Oxford City Attractions
Places of Interest to Visit in Oxford
The Ashmolean Museum
Britain's oldest public museum, houses one of the finest art collections in the country. Including; renaissance
sculptures, art of the great Mediterranean civilisations, collections from Egypt and the Middle East and many other treasures.
Opening times: Tue~Sat 10am -
5pm, Sun 12 - 5pm
Admission Free
Location: Beaumont Street OX1 2PH
Bodleian Library
When Henry VIII ordered his dissolution of the monasteries, the only major casualty at Oxford was the library founded by Duke Humfrey. All its manuscripts were dispersed and the bookshelves sold. However, in 1598, one of Elizabeth I's diplomats, Sir Thomas Bodley, began a full restoration and reopened the library in 1603. The Bodleian Library, as it them became known, is now one of the world's greatest, and includes the famous Radcliffe Camera built by Sir Thomas Bodley in 1737 and the New Bodleian building, completed in 1940. A copy of every new book published in Britain is sent to the library, which currently contains more than 11 million volumes (stored in Oxford and at other associated locations).
Botanic Gardens
Founded in 1621, it is Britain's oldest botanic garden. Located alongside the River Cherwell, it has a collection of over 7000 species of plants from all over the world. The garden is divided into three sections; the Glasshouses for hot house plants, a walled garden and the area outside the walled garden, which contains a water garden and rockery. Within the walled garden, plants are grouped by origin and species.
Opening times: daily 9am - 6pm (4:30 in winter) - Admission Charge
Location: Rose Lane, east end of the high street. OX1 4AZ
Oxford Castle
Visit Oxford
Castle and experience the town’s medieval history.
The 11th-c motte-and-bailey castle is one of the oldest
buildings in Oxford, and where Geoffrey of Monmouth
wrote the first tales of King Arthur. Part of the castle
was used as a debtors’ prison in the 18th-c and below
the tower is a 900-year-old crypt, that contains the
only surviving remains of St. George’s Chapel.
Two of the castle’s famed residents are, Marshall William Smith, the King’s prison keeper who made Oxford Prison as feared and as notorious as Colditz, and Jack Ketch the public executioner on whom the Punch & Judy hangman character was modeled.
Opening times: daily from 10am, regular tours
available - Admission
Charge
Location: New Road, Oxford, OX1 1AY
Book Your Tour Tickets Online with: Attractiontix
The University Museum of Natural History
The museum houses giant skeletons of prehistoric animals, plus major geological and mineral collections.
Opening times: daily 12 - 5pm - Admission Free
Location: Park Road, opposite Keble College. OX1 3PW
Museum of Oxford
Tells the story and archaeology of Oxfordshire and the history of the city.
Opening times: Tue~Fri 10am -
5pm, Sat~Sun 12 - 5pm
Admission Charge
Location: St Aldate's OX1 1DZ.
Sightseeing Bus Tours of Oxford
Take a Hop on Hop off bus tour of Oxford city with
Sightseeing Tours. Stay on the bus
for the full tour or hop on and off to explore each
sight at your leisure. Recorded
commentary or a live guide will keep you informed as
you journey around the attractions. With 20 stops throughout
the city, there’s no easier way to visit Oxford’s most
popular sights, including:
- Oxford’s many famous university buildings
- Ashmolean Museum
- Blackfriars
- Bodleian Library
- Carfax Tower
- Market
- River
Book Tickets Online with: Attractiontix
Operates: all year, daily (except
25th & 26th December
and 1st January)
Departure Location:
The first stop is Oxford Railway Station, but you can
hop on or off at any stop along the route.
Departure Times:
The first bus departs at 9.30am, the last at 6pm (April-October)
or 4pm (November-March)
Duration:
The complete tour loop takes approximately 60 minutes.
Museum of the History of Science
Contains the worlds finest collection of early scientific instruments.
Opening times: daily 12 - 4pm - Admission Free
Location: Broad Street, next to the Sheldonian Theatre OX1 3AZ.
Sheldonian Theatre
Designed and built in the Roman style by Christopher Wren, while he was Professor of Astronomy at the University. University-degree ceremonies and concerts are still held in its semicircular theatre.
Walking Tours of Oxford
There are many excellent walking tours of the city and its historical sights, led by the city's official guides. The tours last from between 90 to 120 minutes and usually involve less than 1 mile of walking. For details visit the Oxford City Tours web site.
Some of the colleges can also be visited at certain times. For Tickets, prices and more details visit the Oxford Information Centre, 15-16 Broad Street, Oxford. Tel: 01865 25220
Return to << Oxford City
South East England
Towns and Villages in Oxfordshire
Abingdon, Bampton, Banbury, Bicester, Burford, Buscot, Carterton, Henley-on-Thames, Charlbury, Chipping Norton, Didcot, Dorchester, Thame, Oxford, Wallingford, Wantage, Witney, Woodstock
Attractions in Oxfordshire
Banbury Museum | Blenheim Palace | Broughton Castle | Buscot Park | Chastleton House | Cotswold Wildlife Park | Didcot Railway Centre | Greys Court | Minster Lovell | Rousham House | Stonor House