Things to do in Oxford

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University Church of St Mary the Virgin which includes heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and heritage elements
Radcliffe Camera which includes a square or plaza and heritage elements
Oxford showing heritage elements and street scenes
Oxford showing street scenes as well as an individual male
Christ Church Cathedral which includes a church or cathedral, interior views and heritage elements

Oxford Attractions

If you're after things to do in Oxford, prepare to be busy. This buzzing city knows how to have a good time. No matter what you're into, you'll be impressed by the wide variety of attractions to dive into here. Keep reading to learn about the best of them.

If you're ready to discover the best of Oxford, join one of the top tours & day trips on offer, and have a friendly local show you the most popular sites. Offering free cancellations and no added fees, our top {168 fun activities in Oxford fun activities in Oxford} are also worth browsing through.

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Most popular activities in Oxford

Tours & day trips

See all 163 activities
Warwick Castle, Shakespeare's England, Oxford & Cotswolds Tour from London

Warwick Castle, Shakespeare's England, Oxford & Cotswolds Tour from London

Activity duration is 10 hours and 30 minutes
8.4 out of 10 with 35 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $108 per adult
Warwick Castle, Shakespeare's England, Oxford & Cotswolds Tour from LondonOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 78 activities
Exclusive Blenheim Palace &Cotswolds Private Day Tour from London

Exclusive Blenheim Palace &Cotswolds Private Day Tour from London

Activity duration is 9 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is $410 per adult*
Exclusive Blenheim Palace &Cotswolds Private Day Tour from LondonOpens in new tab

Cruises & boat tours

See all 10 activities
Oxford: Sightseeing River Cruise

Oxford: Sightseeing River Cruise

Activity duration is 45 minutes
9.6 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $20 per adult
Oxford: Sightseeing River CruiseOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 8 activities
Exclusive Blenheim Palace &Cotswolds Private Day Tour from London

Exclusive Blenheim Palace &Cotswolds Private Day Tour from London

Activity duration is 9 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is $410 per adult*
Exclusive Blenheim Palace &Cotswolds Private Day Tour from LondonOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Oxford

Number of things to do
168
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Oxford Self Guided Walking Tour with Mobile App: $7
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in Oxford

Free Things to Do in Oxford

Vacationing in Oxford on a budget? The following can be seen for nothing.

Museum of Oxford - Filled with intriguing objects and exhibits, this gallery is a wonderland for knowledge-hungry minds.

Headington Shark - Feed your passion for arts and culture here and see talent and creativity at work.

Shotover Country Park - Loads of fun and action is in store for you at this unmissable attraction.

St Cross College - Architecture lovers will certainly enjoy marveling at the modern design of this landmark.

Jesus College - Detour to this historic landmark and learn a bit about the region's cultural heritage.

Iffley Village - This is a lively location where you can absorb the ambiance and learn more about the local way of life.

Covered Market - If you're eager to check out some of the more important or interesting places in the community, this is a great place to start.

University Church of St Mary the Virgin - Gain a deeper understanding of the local beliefs at this place of worship.

Christ Church Meadows - Prepare a picnic and enjoy a relaxing stroll around the interesting plants.

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Oxford? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in Oxford

Oxfordshire featuring a park and outdoor eating

University of Oxford

4.5/5(206 reviews)

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of University of Oxford, during your travels in Oxford. Experience the area's museums and theater scene.

University of Oxford
Oxford Castle Unlocked showing heritage elements and chateau or palace

Oxford Castle

4/5(24 reviews)

Embark on an entertaining journey through this medieval castle. Learn about its dark past and listen to tales of murder and crime.

Oxford Castle
Christ Church Cathedral which includes heritage elements, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

Christ Church College

4.5/5(79 reviews)

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of Christ Church College, during your trip to Oxford. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Christ Church College
Bodleian Library featuring heritage elements and heritage architecture

Bodleian Library

4.5/5(25 reviews)

Sign up for a tour to get a closer look at the priceless gems in one of the oldest libraries in the world.

Bodleian Library
Oxford University Museum of Natural History featuring heritage elements

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

4.5/5(53 reviews)

Gaze up at towering Oxfordshire dinosaur skeletons, see a colony of swifts in a tower and study the preserved model of the extinct dodo.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Ashmolean Museum showing heritage elements and heritage architecture

Ashmolean Museum

5/5(79 reviews)

The world’s oldest public museum is home to a fascinating collection of global curios and priceless works of art.

Ashmolean Museum
Carfax Tower which includes street scenes and heritage elements

Carfax Tower

4.5/5(10 reviews)

Climb the narrow, winding staircase to reach the top of this tower, which is considered the very centre of Oxford, for a panoramic view over the city.

Carfax Tower
Covered Market showing food

Covered Market

4/5(77 reviews)

Discover the charms of the quaint city of Oxford at this permanent market full of local produce and intriguing trinkets.

Covered Market
Bodleian Library showing heritage elements, a square or plaza and heritage architecture

Exeter College

4.5/5(23 reviews)

Stroll across perfectly kept grounds, admire centuries-old architecture and attend a peaceful evening recital in one of Oxford’s first colleges.

Exeter College

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Oxford

Oxford City Centre

Oxford City Centre

4.5/5(64 area reviews)

The center of this English town is known for its medieval architecture, much of which is part of a prestigious university that was used as a location for Harry Potter films.

Oxford City Centre
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Cowley

While visiting Cowley, you might make a stop by sights like Temple Cowley Pools and Southfield Golf Club.

Cowley
Christchurch college on a lovely Saturday afternoon

East Oxford

If you're spending some time in East Oxford, Iffley Road Track and Thames River are top sights worth seeing.

East Oxford
Guy constructs a shark into his roof. Becomes tourist attraction

Headington

You'll enjoy the bars and live music in Headington. You might want to make time for a stop at Headington Shark or Exciting Game.

Headington
Amazing French home made cakes. Packed with flavour and craftsmanship!

North Oxford

When in North Oxford, you can plan a visit to Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Ashmolean Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

North Oxford
The Thames, seen from the Towing Path.

South Oxford

While visiting South Oxford, you might make a stop by sights like Thames Path and Thames River.

South Oxford
See our Where To Stay guide

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from Oxford

Photo by Rybaleanne

Abingdon

Aylesbury

Aylesbury

Photo by Stephen Nunney

Thame

Photo by Alan Goodenough

Wallingford

Photo by Jack McConnochie

Witney

Photo "Horton-Cum-Studley" by David Hawgood (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by David Hawgood (CC BY-SA)

Horton-Cum-Studley

Photo by Liset Helmers

Kidlington

Photo "Great Milton" by Shaun Ferguson (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Shaun Ferguson (CC BY-SA)

Great Milton

Frequently asked questions

Is Oxford worth visiting?
Providing a mix of bars and pubs and distilleries and craft breweries, there's no shortage of things to do in Oxford. While you're here, check out Ashmolean Museum, a key attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Oxford?
Ashmolean Museum and Waterperry Gardens are two great places to kick-start your adventures. Be sure to explore the shopping and dining options in Oxford while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Oxford?
Don't go home without exploring Ashmolean Museum, rated the top tourist attraction in Oxford.
Is three days enough to stay in Oxford?
You can easily enjoy leading sights like Ashmolean Museum, Sheldonian Theatre and Christ Church Cathedral with a three-day break in Oxford. On average, most travelers plan two days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stick around longer and check out Reading.
Is Oxford a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you'd like to do and see in Oxford. Several top attractions, such as Ashmolean Museum and Sheldonian Theatre, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Oxford's best neighborhoods, Oxford City Centre is 0.1 miles away from downtown, while Sandford-on-Thames is 3 miles away from the center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Oxford with kids?
Whether you're traveling with young explorers or playful teenagers, an itinerary filled with fun activities is the key to a stress-free getaway. Browse our recommendations for what to do in Oxford with kids.

What to do in Oxford for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Oxford, with entertainment for adults of all ages. End the day with a visit to Oxford Town Hall or War Memorial Garden.
Are there free things to do in Oxford?
One of the top ways to learn about free things to do in Oxford is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on hip neighborhoods, parks and other highlights you can visit without reaching for your wallet. Ashmolean Museum is one place that doesn't charge an admission fee.