Things to do in Oxford

Activities, attractions and tours

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

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Most popular experiences in Oxford

Tours & day trips

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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
8.6 out of 10 with 40 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €91 per adult
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Private & custom tours

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Oxford Self Guided Walking Tour with Mobile App

Oxford Self Guided Walking Tour with Mobile App

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is €7 per adult
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Cruises & boat tours

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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 €18 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

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The Hunt, an exciting cat-and-mouse game in Oxford

The Hunt, an exciting cat-and-mouse game in Oxford

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is €11 per adult*
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Holiday & seasonal tours

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Oxford: River Cruise with 3-Course Meal

Oxford: River Cruise with 3-Course Meal

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is €103 per adult
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What to do in Oxford

Popular places to visit

Oxfordshire showing a garden and outdoor eating

University of Oxford

Enjoy the student vibe when you visit University of Oxford during your travels in Oxford. Experience the area's museums and theatre scene.

University of Oxford
Christ Church Cathedral which includes heritage elements, interior views and a church or cathedral

Christ Church College

Enjoy the student vibe when you visit Christ Church College during your trip to Oxford. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Christ Church College
Oxford Castle Unlocked featuring château or palace and heritage elements

Oxford Castle

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

Oxford Castle
Bodleian Library featuring heritage architecture and heritage elements

Bodleian Library

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 showing heritage elements

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

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

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

Ashmolean Museum
Sheldonian Theatre

Sheldonian Theatre

Find out about the history of Oxford with a stop at Sheldonian Theatre. Experience the area's museums and theatre scene.

Sheldonian Theatre
Carfax Tower which includes heritage elements and street scenes

Carfax Tower

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
Oxford Town Hall featuring heritage elements and heritage architecture

Oxford Town Hall

Learn the story of Oxford when you visit this beautiful Victorian building, which is the seat of local government and also hosts art exhibits and music concerts.

Oxford Town Hall

Areas of Oxford

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Oxford City Centre

4.5/5(131 area reviews)

Museums, historical sites and theatres are some highlights of Oxford City Centre. Make a stop by Covered Market or New Theatre Oxford while you're exploring.

Oxford City Centre
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East Oxford

While visiting East Oxford, you might make a stop by sights like Iffley Road Track and Thames River.

East Oxford
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Cowley

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

Cowley
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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
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North Oxford

While North Oxford isn't home to many top sights, Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Ashmolean Museum are some notable places to visit nearby.

North Oxford
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South Oxford

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

South Oxford
Photo by Rybaleanne

Abingdon

Aylesbury

Aylesbury

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

Oxford showing a statue or sculpture and a park

Waterstock

Photo "Yarnton" by Graham Horn (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Graham Horn (CC BY-SA)

Yarnton

Photo "Boars Hill" by Steve Daniels (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Steve Daniels (CC BY-SA)

Boars Hill

Frequently asked questions

Is Oxford worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Oxford is explore Ashmolean Museum. Check this top sight off your itinerary, then experience more of the area's bars and pubs and distilleries and craft breweries.
How do I spend a day in Oxford?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to Ashmolean Museum and Waterperry Gardens. Then, tour different parts of Oxford for local dining and some retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Oxford?
Ashmolean Museum is one of the top tourist attractions in Oxford and should be high on every itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Oxford?
Three days will be plenty of time to tick off popular city attractions, such as Ashmolean Museum, Sheldonian Theatre and Christ Church Cathedral. The average stay in Oxford is two days. If you have the urge to extend your adventure, Reading isn't far away.
Is Oxford a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and leading attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Oxford is a great destination to explore on foot. Wander between Ashmolean Museum and Sheldonian Theatre. Then take a stroll through Oxford City Centre, located 0.16 kilometres from the centre, and Sandford-on-Thames, which is about 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Oxford with kids?
If you're looking for activities and attractions for all the family, we've got some fantastic ideas for what to do in Oxford with kids.

What to do in Oxford for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Oxford, with activities 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 easiest ways to learn about free things to do in Oxford is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can visit without reaching into your pocket. Ashmolean Museum is one sight that doesn't have an entrance fee.