Eight things to do in Oxford: How to spend a day in England’s historic university town
WHETHER you are visiting Oxford with your family, heading there with friends or going for a couple’s weekend, there is plenty to do.
The city is steeped in history and filled with lots of interesting and fun places to visit. Here we take a look through eight attractions that might take your fancy.
Oxford University tour
Step inside Oxford University and explore its historic grounds on a walking tour with a student guide.
Visitors will get to take in the iconic architecture as well as get a glimpse of university life.
The tour includes stopping off at one of oldest colleges and the prestigious Bodleian Library.
The guide will talk about the history of the university colleges, including All Souls College, Trinity College, Oriel College, Hertford College, Merton College, the Radcliffe Camera, and the University Church of St. Mary.
Cost: £19 per person – tickets can be bought here.
Ashmolean Museum
Discover half a million years of art and archaeology at the University of Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum.
Opened in 1683, it is the oldest public museum in the UK.
Step inside and see for yourself an array of collections from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art, telling human stories across cultures and across time.
Cost: Entry is free.
River boat cruise
Why not take in the sights of Oxford on an idyllic river cruise.
The boat ride goes along the University Regatta course, and passes the ancient Folly Bridge, Christchurch College and Meadows, and the University rowing houses
Punters are taken on this slow paced tour on small electric boats that can be booked individually or as a group.
Cost: £19 per person – tickets can be bought here.
Harry Potter tour
This spellbinding tour takes visitors around the locations used in the shooting of the Harry Potter films.
This day out explores Oxford’s streets and colleges that were the inspiration behind Hogwarts’s Great Hall and Knockturn Alley.
Visitors also get to see the Divinity School which was used as a backdrop for the classroom scenes.
Price: £37.50 per person – tickets can be bought here.
The ghost trail
If you’re in the mood to be spooked, why not try Oxford’s theatrical ghost trail.
Led by costumed actors, the tour takes visitors through the city’s gruesome past and brutal murders.
Tourists will get to hear about fallen cavalry and how Dead Man’s Walk REALLY got its name.
Cost: £16.99 per person – tickets can be bought here.
Oxford Castle and Prison
Another location that is full of dark history is Oxford Castle and Prison.
Built 1,000 years ago, visitors will be told stories of murder, romance, escape and execution.
There is also a place to stop off and have a drink in the former visitor’s room, which is now Malmaison hotel.
Cost: £20 per person – tickets can be bought here.
The Story Museum
The Story Museum celebrates storytelling from around the world, as well as Oxford’s literary history.
Visitors get to walk through Narnia’s wardrobe, rediscover their favourite books and explore the enormous library.
Cost: £14 per person – tickets can be bought here.
Inspector Morse tour
If you’re an Inspector Morse fan, this tour is for you.
The trail takes tourists to all the Oxford pubs, colleges and streets that were used for filming.
It also shows you locations used for Morse spin-off shows Endeavour and Lewis.
Cost: £39.99 per person – tickets can be bought here.
Natural History Museum
Oxford University Museum of Natural History is a must for those who have interest in earth, science and nature.
Once inside, visitors are greeted with wonderful displays from the natural world – from impressive fossils to rare gemstones.
The museum also contains the lecture theatre which is used by the university’s chemistry, zoology and mathematics departments.
Cost: Entry is free.