Oxford: 20 Sights To Visit

Oxford: 20 sights to visit

By Anna Purpurpurpur

Oxford is probably one of the most famous day trips destinations from London, and it is well deserved: is has a fantastic historical heritage! See the list of activities you could do there.

1. Visit Ashmolean Museum

The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology is the very first public museum of all Britain! It is named after Elias Ashmole who donated his collection to the University of Oxford in 1677, and soon after that a special building for it was constructed (the current building where the museum resides today dates to the mid – 19th century).

They have an impressive collection representing Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, European Art, Japan, China, Ancient and medieval Middle East, and apart from that, there is a cafe, a restaurant and a shop.

And yes, it’s super family friendly! There are lots of trails, and small kids are given “Indiana Jones” kits with a magnifier, sand timer, pencils, wooden camera, torch and so on to make their visit more fun.

2. Get lost at Blackwell’s bookstore

Blackwell’s bookstore located on Broad street is undoubtedly the most famous bookstore in Oxford! This is the place where all students buy their specialised books for studies since 1879 when the store was founded by Benjamin Henry Blackwell.

Now its facade is covered with scaffoldings but even without it it looks pretty modest – just wait till you come inside! There are literally thousands of books on the kilometres of shelves – yes, it’s exactly like the Tardis!. Come downstairs to explore the Norrington Room and to spend some time just wandering around.

3. Explore the Radcliffe Camera

The Bodleian Library, a university library dating back to 1598 and containing every single printed book ever published in the UK, is an unmissable marvel of Oxford.

You can take a guided tour for further exploration of it from inside too to admire the 15th – and the 17th- century interiors. I’m sure that Radcliffe Camera attached to the library won’t leave you unmoved – unfortunately, you can see it only from the outside.

4. Admire Divinity school

The Divinity School is one of the finest rooms in the Oxford university: just look at this breathtaking late – Gothic masterpiece! It was built in 1424 – 1483 specifically for the lectures and examinations in Theology, or Divinity, one of the main subjects taught in Oxford (don’t forget that for the most part of its history it was a religious institution) along with medicine and law. Now it’s part of Bodleian Library, and Duke Humphrey’s Library is located upstairs.

Christopher Wren added a door leading to the Sheldonian theatre in 1669 – and in the arch there you can spot there a book decoration with a quotation from the New Testament which is translated as “They found him [Jesus] sitting in the middle of the doctors [teachers]”.

If you spot initials WO, that’s because the mason who built the ceiling was William Orchard, and he left his ‘signature’ from place to place (it was common for masons to do that). You probably have seen this room in many films too: The Favourite, Mary Queen of Scots and of course the Harry Potter movies where it was used as the Infirmary and the hall for the dance lessons by Professor McGonagall before the Yule ball.

By the way, this statue of William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke in front of the Divinity school entrance has probably inspired JK Rowling to create the Nearly Headless Nick character as at some point the head of the statue was almost separated from the body.

5. Explore New college

Although it’s called New College, it was ‘New’ quite a while ago considering that it was founded in 1379. Now it’s one of the largest colleges of Oxford and one of the few you can visit as a tourist (there are 36 colleges in Oxford and not all of them are open to visitors).

New college is famous not only because of the glorious hall where students still have meals every day. Its chapel is absolutely breathtaking: there are stunning stained halls from the 18th century, an organ, an impressive reredos with numerous statues and a very unusual statue of St Lazarus.

And all the potterheads will recognize this cloister and the courtyard immediately – yes, this iconic scene with pseudo professor Moody turning Malfoy into a ferret was shot here! But this place is worth visiting even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan 🙂

6. Pop inside the Oxford castle

Oxford castle is a fantastic landmark with over 1000 years of history behind it (and yes, it’s older than the Oxford university). It was founded after the Norman conquest by Robert d’Oilly around 1071 – 1073, close to the stream now known as the Castle Mill Stream.

The initial wooden structures were replaced with stone in the 12-13th centuries. One of the most particular spots of it is St George’s crypt chapel, still containing late 11th-century columns and capitals.

It also might well be the place of birth for the legends about King Arthur and the Knights of the round table! Actually Geoffrey of Monmouth worked here, in the Oxford castle, while writing his Historia Regum Britanniae (The History of the Kings of Britain), where King Arthur and the stories of his deeds are first mentioned.

Sadly, the castle was severely damaged during the civil war, and what’s left of it was used as a prison for centuries. Now you can learn about different prisoners while on tour with the castle guides.

Important: if you’re visiting with kids under 5, you’re not allowed to St George’s tower because of the safety issues.

7. Visit Oxford University Museum of Natural History

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History founded in 1860 is fun for kids and adults alike.

There are dinosaurs and many fossils, there are many samples of other species from the collection of the university. There are about 250,000 zoological specimens, and the museum library includes around 20,000 books.

And of course there’s an elephant – sorry, a bird – in the room.. And it is this famous guy: dodo, and extinct bird from Mauritius, that found eternal life in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in the wonderland!

The museum building is worth your attention too: it’s built in Neo-Gothic style and is beautifully decorated. And don’t miss the pre-Raphaelite-style hall on the upper hall!

8. See the collection of Pitt Rivers Museum

The only way you can access Pitt Rivers museum in Oxford is going through the Oxford University Museum of Natural History! And you find yourself surrounded by probably the most intense and packed collection of pieces representing human history in all parts of our planet.

The core of the museum collection were 26.000 objects gifted by General Pitt-Rivers in 1884 but now there are over 500.000 exhibits! The Natural History museum provides the only public access into the adjoining Pitt Rivers Museum building.

9. Spot the Eagle and Child pub …

Sadly, I have to be a bearer of bad news about the Eagle and Child pub.

This was the exact location where The Inklings group met: the members of it were JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis! They called this place ‘The Bird and Baby’. The place has closed down now (see the photos of how it looked before, below, when we visited it a few years ago) – who knows, it might reopen later?

10….Or go to the Bear.

The Bear Inn is probably the oldest pub in Oxford, so you might pop in here instead of the Eagle and Child if you’re looking for a pub with historical background!

It dates back to 1242. Its current appearance is a few centuries younger but still it’s worth a visit.

Another option is St Helen’s Passage right after the Bridge of Sighs – it leads to the 13th century Turf Tavern, a hidden popular pub!

11. Explore the Christ Church

Christ Church is probably the most well known college of Oxford University, and its fame only grew after the Harry Potter movies came out.

It was founded in the 16th century by Cardinal Wolsey – I’m sure you’ve heard this name if you’re familiar with the stories surrounding Henry VIII.

Walk along the meadows and Tom Quad, visit the Great Hall and the most picturesque staircase, pop into the Picture gallery if you have time. Don’t miss the cloisters too (yes, Harry Potter films also were shoot here but it’s also the oldest part of the monastery)!

Of course observe the Cathedral – and completely fall in love with it! Take a closer look at the 14th century Thomas Becket window, examine the Shrine of St Frideswide, the patron saint of Oxford, and stained glass windows created with the help of Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris in the late 19th century.

12. Observe The Sheldonian Theatre

In a short walk from the Bodleian Library stands The Sheldonian Theatre built in 1664. It is a masterpiece of the architect Sir Christopher Wren who contributed a lot to the Oxford architectural outlook. Apart from hosting musical concerts, it is also used for university’s purposes: for instance, all the major ceremonies and oaths are held here (many in Latin still!).

13. Spot Bridge of Sighs

If you walk around the Sheldonian Theatre – the Bodleian Library area and suddenly see lots of people at the New College Lane – then you’ve probably reached The Bridge of Sighs.

It is spread between the two buildings of the Hertford College – and, consequently, is officially named the Hertford Bridge. Nevertheless, it’s more frequently named after the famous Venice bridge (although it doesn’t really look like the original one).

14. Stroll along the University Parks of Oxford

Take a stroll, have a picnic or rent a boat in the University Parks! It’s a fantastic green space where you can get lost for a few hours and relax from the buzz of a big city.

15. Have a cup of coffee at the Covered Market

Fancy a cupcake, a pie or a cup of coffee? A nice set of jewelry or Harry Potter’s wand?

Head to the historic the Covered Market! Since its opening in 1774, it gained a reputation as one of the most amazing British markets – both for tourists and students! A few years ago the Oxford City Council invested £1.6m into The Covered Market’s reconstruction.

You can also pop into the open air Oxford market for some vintage artefacts and food!

16. Observe Oxford from above

Looking for view over Oxford? Head to the 13th century Carfax Tower, a part of destroyed St. Martin’s Church – or, alternatively, to the Saxon Tower of St Michael, the oldest building of Oxford, at the North Gate!

17. Catch the White Rabbit at the Alice’s Shop

Once being a grocery shop near the Christ Church, now Alice’s Shop sells everything related to the famous book of Lewis Carroll: from tableware to keyrings and snacks. Highly recommended – this is one of my favourite spots in whole Oxford!

18. Shop at the Westgate Oxford

Westgate Oxford is located in the very centre of the city – it has a great selection of shops and restaurants! You can also go to the last floor of this shopping mall nearby for nice views over the spires of the city.

19. Take Oxford river cruise

One of the best activities to do in Oxford with kids is to take a boat ride!

We started at the Folly bridge, a two-part stone 19th century stone bridge standing on a site of a much older bridge dating to at least the 11th century. Our journey across the Thames river took about 50 min: we went past the Christ Church meadow, boathouses of various Oxford colleges and the lush greenery of the rural Oxford area.

George even had a chance to do some steering (with my help of course). You can choose a cruise option with an afternoon tea or just a cruise itself.

20. Have a ride to the Bicester village

Bicester village is a luxury outlet where you can find all sorts of shops: Gucci, Dior, Ralph Lauren, Versace, Burbury, Samsonite, and many more. It has a few cafes too, so you won’t be hungry!

Where to stay in Oxford?

Last time we stayed in Courtyard by Marriott Oxford city centre – it has the most fantastic location: just in a few minutes from the shopping centre and the city centre. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get a window view over the Oxford castle (just like we did).

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Hope you liked my blog!
Yours,
Anna xxx

Pictures of the floating world