Oxford Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Radcliffe Camera featuring a square or plaza and heritage elements
From boat trips along the River Thames to an acclaimed university and a lively nightlife scene, Oxford is an action-packed English city.

Oxford is a city of fascinating architecture, history and nightlife. Admire a cityscape of grand towers and spires. Visit the college buildings that count Aldous Huxley and Stephen Hawking as alumni. Sample the atmosphere of centuries-old pubs. Explore pristine parks lining the River Thames and River Cherwell, the two rivers that cut through the city.

A major highlight of Oxford is Oxford University, with some of England’s most architecturally impressive buildings. These include Christ Church College, Christ Church Cathedral, the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera. Step inside the Sheldonian Theatre, the location of the Oxford Literary Festival. Walk around the Botanic Garden nearMagdalen College.

Enjoy the university’s free museums. Spot archaeological and anthropological objects at the Pitt Rivers Museum. Find collections of scientific instruments at the Museum of the History of Science. See artifacts from the Neolithic period to the present at the Ashmolean Museum.

Oxford’s city center presents a mix of retail and entertainment. Find over 50 independent stalls at the Covered Market. Browse for literature at Blackwell’s Bookshop, one of Europe’s largest bookstores. Learn about the legends of Oxford Castle at Oxford Castle Unlocked. Climb to the top of Carfax Tower for unrivaled city views.

Experience the buzz of Oxford’s nightlife, centered on pedestrianized George and Magdalen streets. Watch concerts at Cowley Road’s live music venues. Visit historic pubs such as the Old Parsonage Hotel and the Eagle and Child, the haunts of Oscar Wilde and J.R.R. Tolkien, respectively.

In the summer, punting is a favorite activity. Rent a punt, a flat-bottomed boat, and travel through the city along the gently flowing rivers. Relax with a picnic on the riverbanks or in University Park or Christ Church Meadow.

Getting to Oxford is easy via frequent public train and bus services from London. Be sure to visit attractions outside of the city center, all accessible by rental car. Enjoy daytrips to elegant Blenheim Palace and villages set amid the picturesque Cotswolds countryside.

Where to stay in Oxford

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Oxford City Centre

4.5/5(16 area reviews)

Museums, historical sites and theatres are some highlights of Oxford City Centre. Make a stop by Covered Market or New Theatre Oxford while you're exploring.

Oxford City Centre
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Jericho

Jericho might not have many top sights, but Oxford Playhouse and Ashmolean Museum are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Jericho
Ramada by Wyndham Oxford
Ramada by Wyndham Oxford
3 out of 5
Welcome Break Service Area, Oxford, England
The price is NZ$96 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
NZ$96
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Oxford. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7/10 Good! (1,019 reviews)
Simple, cheap and cheerful
"It was cheap and cheerful. It is what it is, a hotel at a motorway service station, which at least offered a range of eating options."

Reviewed on 6 Jun. 2024

Ramada by Wyndham Oxford
Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford
Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford
4 out of 5
Godstow Road, Wolvercote Roundabout, Oxford, England
The price is NZ$262 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
NZ$262
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Oxford. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,051 reviews)
"Really nice hotel and in good condition. Check in queues, staff and service was an issue however. Despite calling the hotel in advance to confirm we’d requested a cot, there wasn’t a note when we arrived. We were also then told a cot may not fit because we ordered a “double family room”, which was ..."

Reviewed on 7 Jun. 2024

Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford
Malmaison Oxford
Malmaison Oxford
4 out of 5
3 Oxford Castle, Oxford, England
The price is NZ$383 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
NZ$383
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Oxford. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
"Great location. Funky bar."

Reviewed on 7 Jun. 2024

Malmaison Oxford
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Noa Residence
Noa Residence
3.5 out of 5
200 Woodstock Road, Oxford, England
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly apartment in Oxford. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Blenheim Palace and Oxford ...
7.2/10 Good! (28 reviews)
Excellent accommodations!
"Property was fairly priced; within walking to complete services. City-centre bus right outside door. Adequately appointed and quiet! Manager was responsive and helpful!"

Reviewed on 28 Sep. 2019

Noa Residence
Paradigm House, Stunning 2-Bedroom Flat, Oxford
Paradigm House, Stunning 2-Bedroom Flat, Oxford
Oxford
Stay at this apartment in Oxford. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Oxford Castle and Oxford Ice Rink are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
Lovely apartment but could be improved
"The listing advertised a hot tub, sadly there wasn’t one, which was most disappointing. One of the bedroom doors could not be closed due to the bed frame, the double bed was extremely uncomfortable. And the grass needs cutting. This could be a fantastic apartment if these issues were addressed. Sadly ..."

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Paradigm House, Stunning 2-Bedroom Flat, Oxford
Garden home in Oxford

Full amenities
Garden home in Oxford Full amenities
Oxford
Stay at this apartment in Oxford. Popular attractions Oxford Castle and Temple Cowley Pools are located nearby.
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
Our stay
"The property was very convenient to the bus route, so made traveling to the city center very easy."

Reviewed on 26 May 2024

Garden home in Oxford Full amenities
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Oxford

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
29
" "5 - Excellent 59.183673469387756%
4 - Good
19
" "4 - Good 38.775510204081634%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 2.0408163265306123%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

For an Australian, the beautiful historic buildings are amazing , and the pubs warm and cozy We only had a short time there but it was definitely worth it

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lots to see and do in oxford from the historic to the modern

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Driving in the city was a nightmare; so many streets were closed off for roadworks or waterworks, and there are cars, buses and bicycles everywhere. We handed back our hire car there and were glad not to be driving or having to park!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great history. Beautiful architecture. Go on a guided walk. Great bookstores.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

If you have a car, take the park and ride bus, there is very little parking in Oxford central.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

I really wanted to love Oxford but I found it just a bit too touristy. There is a snobbish air about it that I’m not sure does it any favours. It’s certainly pretty though and has interesting history.

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