Oxford Historical Places

Take a look through some of the best historical places in Oxford and Oxfordshire. Here you’ll find the most iconic Oxfordian locations you shouldn’t miss if you are in the area. Oxford truly has a little bit of everything – from hundreds-year-old colleges and quads to ancient castles and churches. Plus, a few river locks, a covered market, and one of the oldest libraries in the world. 

Most Popular Oxford Historical Places

Explore all of Oxford’s castles, quads, and locks—memorable and historically-relevant locations in the heart of the city and its surrounding areas.

Oxford's Carfax Tower

Carfax Tower

Carfax Tower, in Oxford, is a 23-meter-high bell tower that used to belong to a 12th-century church. Here’s how to visit it (and why!).

Read More »
Mob Quad, Merton College. Image courtesy of Caro Wallis

Mob Quad in Merton College

Mob Quad in Merton College is probably the oldest quadrangle in Oxford. The quad is so old, it actually doesn’t have any chimneys! (they weren’t in widespread use in England

Read More »
Christ Church Cathedral - Oxford. Image courtesy of Randy Connolly

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral is perhaps the most stunning college chapel in Oxford. It was built as a place of worship in the late 12th century. Though one of England’s smallest

Read More »
Oxford Sandford Lock - Places to See Around Oxford. Oxford Walks.

Oxford Sandford Lock

Sandford Lock is a great place to start and end walks around Oxford. A very peaceful location, it has a pub nearby, the King’s Arms. This is a very important

Read More »
Oxford Castle and Prison - Image courtesy of Meraj Chhaya

Oxford Castle & Prison

Oxford Castle is a partly ruined Norman medieval castle on the centre of Oxford. The castle then became a prison which closed in 1996. What’s the History of Oxford Castle?

Read More »
Bodleian Library - Entrance. Image courtesy of Billy Wilson.

Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library is one of Oxford’s most famous landmarks. Among the oldest in Europe, it’s easy to visit and incredible to see. Anyone visiting Oxford should make a stop

Read More »
Oxford Christ Church College - Image courtesy ofArnaud Malon

Christ Church College

Christ Church is college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII and is one of the larger colleges. What’s the History of Oxford’s

Read More »

Museums & Art Galleries

World-renowned museums and art galleries.

Pitt Rivers Museum - Oxford

Pitt Rivers Museum

The Pitt Rivers Museum displays the archaeological and anthropological collections of the University of Oxford. This museum is located to the east of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and

Aidan Meller Gallery - Oxford Museums and Art Galleries

Aidan Meller Gallery

Aidan Meller Gallery is one of Oxford’s longest-established specialist art galleries. They showcase modern, contemporary and old masters.

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford is Britain’s first public museum. It was founded in 1683, when the wealthy antiquary Elias Ashmole gifted his collection to the

Parks & Meadows

Beautiful parks and nature reserves in Oxford.

Oxford Christ Church Meadow - Image courtesy of Matthias Rosenkranz

Christ Church Meadow

Christ Church Meadow, in Oxford, is open to the public all year round. This open space in the heart of the city is an ideal choice for wandering, picnicking, or

Oxford University Parks. Image courtesy of Piers Nye via Flickr Commons.

Oxford University Parks

Oxford University Parks (or University Parks) is a large park area northeast of the city. The park is open to the public during the day.

Oxford Parks and Meadows: Oxford Canal - A Breath-taking Walk

Oxford Canal

Oxford Canal is a breath-taking option if you’re looking for an enjoyable walk close to the city. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

Things to Do in Oxford

Looking for things to do and enjoy while you’re in Oxford? Here are some suggestions, from quirky shops to escape rooms, art galleries, and sports. 

Shops to See in Oxford: The Cake Shop - Cakes for Any Occasion

The Cake Shop

The Cake Shop offers ready-made designs and bespoke masterpieces and has been trading since 1986 in Oxford’s Covered Market.

Read More >
O’Reilly Theatre Oxford

O’Reilly Theatre

The O’Reilly Theatre is one of Oxford’s newest student theatres, opened in October 2002 and located in the grounds of Keble College. The O’Reilly is one of Oxford’s newest student theatres.

Read More >
The Ultimate Picture Palace Oxford

The Ultimate Picture Palace

The Ultimate Picture Palace (or UPP) is Oxford’s only independent cinema and one of the oldest cinemas in the United Kingdom. They show a mix of independent, mainstream, international, and

Read More >