Skyline from Radcliffe Camera (Circular Library)

Oxford

With its honey-coloured colleges arrayed in splendour beside the river, the university town of Oxford is a seductive vision of medieval learning and modern charm.

Best Things to Do

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • United Kingdom, England, Oxford, Courtyard of Christ Church

    Christ Church

    Oxford

    With its compelling combination of majestic architecture, literary heritage and double identity as (parts of) Harry Potter’s Hogwarts, Christ Church…

  • Duke Humfrey's library, the Bodleian Library

    Bodleian Library

    Oxford

    At least five kings, dozens of prime ministers and Nobel laureates, and luminaries such as Oscar Wilde, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien have studied in Oxford's…

  • Inside the grounds of Magdalen College.

    Magdalen College

    Oxford

    Guarding access to a breathtaking expanse of private lawns, woodlands, river walks and even its own deer park, Magdalen ('mawd-lin'), founded in 1458, is…

  • Front entrance to the Ashmolean Museum in Beaumont Street.

    Ashmolean Museum

    Oxford

    Britain’s oldest public museum, Oxford’s wonderful Ashmolean Museum is surpassed only by the British Museum in London. It was established in 1683, when…

  • Displays in the Pitt Rivers Museum.

    Pitt Rivers Museum

    Oxford

    If exploring an enormous room full of eccentric and unexpected artefacts sounds like your idea of the perfect afternoon, welcome to the amulets-to-zithers…

  • Exterior of Merton College.

    Merton College

    Oxford

    Founded in 1264, peaceful and elegant Merton is one of Oxford’s three original colleges. Like the other two, Balliol and University, it considers itself…

  • Outside the New College chapel

    New College

    Oxford

    New College isn’t really that new. Established in 1379 as Oxford’s first undergraduate college, it’s a glorious Perpendicular Gothic ensemble. Treasures…

  • Outside the castle walls, Oxford Castle.

    Oxford Castle and Prison

    Oxford

    Little now remains of Oxford Castle, which was built for William the Conqueror in 1071, and largely destroyed after the English Civil War because the…

View more attractions
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Oxford",
  "city": "Oxford",
  "region": "The-United-Kingdom",
  "country": "England",
  "continent": "Europe"
}

Plan with a local

Articles

Latest stories from Oxford

OXFORD, UK - MAY 22, 2017: A glass of beer on a table and a man working on his laptop on the background at The Bear Inn pub, Oxford. Founded in 1242, The Bear Inn is the oldest pub in Oxford. ; Shutterstock ID 679678408; your: Brian Healy; gl: 65050; netsuite: Lonely Planet Online Editorial; full: Best pubs in Oxford

Tips & Advice

Reference pints: the best pubs in Oxford

Jul 8, 2022 • 5 min read

Read more articles

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Oxford

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Oxford",
  "city": "Oxford",
  "region": "The-United-Kingdom",
  "country": "England",
  "continent": "Europe"
}