oxford

Oxford is a prestigious University town offering modern charm and centuries of history

Home to one of the world’s most prestigious universities, Oxford is an architectural, intellectual, and historical gem of England. This small city has the distinction of hosting every style of English architecture starting from the late Anglo-Saxon period forward. While university life dominates much of the city’s culture, there is much more to Oxford than the University of Oxford. Tours of distilleries, afternoon tea by the river and walks in beautiful parks all wait to give visitors an education in UK living. One of the nicer things about touring the City of Spires, as Oxford is called, is that most attractions are within walking distance. However, there is a reasonably simple bus system that can help you to access landmarks. As a university town, Oxford is also very bike-friendly. You will find bikes a preferred mode of transportation for many students. For the cacsual traveler, however, walking is certainly the best way to see the town, and in doing so, you are likely to come across pubs and locations that will appear familiar to you if you are a fan of British and U.S. American television series and movies such as Inspector Morse, Brideshead Revisited, A Discovery of Witches, His Dark Materials, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and many others!

A Walking Tour of Oxford University Beginning on Broad Street, a proper walking tour of Oxford brings you through the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, the Bodleian Library, and the many colleges contained within the campus. There’s no need to try to map out the Oxford campus on your own. The University offers alumni-led tours that allow you to walk in the footsteps of someone with firsthand knowledge of every building and sidewalk. Once the tour has concluded, create an additional adventure with a visit to the world-class Oxford University Museum of Natural History to see a list of zoological specimens that includes the famed Oxfordshire dinosaurs. If you are physically capable of climbing an imposing set of stairs, be sure to climb your way into the heights of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin not only for the exercise, but to experience one of best views of the city’s towers and spires.

The C.S. Lewis House Referred to as the Kilns, this home nestled in the outskirts of Oxford is where C.S. Lewis completed the books that brought the world of Narnia to life. Built in 1922, the home is now operated by the C.S. Lewis Foundation. Tours can be scheduled by appointment. Be sure to also visit the Eagle and Child, the pub with Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and the “Inklings” met on a regular basis to engage their intellectual and philosophical passions.

The Oxford Castle and Prison Transporting you back 1,000 years into the past, this castle was built by Robert O’Doyly following the victory of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Today, tourists can climb 101 steps up St. George’s Tower to see 365-degree views from one of the oldest structures in Oxford. Guests can also visit an underground crypt dating back 900 years that is said to be where Geoffrey of Monmouth penned tales of King Arthur. The castle remained active as a prison throughout the 20th century, only shutting down to become a tourism attraction and hotel property in 1996!

The Bridge of Sighs Modeled after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Oxford’s Bridge of Sighs links together the old and new buildings of the quadrangles of Hertford College. In addition to being beautiful, the landmark creates a great photo opportunity. It is also a high-usage bridge that members of the college cross hourly.

The Covered Market Oxford’s famed Covered Market is a lovely historic covered market located just north of High Street between Cornmarket Street and Turl Street. Accessed from High Street or Market Street and in use since opening in 1774, the covered market is still home to numerous traders and retailers. Several of the butchers that occupy stalls here sell the famed Oxford sausage featuring distinct varieties of pork and veal.

A River Cruise One of the best activities to partake in while spending time touring Oxford is a decadent “teatime river cruise” on the River Thames. During this uniquely British experience that follows the university’s regatta course, guests enjoy treats like finger sandwiches and cream

scones while taking in views of Oxford landmarks like the University of Oxford Boat Houses, the Iffley Lock, and lush Christ Church Meadow.

Christ Church Meadow Oxford’s oasis, Christ Church Meadow, is a flood-meadow along the River Thames where locals come for long walks and picnics—easily accessed while on the Oxford campus; this open stretch of land contains everything from grazing cattle to university sports fields. The meadow area is open to the public during daylight.

The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology is the University of Oxford’s official museum of art and archaeology. It houses a world-famous collection of Egyptian mummies truly worth visiting. The museum also houses stunning, rare artwork collections by Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Pablo Picasso, Samuel Palmer, and many more. The Ashmolean houses Anglo-Saxon gold coins, Sumerian texts, Roman gold glass roundels from the Catacombs of Rome, the Kish tablet, Arab ceremonial dress owned by Lawrence of Arabia and many more treasures of the world.

In short, anyone can receive a proper education in Oxford even if they don’t enroll in the city’s prestigious university. A worthy place to disappear to for a while if you’re in London for a holiday, Oxford is one of the world’s most important cultural and academic hubs. When leaving from London’s Paddington Station, the journey to Oxford takes just 60 minutes. On most days, trains depart every 30 minutes or buses from London’s Marble Arch. Finally, don’t hesitate to travel into the surrounding countryside. My favorite attraction? The Uffington White Horse, a prehistoric site etched into a mountainside just out of town, likely constructed more than 3,000 years ago!