Visit sights in Oxford England

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

The Ashmolean opened on the 24th May 1683. At the time the word “museum” wasn’t even in use yet.The museum has extensive collections including both Western and Eastern art as well as an antique coin collection of note. Their Egyptian collection is a must see for any amateur Egyptoligists.

If you see just one Oxford’s sights, make this it.

Carfax Tower

Located at the conjunction of St Aldate’s, Cornmarket Street, Queen Street and the High Street. The word “Carfax” is from the French “carrefour” which means crossroads. The Tower is all that remains of the 13th century St Martin’s Church.

It is located in the middle of Oxford and offers a breathtaking view, for those willing to climb it.

Oxford Botanic Gardens

The botanic gardens are perfect if you need to get away from everything and spend some quiet, relaxing time.

The garden was founded in 1621 by Henry Danvers, for the study of medicinal plants. It consists of three sections. The Glasshouses contains tropic plants that need protection from the British weather. The area outside the Walled Garden contains classic garden features such as a Water and Rock Garden. Inside the the Walled Garden are several groups of interesting foreign plants.

St Giles War Memorial

Memorial to the locals who died in the Great War.

Magdalen College

Known for its beautiful tower, many gargoyles, extensive grounds and associations with C.S. Lewis. Taking a binocular with you, on a visit, is a good tip as this will allow you to see the grand Gothic architecture clearly.

Magdalen Bridge

Magdalen Bridge spans the divided stream of the River Cherwell next to Magdalen College, from whence it gets it’s name.

Church of St Philip and St James

This is an Anglican Parish church dating from 1860. The architecture is Neo-Gothic and quite lovely. The church is currently deconsecrated and used as the Oxford Centre of Mission Studies. It is only open only by advanced appointment but well worth looking at from outside.

St. Michael at the North Gate

Was build in the year 1000 making it one of the oldest churches in Oxford. It served as part of the defensive wall at the North Gate(from there the name), which was demolished in 1771 to make room for a road. Over the gate and adjoining the tower was the Bocardo prison.

The tower is of Saxon and the church of Norman architecture.

The tower makes for a easy and worth while climb, a modest entry fee is charged.

Bodleian Library

The library is know for it’s collection of religious documents. Access to the library is restricted. The best way to see it is on a guided tour.

The library scenes in the Harry Potter movies where filmed here.

The Kilns and C. S. Lewis Grave

C.S. Lewis is the writer of Narnia. The Kilns is where he lived and he is buried in the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church.

All Souls College

All Souls College was founded by Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury and King Henry VI, in 1438. Its stated purposes were the “service of Church and State” to learning and society.

All Souls was founded as a chantry, meaning that its members were duty bound to pray for the souls of those in Purgatory, especially of those killed in France during the Hundred Years War.

University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

Each of the three anglican bishops, Ridley, Latimer and Cranmer, who were burnt at the stake in Oxford during the reign of the Roman Catholic queen, ‘Bloody Mary’, underwent their trials in St Mary’s.

Currently this is the official Oxford church.

Merton College

Build in 1264 Merton College predates all colleges in Oxford and Cambridge. The 14th century chapel has some great stained glass windows.

Oxford University museum of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History houses the University’s scientific collections of entomological, zoological and geological specimens. The Museum is renowned for its spectacular neo-Gothic architecture. Among its most famous features are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs and the dodo.

St Peter-in-the-East

This is a fine 12th-century church in the center of Oxford that now functions as the library for St Edmund Hall, one of the of Oxford University’s colleges. St Peter’s is surrounded by an ancient churchyard, grand old trees and tranquil lawns.

The interior is not accessible.

Radcliffe Camera

This is a building in the Palladian style built in 1750. It was created to house the Radcliffe Science Library. Currently it is in use as additional reading rooms for the Bodleian Library.

It is a stunning location, so it comes as no surprise that it has been used as a set in the movies:
Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)
Opium Wars (Yapian zhanzheng) (1997)
The Saint (1997)
The Red Violin (1998)