site. On a tour, visitors can see the crypt and prison and learn the stories of prisoners who were held—and ultimately put to death—here. You can also climb up St. George’s Tower for great views of the city.

See the exhibits at Weston Library

One of the interesting free things to do in Oxford is to visit the Weston Library. Part of the Bodleian Library complex, it holds some of the University’s rare manuscripts and millions of published works belonging to the school.

Though much of the Weston is accessible only to students and scholars, its public exhibition rooms are free to visit. They host a range of special exhibits on everything from maps of the world to the art of advertising over the centuries. All of the topics are presented in an engaging way, featuring rare artifacts, multimedia displays, and interactive elements.

Visit the colleges of Oxford University

I’ve mentioned Christ Church several times because it’s unique among the Oxford colleges and a place I happen to love, but there are 37 other beautiful colleges with outstanding architecture and remarkable history. Many of them are open to the public and easy to visit if you’re aware of their opening hours.

Every afternoon, guests can visit the iconic buildings of Exeter College, which has a great view of Radcliffe Square. The alma mater of J.R.R. Tolkien, Exeter still displays a bust of one of its most prominent alumni. New College and its stunning garden are open daily, as is the gorgeous Balliol College, which dates from 1263. The stained glass (and other grand features) are also available for visiting at All Souls College, Magdalen College (pronounced like maudlin), and a myriad of other buildings.

Check this list for opening times. And, whatever you do, don’t walk on the grass.

Have cocktails in Jericho

A short walk from the center is the Jericho neighborhood. Known for its cool restaurants, cafes, and independent businesses, it’s a great place to come for craft cocktails and a fun night out.

Our favorite spot is Raoul’s, both for its classic cocktails and its own creations. Raoul’s makes their bitters and syrups on-site and does everything with a little bit of flare. We also love the stylish Toby’s Cocktail Bar.

Shop at Covered Market

Fresh produce, unique jewelry, and to-die-for milkshakes are just a few of the things available in the historic Covered Market. Opened in 1774, it has been home to traders ever since and is full of unique and vibrant shops and stalls.

From snickerdoodle to triple chocolate chunk, don’t miss the offerings at Ben’s Cookies, and make sure to stop by The Cake Shop to see the dramatic fondant creations coming to life. Sasi’s Thai and Pieminister are our favorite stops for lunch at the market.

See the Harry Potter sites

If you think that Oxford feels a lot like Hogwarts, you’re not wrong. There’s good reason for that—not only do the grand buildings of the wizarding school echo Oxford’s Gothic and Romanesque architecture, but some of the movies’ scenes were filmed with the University as a backdrop.

We love Harry Potter and have visited the studios outside London, so scouting out the locations was a no-brainer. Luckily, it’s easy to put together your own tour of Harry Potter-related sites.

A trip to the Divinity School will find you standing in the bright Hogwarts infirmary, and the cloisters within New College are the same hallways Harry and his friends walked in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Duke Humfrey’s Library is the setting for the Hogwarts library in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

At Christ Church, the ornate Bodley Tower staircase will be familiar to fans of the movies, and it’s easy to see how the nearby Great Hall inspired the enchanted Hogwarts dining hall where so much of the movies’ action happens.

Play a game at Thirsty Meeples

England’s first board game café, Thirsty Meeples, is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for something different to do. Packed floor-to-ceiling with more than 2,000 games, it’s hard to think of something this place doesn’t have.

For a modest cover charge, you can spend several hours playing with friends or go on your own to make new friends on their Tuesday night open gaming nights. Order a smoothie, a cocktail, or a sandwich while you plan your next Jenga move or search your memory bank for that illusive Trivial Pursuit answer.

Grab a snack at G&D’s

Every day is a good day for ice cream, and G&Ds is the place to get it. There are three stores around the city with the G&D’s Cafe moniker (technically George & Danver, George & Davis, and George & Delila, if you’re as confused by that as I was). They specialize in natural homemade ice cream and baked goods, and they offer cafe items like bagel pizzas and salads.

My lunch there was good, but the ice cream is really the standout. With flavors like bananarama, t’was mint to be, road to Reeses, and super #?*! chocolate, you’re in for a treat.

Step into fantasy land at The Story Museum

In a city with as much literary history as Oxford, a place like The Story Museum fits in perfectly. This adorable museum is the fantasy of any kid or adult who loves make-believe or a well-crafted tale. There are opportunities for dress-up, exhibits about authors and their works, and interactive storytelling sessions with games and props.

The opportunity to activate your imagination is everywhere at the Story Museum—the restroom door has a warning about Moaning Myrtle, the front window has an advertisement for 101 Dalmatians, and there are many other subtle literary references. In the museum’s café and quirky gift shop, there is a range of food, books, and story-inspired items.

Try out The Oxford Artisan Distillery

The Oxford Artisan Distillery (TOAD) is a grain-to-glass distillery focusing on gins and other spirits. They use a variety of interesting, Oxford-inspired ingredients to develop unique flavor profiles in their products, and everything is sourced from within 50 miles. The Ashmolean gin is inspired by the museum’s collections (and sold there, too), and the Physic gin is made for the University using botanicals sourced from and inspired by the University of Oxford’s Botanic Garden. TOAD’s other spirits have similarly local stories.

The distillery offers several different tour options. The standard tour lets visitors see how the vodka, gin, absinthe, and whiskey are made from scratch, and the whisky tour goes even deeper into the distillery’s science and mission. Either option is great if you love craft distilleries like we do. Booking ahead is recommended.

Visit Blenheim Palace

Only a half-hour bus ride from the city center, Blenheim Palace makes an easy trip. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the early 1700s as the residence of the Dukes of Marlborough who still live there today. It was also the birthplace of Winston Churchill, and an exhibition here traces his career and life of service to Britain.

The public can tour the sumptuous interior of Blenheim Palace and have afternoon tea in the Orangery. The grounds feature formal gardens, pleasure gardens, and cascading Italian-inspired fountains that remind me of the grand fountains at Villa Tivoli near Rome.

Throughout the year, the Palace has a variety of special events and themed presentations. We visited near Christmas and saw the Palace transformed into Alice’s Wonderland along with a magnificent light trail around the grounds.

Explore Modern Art Oxford

Modern Art Oxford is part museum, part community space. The museum brings the work of both famous and up-and-coming contemporary artists to the city and makes the exhibits accessible to everyone—it’s one of the best free things to do in Oxford for art lovers.

Once you’ve wandered through the galleries, stop at the vibrant café. Locals come in for food, to meet with friends, or just to hang out for a while in the welcoming space.

Tour the Bodleian Library

One of the oldest libraries in Europe, seeing the Bodleian Library is an essential part of any visit to Oxford, even if you’re just visiting on a day trip. There is more to the tour than simply book-filled rooms—you get to see some of the most beautiful spaces within the University.

There are several tour options that highlight different parts of the library. We opted for the hour-long version that includes the stunning Divinity School, which dates from 1470. As we walked through the Convocation House and the Chancellor’s Court, we learned about the history of the University and how it intertwined with the religious and political history of England.

The last stop on the tour was Duke Humfrey’s Library, a massive room filled with dark wood, ornate paneling, and that certain sweet, musty smell that accompanies very old books. Originally built in the late 1400s and then rebuilt following its destruction during the Reformation, the library is one of the unique places in Oxford.

See the Sheldonian Theatre

Built in the 1660s, the Sheldonian Theatre is one of the most recognizable attractions in Oxford thanks to its semi-circular design and distinctive eight-sided cupola. A tour here offers a detailed look at the building’s architecture and stunning painted ceiling as well as a walk through its history.

There are still regular lectures and concerts open to the public, so try to get a ticket if there’s an appealing performance when you’re in town.

Shop at Bicester Village

If shopping is your thing, visiting Bicester Village is an absolute must-do. Just about every outlet center in the world claims to have luxury items, but this place is luxury beyond imagination. Among the over 160 stores at Bicester Village, you’ll find brands like Fendi, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, and more.

You can take the train (15 minutes) or a bus (30 minutes) straight from Oxford to the outlets. It can get quite busy on the weekends or during the holidays, so plan accordingly.  

See the Headington Shark

One of the more unusual things to do near Oxford is to pay a visit to the Headington Shark. On an unassuming street of this suburb just three miles from downtown, the huge sculpture is hard to miss and so odd that we had to see it for ourselves.

The 25-foot-long fiberglass shark who looks like he just fell out of the sky has been in place since 1986. Commissioned by local journalist Bill Heine for his home and made by sculptor John Buckley, it was originally a source of conflict. The town council was afraid that if they allowed it to stay, suddenly everyone would want something similar protruding from their roof. Nearly 40 years later, it’s safe to say their concerns were unfounded.

The singular sculpture is meant to be a commentary on war and the feeling of vulnerability and helplessness when disaster strikes. Despite its heavy underlying meaning, most visitors come for its quirkiness and some stay. Because it’s also an Airbnb now.

Visit Tolkien’s grave

An Oxford alum and professor, J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the literary giants closely associated with the University. During his time there, he published The Hobbit and his epic The Lord of the Rings and was a founding member of The Inklings, a literary group that included other greats such as C.S. Lewis.

Tolkien’s grave (alongside his wife Edith) at Wolvercote Cemetery is a popular pilgrimage site for lovers of Middle Earth. It’s planted with rose bushes and other flowers, and visitors often leave rings in homage to Tolkien’s works as we saw on our visit.

The cemetery is about three miles from the center of Oxford and is easy to reach by bus or car. There are signs pointing the way to the Tolkiens’ grave throughout the cemetery.

See the Christmas Market

The Christmas market is the heart of the holiday festivities in town. With several dozen chalets lining Broad Street, it’s one of the most festive places to be at Christmas.

The market here is small compared to other markets like nearby Bath, but that helps it maintain an entirely local feel. For most of December, you’ll find the scents of mulled wine and the local favorite—churros—filling the air as people shop for ornaments, artworks, and artisan foods from the surrounding area.

Visit Bath

There are so many fun places to visit and things to see in Oxford that you’ll be completely entertained for a weekend. But, with a little more time, consider a day trip somewhere nearby.

My favorite close destination is Bath. The ancient city of Bath has a handful of UNESCO-listed sites, including the ancient Roman Bath complex. You can relax in the springs at Thermae Bath Spa, visit the shops on Pulteney Bridge, and see the romantic Bath Abbey.

Where to Stay

Head of the River – Overlooking Folly Bridge and the River Thames, the Head of the River has 20 individually decorated rooms—some with river views. Positioned over a pub by the same name, the hotel provides guests a hearty breakfast cooked to order each morning.

Leonardo Royal Hotel – A great option for drivers, the Leonardo Royal Hotel offers parking just a 5-minute drive from the city center. This 4-star hotel has spacious bedrooms, an award-winning restaurant and bar, and an indoor splash pool and fitness center.