A plan for Oxford

History

Oxford was first occupied in Saxon times, and was known as "Oxanforda". The settlement began with the foundations of St Frideswide's nunnery in the 8th century, and was first mentioned in written records in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for the year 912. By the 10th century Oxford had become an important military frontier town between the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex and was on several occasions raided by the Danes.

The University of Oxford was founded in the 12th century and therefore constitutes the oldest English-speaking university. Oxford, like Cambridge, differs from many other universities in that there is no 'campus' as such, and no central university building. Instead, the university consists of approximately 40 colleges and associated buildings, such as the Exam Schools (on the High Street: closed to the public), the world-famous Bodleian Library (main buildings in Radcliffe Square, off the High Street: limited access to the public), and several world-class museums. Each college has its own individual character, some date from the 13th century, others are merely a few decades old. Many of the colleges are closed to the public, particularly during term times, but some are open at different times. For example: Christ Church (the college of "Brideshead" fame) is mostly open, and has the added bonus of having a (small) cathedral attached, where excellent music is performed at Evensong everyday; it also has an excellent art gallery. Some of Christ Church's buildings are used in films such as Harry Potter.

Visitors to Oxford should definitely visit at least one museum, visit at least one college and – if possible – hear one of the world-class college chapel choirs. A walking tour (see 'Do' below) is a good way of achieving this.

Landmarks

1 Bodleian Library. The main research library of the University of Oxford, the Bodleian is one of the oldest libraries in Europe (opened in 1602, based on the collection of Thomas Bodley), and in the UK is second in size only to London's British Library. The Bodleian now possesses numerous branches throughout the university; visiting bibliophiles will be most keen to peruse the central site, which includes Duke Humfrey's Library above the Divinity School, the Old Schools Quadrangle with its Great Gate and Tower, the Radcliffe Camera, Britain’s first circular library, and the Clarendon Building. (updated May 2023)

2 Radcliffe Camera, Radcliffe Square. Built 1737–49, this is a library and reading room for Oxford students and so is not generally accessible. The grand exterior, however, is well worth viewing.

3 Hertford Bridge (Bridge of Sighs) (Hertford College). A quaint pedestrian bridge for the students of Hertford College which has popularly become known as the "Bridge of Sighs" of Oxford.

4 Sheldonian Theatre, Broad St. This unusual building was Sir Christopher Wren's first major architectural commission. At the time he was a professor of Astronomy at the university. There is a series of busts outside the theatre facing Broad St with strange expressions and facial hair. (updated Jun 2023)

5 Taylorian Institute (also known as the Taylor Institution), St Giles', OX1 3NA (corner of St Giles' and Beaumont St, opposite the Randolph Hotel). The university's centre for the study of modern European languages and literature, established in 1845. Its library contains the largest specialist collection in its field in Britain. It is in a neo-classical building designed by Charles R. Cockerell and erected between 1841 and 1844 by the university to house the institution and the Randolph Galleries (now the Ashmolean Museum).

Oxford is the home of the MINI. The MINI Plant Oxford continues to produce the iconic British car. Its award-winning factory tours, held several times daily, provide detailed insights into the manufacturing processes, including robotics and logistics.Factory Tours MINI

Walking tours, starting from St Aldates in the city centre, are an excellent way of visiting some of the more famous colleges, such as Christ Church and Merton. Independent general and ghost tours also start nearby in Broad Street. In general, a walking tour lasts about two hours and can cost around £20 plus college admission fees.

There are a number of Harry Potter walking tours in Oxford that are such as Oxford Magic Tours. The guide's here are professional Magicians and the only tour's that offers Magical entertainment on the tours. others are offered by the Oxford Tourist Information Centre. Like all the non-Oxford-based Potter tours, Duke Humfrey’s Library is not included (only Bodleian Library staff can lead visitors into this hallowed space). Harry Potter Places Book Two—OWLs: Oxford Wizarding Locations guides Potterites through the decision-making process required to enjoy all Oxford Harry Potter sites, including Duke Humfrey’s Library.

Sport and recreation

Oxford United FC, Kassam Stadium, Grenoble Rd OX4 4XP, ☏ +44 1865 337500. Oxford were relegated in 2026 and now play soccer in League One, the third tier. Their Kassam Stadium (capacity 12,500) is 3 miles southeast of city centre. (updated May 2026)

Budget

1 Alpha Bar, 89 Covered Market, Avenue 3, ☏ +44 1865 250499. 9AM–5PM(ish). One of the healthier options inside the Covered Market, Alpha Bar serves up organic, fair-trade food. Sandwiches are reasonably priced, at around £3.50, and you can choose from their many interesting fillings, including baked tofu, seaweed and roasted vegetables. Their salads are priced by the pound and you can fill your recyclable container with good-for-you grains. A favourite among students for lunch, but make sure you get there early — they tend to run out of the more popular ingredients by around 3:30PM. (updated Jan 2021)

2 The Alternative Tuck Shop, 24 Holywell Street, OX1 3SB, ☏ +44 1865 792054. Mon-Fri 8:15AM-6PM. One of the best sandwich shops in Oxford. Cheap, lightning-fast service, high-quality food. Offers a great selection of sandwiches (warm and cold), panini, pasties and cakes. Friendly and efficient staff. Queues during term time are longest in the lunch rush 12-2pm, but don't be put off by this. Minimum £5 spend when paying by card.

3 Ben's Cookies, 108-109 Covered Market, OX1 3DZ, ☏ +44 1865 247407. Mon-Sat 9:15AM-5:30PM; Sun 10AM-4PM. Great little shop right in the centre of Oxford, and much better quality than some of the other, over-priced coffee shops. Also notable for being the first store in what would later become an international chain. Popular with Oxford University students!

4 Brothers and Georgina's, Covered Market, OX1 3DY, ☏ +44 1865 249527. Mon–Fri 8:30AM–5PM. Georgina’s is tucked away on the upper floor of the Covered Market, and this small café has a fairly groovy, hippy-ish décor and atmosphere. You’ll pay more for your sandwiches and wraps here than you would at other places, but portions are huge and, for the most part, healthy. An exception to the latter is their loaded potato skins, which are slightly spiced and come with a heaping of sour cream. Delicious! £.

Coffee shops and cafés

1 Brew Coffee Shop, 75B Banbury Rd, OX2 6PE. Mon-Fri 7:30AM-6PM; Sat Sun 8:30AM-5:30PM. Serving up some of Oxford's best coffee in all its forms from espresso, to pourover. Brew also stocks coffee to buy from all over the world as well as everything you need to make the perfect cup at home. Run by friendly coffee experts and frequented by locals and students who enjoy its intimate atmosphere, delicious treats and excellent caffeinated beverages!

2 The Missing Bean, 14 Turl Street, OX1 3DQ (only 1 minute's walk from the main quadrangle of the Bodleian). 8AM–6:30PM. Hidden halfway down Turl Street is this little gem of a coffee shop; it only opened in October but already has a reputation for the best coffee in Oxford. Laid-back atmosphere & friendly staff. Ask for the famous flat white!

3 Quarter Horse, 76 Cowley Road, OX4 1JB (over the Magdalen Bridge, through the roundabout and a short walk up Cowley Road), ☏ +44 1865 248808. Venture over the Magdalen Bridge to the delights of East Oxford and take a break at Quarter Horse, another of Oxford's serious coffee ventures. They offer delicious, expertly crafted cups of coffee, some cold drinks and delicious baked goods and sandwiches. The Banana Bread is a must if you have a sweet tooth!

4 The Handle Bar Cafe and Kitchen (Zappi's Bike Cafe), 26-32 St Michaels Street, OX1 2EB (inside above Bike Zone), ☏ +44 7964 241212. Mon-Sat 8AM-11PM; Sun 10:30AM-6PM. Need to recharge after some hectic sightseeing in Oxford? Then Zappi's is the place to go for a fantastic cup of coffee or a simple lunch or snack. Located in the middle of town just off Cornmarket Street.

On foot

Oxford city centre is very compact and easily walkable. Many areas of the city centre are pedestrianised, and all major tourist sights are well signposted.

That the narrow streets of the city centre are pedestrian-friendly, difficult for cars and full of beautiful buildings that will draw your attention upwards (rather than onto a more horizontal plane) does not mean that the roads of the city are overspill pavements. You will find most cyclists quite forgiving on this point as they are used to it and are often themselves pedestrians tempted to do the same as long as you suppress the urge to pass comment on any near-misses actually arising from your standing in the middle of the road.

By bicycle

The preferred mode of transport for the university student is the bicycle and, like Amsterdam or Copenhagen, there are hundreds of them. Most trains into Oxford allow bicycles to be carried for free. There are cycle lanes on most streets near the centre, however you will sometimes be sharing the road with other motorists. Though the bus traffic can be daunting, the familiarity of cyclists to local drivers makes cycling safer than it seems at first. The best option is to follow the locals as they know what they are doing. It is illegal for cyclists to run red lights (although many do) and you must use lights at night; local police frequently set up checkpoints and impose fines. Bike parking is available everywhere, but make sure you get a strong lock as bike theft is common. Avoid cable locks as they are cut through frequently, use D-locks when possible, and try to avoid leaving your bike locked in the same place in public for an extended period of time (especially overnight), since unlocked wheels or even the saddle may be stolen.

Although Oxford is an affluent university city and is generally very safe, as with any city care should be taken with personal belongings and surroundings.

Street crime in the centre of the city, with the exception of bicycle theft, is low, though proper precautions as would be followed in any other city should be taken. Avoid getting caught up in drunken revelry or street fights, and, remember, traffic is on the left (so look both ways). Oxford has a lot of student cyclists, especially during term time (January, February, April, May, October, and November), making hearing alone insufficient for checking whether a road is clear.

Though having seen improvement following local government investment, the suburb of Blackbird Leys on the southern outskirts of the city ranks amongst the 10% most deprived areas in the country, and has a higher rate of crime than one might expect in Oxford. Visitors are, however, unlikely to visit this area of the city other than on football matchdays.

Oxford has a relatively high rate of not only street performers but also beggars (though still a low number of the latter by international standards). Police advise not handing over money to those who expressly ask for it unless threatened.

Police stations

For emergencies, dial 999 or 112. For non-emergency situations use 101. 101 is a charged call.

3 Police Station (St Aldates), St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1SZ, ☏ +44 1865 841148. 8AM-10PM. Parking is for disabled badge holders only and fines are hefty.

4 Police Station (Cowley), Oxford Rd, OX4 2LE.

5 Police Station (Kidlington), Oxford Rd, Kidlington, OX5 2NX. Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM. Free parking available, closed on bank holidays.

LGBT scene

Oxford has a small gay scene and a gay area, which is accepting and friendly. The city's LGBT population is not as high as in places like Manchester, Brighton, London, Blackpool; but it is a safe and comfortable feeling for gay visitors. The Plush Lounge, Frewin Court, is the most popular gay nightclub in the city, busy on Friday & Saturday nights, though visitors should be aware that it is largely the haunt of undergrads during the Autumn months.