Internationally known, admired and respected. We’ve got more history than some capital cities, but still have the feel of a quaint English village.

With pubs dating back to 1242, coupled with a thriving culture of art, music and drama, it takes only a short walk down one of our cobbled streets to see that Oxford is without a doubt, the best city in the UK. Here are 12 reasons why:

1. Awe inspiring architecture

(Picture: Oxford City Guide)

Streets laid originally to a Saxon design remain today for visitors to walk down as the beauty of this city unfolds before them, it’s easy to understand why it is the city of ‘dreaming spires’. The history around the buildings is immense; even our New College was established in 1379! Whether you’re walking down the cobbled stones, standing under the Bridge of Sighs or relaxing in a pub, history is intertwined with beauty in a way which has been slowly developed over 100s of years.




2. Momentous museums

Ashmolean Museum (Picture: Google Maps)

Shrunken heads? Tick…Pitt Rivers. Modern Art? Tick… Museum of Modern Art. Historic science instruments? Tick… Museum of the History of Science. There’s also a dodo and a dinosaur…Museum of Natural History. And you can’t leave without visiting the newly refurbished and totally splendid Ashmolean Museum for art, archaeology, architecture, antiques and artefacts.

3. May Morning

(Picture: Oxford City Guide)

6am Magdalen Bridge, May 1? Listen to the choir of Magdalen College sing Hymnus Eucharisticus from way up in the tower, as they have done for the last 500 years, but don’t jump from the Bridge. Instead, join in the party and general amusements that follow, with music and Morris Men, to greet those students emerging bleary eyed, in ball gowns and black ties, from all night balls held the night before.

4. Free tours with students

(Picture: Footprints Tours)

You can see and hear about the history of this beautiful town with a free tour by students. Yes, with Footprints Tours, who work with a lot of students on a tips only basis showing the fun and interesting parts of the city, not a boring fact or dreary moment is allowed during their two hour walking tours. Be adventurous and see the film sites used in Harry Potter or take a bike tour and keep the bike for the whole day to create your own adventure.

5. Cafes and independent stores

(Picture: Oxford City Guide)

The Missing Bean, The Grand Cafe and The Vaults; all feature in this eclectic mix of places for coffees, lunches, scones and tea. There’s also a much frequented restaurant in Turl Street where diners at the Turl Street Kitchen can be found enjoying carefully sourced local produce. For independent stores check out the Truck Music Store, Indigo and the many other delights of Cowley, just next to the centre of Oxford. Reward the walk there with some of the best burgers in town at Atomic Burger.

6. Inspect a pub

The Turf Tavern (Picture: Facebook)

Even Morse was prone to regularly visit an Oxford pub – a popular one with his character was The Trout. With a long list of satisfied customers since 1242, don’t miss The Bear, though have a thought for the patrons who used to have their unusual ties cut off in exchange for a beer; there are over 4000 on display in this quaint little pub.

Careful orienteering will reveal the delights of The Turf Tavern, hidden away in the myriad of small streets, where Aussies may get homesick reminiscing on the fact that Bob Hawke took less than 11 seconds to down a yard of ale here, and Americans can reflect on the wisdom of smoking but not inhaling (marijuana) like their erstwhile President, Bill Clinton is rumoured to have done here. Those with literary aspirations should seek out The Eagle and Child and it could be the ghostly presence of C S Lewis and JRR Tolkein that inspire quill and quaffing as they and other friends met here on Tuesday mornings…



7. Bookshelves the length of motorways

(Picture: Oxford City Guide)

Having the oldest university in the English speaking world isn’t enough if you haven’t got the book collection to back it. While the University has over 120 miles of bookshelf space, local bookshops also put in a great collection. The Blackwell Bookshop has the famed Norrington Room with over 3 miles of book shelf space. Online searching is all well and good, but mix the smell of books with the roma of coffee in their cafe, and you have a stimulating afternoon ahead of you.

8. The Covered Market

(Picture: Oxford City Guide)

Over 55 shops have traded in the centre of the town under this one covered structure, dating back to 1774. Aside from delectable fresh food and produce, there are tantalising displays of fresh fish and flowers, fruit, and even furniture. Check out the original Ben’s Cookies Store for soft and warm cookies straight from the oven!

9. The colleges

(Picture: Oxford City Guide)

Whether its finding out more about Tolkien, C S Lewis, Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland or any of the other famous graduates, the 38 colleges of Oxford have a rich history of famous individuals who have passed through their halls and some stunning gardens. Exeter College allows you to explore their alluring grounds for free.

10. The ultimate picture palace

(Picture: Oxford City Guide)

This historic, Grade ll listed, cinema with its art deco auditorium, is an independent enterprise with one screen. From one of its 116 seats you can relax and enjoy an assorted mix of cinematic delights, from mainstream to classics…with no adverts!

11. Music concerts

(Picture: Oxford City Guide)

Coffee concerts to college chapels, church choirs to organ festivals, and jazz, at The Spin Jazz Club, to rock. All tastes are catered for in Oxford. The University’s Faculty of Music, one of the largest and liveliest in the country, also supports a variety of musical entertainment. The unique Jacqueline du Pre Music building is the venue for Jdp cushion concerts, along with the famed Holywell Music Room being the location for some truly memorable concerts. We’ve even got a folk festival weekend.


12. And last, but certainly not least – the people!

(Picture: Google Maps)

With so much going on it’s easy to see why people come from all around the world to Oxford. Whether it’s a future king or queen studying at Oxford University or Oxford Brookes, skilled hands involved in the great car industry, the scientists working in technical research laboratories, the vibrant arts, music and drama scene or a first time writer wandering through the beautiful landscape of Port Meadow, Oxford has such a great collection of people that this place was destined to be famous. It not too much to say that the people of Oxford have absorbed the beauty of their surroundings, it’s sense of community and inspiration, and this is reflected on a daily basis.

Sorry other cities of Britain. This is the place to be. Check out www.oxfordcityguide.com for more great things to do in Oxford.

Advertisement Advertisement