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25 Best Things to Do in Oxford (By a Local)
👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do in Oxford | Museums & Culture | Cool & Unusual | Rainy Day | Family-Friendly | Night
Growing up in the South of England, I was surrounded by history. From medieval towns to ancient churches, I’ve certainly been spoilt for choice. But Oxford has always been one of my favourite cities to explore.
Oxford is home to one of the oldest universities in the world. Iconic authors and world leaders alike have studied, taught, and lived in “The City Of Dreaming Spires.” The city is steeped in history and tradition, boasting claims to the world’s oldest public museum, the oldest botanic garden in the UK, and one of the oldest libraries in Europe.
In this guide, I share with you all of the must-visit local attractions, plus some of my favourite local spots and personal highlights that I always recommend to family and friends. And don’t forget to bookmark my guide to where to stay in Oxford as well!
25 Best Things to Do in Oxford
Oxford Colleges
Go behind the scenes and discover the historic university buildings where students live and study.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Varies by college and date | Entrance: Varies by college and date, some are free | 👉 Book Oxford University Walking tour on Get Your Guide
Oxford University isn’t a single building or campus, but a collection of historic colleges scattered across the city. It can sometimes be hard to tell where the university ends and the city begins.
The colleges make up the heart of the university, each functioning as an academic community with its own dining halls, libraries, courtyards, and traditions. Each student belongs to a college and, as undergraduates, it’s where they live and socialise.
There are 39 different colleges that make up Oxford. Walking through the city, you’ll spot students wearing black jackets with their college proudly displayed. Some of these colleges are more famous than others, usually thanks to notable alumni or film locations, such as those from Harry Potter. Christchurch and Magdalen are two of the most popular, but wandering into lesser-known colleges really gives you a glimpse into what life as a student is like in Oxford.
Around 20 colleges are open to visitors on varying dates and times. Some colleges have free entry, others charge a fee, and some only allow entrance if you are part of an official tour. Check the official webpage for details. This is a must-do for first-time visitors, history lovers, and architecture enthusiasts.
Bodleian Library
Explore one of the oldest libraries in Europe.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865 287400 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday, 10 am – 5 pm Saturday, 11 am – 4 pm Sunday | Entrance: Weston library is free, tours start at £12.50 for the old library (not suitable for children under 11), the Divinity school is £3 per person and free under 5
The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and has been at the heart of Oxford University since the early 1600s. The library is made up of a collection of historic buildings surrounding Radcliffe Square.
The medieval Divinity School is a highlight, with its intricate vaulted ceiling. It was used as a filming location for the Harry Potter movies. The Bodleian holds more than 13 million items. Thanks to Sir Thomas Bodley, the library has the right to receive a copy of every book published in the UK due to legislation dating back to 1610.
The library is now full, but the Bodleian receives roughly 5,000 new books a week. To solve this issue, a dedicated warehouse in Swindon is used, and it contains more than 10 million items – and growing daily.
Lovers of architecture and bibliophiles alike can admire the architecture from the outside or join a guided tour of its historic rooms, such as the medieval Duke Humfrey’s Library.
Radcliffe Camera
See one of Oxford’s most iconic landmarks.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865 287400 | Website | Hours: Limited weekend opening hours | Entrance: £22.50+
Although part of The Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera is a landmark worth visiting in its own right. This iconic landmark is one of the most photogenic spots in Oxford. It sits as the centrepiece of Radcliffe Square.
The only way to see inside this distinctive circular library is to take the official 90-minute Bodleian walking tour, which runs at limited times on weekends. You can stand in the square and take in the views at any time, but visit in the morning or evening when the crowds thin out to soak in all the little details and take some beautiful photos.
Blackwells Bookshop
Get lost in this legendary bookshop.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865792792 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 7 pm Monday – Saturday, 9am – 5 pm Sundays
I love books, and adore bookshops, and Blackwells is by far my favourite bookshop in the entire world! Walking in, you are lulled into a false sense that you are about to have a very ordinary bookshop experience, but there is a secret lurking underground.
The subterranean Norrington room was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest single room selling books. Book lovers, be warned, as the 3 miles worth of bookshelves house over 150,000 books – a real danger to your wallet!
Covered Market
Eat and shop to your heart’s content.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5:30 pm Monday to Wednesday 8 am – 10 pm Thursday to Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm Sundays and Bank Holidays
Every time I am in Oxford City Centre, I can’t help but visit the Covered Market. This lively historic market is filled with quirky independent shops, amazing places to eat, and local businesses. First opened in 1774, the market has been a hub of Oxford life for more than two centuries.
Today, you’ll find everything from artisan bakeries to local cheese shops, flower stalls, and handmade gifts. It’s a great place to grab a quick bite whilst exploring the city. If you have a sweet tooth, you must grab a chunky, gooey Ben’s Cookies treat. Colombia Coffee Roasters has my favourite coffee in the covered market.
For something more filling, Sasi’s Thai is perfect if you’re on a budget. You can get rice and two Thai favourites, such as chicken cashew or Thai green curry, for £8. For a hearty British classic, head to Pieminister. A pie, two sides such as mash and peas, and gravy is £13.90. I’m obsessed with the Moo – a classic beef steak and ale. For vegetarians and vegans, the Chana Rama pie is bursting with flavour.
The Bridge Of Sighs (The Hertford Bridge)
Stroll beneath this beautiful bridge.
Nicknamed “the Bridge of Sighs,” after Venice’s famous bridge, Hertford Bridge is one of Oxford’s most photographed landmarks. The bridge was built to connect two buildings at Hertford College, making students’ rainy-day commutes much less miserable.
There is a local student superstition that walking under the bridge is unlucky before completing final exams.
Visitors can’t walk across the bridge itself, but it’s a beautiful stop in the city, and perfect for first-time visitors and photographers. The best angle is from New College Lane. Make sure to stop here while exploring nearby Radcliffe Square and the Bodleian Library.
Oxford Museums & Culture
Ashmolean
Visit one of the oldest museums in the world.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865278000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: Free
The Ashmolean is one of the world’s oldest public museums. If you love art or history, the museum’s extraordinary collection spans thousands of years and is sure to leave you feeling inspired.
My personal highlight is the Egypt collection. With over 50,000 objects, it’s among the most extensive in Britain. Entry to the main collections is free, making it perfect for exploring a few exhibits or spending several hours wandering around.
Make sure to visit the rooftop restaurant for panoramic views across Oxford. For something special, I recommend booking their afternoon tea. If the weather is good, a table on the outside roof terrace offers the best views.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Be amazed seeing artefacts from dodos to dinosaurs.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865272950 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: Free
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History is home to a fascinating range of exhibits exploring the natural world. As you enter the beautiful Victorian building, it’s hard not to be wowed by the giant dinosaur skeletons framed by the soaring glass roof. It’s quite a dramatic view.
As you explore further, you’ll delve into the variety and detail of the collections. This is a great place for families to visit when in Oxford, and the museum frequently hosts activities and events, including special trails for children.
Pitt Rivers Museum
Spark your curiosity with objects from around the world.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865613000 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 5 pm Mondays (Open from 10 am on school & bank holidays), 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday | Entrance: Free
I was amazed by the Pitt Rivers Museum when I first visited on a school trip. As an adult, I still experience that exact same feeling of amazement whenever I visit.
Enter through the Natural History museum, and you’re transported to a world of oddities and artefacts. It feels like walking through a cabinet of curiosities, with something unusual or fascinating everywhere you look.
This vast collection of anthropological objects showcases cultures from around the world. A few of my personal favourites include the Haida Totem Pole, a Moai figure from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and a priest’s crown from Ethiopia. The beauty is that you notice something different every time you visit.
Story Museum
Be wowed as stories are brought to life.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865807600 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm daily | Entrance: £14.50+ adults, £7.50 ages 1-4, free under age 1
This immersive museum celebrates the power of storytelling, with exhibits inspired by books, myths, and fairytales. Located in the city centre, the Story Museum allows visitors to step into imaginative worlds.
Families and younger visitors will love the playful exhibits. I always feel so nostalgic walking through the collections. If you’re travelling with children, or simply love books, this imaginative museum is a fun and creative break from exploring Oxford’s history.
Museum of the History of Science
Celebrate scientific discovery.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865277293 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 5 Tuesday to Sunday | Entrance: Free
At the History of Science Museum, you’ll find scientific inventions, devices, and instruments from different cultures, places, and times in history. The objects are truly fascinating, from early telescopes to beautiful astrolabes mapping the sky.
The museum’s most famous object has to be Einstein’s blackboard, still covered in equations from a lecture he gave in Oxford in 1931. This museum is perfect for science enthusiasts, history lovers, or anyone curious about scientific discovery through the ages.
Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Oxford
Alice’s Shop
Fall into wonderland.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865240338 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Monday to Thursday, 9:30 am – 6 pm Friday to Sunday
For fans of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, this charming shop is a must-visit. There are many links to the famous story throughout the city, but I love the history behind this shop.
Did you know that the character Alice was based on Alice Liddell? She inspired Lewis Carroll to write the now-infamous story. This little store on St Aldates is just opposite her childhood home. As her nearest sweet shop, she would have visited it often, and the community dubbed the Victorian store “Alice’s Shop,” a name that has stuck for over 150 years. The shop also served as inspiration in Through the Looking-Glass.
Nowadays, the store has fully embraced its heritage and is a treasure trove of Alice in Wanderland goodies, and the perfect place to pick up a gift or souvenir. I recommend picking up a fantastic guide that the shop sells for just £3, all about Alice’s Oxford.
The Narnia Door
Follow in the footsteps of C.S Lewis.
To the unassuming, St Mary’s Passage looks like any ordinary street. This path beside St Mary’s Church, leading towards Radcliffe Camera, doesn’t have a sign or give you any particular reason to stop. But there is a door on this street that tells a story.
The legend suggests that C.S Lewis attended a service at St Mary’s Church one evening, and whilst inside, it began to snow. As he exited the church and walked into a beautiful snow-covered St Mary’s Passage, a single street lamp illuminated his way. He noticed a door there, one that still stands today. To either side are fawns said to resemble Mr Tumnus, and in the centre, a carving who perhaps inspired Aslan.
I love this location because it’s a reminder that the things we overlook every day can inspire such magical and lasting stories. If you are a fan of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, you definitely need to come and have a look for yourself. Perhaps you, too, will be inspired.
Evensong at Christchurch College
See a centuries-old tradition up close.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865 276150 | Website | Hours: Varies but usually around 6 pm (check the website before attending) | Entrance: Free entrance for Evensong, visiting at other times you will need to buy a ticket |
For a truly atmospheric experience, attend Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral. Held most evenings in the college’s historic cathedral, the services feature the renowned Christ Church Choir performing traditional choral music in a stunning setting.
Visitors are welcome to attend regardless of religious background. You may find it a peaceful moment for contemplation. And a chance to appreciate the beauty of the building, and the centuries-old traditions that endure here.
This experience is perfect for anyone seeking something memorable. Whether you come for the music, architecture, or the sense of history, Evensong is a chance to experience Oxford’s collegiate culture for yourself.
Cowley Road Street Art
Discover a different side of Oxford.
Away from colleges and spires, you’ll find a completely different side of Oxford. Visit Cowley Road to the east of the city centre, and you’ll find a lively neighbourhood of diverse multicultural restaurants, independent shops, cafes, and colourful murals.
Walking along the street and the adjacent roads, you’ll spot colourful artworks, some of which pay homage to Oxford’s history and culture. Allow time to wander the area, and stop for food nearby. I recommend Spiced Roots for Caribbean punch, or The Kazbar for Spanish Tapas with a Moroccan flair.
Things to Do in Oxford on a Rainy Day
Turf Tavern
Grab a pint in one of Oxford’s historic pubs.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44 ) 01865243235 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 11 pm daily
Tucked down a narrow alley near Radcliffe Square is Turf Tavern. This is one of Oxford’s most historic pubs, and has played host to a pretty impressive list of punters from film stars to presidents. It is also the perfect refuge on a rainy day.
Come for traditional pub food, local ales, and a warm place to escape the typical British weather. It’s the perfect place to get a taste of a classic British pub.
Go Cafe Hopping Around the City
The perfect way to warm up and get cosy.
📍Google Maps (Vaults & Gardens)
Oxford has a thriving independent cafe scene. When the rain inevitably comes, use it as an excuse to cafe-crawl and try as many as possible.
There are so many great cosy coffee spots scattered across the city, but here are a few I love.
Visit Vaults & Garden for its historic setting and locally sourced fare. Green Routes boasts a fantastic Vegan brunch. Jericho Coffee Traders serves locally roasted blends. And for a sweet treat, Gatineau Artisan Patisserie & Bakery has mouthwatering traditional French pastries.
Westgate Shopping Centre
Indulge in a bit of retail therapy.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865263600 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Monday to Friday, 9 am – 8 pm Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm Sunday
Westgate is a large modern shopping complex right in the heart of Oxford. It’s the perfect place to escape from the rain and spend a few hours browsing the mix of high street shops.
You’ll find great restaurants and a cinema if you decide to avoid the weather a little longer. Junkyard Golf is a great laugh and perfect for groups and dates. Afterwards, head to Dirty Bones for New York-style comfort food, Mowgli for vibrant street-inspired Indian tiffins, or, for drinks, you can’t go wrong with the theatrical cocktails at The Alchemist.
The rooftop terrace is a highlight for fantastic, free views across Oxford’s iconic skyline.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Oxford
Oxford Botanic Garden
Relax outdoors and drown out the noise of the city.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865610300 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: £9 adults, free under 16 (with a paying adult)
A short walk from the city centre, Oxford Botanic Garden is a peaceful green space, and the perfect place to take the little ones to stretch their legs.
Founded in 1621, it’s the oldest Botanic Garden in Britain and contains thousands of plant species from across the world. There’s plenty to see, so the kids won’t get bored, including the Tropical Greenhouse, which is a personal fave of my toddler.
The Oxford Canal
The perfect walk for parents with pushchairs.
📍 Google Maps | Website
A walk along the Oxford Canal Towpath offers a slower and more peaceful way to experience the city. Starting at Isis Lock Footbridge in Jericho just outside the city centre, the tour continues north to Duke’s Cut, close to the Peartree Park and Ride.
The whole route is 4.4 km and journeys through quiet neighbourhoods and green spaces. It’s perfect for families, particularly those with pushchairs. The little ones will love the colourful narrowboats and watching ducks float by.
Go Punting on the River
Watch the world float by.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865552746 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily from mid-March to mid-October
Punting is not only a classic Oxford activity, but also a guaranteed favourite for the whole family.
A punt is a flat-bottomed boat propelled along the river using a long pole. Drifting through Oxford’s waterways is a fun way to see the city.
Boats can be hired from several locations, including the Magdalen Bridge Boathouse near the Botanic Gardens. But I recommend heading to Cherwell Boathouse in the North of the city for a quieter experience. Plus, you can end your adventure at the Cherwell Boathouse restaurant for a lovely meal by the river.
Oxford Castle and Prison
This nearly 1,000-year old site will bring history to life.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+44) 01865260663 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5:30 pm daily | Entrance: £17.55+ adults, around £11.25 for children ages 5-15, free under age 5
Get the kids excited about history with a visit to Oxford Castle and Prison. Located near the Westgate shopping centre, the site dates back nearly a thousand years and includes a medieval mound, historic prison cells, and an underground crypt.
The guided tours of the castle really bring its stories to life. Costumed guides share tales of prisoners, escapes, and Oxford’s dramatic past. It’s perfect for older children interested in history, or curious younger ones who love to explore.
Things to Do in Oxford at Night
Gulp Fiction
Read and drink at this quirky bookshop bar.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Monday to Wednesday, 10 am – 10 pm Friday to Sunday
Gulp Fiction is one of Oxford’s quirkiest evening hangouts, combining a bookshop, bar, and cafe into one cosy space. Located in the Covered Market, it’s the perfect place for people who love to read and love to drink.
They hold brilliant regular events such as readings, quizzes, and even a writing club. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a busy day of exploring.
Tap Social
Have a socially good beer.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Varies by venue
With Tap Social, you can do good while enjoying your pint. As a social enterprise brewery, I love that Tap Social produces excellent craft beer while supporting rehabilitation and employment opportunities for people leaving prison.
Tap Social has an ever-expanding list of venues across the city. Head to The Taproom in Botley for events like live music and an awesome midnight market. The Market Tap in the covered market makes it super easy to pop in. Again, make sure to check out the event calendar on their website. The variety is impressive, from Open Mic Nights to a Pickle Workshop.
Take an Oxford Ghost Tour
Be spooked by Oxford’s haunted past.
🌐 Website | Hours: 6:30 pm daily | 👉 Book Oxford Twilight Ghost tour on Get Your Guide
In a city as old as Oxford, you know some juicy ghost stories are just waiting to be discovered. A fun way to learn about Oxford’s haunted past is by taking a guided ghost tour.
Walk through narrow lanes and historic squares, and along the way, you’ll hear eerie tales of haunted colleges, mysterious legends, and famous figures connected to the city’s darker side.
Tours typically last about an hour and depart from central locations in the evening. This is a fun evening experience for visitors who enjoy history, storytelling, and spookiness.
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Thanks for reading my list of the best things to do in Oxford! There’s truly so much to discover in this history-filled city. Have a question? Feel free to ask me in the comments below.