I’m going to be honest; huge lists and pages of notes when it comes to websites are super overwhelming to me. To help you guys out, I condensed all the best things about Oxford into this tiny little list! From exploring incredible buildings to eating the best food Oxford has to offer, to rowing yourself down a river, there is no shortage of things to do here! I have tours listed but if you’re on a budget you can easily explore on foot for free!
Epic Buildings to Explore
Oxford Colleges
The colleges in Oxford are famous worldwide for their beauty! There are over 35 of them however, so if you’re zooming through, you probably want to visit the prettiest ones! While they’re all breathtaking, below are the (subjectively) prettiest colleges and their prices!
- Magdalen College: 7 pounds
- Balliol College: 3 pounds
- Christ Church College: 7-9 euros
- Worcester College: free
- All Souls College: free
Climb St. Mary the Virgin Church
There’s no better view of Oxford than the view from the top of St. Mary’s! It’s an incredible view and absolutely worth your while. It’s only 5 pounds and a MUST-SEE in Oxford!
Divinity School in the Bodleian
The Divinity Library is part of the University of Oxford. It was actually built between 1427 and 1483! And yes, it is also featured in the Harry Potter movies!!! You can get a guided tour or buy a self-guided tour ticket for £2.50. The courtyard is free to enter. The Divinity School is open 7 days a week, closing at 5 pm every day.
Why visit the Divinity School? The decoration, interior, and vaulted ceilings are absolutely spectacular. You jaw will drop as you wander through the halls. It is 100% worth a visit while you’re in Oxford! Click here to learn more and buy your ticket!
Active Activities
Play Squash at St. Catherine’s
Squash is a game similar to racquetball. If you have a day off and feel like getting a solid sweat going, head over to St. Catherine’s College for a game of squash! There’s also a tennis court and a rowing boathouse; your options are unlimited!!!
Punting on the Thames
No, you’re not kicking anything. Punting is standing on a flat-bottomed boat and propelling the boat through the water using a long stick. It’s an Oxford tradition and something you absolutely have to do! There are a ton of options for punting; for example, there are tours, cruises, and other types of guides. The cheapest option, however, is to rent a boat for an hour with some friends. You’re able to rent boats for about 20 pounds an hour. Your best options for where to rent a punting boat (along with a link) are below!
Explore Port Meadow
Port Meadow is a beautiful area of Oxford to walk through, picnic, and generally explore! It’s packed with history, fishing, swimming holes, and even wild ponies! It’s absolutely worth spending a day or an afternoon playing around, bird watching, swimming, and more! For more information on address, parking, etc. click here!
Most Importantly: FOOD AND DRINK!
Tea at Vaults and Gardens Cafe
The Vaults and Garden Cafe is a beautiful cafe with fantastic tea and even better food! Go get a lovely cup of afternoon tea with a friend! The cafe is inside St. Mary’s Church, and the dining area was built all the way back in 1320!!! Close your eyes and bring yourself back to the 1300s with your cup of tea swirling with history. For menus, their story, and any more information you could think of, click here!
Oxford Covered Market
A random little corner of Oxford I stumbled upon was the Oxford Covered Market. It quickly became one of my favorite places in Oxford! It’s full of fresh produce, food, and little trinkets. There are fashion stores and epic English foods and drinks to try, as well as hundreds of fascinating people milling about. Not only that, there are different events at the market as well! Click here for more details, events, and more!
Tea at Bleinheim Palace
Yes. Tea in a palace. Every watcher of Pride and Prejudice’s greatest dream come to reality. If you feel like getting all dressed up and drinking an overpriced (yet fantastic) cup of tea with cakes, you will find your crown at Bleinheim Palace. For information about all the resturants and cafes at the palace, click here!
For You History People…
Visit the oldest pub in Oxford: King’s Arm
For a solid pub meal in Oxford or just to throw a little extra history in your trip, stop by the King’s Arm Pub! This pub was built in 1607, which is insane. Check out the resident ghost as well. Quite honestly, I’m sitting here looking at the menu and pictures of the food, and my stomach is growling. A little close to drooling. Anyways, definitely go explore if you have time! For more information on the pub, click here.
Ashmolean Musuem
The Ashmolean is Oxford’s museum of archaeology and art. It was founded all the back in 1683! There are tons of artifacts, incredible art, and everything in between. If you’re a history buff, this is one thing you absolutely can’t miss! Its even free to enter and open every day!
You can also get a tour for a great price if you want to get all the highlights of the Ashmolean! Click here to book a tour.
Grand Cafe on High Street: the Oldest Coffeehouse in England
This incredible coffeeshop is not only rich in history, but it’s also breathtaking. It also helps that the food and drink are pretty good. The history of this coffeeshop began in 1391. That is a LONG TIME AGO! However, if you’re traveling on a budget, maybe just peek your head in and skip the treats. General reviews and personal experience attests to the fact that the staff isn’t the greatest and the goods, while tasty, are a bit overpriced for the food you get. However, for a cool history moment, definitely stop by and take a picture!
If You Like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien
If you’re a fan of the Inklings, which was the group of writers that included Tolkien and Lewis, you will have SO MUCH FUN exploring Oxford through their eyes!!! The door that inspired Mr. Tumnus and the light post that gave rise to the lamppost in Narnia are both located in Oxford on St. Mary’s Walkway! The Eagle and Child cafe is where Tolkien and Lewis often gathered to write and discuss books. I wandered around almost in a daze, thinking of what it might be like to explore Oxford with my favorite authors!
If you want a deeper dive into the minds of these authors in Oxford, I 100000% suggest The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour! You will get your moneys worth of knowledge and just cool Oxford experiences! Click here to buy a ticket and for more information!
Tours
If you’re running low on time in Oxford and just want to hit the highlights, I’ve listed a few tours below!
If you’re on a budget and just wanting to explore, you can spend hours walking the streets, exploring the meadows, and eating good old classic pub food and have the time of you life! Oxford is for you, foodie, adventurer, historian. Let your heart roam free on this adventure.
***this post contains affiliate links at no charge to you!
Overall, Oxford is a fabulous destination to explore, even if you’re on a budget! Send this link to a friend or save it for your future trips!
HEY! SO GLAD you’re here! Thanks for adventuring with me! Subscribe to get wayyy more info about travel tips, itineraries, and how to travel for oh so cheap! Love ya!