The “City of Dreaming Spires” – or Oxford, as you probably know it – is one of England’s most popular tourist destinations (and one of my favorites). There’s good reason countless visitors make the journey to this historic city on the edge of the Cotswolds, and you’ll quickly fall in love with Oxford’s Gothic and Baroque architecture, its University Colleges, and traditional pastimes like punting.

For almost a thousand years, Oxford has been the center of higher education in England (don’t tell that to Cambridge, though!). Take a tour through the Bodleian Library, which holds some 13 million books, visit the Ashmolean Museum (the world’s first “modern” museum), see the Oxfordshire Dinosaurs within the Natural History Museum, and explore the curious anthropological finds held within the Pitt Rivers Museum.

With so many things to see and do, you might not know where to begin. So we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in Oxford for you. Try these fun and unique Oxford bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an exceptional time exploring this historic English city! 

The 15 Best Things to do in Oxford, England

1. Step into Antiquity at the Ashmolean Museum

A visit to the Ashmolean Museum is one of the best things to do in Oxford. You can spend hours losing yourself in the galleries and exhibitions found within this landmark neoclassical building in the center of Oxford as you step back into the ancient world of the Babylonians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Romans, and more in one of the oldest museums in the world.

The Ashmolean Museum is itself a relic of the past, given it was first established as the University of Oxford’s museum of archaeology and art back in 1683. For over three centuries, the Ashmolean Museum has been at the heart of curation, preservation, and history in Oxford, ever since Elias Ashmole gifted his burgeoning collection of exotic specimens and relics to the university in his will.

The Ashmolean Museum wasn’t the world’s first “museum,” but it was the world’s first museum in the modern sense. When it opened its doors in the 17th century, the doors were opened to the general public, not just the elite and wealthy (to this day, the Ashmolean Museum’s major galleries remain free to enter), and the museum’s curators pioneered preservation techniques in an effort to protect the wealth of knowledge held inside for posterity.

Step through the grand columns marking the museum’s entrance, and you can see such relics as The Alfred Jewel, the Coin of Emperor Jahangir, and the Guy Fawkes’ Lantern. There are paintings by Goya, Gertler, and Picasso, and curious trinkets and objects ranging from samurai gunpowder flasks to Islamic lamps. 

2. Take a Punt on the River

Punting is one of the city’s great traditions, and there’s no doubt that a good old punt along the river is one of the top things to do in Oxford. But what is punting, exactly?

Unless you’ve been to Oxford (or Cambridge, where the age-old university rivalry also extends to punting), you may have never come across the unique pastime before. Punts are small, flat-bottomed boats that were initially designed to take traders or fishermen along the River Thames. The pilot stands at the stern, using a long wooden pole to propel and guide the punt along the waterways. 

Punts are purely designed for recreational use these days, and it’s thought that students at the university began punting for fun sometime in the 19th century. Punting is now ingrained in the university’s traditions, and students often take to the waters to celebrate graduation (taking bottles of champagne with them, too, of course) and other occasions. 

Punting is popular with tourists, too, and in summer, the rivers are quite literally packed with punters. Make your way to Magdalen Bridge Boathouse at the end of the High Street, and you can hire a punt and explore the River Cherwell around Christ Church College (hire a guide if you don’t feel confident punting the craft yourself). You can escape the crowds by renting a punt from Cherwell Boathouse, further north along the same river, which isn’t quite so well known. 

3. Take a Cruise along the River Thames

Oxford wouldn’t exist without its rivers. Not only are they a beautiful addition to the urban landscape, but the city can trace its origins back over a thousand years to a settlement that was established at the crossing points (the Ford) where the rivers Cherwell and Thames meet.

While the River Cherwell is perfect for punting, the wider River Thames – which eventually stretches all the way to London and the Thames Estuary – is best enjoyed on a scenic cruise. In fact, we’d say a river cruise is one of the best things to do in Oxford, and while it’s not quite as iconic as punting, there’s less chance of you falling in the water and no need for you to captain your way around the waterways.

You’ll just sit back and enjoy the scenery after embarking on your vessel at Folly Bridge. You’ll cruise past famous sights like Christ Church Meadows, overtaking rowers and putting the punters to shame as you enjoy Oxford’s glorious spires and skyline from the water. 

4. Tour the Oldest Pubs in Oxford

There’s nothing better than a pint of beer on a hot summer’s day in Oxford, or for that matter, a pint of ale next to a roaring log fire in the winter. Visiting in spring or autumn? It’s pub time all year round in a city that’s packed with tourists and students!

But given Oxford’s storied past, the pubs in this city have more history and character than most. That means a pub crawl is in order, but not just any pub crawl. We recommend touring through the oldest pubs in Oxford so you can really appreciate the great history (and beer) that this fine city has to offer.

Start with The Bear Inn, a cozy pub hidden down a side street that claims to be the oldest in Oxford. The Bear Inn can trace its history back to 1242 (in some shape or form), and it’s known for its unusual collection of ties (which number over 4,500 and are displayed all over the interior of the pub). 

Next up is The Crown, a popular choice that’s conveniently located on Oxford’s main shopping street – although you’ll need to find the somewhat hidden entranceway – which claims to have been the favored drinking spot of William Shakespeare when the bard was in town. 

After this, you can’t miss the Turf Tavern (although, again, you’ll have to try hard to find it). Dating back to 1381, the Turf Tavern is hidden away at the end of a long and extremely narrow alleyway. The pub is known for celebrity punters, which include Bill Clinton, the cast of “Harry Potter,” Stephen Hawking, and a long list of academics, scientists, and politicians who have popped in for a drink when visiting the university. 

Last but not least is The Lamb and Flag, an old pub dating back to 1566. The pub was originally set up to fund students at the university, and over the years, it’s become the favored writing haunt of many of Oxford’s greatest students of literature and academics. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Thomas Hardy, and Graham Greene are all said to have drunk and written here. 

5. Rooftop Bar Hop

We love Oxford because it caters to all tastes and travelers. If history’s not your thing, then head up to the rafters instead, where modern bars and bistros offer spectacular views over Oxford from rooftop terraces. 

Often named the “City of Dreaming Spires” (for the many church spires and towers built by the University Colleges), it’s no surprise that Oxford’s bars have started cashing in on the iconic skyline. We couldn’t be more thankful, because nothing beats watching the sun go down over the rooftops with a pint of cold beer or a cocktail in hand. 

The Varsity Club on High Street is one of Oxford’s classic rooftop bars, with lower floors that come alive with DJs after sunset. The Alchemist concocts unusual, quirky, and creative cocktails with spectacular views, while Pizza Pilgrims is the place to fuel up with a panorama of those iconic spires before hitting more bars!

6. Tour the Bodleian Library

A tour of the famous Bodleian Library is one of the must-do things in Oxford. Dating back to the 15th century, the Bodleian Library is one of the oldest and most significant libraries in the United Kingdom, with a collection extending into the region of some 13 million books. 

There are so many books because the Bodleian Library is what’s known as a “legal deposit” library. That means that a copy of any book published in the United Kingdom legally has to be given to and kept by the Bodleian Library. 

The Bodleian Library isn’t just a single library, however, and we recommend taking a guided tour to find out more. The oldest building is Duke Humfrey’s Library, which opened in 1602 (earlier versions of the library were elsewhere or moved). This is where you’ll see the classic, ancient library interior that was featured in the “Harry Potter” movies. 

Around the corner is the Radcliffe Camera, an unusually circular library dating to the 18th century. There’s also the Schools Quadrangle, the Clarendon Building, and the new Weston Library, which was totally renovated in recent years. 

7. Stroll through Christ Church Meadow

Oxford’s colleges hide a wealth of green spaces offering an easy escape from the city. One such area that’s open to the public (during the day, anyway) is Christ Church Meadow.

Owned and maintained by Christ Church College, “The Meadow” was originally farm and flood land where animals were kept for pasture and vegetables grown for the college’s kitchens. You’ll still find animals here today, and it’s not uncommon to see a few cows grazing while Christ Church’s deer population runs wild through the meadow!

Take a walk through the many trails leading from the magnificent Meadow Building as you explore the meanders of the River Cherwell as it leads toward the River Thames. This stretch of the Thames (known locally as the River Isis) is perfect for rowing, and the riverside within Christ Church Meadow is lined with boat houses belonging to Oxford’s university colleges. 

8. Get Medieval at Oxford Castle & Prison

When the Normans conquered England in 1066, they began building motte and bailey castles to cement their power. Oxford was no exception, and the ruins of this medieval castle can still be seen today. 

A partially ruined tower stands on a tall mound, and climbing the 101 stone steps to the top for fantastic views over the city is one of the best Oxford activities. Explore the history of Oxford during the 12th-century Anarchy, when the castle was at the heart of the civil war between the Norman monarchy, and learn about the city during the English Civil War in the 17th century. 

You can also visit the adjacent Oxford Prison, which was built on the ruins of the castle’s keep. The prison was in use up until 1996, when it was closed down and converted into a museum and hotel, offering one of the most unique things to do in Oxford. 

9. See Bleinhem Palace, the Home of the Churchills 

Less than a half-hour drive north from the city center brings you to Blenheim Palace, one of the best sights in Oxford. Despite its name, Blenheim Palace was never the home of royalty, but it was (and still is) the lavish country home of the Dukes of Marlborough, with a history dating back to 1705.

The estate was granted to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, following his victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. The palace then became the home of the Churchill family, including Winston Churchill, Britain’s World War II prime minister.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace is a fantastic day trip from Oxford. You can explore the grounds, picnic by the lake, and tour through the grand, stately rooms while learning about the colorful lives of the Churchill dynasty. 

10. See Dinosaurs at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History 

If you love learning more about the world around you, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History is one of the best Oxford attractions you could visit. Dating back to 1860, this museum has been collecting and displaying important paleontological and zoological finds within its grand galleries.

The museum is home to the fabled Megalosaurus, the first extensive dinosaur skeleton to ever be excavated. One of the “Oxfordshire Dinosaurs,” the Megalosaur was uncovered in a village not far from the museum, the finding of which had a profound impact on human understanding of evolution during the 18th century. The museum itself became known as a bastion of debate and forward thinking and hosted the first debate on the Theory of Evolution after it was posed by Charles Darwin. 

Today, the museum is free to enter. It’s home not only to the “Oxfordshire Dinosaurs” but also rare specimens like the dodo (the museum holds the world’s only “soft tissue remains” of this now-extinct species), rare rocks, and historic taxidermied collections collated by famous explorers and naturalists like Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace. 

11. Tour the Ever-Intriguing Pitt Rivers Museum

Once you’ve explored the dinosaurs and dodos of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, continue to the rear of the grand Exhibition Hall, and you’ll find the intriguing Pitt Rivers Museum. 

Although the only access to the Pitt Rivers Museum is through the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, they’re two separate institutions with very different galleries to explore. The Pitt Rivers Museum is primarily focused on anthropology, and it was founded in 1884 by Augustus Pitt Rivers, a British army officer, explorer, archaeologist, and scholar who epitomized the British Empire of the Victorian era. 

Pitt Rivers had amassed a somewhat unusual collection of anthropological artifacts from his travels around the world, including a grizzly selection of “shrunken heads,” which were only very recently taken down from public display. The museum became a treasure trove for the curious, displaying all manner of human-made items – from totem poles to cooking pots, ranging in origin from Italy to Papua New Guinea.

12. Eat at the Covered Market

The Covered Market has been a culinary staple of the city since it was first founded in 1772. At first, there were just butchers (and large numbers of them, with the official history naming some 20 butchers who set up shop), but over two centuries later, The Covered Market has evolved into a smorgasbord of delightful cuisine.

The butchers are still here, although in far fewer numbers, and they sell high-quality produce alongside cheesemongers, fishmongers, vegetable sellers, and more. There are also artisan hat makers, shoe shiners, tailors, and even a barber. 

But it’s The Covered Market’s food stalls, cafes, and small restaurants that are well placed to fill you up in the middle of a day of Oxford sightseeing. Step in off High Street, and you can order a lavish milkshake (made with chocolate bars and sweets) at Moo Moos, boxes of cookies at Ben’s Cookies, quirky pies and mash at Pieminister, and Asian fusion at Donburi Inn.

13. Join a Themed Walking Tour of Oxford  

A walking tour is one of the most fun things to do in Oxford. With so many tourists visiting Oxford each year, you really are spoiled for choice when it comes to tours, with many companies offering traditional walking tours that take in the history and the sights.

These are the perfect ways to get started, but if you’re looking for something a little more energetic, then we recommend signing up for a themed walking tour instead. Ghost Tours of Oxford are incredibly popular, especially after dark, but prepare to be spooked by tales of murders, ghosts, and the paranormal. 

Book lovers can delve into the worlds of Narnia and “Lord of the Rings” on a C.S. Lewis & Tolkien Walking Tour, tour through libraries and colleges, and even have lunch in the university on the Student Life Tour, while “Harry Potter”-themed walking tours are one of the most popular Oxford sightseeing activities.

14. Take a Tour of The Oxford Artisan Distillery

The Oxford Artisan Distillery is one of the most popular things to see in Oxford. This quirky distillery focuses on sustainable drink production, using ancient heritage grains like rye, wheat, and barley that have been sourced from local farms. 

You’ll learn all about their “Seed to Still” approach when you book a tour of the distillery, with standard tours running Tuesdays to Sundays. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek at the stills as you delve into the world of artisanal vodka, gin, and whiskey distillation. 

One of their most unique products is the Oxford Rye Whiskey, and if you’re big into your whiskies, you’ll want to sign up for the dedicated Whiskey Tour. 

15. Dance the Day Away at Cowley Road Carnival 

For a taste of the real Oxford away from the pomp of the city’s university colleges, you have to visit Cowley Road. You’ll find this long street leading southeast from the end of High Street, and it’s lined with the most diverse selection of restaurants, bars, and pubs you’ll find in Oxford. 

This is multicultural Oxford at its best, and you can dine on everything from authentic Greek mezze to Kurdish kebabs. Cowley Road is lively even on the quietest of weeknights, but visit during the Cowley Road Carnival, and you’ll be blown away by the local energy. 

The Cowley Road Carnival takes over the street once a year in summer (usually in July). Initially inspired by Cowley Road’s Afro-Caribbean community, the carnival has been entertaining the crowds and celebrating Oxford’s diversity since 1986. Join the street party, dig into foods from around the world, and spend the day and night partying with Oxford locals. 

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Oxford. What’s your favorite thing to do in Oxford?

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