Oxford – The city of dreaming spires

If you’re looking for a charming and historic city to explore in the United Kingdom, look no further than Oxford! There’s so much to see and do in this picturesque city, you could easily spend a whole day there and still not see everything. From its most famous colleges in the world, as well as stunning architecture and plenty of great pubs and restaurants. In this blog post, we will give you a rundown of some of the best things to do in Oxford on a single day.

First and foremost, you’ll want to get oriented in the city. Head to the Oxford Visitor Centre on Broad Street to pick up a map and some brochures. The helpful staff can give you advice on what to see and do in Oxford, as well as how to get around.

Language English

The currency British Pound

Getting to Oxford

There are several ways to get from London to Oxford. You can take the national express bus, or the National Rail train, or car.

The bus is the cheapest option and takes about two hours. The train is a bit more expensive but it’s faster – it only takes an hour and a half. If you have a car, it will take you about an hour to get to Oxford.

There is a cheaper bus option about £11-pounds return with Mega Bus which is about a 1.5-hour journey and is generally direct.

If you want to drive you can rent a car with AutoEurope and drive to Oxford, from London driving takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Another great way to meet new people and save on travel costs is to share a ride with a local heading in the same direction; check out blablacar.

Where to stay in Oxford

If you are looking to stay one, two, or more nights, you can book here with Booking.com If you like staying in Hostels, you can book your hostel with Hostel Worldwide.

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Getting around Oxford

There are a few different ways to get around Oxford, depending on what you’re looking for. If you want to see the sights, then the best way is to walk, Oxford is an easy city to explore on foot or you can take the bus. If you’re looking to get around quickly, then the best option is by bus.

The bus service in Oxford is really good, and it’s the cheapest way to get around other than walking of course.

There are a few different routes, so you can easily find one that goes near where you’re going.  If you’re not sure which bus to take, there are maps at the bus stop that will show you the route.

The hop-on, hop-off bus Oxford tour is the perfect way to see all of the city’s top attractions. The buses run every day and make stops at popular tourist destinations like Christ Church College, the Radcliffe Camera, and Blackwell’s Bookshop.

Tickets are valid for 24 hours and include free audio guides that provide interesting facts about the city’s history and culture.

Once you have your bearings, it’s time to start exploring! As I mentioned one of the best ways to see Oxford is on foot, so take a stroll around the city center and take in the sights and sounds.

Where to Eat around Oxford

The Eagle and Child is a pub in Oxford, England. It is colloquially known as The Bird and Baby. The pub takes its name from the two birds on the sign, an eagle and a baby chick. It is reputed to be one of the most popular pubs in Oxford and has been frequented by many writers over the years, including J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, who were both regulars at the pub while they were members of the Inklings literary group.

The Lamb and Flag is a pub in Oxford, England which takes its name from the two animals on its sign: a lamb and a flag. The pub has been in existence since the early 17th century. It is reputed to be one of the oldest and most haunted pubs in Oxford.

Jamie’s Italian chain was founded by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in 2008. The first restaurant opened in London, England. There are now over 50 restaurants around the world, including locations in Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Italy, and the United States.

The White Harte is a pub in Oxford, England which takes its name from the two animals on its sign: a white hart (a type of deer) and a red rose. The pub has been in existence since at least 1615. It is reputed to be one of the oldest pubs in Oxford.

Visit the University of Oxford

The University of Oxford has a long and rich history, with buildings dating back to the 12th century. Some of the most iconic buildings on campus are:

The Bodleian Library is a world-famous library located at the University of Oxford. The library was founded in 1602 and has been open to the public since 1602. It currently holds around 12 million items, making it the second-largest library in Britain after the British Library.

One of the main attractions of the Bodleian Library is Duke Humfrey’s Reading Room. This room is said to have been designed after the reading room in the palace of Cardinal Wolsey, and it is one of the oldest reading rooms in Europe. It was built in 1605 and can hold up to 300 people at a time.

The Bodleian Library also has a beautiful courtyard that is open to the public. The courtyard features a large fountain and several statues, including one of Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre.

The Sheldonian Theatre, which was designed by Christopher Wren and was completed in 1669 and it has been used for a variety of purposes over the years. The building was named after Gilbert Sheldon, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time.

The building was originally used as a place where students could take their exams, but it has also been used as a theater, a concert hall, and a lecture hall and is now used as a venue for graduations.

The Queen’s College, The Queen’s College is one of the oldest and most distinguished colleges in Oxford. It was founded in 1341 by Robert de Eglesfield, who was later buried in the college chapel. Queen’s College is especially renowned for its music department, which has produced many famous musicians over the years. The college has a beautiful setting on the banks of the River Cherwell, and its buildings are some of the most impressive in Oxford.

These are just a few of the many beautiful buildings on campus that make the University of Oxford so special. If you’re ever visiting Oxford, be sure to take a stroll around and admire all the amazing architecture!

Check out the Christ Church Meadow, and Carfax Tower 

Christ Church Meadow is a large open space in the center of Oxford, and it’s a great place to relax on a sunny day. The meadow is surrounded by beautiful buildings, including Carfax Tower which can be seen from all over the city.

If you’re looking for a bit of history, Christ Church Meadow is the place to be. It was used as a horse market in the 12th century, and later became a popular spot for public executions. Today, it’s a great place to take a walk or have a picnic.

There are also several restaurants and cafes located in the meadow, so you can enjoy a bite to eat while taking in the beautiful surroundings.

One of my favorite places in Oxford is Magdalen Bridge. It’s a great place to relax and take in the views of the river Thames. The bridge is also home to a beautiful statue of Jesus Christ, which makes for a great photo opportunity.

Magdalen Bridge is located close to Magdalen College, one of Oxford’s most famous colleges. If you’re interested in history or architecture. 

Visit The Ashmolean Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum

The Ashmolean Museum is the oldest museum in the United Kingdom, and the Pitt Rivers Museum is one of its most popular attractions. The two museums are located on opposite ends of Broad Street in Oxford, making it easy to visit both in a single day.

The Ashmolean Museum was founded in 1683 by Elias Ashmole, and it is home to one of the world’s largest collections of art and archaeology. The museum’s collection includes works by Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo, as well as a large number of Egyptian artifacts.

The Pitt Rivers Museum was founded in 1884 by Lieutenant-General Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt Rivers. The museum’s collection is made up of over one million objects from all over the world, and it is one of the largest museums of its kind in the world. Some of the highlights of the Pitt Rivers Museum include a section dedicated to shrunken heads, as well as an exhibit on human evolution that includes a real Neanderthal skull.

Explore the Botanical Gardens in Oxford

The botanical gardens are a great place to visit if you’re looking for some peace and tranquility. The garden is full of different types of plants and flowers, and it’s the perfect place to relax and take in natural beauty.

There’s also a small lake in the garden, which makes for a lovely view. If you’re looking for a quiet place to relax.

The botanical gardens are open from sunrise to sunset, and admission is free. So if you’re in the area, be sure to stop by and take a look! You won’t be disappointed.

Explore the Covered Market and do some shopping

The Covered Market is a must-see for any visitor to Oxford. It’s one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the country, with over 100 stalls selling everything from fresh produce to souvenirs. There’s usually something going on in the market, whether it’s a farmers’ market or an event like a Christmas fair.

If you’re looking for a bite to eat, there are plenty of options in the Covered Market. You can find everything from fish and chips to Indian food, and there’s usually a good selection of pubs and cafes too.

If you’re looking for something to take home with you, the Covered Market is a great place to find souvenirs. There are stalls selling everything from Oxfordshire crafts to postcards and keyrings.

The Covered Market is open every day except Sundays, and it’s free to enter. It’s a great place to spend a few hours, whether you’re shopping, eating or just taking in the atmosphere.

Take a picture of the Bridge of Sighs

The bridge of sighs in Oxford is a beautiful and historic site. It’s named for the sighs of relief students uttered as they crossed it on their way to freedom from the university it joins the Hertford College over New College Lane. 

View the astonishing Redcliffe Camera

Radcliffe Camera is a beautiful building, you will find an admirable library with astonishing structure. Inside this library, there are about 600,000 books. The Radcliffe Camera was built in 1748 and is a used library. It’s now open to the public, only by guided tour.

Oxford is a city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, art, architecture or just want to wander the streets and take in the atmosphere, a day spent here is sure to be enjoyable. If you have any other tips on what to see while visiting Oxford, drop me a comment and I’ll be sure to add them to this post. Thanks for reading!

Oxford is surrounded by many beautiful places to visit within the United Kingdom, within a 2-3 hour drive you can visit places like Manchester, and Liverpool if you are a football fan and a Beetles fan, and visit the stunning historic town of Cardiff.