Top 10 alternative things to do in Oxford

Oxford is on of my favourite cities in the UK, with stunning libraries and university colleges. But there’s another side to this city as well – once you’ve explored the traditional main sights in Oxford, check out these top 10 alternative things to do in Oxford.

Read my guide for traditional things to do for a first time visit to Oxford – including exploring the famous University of Oxford and its iconic buildings.

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1. Story Museum

Tucked away and easy to miss, the Story Museum in Oxford is a hidden gem that’s great fun. It definitely deserves its place at the top of my top 10 alternative things to do in Oxford. It’s based around children’s story books, but it’s great fun for adults as well as kids. You can explore different themed rooms that can reignite your childhood imagination and transport you to another world.

2. St Catherine’s College

If you think you know what all University of Oxford colleges look like, think again. Although most colleges are the historic honey-coloured stone buildings, there are a few modern colleges with a twist. St Catherine’s College is a beautiful modern building, designed in the 1960s by the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. It’s great to see the modern side of one of the oldest universities in the world.

3. Museum of the History of Science

The Museum of the History of Science is much smaller than some of the other famous museums in Oxford such as the Ashmolean, but it’s a really interesting place to visit. I loved the exhibitions on the history of medicine to see how far science has come with modern medical treatments. Check out the opening times here.

4. Burritos at The Mission

If you’re looking for some great Mexican food, I’d recommend heading to The Mission. Located opposite the Oxford Union on St Michael’s Street, you won’t regret a visit here.

5. South Park

One of my favourite places to go for a view over Oxford is South Park, in Headington to the east of the city centre. In the summer, this massive park is a great place for a picnic. You can also watch lovely sunsets here as well.

6. Headington Shark

Another fun place to visit in Headington, to the east of the city centre, is the Headington Shark. It’s one of those quirky Oxford things that can’t really be fully explained so it’s still fun. It’s just a normal house on a normal street, that just happens to have a massive shark diving into the roof head-first. It was designed by John Buckley in the 1980s.

7. Jericho Canal

For a break from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, a walk along the canal in Jericho is perfect. It’s so peaceful and spending time watching the ducks is so relaxing. Jericho is a great trendy are to explore as well, with lots of pubs, cafes and restaurants to try out. It’s great for a walk in the snow as well!

8. Curzon Cinema

For a cinema experience with a difference, head to the Curzon cinema in Oxford. The Curzon cinema is part of a small chain of Curzon cinemas that offer an alternative to the sticky popcorn and fizzy drinks cinema experience we’ve known since we were children. The Curzon has comfortable armchairs, including two seater sofas so you can sit next to your partner without an awkward armrest in the way. There’s also a bar so you can take alcoholic drinks into the cinema, and you can order food to be delivered at your seat. Check out what’s on here.

9. Board Game cafe – The Thirsty Meeples

A trip to Oxford wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the quirky cafes. Unfortunately my favourite book cafe in Jericho has closed (it was great – bookshelves lined the walls so you could read a book while sipping your choice of the vast selection of teas on offer). But the board game cafe, called The Thirsty Meeples, is a great alternative near Gloucester Green. There are so many board games here to choose, and it makes a great evening out with friends.

10. Cake Shop in The Covered Market

The last of my top 10 alternative things to do in Oxford is to visit the Covered Market. There are loads of great independent little shops to explore here, including some great food and crafts. But my favourite is meandering your way around until you find the cake shop, which has some amazingly impressive cake displays in the window. My favourite was the cake sculpture of the Sheldonian Theatre, the famous Oxford building.

Enjoy exploring the top 10 alternative things to do in Oxford! Remember to check out my guide to the top traditional things to do in Oxford as well. If you’re looking for a great guide and map for Oxford, check out this one for everything you need for a great day out (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.