Visit Oxford: what are the best things to do and to see in this splendid most famous university city in the world?
Located less than a hundred kilometres northwest of London, Oxford has always been recognized as the seat of learning and knowledge because of its world-renowned university. Inspired by history and sprinkled with majestic buildings, Oxford also evokes the images of Poudlard by Harry Potter! Close streets of its city centre and picturesque pubs, a special and romantic atmosphere that will not leave you indifferent! Are you wondering what to do in Oxford? This is where:
1. Oxford City Centre
Visiting Oxford necessarily starts with a visit to the city centre, a typical and picturesque area that invites you to the promenade. Flip through its pedestrian streets, and discover the " Covered market" (covered market). This old covered market, founded in 1770, houses numerous small shops and shops to restore. You will let yourself be completely carried away by the atmosphere of the city. Learn more about the city of Oxford and its university.
2. University of Oxford
Of course, you will not miss a visit to the splendid and most prestigious university in the world, the University of Oxford! It is even the oldest university in England and all Anglo-Saxon. Discover its majestic buildings of beige color, which will inspire you by their grandeur and serenity. You can even recognize some of the Harry Potter movie theaters. Guided tours especially dedicated to Harry Potter are possible.
3. The botanical garden
Photo credit: Flickr- Tejvan Pettinger
Located on the banks of the Cherwell River, the Oxford Botanical Garden is the oldest botanical garden in the United Kingdom, originally created for the study of medicinal plants. In addition to the beautiful gardens, you will find greenhouses that grow hundreds of varieties of plants and exotic flowers.
4. Make a crawl pub
Are you still wondering what to do in Oxford? Test this typical English experience, which consists of meeting in a group and drinking a pint in one of the best pubs in the city . If you don’t like the experience of the crawl pub, don’t hesitate to install yourself in one of the many pubs that the city has to offer for a beer and a good meal. You will discover a unique and clean atmosphere of the English pub: a warm welcome, corners with tamized lighting and pleasant banquets where to settle, a special story, an infinite number of beer varieties and a tasty cuisine!
5. The Ashmolean Museum
The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology at Beaumont Street, Oxford, is the first university museum in the world and the oldest public museum in Great Britain. It was built in 1678 to house the cabinet of curiosities that Olas Ashmole gave to the University of Oxford. Today you will discover objects from the four corners of the world, paintings by master, and all kinds of antiques.
6. Oxford Castle Unlocked
Photo credit: Flickr- Laurent
Visiting Oxford without visiting the Oxford Castle Unlocked is a great time of history! Built in 1071 by the Normans, the castle suffered damage during the English civil war. He then served as a prison from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. This visit promises you a fun and rich time in history thanks to disguised guides who will tell you good numbers of anecdotes and secrets contained in the castle walls. Find out more about the visit to Oxford Castle and Prison.
7. Sheldonian Theatre
It is precisely here that the graduation ceremonies of the University of Oxford take place. Don’t miss going to the top of his dome to enjoy an extraordinary view of the city!
8. Blenheim Palace
Photo credit: Flickr – JR P
Located just 13 kilometres from the city of Oxford, discover the Blenheim Palace, a unique example of English baroque architecture. The manor was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmooor. The interior, perfectly preserved, exhibits sculptures, hand-painted ceilings, porcelain collections, but also objects of the Churchill family, because it was here that the former Minister was born in 1874. Don’t forget to go through the gardens and the park, absolutely charming!
9. Oxford Colleges
Photo credit: Flickr – Dmitry Dzhus
Each Oxford College has its peculiarities and hidden treasures, its centuries of history and its famous students. The most famous college in the city is undoubtedly Christ Church College & Cathedral. It is the oldest university college, and surely the most beautiful, built in medieval times. You can visit some of its interior rooms, such as its iconic dining room, which served as inspiration to the creators of the magical world of Harry Potter!
Not to mention the Magdalena College and its gardens out of time, where celebrities like Oscar Wilde have passed, the Merton College with its sublime chapel, trod by greats like Tolkien, T. Elliot or Kristofferson or Balliol Colleg, spectacular and very ancient...
10. The Bodleian Library
If you still wonder what to do in Oxford, know that the city also has some of the most beautiful libraries in the world and gigantic bookshops (such as Blackwell’s on Broad Street) where you can admire splendid manuscripts and numerous collections. The Bodleian library was the place for shooting scenes in the library of Poudlard (again Harry Potter fans will be delighted!).
How to get to Oxford?
To get to Oxford, you'll have to go through London. If you want to fly there, you will find a cheap flight on our partner's website Skyscanner . Otherwise, the Eurostar is a very practical solution also according to your place of departure. Once in London, two choices are available to you: the train or the bus! The Oxford Tube offers a service from several stops in central London, while the Oxford Express connects from Heathrow and Gatwick airports with the Airline bus. Count about 1h30. Several train companies (First Great Western, Virgin Trains or the National Railways) will take you to Oxford in one hour.
Where to stay in Oxford?
If you choose to visit Oxford, several neighbourhoods where to stay offer to you according to your desires! The city centre is ideal to stay there by its central and very convenient location. You will find all the styles of accommodation and all the prices (youth hostels, hotels, accommodation at home...). Would you like to be quieter, away from the city center tumult? Direction the Jericho district, residential and fairly bourgeois, north of downtown. Finally, Cowley, southeast of the historic centre, will delight the youngest and the people in search of a more popular and alternative spirit. You can find a cheap hotel in Oxford by doing a search on this Compare hotels .
Walking and discovering Oxford is a magical and fantastic experience that will not leave you indifferent. Impossible not to succumb to the very British "so chic" charm of the city. Are you still wondering what to do in Oxford?
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