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

Default Image

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
Default Image

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 AU$79 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
AU$79
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Oxford. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
7/10 Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Lovely staff, really friendly. Food was great value for money, really nice. Rooms clean & felt safe"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 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 AU$165 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$165
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Oxford. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,019 reviews)
"Excellent property"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford
Linton Lodge Hotel, BW Signature Collection
Linton Lodge Hotel, BW Signature Collection
3 out of 5
11-13 Linton Road, Oxford, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$172 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
AU$172
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Oxford. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (566 reviews)
Good location
"Good location within walking distance of the city centre."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Linton Lodge Hotel, BW Signature Collection
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 Port Meadow and St Margaret ...
7.2/10 Good! (27 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
Oxford. C16th Cottage In Courtyard Setting. Garden.  Parking. Free Wifi.
Oxford. C16th Cottage In Courtyard Setting. Garden. Parking. Free Wifi.
Wheatley
Stay at this cottage in Oxford. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions Iffley Village ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (225 reviews)
Lovely historic barn stay
"Nicely situated in quaint village with plenty of amenities. Cosy accommodation with everything we needed. Charming hosts and very well served with buses to & from Oxford"

Reviewed on 14 Mar. 2024

Oxford. C16th Cottage In Courtyard Setting. Garden. Parking. Free Wifi.
Central OXFORD Townhouse with Free Parking & Garden
Central OXFORD Townhouse with Free Parking & Garden
Oxford
Stay at this vacation home in Oxford. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and 2 bathrooms. Popular attractions Oxford Castle and Oxford Ice Rink are located nearby. ...
7/10 Good! (2 reviews)
Short town stay
"Really happy with property, price and location for our stay in Oxford. Handy location as supermarket just down road, parking at property and we walked into Oxford every day which took around 10-15 mins Host was responsive with communication Suited my family stay - all adults"

Reviewed on 20 Mar. 2024

Central OXFORD Townhouse with Free Parking & Garden
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
24 Feb 2020

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
25 Nov 2019

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
23 Oct 2019

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
28 Sep 2019

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
23 Sep 2019

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

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
20 Sep 2019

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.

Cities near Oxford