Attractions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Harcourt Arboretum, in the village of Nuneham Courtenay, has the best collection of trees in Oxfordshire set within 130 acres of historic picturesque landscape.