Oxford Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

University Church of St Mary the Virgin showing a church or cathedral, heritage elements and heritage architecture
Radcliffe Camera which includes heritage elements and a square or plaza
Oxford showing heritage elements and street scenes
Oxford showing street scenes as well as an individual male
Oxford

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(131 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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East Oxford

While visiting East Oxford, you might make a stop by sights like Iffley Road Track and Thames River.

East Oxford
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Cowley

While visiting Cowley, you might make a stop by sights like Temple Cowley Pools and Southfield Golf Club.

Cowley
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Headington

You'll enjoy the bars and live music in Headington. You might want to make time for a stop at Headington Shark or Exciting Game.

Headington
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North Oxford

While North Oxford isn't home to many top sights, Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Ashmolean Museum are some notable places to visit nearby.

North Oxford
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South Oxford

While visiting South Oxford, you might make a stop by sights like Thames Path and Thames River.

South Oxford
Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford

Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford

4 out of 5
Godstow Road, Wolvercote Roundabout, Oxford, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹8,819 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹8,819
₹10,582 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Oxford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,189 reviews)
"Beautiful"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford
easyhotel Oxford

easyhotel Oxford

3 out of 5
Gordon House, 280 Banbury Road, Oxford, England
The price is ₹4,657 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹4,657
₹5,588 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Oxford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (715 reviews)
"We realise no tea & coffee plus chairs in rooms may cut costs but other comparable hotels provide them. It would of been nice to check in with a person rather than have 3 receptionists watch us use the automatic check in. Good air con & window size in room & clean bathroom."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

easyhotel Oxford
Holiday Inn Oxford by IHG

Holiday Inn Oxford by IHG

4 out of 5
Peartree Roundabout, Woodstock Road, Oxford, England
The price is ₹7,751 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹7,751
₹9,302 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Oxford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
Lovely stay
"Had a great stay, George great customer service on check in, air-conditioning kept us cool, so a good night's sleep, lovely self service buffet breakfast in the morning with pretty much everything you could want for breakfast"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Oxford by IHG
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Blenheim Palace and Port ...
7.2/10 Good! (32 reviews)
Recommend this management
"Great customer service, there was an issue with the property and they offer to relocate to another better property without additional costs."

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2024

Noa Residence
Apple Perch 2BR Flat-Free Parking

Apple Perch 2BR Flat-Free Parking

3.5 out of 5
Oxford, England
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Oxford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Temple Cowley Pools and Oxford Greyhound ...
10/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
I loved this place!
"We were only here one night, but I loved staying in this flat! It was a real insight into how people live their everyday lives in a city the size of Oxford. Manu was excellent about communicating with us and made sure we would have no trouble finding the flat or getting into it. I wish we could have ..."

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2023

Apple Perch 2BR Flat-Free Parking
Rana Court

Rana Court

4 out of 5
138 - 142 Hollow Way, Oxford, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Oxford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Temple Cowley Pools and Oxford Greyhound Stadium are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (30 reviews)
"The property was really good. Clean, tidy and well presented. My only issue was that the radiators were not as warm despite being on the highest setting. The bedroom especially was very cold. Another negative is upto now I have not received my deposit back. Surely you should have a system that works ..."

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2025

Rana Court
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

Reviews of Oxford

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
262
5 - Excellent 54%
4 - Good
198
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
23
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Used the excellent park & ride service. Easy to walk around the City centre for shops and/or sight seeing. Good choice of shops & plenty of food outlets.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Always very busy with lots of tourists. Nice place to visit.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Nightmare traffic.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Oxford is a compact, cultural and scenic city with plenty to see and do. Would highly recommend it for a short city break or long weekend :-)

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

what a brilliant city, well worth a visit

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A great place for culture and shopping. Would happily return in the future.

Cities near Oxford