The city of Oxford, England is well-known for the University of Oxford—one of the leading universities in the world. But it is also a lovely place to visit on vacation with many delightful and exciting things to do. Here are my top 10 recommendations for things to do in Oxford, whether you are visiting for the first time or returning to visit again!
Only have one day in Oxford? Check out this one day Oxford itinerary to help you decide what to do!
1. See Magdalen College
One of the biggest draws for visitors to Oxford is the University itself. There are over 40 colleges and Permanent Private Halls at Oxford, with each having its own grounds and facilities. One of the most famous and prettiest colleges is Magdalen, and this is a must-see while in Oxford!
Literary lovers will be pleased to hear that this is the college where C.S. Lewis worked, and it is also home to Addison’s Walk—a favorite walk of C.S. Lewis and one that he often frequented with J.R.R. Tolkien. When visiting Magdalen, you can stroll in the footsteps of these great authors while walking the grounds. The Fellow’s Garden is also open to the public and is particularly lovely in spring when filled with daffodils.
You can often take a peek into Magdalen’s wood-paneled dining hall, where students and fellows still dine today, as long as it is not during meal time. The college chapel is lovely and intricate and you can also join in during service times if you wish. There is a small fee to enter, but it is well worth it to see the beautiful college facilities and grounds!
[su_button url=”https://amzn.to/2r7fV3t” target=”blank” style=”soft” background=”#e1b1c8″ size=”5″]Learn more about C.S. Lewis in his own words![/su_button]
2. Visit Christ Church College
Alongside visiting Magdalen College, touring the grounds of Christ Church College is a must…particularly for any fans of Harry Potter!
Parts of this college were used in filming the Harry Potter movies, so as you explore the grounds keep an eye out! Of greatest note is that Hogwarts’ Great Hall was modeled after Christ Church’s real-life student dining hall, and the entrance way to the dining area is where Professor McGonagall meets the first years in the first movie.
But even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan, you will still be awed by the general magnificence of this college’s grounds. It is one of the most grand colleges in Oxford and is beautiful to see. This is also an interesting and fun place to attend Evensong and enjoy experiencing a service in the elaborate cathedral. Like Magdalen, there is a fee to enter (unless you enter only to participate in a service like Evensong).
3. Tour the Bodleian Library
If you’re interested in the scholarly side of Oxford, one other essential university sight is the Bodleian Library. Unfortunately, unless you are a member of the university or receive special permission, you will not be allowed in the libraries without taking a tour.
Luckily, there are several tour options so you can choose one that fits your interests. There are many cool libraries at Oxford (several of which also feature in the Harry Potter films!) but visiting the old Bodleian is a good place to start. Whether you choose to go inside or simply admire from the outside, the libraries are some of the most stunning buildings in Oxford and are a necessary stop on any tour of this city!
[su_button url=”https://happygoabi.com/essential-books-to-read-before-visiting-oxford/” target=”blank” style=”soft” background=”#e1b1c8″ size=”5″]Check out some Oxford-inspired books worthy of reading in these libraries![/su_button]
4. Visit the Sheldonian Theatre
The Sheldonian is the official ceremonial hall of the University of Oxford—where students matriculate at the beginning of their university career and where they graduate at the end. Built between 1664 and 1669, this stunning building was the first major building designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
For a small fee, you can explore the Sheldonian…be sure to gaze up at the impressive ceiling painted during the reign of King Charles II, and climb the stairs to the Cupola to get an amazing 360-degree view of Oxford!
The Sheldonian also hosts concerts and events regularly, so check the schedule to see if there is an event you would like to attend during your time in Oxford.
5. See St. Mary’s Church and climb the spire
St Mary’s Church is located just to the south of the Radcliffe Library, and you certainly won’t be able to miss its magnificent spire that towers over Radcliffe Square. This is a working church with services you can attend (and sometimes music practices that you can hear when you step inside to explore).
There is also a cute cafe located here called Vaults and Garden that has delicious scones and some nice breakfast/lunch options.
If you wish, you can also pay to climb St Mary’s Spire. It’s breathtaking to see the iconic Radcliffe Library and the square from above!
6. Go Punting on the River
If you’ve ever wanted to try the most quintessentially English activity, then you should go punting while in Oxford. A beloved activity of Oxford students, residents, literary characters (like Lord Peter and Harriet!), and tourists alike, punting is about as tranquil and simultaneously terrifying as an activity can be.
You navigate a shallow and skinny boat with a long metal or wooden pole, and try to glide gracefully through the water…though it takes a lot more skill than you’d expect! Make sure to take a picnic with you on the water so you can fully enjoy this most British of activities.
But really, what Oxford trip could be complete without an experience like this? Check out my guide to punting in Oxford for more information on punting and where to rent boats during your time here.
7. Wander through Port Meadow
Port Meadow is a lovely place to take a walk, run, go for a picnic, or simply meander on a nice day. Located just a short walk from town, this gorgeous open meadow is public land and has grazing grounds for horses and cows (who you can say hello to when they’re feeling sociable!)
There are plenty of fun things to do here (and cool literary connections to books like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland!) so check out my guide to Port Meadow to discover all the best things to do in this beautiful place.
8. Explore the Covered Market
Located near High Street, the Covered Market is a fun place to visit and see local crafts and businesses as well as purchase groceries, food, and drink.
There’s a variety of places from produce to butcher shops, and from jewelry to stationary stores, so you’re sure to find something interesting or useful! There’s also a must-see cake shop—unsurprisingly called The Cake Shop—that makes the most delightful and detailed cakes, including replicas of famous Oxford buildings!
You can visit the Covered Market during its opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8am-5:30pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm.
9. Eat at the Eagle and Child
The Eagle and Child is a cute little pub that is famous around the world as the place where The Inklings met for discussions. This informal literary group contained members such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Owen Barfield, and even C.S. Lewis’ brother Warren “Warnie” Lewis.
If you arrive at the pub early enough, you can snag a table in the room where the Inklings met. There’s memorabilia on the wall from the Inklings as well as from Lewis’ and Tolkiens’ lives.
As for the food, a few favorites on the menu include their fish & chips, steak & mushroom pie, and most emphatically their sticky toffee pudding!
10. Visit Pitt Rivers Museum
There are many museums scattered throughout Oxford and they are all fantastic. But if you only have time to visit one, I recommend the Pitt Rivers Museum. Pitt Rivers is located directly behind and can only be accessed through the Natural History Museum.
What makes this my first choice of museum in Oxford? It’s not your typical museum, but rather looks like you would expect your grandfather’s attic to look if your grandfather were an old British Victorian explorer. In cases and displays grouped without any particular understandable order, you can discover interesting curiosities from around the world. Explore groups of cases like “Pottery” or “Musical Instruments,” or discover interesting items like shrunken heads and lamps made out of Pufferfish!
Pitt Rivers is unique and well worth a look—but just keep in mind that there are three floors to this museum, so expect to be lost in the cases and in the world of this fascinating museum for hours!
Looking for a place to stay in Oxford? Check out these great options!
- The Old Bank – Best views of Oxford
- Macdonald Randolph Hotel – Elegance in the city center
- Malmaison Oxford – Unique stay (converted Victorian prison)
- Old Parsonage Hotel – Boutique/luxury stay near the city center
- Rewley House – Budget-friendly stay
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