Things to do in Oxford

2026 Europe 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

University of Oxford

6.4

4.7/5

312 reviews

Oxford University, located in Oxford, England, is the oldest university in the UK. There are no school gates and walls here. More than 30 quaint and solemn college buildings are scattered on the streets of Oxford City. The cobblestone streets pass through the campus, full of literary and elegant atmosphere.

Oxford · 600m from downtown

Selected for Best Things to Do in Oxford

Bridge of Sighs

5.8

Oxford · 377m from downtown

131 reviews

The Bridge of Sighs is located in the city center of Oxford, England, United Kingdom, and connects two buildings of Hertford College, University of Oxford. Built in 1913, it is one of the iconic architectural landmarks in Oxford. The bridge features an enclosed, elevated walkway design and is constructed of light-colored stone, with an exterior that reflects Neo-Gothic architectural features. Spanning a narrow street, its arched structure, stone decorations, and intricate window tracery allow it to blend seamlessly with the surrounding historic buildings. Its primary purpose is to facilitate travel between different areas of the college for students and faculty. It contains internal stairs that connect different floors of the buildings on both sides.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Oxford

Bodleian Library

5.6

Oxford · 341m from downtown

135 reviews

Bodleian Library is one of the important libraries of the University of Oxford and is a historic academic library in the United Kingdom. It consists of multiple buildings, primarily including the Old Library, the Weston Library on the west side, and the circular Radcliffe Camera. The core area of the Old Library is the Old Schools Quadrangle, where the stone buildings, arches, and decorative towers surrounding the quadrangle showcase the characteristics of traditional Oxford university architecture. The library houses a vast collection of books, manuscripts, historical documents, and rare printed materials, providing resources for teaching and academic research. It combines the functions of book collection, academic research, and historical building exhibition, and is also an important cultural landmark in the center of Oxford.

Oxford · 280m from downtown

Christ Church Hall

5.2

Christ Church Hall is located within Christ Church, Oxford University, in the heart of Oxford, United Kingdom, and is one of the college's representative architectural spaces. The hall was built in the 1520s alongside the college kitchen and features a Tudor-style architectural design. The space is tall and expansive, with long tables, wooden decor, stained-glass windows, and large portraits inside, evoking the solemn atmosphere of a traditional British university college. Its features include a soaring wooden hammerbeam roof, stained-glass windows on both sides, and portraits of important figures from the college's history displayed on the walls. The overall interior layout retains the form of a traditional college dining hall, with long tables arranged neatly, reflecting the tradition of communal dining.

Oxford · 288m from downtown

University Church of St Mary the Virgin

4.9

4.3/5

120 reviews

University Church of St Mary the Virgin, also known as St Mary's Church, is the main church of the University of Oxford. With a history of nearly 1,000 years, it is magnificent and ornate. Located right next to Gloucester Green bus station, it is also the first impression many travelers have of Oxford. This is a Post-Gothic building, and the church spire is considered one of the iconic attractions in the United Kingdom. You can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy a 360-degree view of Oxford, especially the beautiful, elongated view of the Radcliffe Camera, All Souls College, and the city to the south. The Baroque church porch was built in 1637, and its spiral columns were a major innovation in the history of architecture in the United Kingdom. The war in 1645 left bullet marks on the porch. The University Church of St Mary the Virgin was originally the shared church for all colleges, where all ceremonies, formal meetings, and examinations were held. Later, as the activities of individual colleges became more independent, the role of the church gradually diminished. During the famous 13th-century conflict between university staff/students and townspeople, the King ruled that the townspeople must compensate the university for its losses and cover the university's expenses for the next 500 years. Therefore, every year on St Scholastica's Day, a delegation of Oxford citizens comes to the church to present the payment to a senior university official. This has now become a highly symbolic ceremony.

No. 15 of Family-friendly Attractions in United Kingdom

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

4.8

Oxford · 759m from downtown

86 reviews

The University Museum of Oxford University, which collects and displays natural history specimens, is located opposite Keber College, Oxford University, UK. The museum was founded by geologist John Phillips, one of the main skeptics of Darwin's theory of evolution. The museum's lecture hall, which was the site of the 1860 Oxford debate on evolution, is now part of the University's Department of Chemistry, Zoology and Mathematics. The biggest attraction here is the natural history collection of more than 5 million items, from strange insects and fossils to the gigantic Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, which is dizzying. The museum is more famous for the most complete specimen of a dodo in the world (Oxforddodo, a mysterious creature that has been extinct for more than 300 years), and the logo of the museum is also a dodo image.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Oxford

University College, Oxford

4.7

4.5/5

122 reviews

Some say that Alfred the Great founded the academy as early as around 800 AD. But the general view is that it began in 1249 and remains the oldest. The courtyard in the courtyard is not big, and there are no scenic spots for sightseeing. However, there are many famous anecdotes such as Robert's observation of living cells for the first time in the world, and the poet Relei's publication of a paper supporting atheism but dropping out of school during this school year. The school building has been converted in the 17th century.

Oxford · 392m from downtown

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Oxford

Radcliffe Camera

4.6

4.2/5

53 reviews

The Radcliffe Library (Radcliffe Camera) is located in Radcliffe Square (Radcliffe Square) in the center of Oxford. It is part of the Bodleian Library and was completed and opened in 1749. The library is the representative of the early round library in the UK. The vaulted Baroque building has become one of the landmarks of Oxford. It often appears in many postcards of Oxford University, and Hogwarts magic in the "Harry Potter" series of movies. Part of the school scenes were filmed here. Overlooking the library from the roof of the University Church of the Virgin Mary opposite, the angle is very good.

Oxford · 297m from downtown

Ashmolean Museum

4.4

Oxford · 411m from downtown

83 reviews

Built in 1683, the magnificent Ashmolean Museum is the oldest public museum in England and a very important one of Oxford's four university museums. Like other museums in the UK, this is a neoclassical Greek-style building. It is small in size, but it is one of the very oldest museums in Europe, and the works in it are displayed in high density. The museum houses a vast collection of exotic treasures, including ancient sculptures, Far Eastern art, pottery from the Greek and Roman eras, and a wealth of valuable jewelry. In particular, the mummies on display are well preserved and exquisitely crafted, even better than the mummies in the British Museum. The Egyptian gallery also has pottery and sculptures from 11th to 25th dynasties, as well as some figurines in plaster (calcium sulfate) and similar malachite. Can't help but admire the superb craftsmanship of human beings 4,000 years ago. The more popular museum pavilions are mainly coin collections, ancient Egyptian art, glass and ceramics exhibitions, and precious metal crafts exhibitions. In addition, the museum often hosts lectures and special themed exhibitions.

2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

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Windsor Castle

9.6

4.7/5

1.4k reviews

Windsor · 54.1km from Oxford

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BritRail pass for all UK regions [Official agent/Free for children/Includes airport express/UK train tickets]

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BritRail pass for all UK regions [Official agent/Free for children/Includes airport express/UK train tickets]

5.0/5

9 reviews792 booked

Departs from Oxford and other locations

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3D2N • United Kingdom + Bath + Cotswolds AONB + Stonehenge + Oxford + Windsor

No fixed dates, no group pressure. Ponder Stonehenge's mysteries, explore Roman Baths, wander picture-perfect Cotswolds villages, and visit Oxford & Windsor Castle. | Travel with ease and flexibility - dedicated private transfers with your own English speaking-driver ensure seamless transportation,allowing you to focus on the experience. | Personalized service from start to finish - your dedicated concierge is available to assist with arrangements, recommendations, and any special requests throughout your journey.

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7D6N • United Kingdom

4.6/5

1 review6 booked

Explore England and Scotland, experience the recommendations from Divas Hit the Road, and enjoy a comprehensive tour of British scenery | Centuries-old castles in the United Kingdom + historic universities + classic English towns, all in one trip | Accompanied by a Chinese-speaking tour guide throughout your trip, ensuring smooth communication and a more enjoyable travel experience

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Experiences you can't miss in Oxford

Featured Day tours in Oxford

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[Chinese/English private charter] Oxford round-trip + university + Highclere Castle + Bampton [admission ticket not included]

Duration: 7 hrs

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UK Windsor Castle + Stonehenge + University of Oxford In-Depth Guide 1-Day Tour with Multilingual Options

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UK Windsor Castle + Stonehenge + University of Oxford In-Depth Guide 1-Day Tour with Multilingual Options

4.5/5

· 90 reviews· 87 booked

Duration: 10 hrs

English

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Harry potter studio and university of Oxford 1-day tour

4.8/5

· 4 reviews· 180 booked

Duration: 10.7 hrs

English

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[Chinese/English private charter] Oxford round-trip + Windsor Castle + Stonehenge + University of Oxford [admission ticket not included]

5.0/5

· 1 review

Duration: 9.5 hrs

English

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University of Oxford + Shakespeare's Birthplace + Cotswold Way + Warwick Castle day tour

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University of Oxford + Shakespeare's Birthplace + Cotswold Way + Warwick Castle day tour

4.5/5

· 4 reviews· 68 booked

Duration: 10.9 hrs

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Oxford and Cotswolds Day Tour from the University of Oxford|Comfortable minivan

5.0/5

· 3 reviews· 21 booked

Duration: 7.7 hrs

English

Free cancellation

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Travel Curious: Welcome to Oxford - Private Tour

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University of Oxford + Cotswolds AONB countryside 1-day tour [English-speaking group | London/Bristol]

5.0/5

· 1 review

Duration: 6 hrs

English

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FromTRY 4,369.82

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Featured Outdoor & sports in Oxford

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London Cable Car

4.4/5

· 1.3k reviews· 157 booked

English

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FromTRY 900.72

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London aerial cable car | Thames river cable car sightseeing (includes admission ticket) overlooking the splendid views on both sides

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London Cable Car: Glass Floor Experience

4.5/5

· 13 reviews

Duration: 30 mins

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Alexandra Palace: Entry Ticket to Summit Rooftop Climb

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Private Tours in Oxford

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10D9N • United Kingdom + London + York + Edinburgh + Lake Windermere + Manchester + Oxford + Cambridge

Mandarin/EnglishGuaranteed departureArr. & dep. transfers incl.Choose your hotelMultiple car types availablePrivate Tours

Enjoy high-quality value accommodations throughout your journey – Stay in selected hotels for comfort and relaxation after each day of exploration. · Travel with ease and flexibility – Dedicated private transfers with your own English-speaking driver ensure seamless transportation, allowing you to focus on the experience. · Personalized service from start to finish – Your dedicated concierge is available to assist with arrangements, recommendations, and any special requests throughout your journey.

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13D12N • United Kingdom + London + York + Edinburgh + Manchester + Windermere

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10D9N • United Kingdom + London + Windsor + Oxford + Edinburgh + Glasgow + Scottish Highlands

Mandarin/EnglishGuaranteed departureArr. & dep. transfers incl.Choose your hotelMultiple car types availablePrivate Tours

Enjoy high-quality value accommodations throughout your journey – Stay in selected hotels for comfort and relaxation after each day of exploration. · Travel with ease and flexibility with dedicated private transfers and your own English-speaking driver, ensuring seamless transportation so you can focus on the experience. · Personalized service from start to finish – Your dedicated concierge is available to assist with arrangements, recommendations, and any special requests throughout your journey.

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9D8N • United Kingdom + London + Cambridge + Oxford + Bath + Canterbury + Windsor + Dover

Mandarin/EnglishGuaranteed departureArr. & dep. transfers incl.Choose your hotelMultiple car types availablePrivate Tours

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7D6N • United Kingdom + London + York + Cambridge + Oxford + Windsor

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From TRY 107,581

2D1N • United Kingdom + Bath + Cotswolds AONB + Stonehenge + Oxford

Mandarin/EnglishGuaranteed departureArr. & dep. transfers incl.Choose your hotelMultiple car types availablePrivate Tours

Enjoy high-quality value accommodations throughout your journey. Stay in selected hotels for comfort and relaxation after each day of exploration. · Dedicated private transfers with your own English-speaking driver ensure seamless transportation, allowing you to focus on the experience. · Personalized service from start to finish. Your dedicated concierge is available to assist with arrangements, recommendations, and any special requests throughout your journey.

From TRY 33,940

Group Tours in Oxford

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Free things to do in Oxford

University of Oxford

6.4

4.7/5

312 reviews

Oxford · 600m from downtown

Bridge of Sighs

5.8

Oxford · 377m from downtown

131 reviews

University Church of St Mary the Virgin

4.9

4.3/5

120 reviews

Oxford · 288m from downtown

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

4.8

Oxford · 759m from downtown

86 reviews

Ashmolean Museum

4.4

Oxford · 411m from downtown

83 reviews

The University Parks

3.5

4.6/5

48 reviews

Oxford · 1.1km from downtown

High St

3.3

4.0/5

28 reviews

Oxford · 383m from downtown

Christ Church Meadow

3.3

4.5/5

2 reviews

Oxford · 596m from downtown

History of Science Museum

3.2

4.5/5

46 reviews

Oxford · 298m from downtown

The British Museum

10