Ten Best Things to Do in Oxford
The Top Visitor Attractions in the University City West of London
Apr 9, 2008
A day trip to Oxford from London is easy for overseas visitors, but there's so much to see and do in this university city that an overnight stay or a weekend break is even better. There's far more to see than just what's on this list, including several more historical and beautiful university buildings, but among the city's top visitor attractions are (in alphabetical order):
The city's main museum is also the oldest public museum in Britain. Elias Ashmole gave his collection to Oxford University, and highlights include a good collection of French artists such as Monet, Manet, Cezanne and Renoir, ancient Egyptian mummies and other items. Also has the Alfred Jewel, a crystal dating from the time of King Alfred and with a reference to Alfred carved on it. The Ashmolean has been having a major renovation but re-opens fully in November 2009.
Founded 1263, and look for the burn marks by the cross on Broad Street from when the Protestant Archbishop Cranmer and two Bishops were burned alive during the reign of Queen Mary for their religious beliefs.
One of the most photographed buildings in Oxford is the Bodleian Library, housed beneath the early 18th-century dome known as the Radliffe Camera. The Library is not open to the public but its Divinity School can be visited. Both the Library and the School have been used as film locations in Harry Potter movies.
The largest and grandest Oxford college, with the largest quadrangle in the city and an 800-year-old chapel which is also Oxford's Cathedral. Its dining hall is the inspiration for Hogwarts School's dining hall in the Harry Potter films.
Literary Pubs
Oxford has numerous literary connections, like Shelley being expelled from University College (which Bill Clinton attended), and Lewis Carroll being a maths don at Christ Church. Today the children's author Philip Pullman is a notable resident. Famous Oxford literary pubs include the White Horse (52 Broad Street), which appears in several Inspector Morse TV episodes, and the Eagle and Child (49 St Giles), famous haunt of J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis, amongst others.
C.S. Lewis taught at Magdalen (pronounced "maudlin"), which was founded in 1458 and has some beautiful cloisters and grounds. Oscar Wilde, John Betjamen and P.G. Wodehouse were among its many famous students.
Museum of the History of Science
Fascinating collection of scientific instruments including some gruesome medical items in this 1638 building. Don't miss the restored old chemistry laboratory down in the basement.
This is a wonderful surviving example of a Victorian museum, from the time when new parts of the world were being discovered and a vast array of exotic and unusual items brought to Britain and put on display.
Punting on the River
If the weather is fine then head for Magdalen Bridge on the River Cherwell or Folly Bridge on the Thames, where punts can be hired for a lazy time drifting on the water, and perhaps having a picnic. Punting is trickier than it looks so consider hiring someone to punt you.
University of Oxford Botanic Gardens
This fascinating garden dates back to 1621 when it was established as a physic garden for the cultivation and study of medicinal plants. Today it houses some 7000 specimens, and garden lovers will want to spend hours here, especially on a sunny day.
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