Also known as the City of Dreaming Spires, you don’t need to spend long in Oxford to appreciate its blend of fantasy and real-world charm. Walk in the footsteps of famous people and literary figures as you explore the city and its well-known university.
This guide will share why so many people love to visit Oxford England, while also sharing the best ways to experience the city.
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Quick Tips for Oxford
- Don’t skip out on guided tours. Many parts of Oxford are behind gated walls, and you’ll only get to see them with a guide’s approved entry.
- Take time to explore the city beyond the university. Oxford University is rightfully famous, but there’s more for you to discover in the city. The Covered Market holds enough history to draw you in all by itself.
Know before you go
✈️ Closest airport: London Heathrow (LHR)
💷 Currency: Great British Pound (£) is used throughout the UK.
🕰️ Time zone: The entire UK is in one time zone, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). From late March to late October, the whole country moves an hour forward to British Summer Time (BST).
🔌 Plugging in electronics: Electric sockets in the UK are unlike those in Europe or the US. If you are visiting from outside the UK, you will likely need this universal travel adaptor.
📱 Using your smartphone: If you want to use your phone data while visiting, the easiest and cheapest solution is to purchase an e-sim for your trip.
🚘 Car rentals: Americans can rent a car in the UK with a valid US driver’s license from any state. I recommend Discover Cars for finding the best rates and convenient pick up points for rental cars in the UK.
Driving in the UK is not for the faint of heart, and I recommend checking out my guide to driving in the UK before you set out!
🚊 Train booking: All major UK cities, and many other destinations in between, can be reached by train. Check train routes, ticket prices, and get your tickets directly through Trainline.
Where is Oxford Located?
Oxford is located in Oxfordshire, England, in between London and Birmingham. The city is set on the banks of the River Thames, which also winds its way through London.
Oxford is reachable by train or car in about an hour from London, or in a little under 90 minutes from Birmingham.
9 Top Reasons to Visit Oxford
Oxford University is well known all over the world, but there are excellent reasons to visit Oxford both inside and outside the University’s walls. Here are nine of the top reasons to visit Oxford:
1. Oxford University Architecture
Iconic buildings like the Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian Library are stunners, and around every turn are more details that seem to be carved straight from a fairytale.
2. Literary History in Oxford
A walking tour in Oxford will uncover spots frequented by literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll. Bits that may just be urban myth (like spotting “Mr. Tumnus”) are also a lot of fun.
3. Oxford’s Political Impact
Oxford University has educated more UK Prime Ministers than any other university in the country. Don’t miss Christ Church if you want to see the college that has educated the most PM’s within the university.
4. Oxford’s World-class Museums and Galleries
The Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of Natural History will immerse you in art and history to suit all interests. For something truly unique, don’t miss spotting the stuffed dodo inside the Museum of Natural History.
5. Harry Potter Connections
Many spots in Oxford were used to film the Harry Potter movies, and are just as magical in real life. Don’t miss the Great Hall in Christ Church College or the Bodleian Library’s Divinity School.
6. Unique Shopping in the Covered Market
Excellent for shopping or a quick meal, this market has been a feature of Oxford since the 1770s. Be sure to stop into Alice’s Shop, said to have inspired Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass.
7. Having a Pint in Historic Pubs
Some of Oxford’s pubs date back centuries, and have the tales to prove it. Find your way to Turf Tavern, a 12th century pub that was a regular rest spot for Harry Potter cast and crew while they were filming nearby.
8. Punting on the Cherwell
Take a chauffeured trip along the river, or rent a boat to adventure on your own. Take in the views from the river for a fresh perspective. There are also many paths along the river if you’d prefer to avoid amateur boaters in the busy months.
9. Strolling Through Nature in Christ Church Meadow
Enjoy a leisurely walk or take a picnic out into this open space near the university. Admire the famous Oxford spires or turn your gaze out to nature along the river.
When is the Best Time to Visit Oxford?
Oxford is open to tourists year round, though different seasons bring different pros and cons to your visit.
For the best weather, plan your trip during the summer months (June through August). As with the rest of the UK, weather can be unpredictable at any time, but you have the best chance to experience Oxford with blue skies and mild weather if you visit in the summer.
For the fewest crowds, pay attention to term times at Oxford University. The university hosts more than 26,000 students, which makes the whole city more crowded when classes are in session. You can avoid some of the crowding by visiting during a term break. These usually fall:
- Between mid-March and mid-April
- Between mid-June and end of September
- Between early December and mid-January
For the best value, consider a winter visit. The holiday season can still be pricey, but January and February can be a bargain if you’re willing to brave early sunsets and more chances for rain. Your next best bet is either later March or early September as this falls over university term breaks, but does not overlap with UK school breaks for children.
How to Get to Oxford
Oxford does not have a public airport, but is easily reachable by train, car, or bus. Many people visit Oxford as a day trip from London, though there are also fast train routes from Birmingham.
Travel to Oxford by Train – recommended
Trains depart from London Paddington to Oxford every 30 minutes. Birmingham International also has direct trains to Oxford departing every hour. Either route will have you in Oxford in about an hour.
🚊 I book all of my UK train travel through Trainline. It’s the easiest way to find the best fares, plan your journey, and get updates on any last-minute delays or cancellations.
Travel to Oxford by Car
If you aren’t starting out from central London or Birmingham, you may find driving to be a more direct way to travel. For example, starting at London Heathrow airport will require a train journey into London before heading back out to Oxford, adding about 30 minutes to your trip.
London is a little over 50 miles from Oxford, and the drive typically takes a little over an hour. Driving from London Heathrow is a bit under an hour, while the drive from Birmingham takes a little under 90 minutes.
Once you reach Oxford, there are several park and ride car parks that are open 24 hours. There are also car parks in the city centre, but be careful to check closing times so you don’t accidentally wind up with your car locked in.
Don’t miss my guide to driving in the UK for Americans to learn what to expect from driving here.
🚘 I recommend and use Discover Cars for finding the best rates and convenient pick up points for rental cars in the UK.
Travel to Oxford by Bus
Buses are usually the most time consuming route, but also often the least expensive. If you’re on the hunt for the cheapest UK transportation, head to Omio to compare routes and prices between trains and buses. On a recent Sunday, bus fares from London Gatwick airport to Oxford were roughly half the price of a train ticket for the same journey.
Where to Stay in Oxford
Staying close to the city centre will give you quick access to the University and lots of choices for restaurants. With that said, the city is very walkable, so it is possible to stay a bit further out and still get to everything. On our last visit, we stayed a bit north of the city at Linton Lodge. This hotel felt squarely up to its 3 star rating. Nothing fancy about it, but it was clean and a good value for our trip.
Best Unique Hotel in Oxford – Old Bank Hotel
The Old Bank Hotel is steps away from many of Oxford Universities colleges, set in a lovely historic building. Rooms here are updated and comfortable, and some room rates come with breakfast included.
“Beautiful historic property, great location, nice restaurant, comfortable rooms with a personal touch”
Jennifer from United States of America (see more reviews)
Best Budget Hotel in Oxford – Linton Lodge
Linton Lodge is where I stayed on our last visit. We knew we had limited time in Oxford and would be out exploring way more than we’d be at the hotel. It is a bit of a walk to get into the city centre, but the hotel is in a quiet area and we found it clean and comfortable.
Most importantly, it tends to be less expensive without feeling like you’ve sacrificed too much on quality. It’s owned by Best Western, and feels like a mid-range American hotel shoehorned into a very non-American building.
“Great little room. Good breakfast, friendly staff.”
Abigail from United States of America (see more reviews)
Best Apartment in Oxford – Urban Living’s The Hawking
Located close to Oxford Castle, this 2-bedroom apartment gives you plenty of space while still being close to the city centre. With over 100 reviews, you can rest assured that this isn’t a too-good-to-be-true offering. Do keep in mind that the apartment does not have air conditioning. This is common to most housing in the UK, and will also be the case in smaller hotels.
“Quiet location with a good bed, great pillows, shower with terrific water pressure and plentiful hot water. This flat had everything we needed. We slept very well. It was lovely to have a Nespresso machine, washer/dryer, and dishwasher.”
Laurel from United States of America (see more reviews)
Best Oxford Tours
I highly recommend booking a tour during your visit to Oxford. Many parts of the city will only be accessible to you while on a tour, so pick your favourite angle and follow along with one of these.
Best Oxford University Tour
Step inside the gates of an Oxford college with a highlights walking tour of Oxford University and the city. Hear firsthand what it’s like to study in this magical place. Tours are led by Oxford University alumni who share details from the university’s history and current goings-on.
“Ben was a great guide as he is a current masters student (of political history I believe) at Oxford so he was able to give not only excellent context and history of Oxford and the university, but also insight into what it’s like to study and live at one of the colleges in Oxford. Well worth the price as it included entry into two of the sites. Really enjoyed this tour!”
Maggie from Australia (see more reviews)
Best Harry Potter Tour
There are plenty of Harry Potter tour options to pick from, making it hard to choose just one. For the best blend of Harry Potter film locations and other literary history, this Harry Potter Tour Including New College is a great choice.
“We really enjoyed this tour, which covered some great Harry Potter sights around Oxford. Our guide, Nancy, was wonderful; so entertaining and with heaps of interesting information to share. I took my 11yo Hufflepuff daughter and she described it as the best tour she’d ever been on!”
Ella from United Kingdom (see more reviews)
For a smaller group and even more access to Harry Potter film locations, don’t miss the Christ Church Harry Potter Film Locations Tour. Christ Church is one of the most famous colleges to see in Oxford, and this one includes your entry fee in the tour price.
“We really enjoyed the tour. It was a nice mix of history and stories about Oxford and the university. We got great insights and walked everything on foot. Isabella is a very friendly guide who can tell you a lot about university life as she studies at Oxford herself. She was accompanied by Peter, an Oxford graduate, who supplemented her stories with his own experiences. Harry Potter was an important, but not the only literary and cinematic theme of the tour. There were lots of great photo opportunities and at the end there were film clips and a Butterbeer recipe and Oxford film tips by email. We were really happy with everything.”
Katja from Germany (see more reviews)
Best Day Trip Tour from Oxford
Venture out to scenic Cotswold villages without the stress of navigating tiny village roads on your own. This Cotswolds Small Group Tour will take you through one of the most beautiful parts of England and gives you time for lunch in my very favourite village – Bourton on the Water.
“The best day trip that I have ever taken. The guide (Jo) was very knowledgeable in the the most accessible and entertaining way. She was pleasant and helpful. We visited seven wonderful spots in the Cotswolds. I knew of a couple of them but not the others, and it was a pleasure to “discover” them. I would recommend this tour and guide to everyone.”
Lynne from United States of America (see more reviews)
Safety in Oxford
Oxford is a safe city where I’ve never encountered or witnessed crime. It is still a city, though, meaning you should follow some common sense travel tips.
- Keep your cash and phone tucked away as much as possible to avoid someone snatching from your hand.
- Opt for day bags that lie close to your body and don’t have exposed zippers. This backpack from PacSafe is a great option for your academic inspired wardrobe that also boasts anti-theft features.
- Many bars and pubs in Oxford have undergone Ask for Angela training, which can provide help if someone is making you uncomfortable during a night out.
FAQs
Is Oxford England worth visiting?
Oxford is bursting at the seams with literary history and is home to some of the oldest gothic architecture in England. It’s a beautiful place and well worth a visit on your next trip to the UK. I definitely recommend booking a tour when you visit so you don’t miss details that might otherwise be behind locked gates. The many private spaces here make it difficult to visit spontaneously while also seeing all the sights.
How many days should I spend in Oxford England?
Many people visit Oxford on a day trip from London. You can get a feel for the city and see plenty in that time. Staying two days will let you dive a bit more into the city’s secrets or set off to explore the nearby Cotswolds.
What is Oxford England known for?
Oxford is best known for its famous university. Oxford has hosted literary icons like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, not to mention a slew of Nobel Prize winners and well-known politicians. You can learn a lot about figures who’ve impacted world history here. The city is also known as the city of dreaming spires for its iconic gothic architecture, which gives many parts of the city a fairytale feel.
