Attractions
The finest Oxford Attractions
With a backdrop of wide streets and noble building to multiple movies and TV programmes, Oxford is without doubt one of the most recognisable cities in the UK. If you’re visiting for a day-out or on a short-stay break, explore the city of Oxford and the wider county to discover world-class arts and culture, stunning venues and the finest Oxford attractions.
Listed below are various tourist attractions and things to do in and around Oxford.
City Sightseeing Oxford – from the Oxford Bus Company
44 - 45 High Street
Oxford
OX1 4AP
Hop onboard to discover Oxford from an open-topped tour bus. What better way to learn about Oxford’s fascinating history than from your live guide and/or audio commentary in many languages? The tour departs every 10-15 minutes through the summer (20-30 minutes in winter) and takes in Oxford’s many colleges and attractions during its 1-hour circular route.
Clue The Looking Glass
An immersive, outdoor adventure on the streets of historic Oxford. Part escape room, part treasure hunt, part Crystal Maze. Use an app on your phone to follow the trail of clues across the city. You’ll find intriguing puzzles & secret locations, interact with characters and discover exciting objects you’ll need to use.
Carfax Tower
44 – 45 High Street,
Oxford,
Oxfordshire OX1 4AP
Discover the beauty of Oxford from the top of Carfax Tower, all that remains from the official city church of Oxford from 1122. Climb 99 steps to the top and learn about the history of this wonderful construction.
Oxford Botanic Garden
Oxford
OX1 4AZ
Founded in 1621, the Oxford Botanic Garden is the UK’s oldest botanic garden and occupies a world-class position in terms of its history and academic location. Its mission is to share the scientific wonder and importance of plants with the world.
Text Quest
Text Quest is a fun way of exploring a city. Your team receive a text with directions to a place and a clue to crack. Reply with the right answer, then get the next clue. You can play against other teams and make it a race, or you can stroll at your own pace and take in the sights.
Bate Collection
St Aldate's,
Oxford
OX1 1DB
The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, in the Faculty of Music at Oxford University, houses over 2000 instruments from the Western orchestral music traditions from the Renaissance, through the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and up to modern times.
Museum of the History of Science
Oxford
OX1 3AZ
The Museum of the History of Science houses an unrivalled collection of early scientific instruments in the Old Ashmolean on Broad Street. Discover objects associated with such diverse figures as George III, Einstein, and Lawrence of Arabia.
Pitt Rivers Museum
Oxford
OX1 3PP
The Pitt Rivers Museum holds one of the world’s finest collections of anthropology and archaeology, with objects revealing humankind’s extraordinary problem-solving and craft skills from every continent and throughout human history.
Harcourt Arboretum
Peacock Gate,
Oxford
OX44 9PX
Harcourt Arboretum, in the village of Nuneham Courtenay, has the best collection of trees in Oxfordshire set within 130 acres of historic picturesque landscape.