Oxford is a city steeped in history and is full of fun things to do.
Here at City Sightseeing Oxford, we’ve put together some of our favourite attractions to give you an overview of just a few of the great things to experience here in Oxford!
Start with a City Sightseeing Oxford bus tour
Our award-winning open-top bus tour lasts for around an hour and is a great way to discover some of the best sights and historic insights of the City of Dreaming Spires! With 14 languages available on audio commentary, 18 stops across the major sites of Oxford, and the freedom to hop on and off as you like, what’s not to love? If you see something that catches your eye, just hop off for a closer look, then rejoin the tour whenever you’re ready!
Starting with a bus tour is a great way to get your bearings before heading off on foot to discover even more of the city!
Book your tickets HERE.
You can also upgrade your sightseeing with our special combo tickets, pair your bus tour with some of Oxford’s most popular attractions like Carfax Tower and the Mini Plant.
City Sightseeing Oxford walking tours
Oxford is an old city, full of history and mystery. Beyond the dreaming spires and world-famous landmarks lie some of the city’s most fascinating hidden gems. City Sightseeing Oxford’s walking tours guide you straight to them, taking you deeper into the heart of the city.
Included in the cost of your bus tour ticket is the Stepping Through Oxford walking tour. With your knowledgeable guide at the helm, spend 45 minutes touring through the historic landmarks and buildings that define Oxford. Want even more? Upgrade to a Bus Tour + Explore ticket to dive even further into the local history with the 90-minute Town & Gown tour, discovering the intertwined history between the city and the university colleges.
The Stepping Through Oxford meeting point is located at The Oxford Visitor Information Point on the High Street.
The Town & Gown meeting point is at Carfax Tower.
Oxford Castle and Prison
Steeped in over 1,000 years of history, Oxford Castle has been everything from a symbol of noble domination to a four-star hotel. The site of Royalist sieges and infamous prisoners, if walls could talk, then Oxford Castle would have some incredible tales to tell.
Today’s visitors are much more warmly welcomed than those of the past, with the opportunity to explore the partially ruined medieval grounds on a guided tour. Enjoy 360° panoramic views of the Dreaming Spires from St George’s Tower, or climb up the massive Norman earthwork Mound for another unique view of the surrounding area.
After soaking up the secrets of the castle, take some time to explore the rest of the Castle Quarter, full of restaurants and cafes for a delicious lunch or grab something to go and have a picnic on the steps of the outdoor theatre!
The nearest bus stops are on New Road & Westgate.
Journey Planner: Click HERE to enter your starting location and find the best bus to get you to Oxford Castle.
Combined City Sightseeing Bus Tour + Oxford Castle & Prison tickets available, check out our Super Saver Combined Tickets for more information.
Carfax Tower
Carfax Tower easily makes our list of favourite attractions in Oxford. Located in the heart of the city centre, Carfax is all that remains of the 12th-century St Martin’s Church, which was partially demolished in 1896 to make way for new road developments.
Rules in Oxford dictate that no building can be taller than the tower, leading to some unparalleled views of the Oxford skyline if you climb the 99 steps to the top. Located right on the crossroads between Queen Street, Cornmarket Street and St Aldates, Carfax is in easy walking distance of all Oxford City Centre bus stops and the main shopping areas, so you’ll find plenty to do when you’ve completed your tour.
Journey Planner: Click HERE to enter your starting location and find the best bus to get you to Carfax Tower.
Oxford Punting
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Oxford with one of the city’s favourite pastimes – punting! Hop into a classic punt, a rowboat or even a pedalo and drift along the River Cherwell amongst the timeless architecture, vibrant wildlife and verdant riverbanks.
Whether self-driving or chauffeured, it’s a unique perspective of Oxford that has been favoured by generations of students and visitors alike.
Located on Magdalen Bridge, the nearest bus stops to the boathouse are at The Plain or on Queens Lane.
Journey Planner: Click HERE to enter your starting location and find the best bus to get you to Carfax Tower.
Combined City Sightseeing Bus Tour + Oxford punt tickets available, check out our Super Saver Combined Tickets for more information.
Botanic Gardens
This entry on our list isn’t just for gardening enthusiasts; it’s an unmissable spot for all visitors and locals alike! An inspiration for novels like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Lord of the Rings and His Dark Materials, the Botanic Gardens are reported to be one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world.
The gardens are home to over 5,000 species of rare and medicinal plants, some of which can only be found here. It’s a unique slice of the natural world, and a beautiful place to stop and take in some of the best that nature has to offer. The Botanic Gardens are a part of the University of Oxford, and often host talks, classes and exhibitions if you’re looking for something to learn.
Located close to Magdalen Bridge, the nearest bus stops are at Queens Lane or The Plain.
Journey Planner: Click HERE to enter your starting location and find the best bus to get you to the Botanic Gardens.
Story Museum
Jump into the pages of a book at the Story Museum. Through exhibitions, activities and performances, the museum looks to bring stories to life in magical and unique ways, inspiring the imaginations of visitors, young and old. Each interactive and multisensory activity is a definite page-turner for all to get involved in.
Tumble down the rabbit hole and step through the wardrobe doors for a marvellous day out for all the family! Be sure to check out their website to see ‘what’s on’ during your visit, as they always have unique and exciting events to appeal to visitors of all ages.
Located just off St Aldates on Pembroke Street, the Story Museum is a short jaunt away from the Westgate Shopping Centre.
Journey Planner: Click HERE to enter your starting location and find the best bus to get you to the Story Museum.
Westgate Shopping Centre
Rebuilt from the ground up in 2017, Westgate Oxford is a modern and elegant open-air shopping centre in the heart of the city. With over 100 stores, restaurants and things to do, it’s certainly a dream destination for any shopaholic. Shopped till you drop? Take a break to catch a film at the luxurious Curzon cinema, play a round of neon-bathed mini golf or work as a team to solve clever puzzles in an escape room, all available under one roof!
Once you’ve explored everything on offer, you’re sure to have worked up an appetite! Thankfully, the Westgate is home to over 20 different restaurants, cafes and takeaways to tantalise your taste buds. Can’t decide on just one place? Social Street Food is a spot home to multiple different eateries with social seating. You can pick up a bit of everything and eat together in comfortable chairs surrounded by a bright, bustling atmosphere.
Westgate Oxford is centrally located, with convenient bus stops at New Road and Castle Street.
Journey Planner: Click HERE to enter your starting location and find the best bus to get you to the Westgate.
Covered Market
First opened in 1774, Oxford’s Covered Market is a wonderful step back in time, filled to the brim with fresh produce, luxury gear and scrumptious goodies. It’s an absolute staple in the city, and a favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Enjoy a milkshake from student favourite MooMoos, or head over to Ben’s Cookies at their original location for some delicious baked goods.
The Covered Market is an eclectic mix of new and old, modern and classic. It’s absolutely worth a look just to take in the sights and smells of the market; grab a drink, take a seat and spend some time people watching.
Located just a short walk away from Carfax Tower, there are bus stops right outside the market on the High Street.
Journey Planner: Click HERE to enter your starting location and find the best bus to get you to the Covered Market.
The Ashmolean Museum
Take a journey through the history of human experience, as told through art at the Ashmolean Museum. From ancient civilisations, such as Egypt and Greece, to more modern galleries featuring expressive works from the 20th century, there’s a wide range of things to explore from the moment you step inside.
Reopened by Queen Elizabeth II after extensive renovations in 2009, the Ashmolean regularly plays host to a wide variety of exhibitions and events throughout the year. It’s always worth checking out their website before your visit to see what’s on.
You’ll find the Ashmolean on Beaumont Street near St Giles, just across from The Randolf Hotel and a short walk from Martyr’s Memorial.
Journey Planner: Click HERE to enter your starting location and find the best bus to get you to the Ashmolean.
The Pitt Rivers and the Museum Of Natural History
Both the Pitt Rivers and the Natural History Museum are must-see sights here in Oxford.
The Pitt Rivers holds countless artefacts from different cultures and time periods, specialising primarily in human history. With an unusual layout grouping objects by type rather than place of origin, it becomes fascinating to see how people evolved throughout the centuries in both startlingly different and similar ways. The museum is also home to some unmissable sights, like mummies and shrunken heads, all loomed over by a massive totem pole.
The Museum of Natural History in Oxford, meanwhile, is home to fossils and minerals dating back hundreds of millions of years. These massive displays of prehistoric life will send your imagination running wild as you get up close and personal to skeletons, recreations and displays of creatures from both the modern day and deep in history. A giant T. rex watches as you explore the halls of the museum; even the pillars and columns that make up the architecture are an exhibit in their own right, each made of a different stone from somewhere in the world.
Connected through adjoining galleries, both museums promise an enriching experience for visitors of all ages.
Both museums are located on Parks Road, just a short walk from St Giles.
Journey Planner: Click here to enter your starting location and find the best bus to get you to the Pitt Rivers and Museum of Natural History.
The University Parks
The University Parks in Oxford offer a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. With beautiful flora, stunning river walks and the opportunity to see some local sports, there are few places more equipped for a relaxing day out.
Sit under the weeping willows and giant sequoias for a picnic or catch a match at the cricket ground. The Parks are a source of tranquillity and peace in the city. Popular with students, locals and visitors alike, there are around 74 acres for you to take in and explore.
The University Parks are within walking distance of the city centre.
Journey Planner: Click HERE to enter your starting location and find the best bus to get you to the University Parks.
