What to do in Oxford

Activities, attractions and tours

University Church of St Mary the Virgin showing a church or cathedral, heritage architecture and heritage elements
Radcliffe Camera featuring heritage elements and a square or plaza
Oxford which includes street scenes and heritage elements
Oxford featuring street scenes as well as an individual male
Christ Church Cathedral which includes a church or cathedral, interior views and heritage elements

Oxford Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Oxford has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Oxford is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Oxford to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Oxford Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Oxford.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Oxford attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Most fun & popular experiences in Oxford

Tours & day trips

See all 191 activities
Trip to Shakespeare’s Stratford, Warwick Castle, Cotswolds & Oxford

Trip to Shakespeare’s Stratford, Warwick Castle, Cotswolds & Oxford

Activity duration is 11 hours
8.8 out of 10 with 105 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $156 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 92 activities
3-Day Private Guided Tour from Oxford

3-Day Private Guided Tour from Oxford

Activity duration is 3 days
8.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $3,661 per traveller*
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Cruises & boat tours

See all 13 activities
Oxford University Walk & Punt Tour by Alumni™ & New College

Oxford University Walk & Punt Tour by Alumni™ & New College

Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
7.8 out of 10 with 14 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $92 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 3 activities
The Hunt, an exciting cat-and-mouse game in Oxford

The Hunt, an exciting cat-and-mouse game in Oxford

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $17 per adult*
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Recommended things to do in Oxford

Number of things to do
201
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Oxford Self Guided Walking Tour: CA $8
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Oxford

Discover the most popular places to visit in Oxford

Oxford, United Kingdom

University of Oxford

4.5/5(48 reviews)

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of University of Oxford, during your travels in Oxford. Experience the area's museums and theater scene.

University of Oxford
The Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, part of The University of Oxford in United Kingdom

John Radcliffe Hospital

5/5(1 review)

Though John Radcliffe Hospital might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Oxford while you are here.

John Radcliffe Hospital
Oxford Castle Unlocked which includes château or palace and heritage elements

Oxford Castle

5/5(2 reviews)

Embark on an entertaining journey through this medieval castle. Learn about its dark past and listen to tales of murder and crime.

Oxford Castle
Tom tower at Oxford university

Christ Church College

4.5/5(18 reviews)

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of Christ Church College, during your trip to Oxford. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Christ Church College
Bridge of sign with the Sheldonian theatre background - Oxford, UK

New Theatre Oxford

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Get tickets for a show at New Theatre Oxford, a theater with a story to tell in Oxford. Experience the area's museums and theater scene.

New Theatre Oxford
Bodleian Library showing heritage architecture and heritage elements

Bodleian Library

4.5/5(8 reviews)

Sign up for a tour to get a closer look at the priceless gems in one of the oldest libraries in the world.

Bodleian Library
Oxford University Museum of Natural History featuring heritage elements

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

5/5(8 reviews)

Gaze up at towering Oxfordshire dinosaur skeletons, see a colony of swifts in a tower and study the preserved model of the extinct dodo.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Ashmolean Museum which includes heritage architecture and heritage elements

Ashmolean Museum

5/5(14 reviews)

The world’s oldest public museum is home to a fascinating collection of global curios and priceless works of art.

Ashmolean Museum
Oxford Town Hall showing heritage architecture and heritage elements

Oxford Town Hall

Learn the story of Oxford when you visit this beautiful Victorian building, which is the seat of local government and also hosts art exhibits and music concerts.

Oxford Town Hall

Explore areas of Oxford

Oxford City Centre

Oxford City Centre

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Museums, historic sites, and theaters are just a few things travelers enjoy about Oxford City Centre. Check out Covered Market or New Theatre Oxford while you're exploring the area.

Oxford City Centre
Christchurch college on a lovely Saturday afternoon

East Oxford

If you're spending some time in East Oxford, Iffley Road Track and Thames River are top sights worth seeing.

East Oxford
Pastel Houses, Oxford, UK

Headington

You'll enjoy the bars and live music in Headington. You might want to make time for a stop at Headington Shark or Exciting Game.

Headington
Oxford, UK

North Oxford

When in North Oxford, you can plan a visit to Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Ashmolean Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

North Oxford
Amazing panorama view of Goring and Streatley, village town near Reading, England

South Oxford

While visiting South Oxford, you might make a stop by sights like Thames Path and Thames River.

South Oxford
The entrance to St Hugh's College, part of Oxford University in Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK

Jericho

Though Jericho might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Oxford Playhouse and Ashmolean Museum.

Jericho

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Oxford

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Abingdon

Church in Aylesbury, UK, Shutterstock ID 1008288736, SF SSA Case with Manager Approval: Case 07151371, Job: Prepay credit, Client/Licensee: , Other:

Aylesbury

The Buttercross and Market hall in Witney, Oxfordshire, UK.

Witney

Was taken in August when we walked from the City Centre University Parks all around the countryside. Amazing that there is this expanse of beauty just around the corner from the bustle of town.

Kennington

Drainage ditch at the side of the road

Horton-Cum-Studley

Deep snow lines a canal near Oxford

Kidlington

Flood path along Sandford Lane

Sandford-on-Thames

Church of England parish church of St Mary the Virgin, Great Milton, Oxfordshire: view from the northeast
Photo by John Salmon (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Great Milton

Frequently asked questions

Is Oxford worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Oxford is explore Ashmolean Museum. Check this top sight off your itinerary, then experience more of the area's bars and pubs and distilleries and craft breweries.
How do I spend a day in Oxford?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to Ashmolean Museum and Waterperry Gardens. Then, tour different parts of Oxford for local dining and some retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Oxford?
Ashmolean Museum is one of the top tourist attractions in Oxford and should be high on every itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Oxford?
Three days will be plenty of time to tick off popular city attractions, such as Ashmolean Museum, Sheldonian Theatre and Christ Church Cathedral. The average stay in Oxford is two days. If you have the urge to extend your adventure, Reading isn't far away.
Is Oxford a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and leading attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Oxford is a great destination to explore on foot. Wander between Ashmolean Museum and Sheldonian Theatre. Then take a stroll through Oxford City Centre, located 0.16 kilometres from the centre, and Sandford-on-Thames, which is about 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Oxford with kids?
If you're looking for activities and attractions for all the family, we've got some fantastic ideas for what to do in Oxford with kids.

What to do in Oxford for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Oxford, with activities for adults of all ages. End the day with a visit to Oxford Town Hall or War Memorial Garden.
Are there free things to do in Oxford?
One of the easiest ways to learn about free things to do in Oxford is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can visit without reaching into your pocket. Ashmolean Museum is one sight that doesn't have an entrance fee.

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