Ancient university, colleges & libraries
Oxford
Oxford · City of dreaming spires
Home to the English-speaking world's oldest university, Oxford is a honey-stone city of medieval colleges, hushed libraries and 'dreaming spires'. Harry Potter halls, punting on the Cherwell and centuries of scholarship fill a compact, walkable centre.
Top sightsSights
Radcliffe Camera & Bodleian
The iconic domed reading room and Britain’s great research library.
Christ Church College
The grandest college, whose hall inspired Hogwarts on screen.
Ashmolean Museum
Britain’s oldest public museum, free to enter.
Punting on the Cherwell
The quintessential Oxford pastime on a flat-bottomed boat.
Carfax Tower
Climb for a view over the spires and colleges.
What to eatFood
Cream tea
Scones, clotted cream and jam in a historic tearoom.
Oxford sausage
A herby pork-and-veal sausage dating to the 19th century.
Pub Sunday roast
Best in a centuries-old coaching inn.
Good to know
- Some colleges charge entry and close for exams — check opening times.
- It’s an easy day trip from London, an hour by train or bus.
- Combine with nearby Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds.
Getting there
Oxford has no airport but sits an hour from London by frequent train and bus; nearest airports are Heathrow and Birmingham.
Next city
London