Top 10 things to do in Oxford and Oxfordshire

Explore the top 10 things to do in Oxford and Oxfordshire. With so much going on in the county, sometimes it is hard to decide what to do when you arrive. So here we have collected our favourite experiences for Oxfordshire!

Top 10 things to do in Oxford

1. Visit the University of Oxford

“Where is the famous Oxford University?” is a question many visitors ask and the answer is: everywhere! The University is made up of 38 independent colleges, including the magnificent Christ Church and Wadham College, and their quads and buildings can be found all over the city. Take a walking tour to explore and find out more about Oxford University’s history, architecture and traditions.

2. Visit the historical museums

There are many historical museums to visit in Oxford, including the world famous Ashmolean Museum founded in 1683, the Pitt Rivers Museum, The Museum of Natural History, Museum of Oxford, Museum of the History of Science – home to Charles Dodgson’s camera and a blackboard used by Albert Einstein during a lecture in Oxford in 1931, and the beautiful Weston Library exhibiting some of the Bodleian Library’s greatest treasures, from ancient Magna Carta and Jane Austen manuscripts, Shakespeare’s first folio to a letter from Albert Einstein! If you are looking for contemporary art, Modern Art Oxford is the place for you!

3. Explore the Oxford Castle

Oxford Castle Unlocked is a great place to immerse yourself in 1,000 years of history! Visitors can enjoy a guided tour and meet past inhabitants of Oxford Castle and discover their true stories. If you are looking at extending your experience, you can stay the night in an actual prison at the Malmaison Hotel‘s many cells! The Oxford Castle Quarter next to the castle is home to an exciting hub of bars and restaurants, and is the perfect place to treat yourself to a delicious meal or pint!

4. Discover famous TV & Film locations in Oxford

Oxford is the birthplace of Alice in Wonderland! Even though neither of the movies were filmed in Oxford, its many surroundings, such as Christ Church College where Alice Liddell (the real Alice) lived, did inspire Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) in 1862 to write this enchanting story that we all love. Along with Christ Church, the New College and Bodleian Libraries were featured in the Harry Potter movies and the Randolph Hotel’s Morse Bar is just one of the famous places used in the filming of the Inspector Morse tv series in Oxford. Find out more TV and Film locations here.

5. Take a Punt!

Punting – a truly timeless tradition in Oxford. Cherwell Boathouse is Oxford’s biggest punt station and has over 80 handmade punts for hire to take on the River Cherwell where you will pass Parsons Pleasure where University Dons used to sunbathe in the nude or go down the River Thames – home to the University of Oxford rowing clubs, with Salter’s Steamers who offer chauffeured punts if booked in advance.

6. Climb a Tower

When in Oxford, one must climb a tower to enjoy the beautiful views over the city’s famous dreaming spires. The historical Saxon Tower at St Michael at the North Gate is an easy climb to the top which will reward you with a view of bustling Cornmarket Street and the spires and rooftops of Oxford ancient and modern. The University Church of St Mary the Virgin gives the visitor a beautiful view of the colleges and city or climb the Saxon St George’s Tower at the Oxford Castle Unlocked, one of Oxford’s oldest building, and enjoy the stunning 360° views.

7. Go shopping

Oxford is packed with beautiful independent shops and a cluster of these can be found in the famous Oxford Covered Market. The University of Oxford Shop makes sure visitors find their perfect Oxford-themed souvenir, Alice’s Shop sells a wide range of Alice in Wonderland souvenirs and the new Westgate Oxford in the city centre boasts an exciting mix of shops and restaurants. Jericho is another popular place for shopping and if you head down there, pop into Demijohn for a unique experience at this liquid deli.

8. Visit the Theatre

Oxford is a great place to enjoy a good musical or theatrical performance in one of its many theatres across the city. New Theatre Oxford is known for its famous Broadway shows and the Oxford Playhouse showcases the best of British and international drama, family shows, and much more. The Old Fire Station is known for its quality art aimed at adults, the renowned Sheldonian Theatre is home to beautiful classical music performances and the North Wall Arts Centre located in Summertown showcases a variety of music and drama performances.

9. Enjoy Choral Evensong

Every day during term-time, starting between 5.15 and 6.45 pm, many Oxford college chapel choirs and some parish churches sing beautiful music in Choral Evensong – a service which is free-of-charge and open to all. Participating in this living tradition is a great way to experience the life of different colleges of Oxford from within.

10. Join a Tour

Joining a tour is the best way to explore Oxford. From cycling, walking, brewery and boat tours, there are many ways you can learn more our beautiful city’s hidden secrets and discover historical venues.

 

Top 10 things to see in Oxfordshire

1. Blenheim Palace

2. Bicester Village

3. Bletchley Park

4. Broughton Castle

5. Cogges Manor Farm

6. Cotswold Wildlife Park

7. Didcot Railway Centre

8. Stonor Park

9. Waterperry Gardens

10. Visit the historical towns and villages

Great things to do

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Oxford Official Walking Tours

Oxford Official Walking Tours are a fun and informative way to learn about Oxford’s history, visit the University of Oxford, and explore the filming locations used in Harry Potter and Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour. Your tour will be led by professionally trained green and blue badge guides. They are for all walking abilities and cover a...
Bill Spectre Ghost Trail

Bill Spectre's Oxford Ghost Trail

Voted on TripAdvisor as one of ten best ghost tours in the World. Join Bill Spectre, a professionally trained actor and Equity member on his award-winning theatrical ghost trail of Oxford as he lifts the lid on this great seat of learning. This entertainment based tour is illustrated with props and illusions. Bill in costume with his...

Oxford Walking Tours

The day tours go into the oldest colleges including New College, founded in 1379, and seen in the Harry Potter films and television productions of Inspector Morse and Lewis. Exeter College is visited on most tours, was founded in 1314 and is seen in the final episode of Morse. Balliol College, founded in 1264, educated more 20th...

The Carter Company Walking Holidays

A walking holiday is a unique way to explore Oxford and its surroundings, including the Thames Path and the Cotswolds. With so many backwaters, sleepy lanes and secret alleyways, there’s a lot to discover. You will be able to walk towards the dreaming spires of Oxford through the extensive wild meadows which lead into the heart of...

Bainton Bikes - Cycle Hire & Tours

Bainton Bikes is an independently owned cycle hire and tours company based in Oxford. They specialise in offering cycle hire, tours and holidays for all ages and abilities providing a safe, fun and memorable experience for everyone. Bred from a love of cycling and of Oxfordshire, owners of Bainton Bikes hand crafted their very own favourite routes...

The Carter Company Cycling Holidays

Designed with the thoughtful traveller in mind, The Carter Company’s cycling holidays are all about creating authentic travel experiences, giving you the chance to discover hidden gems and local secrets across Oxfordshire and beyond into the Cotswolds and along the Thames. Offering a range of unique routes, with overnight stays in hand-picked boutique hotels, they are an...

Cherwell Boathouse

If you're visiting Oxford why not make the most of your trip and take part in the quintessentially Oxford activity of punting? Visit Cherwell Boathouse and hire a punt for the day from Oxford's biggest punting station. A timeless classic, take your punt and sail upstream or down river, admiring the city's beautiful architecture and landscape from a totally...

Salter's Steamers Boat Trips

Salter’s Steamers is a family run firm that has provided first-class hospitality on the Royal River Thames for almost 150 years (est. 1858). As one of the longest established firms on the Thames, Salter’s Steamers own one of the largest and most exclusive fleets operating on the river. Their cruises combine traditional style, contemporary comforts and the...

City Sightseeing Oxford Bus Tours

Hop on and hop off on City Sightseeing Oxford bus tours in Oxford.  Explore Oxford in one of the double decker buses with 26 stops around the city including, Christ Church College, Sheldonian Theatre, Queen's College, Martyr's Memorial, Trinity College and Oxford Visitor Information Centre. You have the choice between 2 routes: the Historic City & University route...

Oxford River Cruises

Oxford River Cruises provides a range of luxury boat trips, sightseeing tours and unique picnic cruises in the heart of the historic city of Oxford. Their vessels provide a comfortable and intimate setting for an unforgettable river experience and one of the most memorable things to do during your visit to Oxford. Public Cruises can be booked...
go-cotswolds

Go Cotswolds

Whilst enjoying your visit to Oxford you can visit the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty too by joining Go Cotswolds on a day tour. Renowned for its beautiful scenery and picture postcard towns and villages the Cotswolds is one of the ‘must see’ destinations in rural England and our tour offers visitors the opportunity to experience...
Cotswold tours from Oxford

Cotswold Exploring

Discover idyllic hamlets, nestling in quiet valleys with picture-perfect thatched cottages, explore charming high streets peppered with quaint tea rooms and antique shops, hear about legends, fairy tales and traditions dating back hundreds of years. Book a tour with Cotswold Exploring! The Cotswolds The Cotswolds is one of the UK’s designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Mile upon...

Sho4Travel

Private Tours of the Cotswolds Escorted tours in my spacious 6-seater air-conditioned  Land Rover Discovery. There are a number of different personally guided driven tours available (8-hour full day tour, 6-hour short day tour) which are suited to families or larger groups travelling together. Regular destinations. The Cotswolds discovery tour A full day to explore this beautiful region...
secret cottage tours

Cotswolds Secret Cottage Tour

An invitation into Becky’s private thatched Cotswold home Secret Cottage Tour. During your 6-hour tour of hidden villages, you’re invited inside my 500-year-old cottage for coffee and pastries, a buffet lunch and in the afternoon a traditional English cream tea. With their invaluable knowledge, you are treated ‘as if you’re a local’ during your guided tour of...
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Tours of Oxfordshire