Oxford In One Day

For many tourists visiting the UK, I’m sure Oxford features high on their list and with its history, literary connections, dreamy spires and buildings that exude academia through the ages, that comes as no surprise. The picturesque English city is known all across the globe as the home to the world class University, whose famous former students include C.S.Lewis, Oscar Wilde, Stephen Hawking and Sir Christopher Wren.

Whilst the city is fairly compact and walkable, it is incredibly easy to lose yourself strolling through the lanes lined with honey-coloured limestone buildings, so if you want to see the best that Oxford has to offer in just one day, it is useful to have a plan.

In this post I have put together a one-day sightseeing itinerary which will ensure you tick off all of Oxford’s main sights, and will also give you some time to sit back, relax and absorb that special ambiance.

Begin your visit to Oxford at the foot of the Carfax Tower, all that is left of the 12th century St Martin’s Church. The tower is 23 meters tall and now dictates the height of all buildings in central Oxford, as no building may be built higher than it. Climb the 124 steps to the top, for lovely views of the Oxford skyline and ‘the most noble street in England’.

The tower is open 10am–5.30pm Easter to October, and 10am–3.30pm October to Easter.

Then make your way down St Aldates for a visit to Oxford’s grandest University colleges, Christ Church. Not only has Christ Church college educated and housed a great number of high profile students – Sir Christopher Wren, Albert Einstein, Lewis Carroll, and thirteen British prime ministers to name just a few – but more recently it has also become famous for its connection to the fictional school for wizards, Hogwarts, in several of the Harry Potter films. Christ Church was not actually used for filming but fans will recognise a number of locations which were replicated on the films set, most notably the 16th century staircase and the exquisite dining hall.

Christ Church also houses a fantastic Picture Gallery which displays, amongst many others, some rare works of Botticellis. It also acts as the cathedral church for the Diocese of Oxford.

As you leave the college you will emerge into the tranquil Christ Church Meadow, more often than not, home to a herd of striking Longhorn cattle. The Meadow is owned and maintained by the college and is open to the public until dusk each day, offering the perfect place for a stroll along the Cherwell or Isis river, or perhaps a picnic. Make sure you also check out the Memorial Gardens at the St Aldate’s entrance.

Heading along Broad Walk, follow the path along the back of the college with Merton playing field on your right. You will pass by the Oxford Kissing Gate and then make your way along Dead Man’s Walk with the medieval Merton College to your left.

Turning down Rose Lawn you will soon emerge onto the High Street, just a few minutes from the Botanic Garden which are well worth a visit. Oxford’s Botanic Garden is Britain’s oldest, with plants collected from around the world, both indoor and outdoor. For a small fee of just £4.95 you can enjoy the peace and serenity whilst exploring one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world.

You should then continue up the High Street, admiring the numerous colleges as you go, including Magdalene College, The Queen’s College and University College before turning off down Catte Street towards the stunning Radcliffe Camera. This 18th century building does in fact belong to the University and houses a Palladian-style academic library and reading rooms, which were designed by James Gibbs. The Radcliffe Camera is connected to the ancient Bodleian Library by an underground passage allowing students to pass between the two with ease.

Make your way into the courtyard of the Bodleian Library, the University’s main research library which is also one of Europe’s oldest and Britain’s largest libraries, and look up to the striking Tower of the Five Orders. The Tower is so named because it is ornamented, in ascending order, with the columns of each of the five orders of classical architecture: Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite. Every book that is published in the UK can be found under the Bodleian’s roof.

Leaving the Bodleian behind, you will enter into another square with the Clarendon Building straight ahead of you and, to the left, the exquisite Sheldonian Theatre, designed by Sir Christopher Wren himself. Today, the theatre is used for music concerts, lectures and University ceremonies, although it is also open to the public. The Cuppola offers visitors 360 panoramic views out over the medieval city centre.

To your right and through the gate you will notice the Hertford Bridge, otherwise known as the Bridge of Sighs, which resembles the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice. The bridge is a skyway, which was completed in 1914, connecting two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane.

From here make your way to Broad Street and continue past the Sheldonian. On the opposite side of the road you will be able to spot Blackwell’s Bookstore – not just a regular bookshop but more of an institution in Oxford. The shop has the largest single room devoted to book sales in all of Europe (over 929 square metres!) and parts of the shop were excavated underneath the gardens of neighbouring Trinity College.

You will soon hit a pedestrian zone at the top of Broad Street with a number of small shops, cafes and places to stock up on souvenirs! When you reach the junction of Debenhams turn left and continue up Magdalen Street, passing the Martyrs Memorial where you will be able to see the grandiose Randolph Hotel and the impressive Ashmolean Museum.

Change direction and make your way back down Magdalen Street and straight down the Cornmarket with its many retail shops until you find yourself back next to Carfax Tower. You should then turn left onto the High Street, bound for the 18th century Covered Market. You will find virtually everything inside this maze of shops, from cafes and restaurants, to florists, jewellers, health and beauty shops and even one or two pet shops!

 Once you have suitably explored all that the market has to offer and if you still have time to spare, you might consider visiting the Oxford Castle Quarter, just a short walk from Carfax Tower. Although the Norman castle is partly ruined, the medieval remains, including the motte and St George’s Tower and crypt, are still standing and can be explored.

Alternatively head on down to Magdalen Bridge boathouse and take a punt along the river or head to one of Oxford’s many bars, cafes or restaurants for a refreshing drink and bite to eat!

If you have any tips for things to add to this Oxford In A Day Itinerary, do let me know in the comments below!

I would love to hear from you 🙂

Until the next time, happy travels!

Love, Victoria xx