Oxford, the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’, is a wonderful place to explore. Whether you are looking for a relaxing getaway, a cultured city break, family fun or a weekend out with friends – Oxford has plenty to offer everyone.
Suggested itinerary
On a trip to Oxford be sure to squeeze in a visit to a world-class museum before strolling along the city’s pastel-hued High Street lined with independent boutique shops and coffee bars. Take a walking tour of Oxford city centre, where ornate University of Oxford buildings in distinctive golden stone can be found around every corner. Make sure that you leave time to explore and enjoy the eclectic variety of places to eat and drink, from chic five-star restaurants to buzzing pubs and cafés. This two day Oxford itinerary will show you the highlights of this historic city.
Read more...Morning
Start your day with an exhilarating morning on the water with a chauffeured cruise down the River Thames from Salter’s Steamers or Oxford River Cruises and admire the views of Christ Church College in the distance.
Take a guided tour of Oxford Castle & Prison and discover the fascinating stories of the building’s 1,000-year history. Explore the Saxon St George’s Tower and descend deep underground to the 900-year-old crypt.
Read more...Places to stay
★★★★★ Greyfriars Hideaway is an exclusive destination in central Oxford with two historic luxury self-catering properties.
★★★★★ The Randolph Hotel is an Oxford landmark in the heart of the city close to the Oxford University buildings.
★★★★★ The Old Bank hotel has 43 luxury bedrooms, many with unrivalled views of the city’s most famous landmarks.
★★★★★ The 17th century wisteria-clad Parsonage is located in Oxford’s historic city centre.
★★★★ Opening 7 May 2024, The Store is an inviting boutique hotel on Broad Street, with 101 bedrooms.
★★★★ Just minutes away from Oxford Castle and Westgate Oxford, this hotel provides the perfect base to explore Oxford.
★★★★ The hotel has excellent Executive and Family rooms and is conveniently located three miles from the city centre.
★★★★ The hotel is located near Oxford and has 240 stylish bedrooms, from a standard double to the Deluxe King.
★★★★ This former prison now converted into a boutique hotel is situated in the centrally located Oxford Castle Quarter.
★★★★ This 17th-century converted coaching inn was often visited by the famous J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S Lewis.
★★★★ The Buttery Hotel offers six deluxe en-suite bedrooms and is located on historic Broad Street in Oxford.
★★★★ This hotel has many period features but with all the amenities required by today’s business and leisure travellers.
★★★★ The hotel is located just a stroll away from Oxford city centre and surrounded by beautiful parkland.
★★★ This transformed Edwardian House is set in one and a half acres of gardens, in a quiet suburb of Oxford.
★★★ Royal Oxford Hotel is located just two minutes’ walk from Oxford city centre, a perfect base to explore the city.
★★ This family-run hotel consisting of 17th century cottages is nestled in the heart of Oxford near New College.
Self-Catering Staying at Keble College in Oxford, in one of its Quad or Street view rooms is a true student experience.
Things to do
Activate Learning is a forward-thinking education group that aims for progressive change and impact through learning.
The Ashmolean is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology, with an incredibly rich collection.
Cherwell Boathouse is Oxford’s biggest punt station with over 80 handmade punts to hire to explore the river Cherwell.
Christ Church is located in the heart of the city centre and is one of Oxford University’s largest colleges.
City Sightseeing Oxford takes visitors on an unforgettable adventure on their award-winning open-top bus tour.
Representing 70 distinctive Oxford University venues and colleges. With over 500 meeting spaces, 7,000 student bedrooms and dining options.
The museum holds an impressive collection of scientific instruments from Middle Ages to the 19th century.
IF Oxford brings together real time research from world-leading scientists for interactive events and activities across the city every October.
Modern Art Oxford is one of the UK’s leading contemporary art spaces and is free and open to all.
The Museum of Oxford is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of Oxford and its people.
Set in the heart of the historic city centre, New Theatre Oxford is home to some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Oxford Castle & Prison is a 1,000 year-old castle and former prison with the famous Castle Mound and St George’s Tower.
Located in the heart of the city, Oxford International Study Centre offers a range of programmes including courses in English Language.
The walking tours take visitors around the city’s most famous sites with historical and cultural knowledge throughout.
The Oxford Philharmonic brings inspirational classical music performances to Oxford and beyond.
They provide a range of luxury boat trips, sightseeing tours and picnic cruises in the heart of Oxford.
Established in 1860, it now plays host to a programme of events, exhibitions and activities for all ages.
Oxford Playhouse and its Burton Taylor Studio present and produce a wide range of live performance.
Oxford Botanic Garden is the UK’s oldest botanic garden and an oasis of green in the heart of Oxford.
Discover Oxford with Oxford Tour Guides. They show visitors around whilst making sure the visit is enjoyable and memorable.
Oxford United Football Club, dating back to 1893, is comprised of the men’s team, women’s team, and Academy.
Oxfordshire Artweeks is a three week celebration of the visual arts which takes place each May in hundreds of venues across the county.
Founded in 1884, it houses more than 700,000 objects, photographs and manuscripts from different times and places.
Salter’s Steamers is a family run firm that has been providing boat trips in Oxford for 164 years.
The world-famous Bodleian Libraries have grown to be the largest academic library system in the UK.
The arts centre is home to a vibrant public programme of theatre, music, comedy, dance, talks, and more.
This ancient city’s first distillery offer distillery and whisky tours for a fascinating behind-the-scenes experience.
The Sheldonian Theatre was built from 1664 to 1669 after a design by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford.
The Story Museum is a most unusual museum in the heart of Oxford celebrating the power of stories to teach and delight.
Considered one of the oldest university buildings in the world, the University Church offers the finest views of Oxford.
Food and drink
This family owned and run restaurant is well-known for its creative cooking and its impressive wine list.
The café at the Old Fire Station has a full range of delicious coffee, tea, pastries, cakes and delicious Middle Eastern food.
Oxford Castle Quarter mixes the past and present and is home to an exciting hub of bars and restaurants.
Located at the top of the Westgate Shopping Centre, Pho serves healthy Vietnamese street food.
The Alice at the Randolph Hotel serves comforting, seasonal British Dishes with a contemporary twist.
The Coconut Tree serves delicious Sri Lankan street food with a naturally abundant vegan and vegetarian cuisine.
The Drawing Room is the perfect place for guests to enjoy a quintessentially British afternoon tea.
Filming for the Inspector Morse series took place in this intimate panelled bar, which focusses on cocktails and whiskey.
The Snug is an intimate cocktail lounge, serving drinks and snacks derived from The Alice menu.
An independently owned restaurant, bar, and terrace within a Grade II listed Victorian conservatory.
Parsonage Grill is a Cotswold-esque bolthole located within the 5-star 17th century Old Parsonage Hotel in Oxford.
Regulars and visitors alike flock to Quod for its broad menu of European classics with an emphasis on British produce.
This event catering provider has an impressive portfolio of weddings, corporate events and private dining experiences.
Located beside the River Thames, the restaurant provides simply served cooked dishes crafted from the freshest seasonal ingredients.
The Oxford Wine Café has a large selection of wines at great prices and staff are keen to introduce you to wines to that personally suit you.
A unique bar providing original cocktails, locally sourced wines by glass and live entertainment from professional musicians six nights a week.
The Oxford Wine Cellar is a wine bar in the centre of Oxford that loves wine more than anything, with around 200 wines sold by the bottle.
Shop local
The Oxford Artisan Distillery is Oxford’s first distillery and one of the world’s very few true craft distilleries.
This shopping centre is home to over 100 prestigious global brands, 20 eclectic restaurants, bars and cafes and more.
