About Oxford
Oxford is a cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town.
Places to visit in Oxford
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Bodleian Library
HistoricOne of the oldest libraries in Europe, with medieval reading rooms and the ornate Divinity School. Most interiors are open only on guided tours, which sell out, so book ahead.
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Radcliffe Camera
LandmarkA round domed library building from the 1700s at the center of the university, and the city's best-known image. It is a reading room for students, so admire it from the square outside.
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Christ Church
HistoricA grand college with a large quadrangle, a cathedral, and a dining hall that inspired scenes in the Harry Potter films. Check the website before going, since the hall closes for meals and events.
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Ashmolean Museum
MuseumBritain's oldest public museum, with collections ranging from Egyptian mummies to Renaissance drawings and the Alfred Jewel. Entry is free, and the rooftop restaurant is a nice spot for lunch.
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Pitt Rivers Museum
MuseumA crowded Victorian hall packed with objects from cultures around the world, displayed by type rather than place. Enter through the Natural History Museum and look up at its dinosaur skeletons on the way.
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Bridge of Sighs
LandmarkA covered skyway joining two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane. Walk under it and duck into the narrow alley nearby that leads to the hidden Turf Tavern pub.
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University of Oxford Botanic Garden
ParkThe oldest botanic garden in Britain, beside the River Cherwell, with walled beds and glasshouses. Afterward, rent a punt at nearby Magdalen Bridge for a slow trip on the river.
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Blenheim Palace
Historic · 8 mi from centreA huge baroque country house north of Oxford and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, set in landscaped parkland. A regular bus runs from central Oxford, and you should allow most of a day.
Things to do in Oxford by type
11 tours, tickets and experiences across 4 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 7 experiences City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Tour -
Day Trips & Excursions 3 experiences City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 2 experiences Afternoon Tea Sightseeing - River Cruise -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 2 experiences City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
- 1-3 hours 3
- Over 6 hours 2
- Private 5
Top experiences in Oxford
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 11 available.
Oxford Private Walking Tour
From $379 per adult
Travel Curious: Private Family Tour: The Fantasy Worlds of Oxford
From $519 per adult
City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $23 per adult
Travel Curious: Welcome to Oxford - Private Tour
From $519 per adult
Afternoon Tea Sightseeing - River Cruise
From $67 per adult
Where to stay in Oxford
Popular hotels in Oxford, out of 203 properties you can book.
Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel
From $213 per night
The Randolph Hotel Oxford, a Graduate Hotel
From $282 per night
Cherry Tree Hotel
From $92 per night
Holiday Inn Oxford
From $151 per night
Linton Lodge Hotel, BW Signature Collection
From $182 per night
Courtyard By Marriott Oxford City Centre
From $256 per night
Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford
From $217 per night
Malmaison Oxford
From $222 per night
Vanbrugh House Hotel
From $179 per night
The Holt
From $192 per night
Travelodge Oxford Peartree
From $81 per night
Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa
From $136 per night
Best time to visit Oxford
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Oxford is June and August, when average daytime highs are around 70–73°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Oxford weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 53° 44° 86%
- Thu 22 Oct 56° 44° 84%
- Fri 23 Oct 53° 45° 88%
- Sat 24 Oct 53° 46° 88%
- Sun 25 Oct 61° 53° 34%
- Mon 26 Oct 63° 46° 43%
Know before you go
- Currency
- British pound (GBP)1 US dollar ≈ £0.75
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +44
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Europe/LondonUTC+1
- Capital
- London
Upcoming public holidays in United Kingdom
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen's DayBoxing Day
- Good Friday
- Early May Bank Holiday
- Spring Bank Holiday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Oxford
These are the airports closest to central Oxford. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- OXF London Oxford Airport6 mi (10 km) from the city centre
Getting around Oxford
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.
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.
By e-bike
As of 2025, there are two providers of e-bikes within Oxford, Voi and Lime. Both offer the ability to unlock bikes which can be found around Oxford using the relevant app, and charge by the minute for their use (you can also buy subscriptions). As with bicycles, they're not really necessary unless leaving the compact city centre. It is recommended that a helmet is used with them; they can move fairly quickly so may not be suitable for inexperienced riders. Unlike scooters, they can be used on cycle paths.
By scooter
Since at least 2022, a trial of electric scooters for hire has been running in central Oxford. These can be found at designated points across the city and unlocked using a smartphone app, and provide an inexpensive means of travel if you want to venture a little further out of the city centre. However, they must be used on the roads, which, coupled with the volume of road traffic, can make travelling this way fairly daunting.
Oxford travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Oxford?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Oxford is June and August, when average daytime highs are around 70–73°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
What is the weather like in Oxford?
August is usually the warmest month in Oxford, with average highs of 73°F (23°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 34°F (1°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 124 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Oxford?
London Oxford Airport (OXF) is the closest airport, about 6 miles (10 km) from the centre of Oxford.
What currency is used in Oxford?
Oxford uses the British pound (GBP). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ £0.75.
What time zone is Oxford in?
Oxford uses the Europe/London time zone (currently UTC+1). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Oxford?
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.
What are the best places to visit in Oxford?
Top sights in Oxford include Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, Christ Church and Ashmolean Museum. One of the oldest libraries in Europe, with medieval reading rooms and the ornate Divinity School. Most interiors are open only on guided tours, which sell out, so book ahead.
What are the top things to do in Oxford?
Popular experiences you can book in Oxford include Oxford Private Walking Tour, Travel Curious: Private Family Tour: The Fantasy Worlds of Oxford and City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. Destina Holidays offers 11 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Oxford?
The most popular types of experiences in Oxford are city tours (7), day trips & excursions (3), cruise & water tours (2) and tickets & attraction passes (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Oxford?
Popular areas for hotels in Oxford include Oxford. Well-reviewed options include Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel and The Randolph Hotel Oxford, a Graduate Hotel.
How many hotels can I book in Oxford?
Destina Holidays currently lists 203 properties in and around Oxford, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
