How to spend a day in Oxford

Oxford is one of my favourite cities in the UK. It’s so famous and instantly recognisable from featuring in the Harry Potter films, Phillip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’, Inspector Morse, and so many more. There’s plenty to keep you busy here for at least a day, as you explore the old university colleges and other sights. Here’s how to spend a day in Oxford.

If you’re already familiar with all these top sights in Oxford, make sure you check out my list of the Top 10 Alternative Things To Do in Oxford as well!

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How to get to Oxford

Thinking about how to spend a day in Oxford starts with your travel plans. Oxford is only an hour from London by train, so it makes a perfect day trip from London. You can get the train from Paddington or Marylebone stations in London, and Oxford train station is easy walking distance from the city centre. Just make sure you go to Oxford main station, not Oxford Parkway as that’s further out from the centre.

Parking in the centre of Oxford is a nightmare, so if you’re driving I’d recommend using one of the many Park and Ride facilties available around Oxford. Situated just off the Oxford Ring Road, you can easily park here and then take a bus into the centre. The buses are frequent and quick, so you can be free to explore all day and just hop on any bus back to your car when you’re done.

Your day in Oxford

If you’re looking for a great guide to Oxford with a useful map, I’d recommend this guide to the sights in Oxford (affiliate).

1. Radcliffe Camera

My top recommendation for how to spend a day in Oxford is to start at one of the most famous buildings in Oxford: the circular Radcliffe Camera. This is one of my favourite buildings in the UK, and up there with my favourite in the world. It’s a library inside, and you can see university students going in to study. Radcliffe Square is just stunning as well, with Brasenose College and All Soul’s College facing onto the square with impressive architecture. The cobbled streets around the Radcliffe Camera make you feel like you’ve already entered a film set.

2. Bodleian Library and the Divinity Schools

Just next to the Radcliffe Camera is the Bodleian Library. This university library has every book that has ever been published in miles of vaults underground – it’s just amazing to think about. One of the most famous parts of the Bodleian Library is the Divinity Schools, which was used as the setting for the Hospital Wing in early Harry Potter films. You can check out the opening times of the Bodleian Library and Divinity Schools here.

3. Sheldonian Theatre and the Bridge of Sighs

As you walk out of the Bodleian Library onto Broad Street, you’ll notice another iconic building on your left. The Sheldonian Theatre is used for university ceremonies, including a graduation ceremony conducted mostly in Latin, and also Matriculation, which is where new university students are officially welcomed to the university. Students will wear gowns for these ceremonies, which just adds to the feeling that you’re already in a Harry Potter film. Looking back, you’ll also notice the Bridge of Sighs, part of Hertford College and mirroring the bridge of the same name in Venice.

4. Trinity College and Broad Street

Broad Street, as its name suggests, is a wide street in the centre of Oxford. It’s home to more Oxford University colleges. Balliol College and Trinity College are along Broad Street, but you can also turn down Turl Street to get to Exeter College, Jesus College and Lincoln College. All of these colleges are worth a vist, but if you’re tight for time I’d recommend visiting Trinity College. Don’t let the small front quad deceive you. As you walk towards the back of the College, you’ll find the stunning lawns. A perfect place for students to play croquet and sip Pimms on sunny summer afternoons.

5. Christchurch College

My next recommendation for how to spend a day in Oxford is to head to one of Oxford’s most famous colleges. Christchurch College is one of the biggest and grandest university colleges in Oxford, with its own cathedral and impressive quad. The Christchurch College dining hall was used as the setting for the Great Hall in the Harry Potter films. You can check out opening times here.

6. Christchurch Meadow and the River

For a break from looking around colleges, head across Christchurch Meadow and down to the river. It’s amazing how quickly you feel like you leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and escape into this tranquil wilderness. Walking through the meadow leads you down to the river. You can walk along the river and take a rest on one of the many benches. You might also get to see some Oxford University students practicing rowing on the river, ready for one of the many university boat races.

7. Lunch at Browns or Edamame

By now you’re probably ready for some lunch! There are so many top restaurants in Oxford it can be really hard to choose one. For traditional upmarket British food, I’d recommend Browns – the steak here is great, and they do a lovely afternoon tea as well. Or Edamame on Holywell Street is one of the best Japanese restaurants I’ve been to outside of Japan. Don’t be put off if there’s a queue outside – the queue moves quickly and everyone sits at communal tables, and service is fast here too.

8. Magdalen College and Deer Park

After lunch, it’s time to head to another of Oxford’s biggest and most famous colleges: Magdalen College. And just so you know, it’s pronounced ‘Mawd-len’. The college tower is famous as the place where Magdalen College Choir sing at 6am on Mayday morning. It’s a tradition at the university for students to party at a nightclub all night, then head to Magdalen Bridge to hear the choir sing before enjoying breakfast. Magdalen College has extensive grounds, with impressive Cloisters (again familiar from Harry Potter movie sets) and also its own deer park.

9. Punting from Magdalen College Bridge

Magdelen College Bridge is one of the best places to try punting. You can hire your own punt and laugh at how badly you manage to steer as you head down the river. Trying to balance on the end of a boat and push it along with a massive pole is definitely not easy! But punting is so much fun, and really relaxing as well (once you’ve got someone else to do the punting!).

10. Cider at the Turf or Ice Cream at G&Ds

After your punting trip, you’ll probably be wanting a mid afternoon break. Oxford has so many cute pubs which have great history. I’d recommend the Turf for some great Old Rosie cider. Or if you fancy some ice cream with waffles or cookies (or both), head to G&Ds.

11. Ashmolean Museum, Natural History Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum

As you get towards the late afternoon, you’ve got a couple of choices for how to spend a day in Oxford. You’re probably not going to have time to visit all the museums, so you can read about them here and choose which you prefer.

The Ashmolean Museum is one of the biggest and most famous museums in Oxford with a wide range of exhibitions and historical artifacts. The Natural History Museum is slightly smaller but equally fascinating, and the Pitt Rivers Museum has some really interesting ethnographic displays. Take your pick and visit one – and save the others for your next trip to Oxford.

12. Oxford Botanic Gardens

For the perfect ending to your day in Oxford, I’d recommend heading to the Botanic Gardens. There’s an impressive variety of plants here, and you can enjoy the relaxing vibes as you walk around. My favourite part of the Botanic Gardens is Lyra and Will’s Bench – anyone who has got to the end of Phillip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy of books will instantly recognise its significance. It’s the perfect place to end your day in Oxford before heading home.

Enjoy your day in Oxford! If you’re already familiar with all these top sights in Oxford, make sure you check out my list of the Top 10 Alternative Things To Do in Oxford as well! And remember to check out this great guide and map for Oxford as well (affiliate).

If you’ve got a bit more time and you’re looking for some more places to explore, there are so many amazing walks in the countryside nearby. Check out my blog on the top walks near Oxford, and also the top walks in nearby Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Warwickshire and the Cotswolds. There’s so much to explore in this part of the UK.