Fun Things To Do In Oxford: Best Attractions In England’s Historic University City

Planning your next British escape? Oxford deserves a spot at the very top of your list!

It’s a city where ancient spires pierce the sky, cobbled lanes echo with centuries of stories, and every corner feels like a scene from a classic novel. Just an hour from London, Oxford offers an irresistible blend of history, academia, and quintessential English charm. It’s not just a city; it’s an experience woven from the threads of time, intellect, and architecture.

Founded over a thousand years ago, Oxford’s roots trace back to the 8th century, but it truly flourished with the establishment of the University of Oxford in the 12th century — the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Here, monarchs and Nobel laureates once strolled the same streets you will. From medieval colleges to Gothic chapels and the storied Bodleian Library, Oxford has been the intellectual heart of England for centuries.

Today, Oxford is more than a university town. It’s a living museum wrapped in natural beauty. The River Thames (locally known as the Isis) winds through lush meadows, inviting lazy afternoon punts and riverside picnics.

Film buffs will recognize scenes from Harry Potter and The Golden Compass, all filmed among its historic halls and alleyways. And for literary lovers, Oxford is sacred ground — home to J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll, whose whimsical world of Wonderland was inspired by the very grounds of Christ Church College.

I enjoyed a weekend getaway to Oxford, spending 2 nights here to discover the very walkable city on foot.

Upon arrival I checked in at the Malmaison Hotel. Located in the heart of Oxford, this boutique hotel occupies a truly unique setting: a converted Victorian prison within a medieval castle complex. Yes, you read that right — you can sleep in a former jail cell (with all the comforts of modern luxury, of course).

The building once housed HM Prison Oxford, which operated from the late 18th century until 1996. The structure itself dates back even further, to the 11th-century Oxford Castle. When the prison closed, it was transformed into this one-of-a-kind hotel — retaining much of its original architecture, including cell doors, iron staircases, and the central atrium. You’ll even walk through old prison corridors to get to your room.

After exploring downtown Oxford on foot I hopped on a bus to nearby Woodstock. The quaint British village is located a short 5 minute walk from the entrance gates to Blenheim Palace.

Upon arrival I checked in at The Feathers Hotel, a boutique property housed in a Grade II-listed 17th-century townhouse.

Over the centuries, The Feathers has served various roles, including a sanatorium, a draper’s shop, and a butcher’s shop. Notably, during the English Civil War, a statue believed to represent the Virgin Mary was hidden within the building’s walls to protect it from destruction—a relic that still adorns the hotel’s exterior today.

The hotel features 23 uniquely decorated rooms and suites, each reflecting a blend of rustic elegance and contemporary comfort. From cozy Woodstock rooms to spacious suites like the romantic Nightingale suite, guests can enjoy amenities such as luxurious robes, high-end toiletries, and modern en-suite facilities.

In the evening pop down to The Aviary Bar for a locally produced Cotswold gin martini before skipping over to The Nest to enjoy an upscale British fine dining feast.

Oxford is the perfect weekend getaway from London as the journey is less than one hour by train. In 48 hours we visited these popular attractions:

• Oxford University & City Tour: this daily educational walking tour is run by Oxford Official Walking Tours and shows visitors around the most famous landmarks in the city with a friendly and knowledgeable guide telling the history of the city and its world-renowned University.
• Christ Church: much of Oxford University requires paid ticketed access and if you only have time or budget to visit one it should be Christ Church, the most famous college at the university. It was originally founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII. Today guests can explore the college’s tower, church and feasting hall, which inspired the Hogwarts dining hall in the Harry Potter films.
• Afternoon Tea at The Randolph Hotel: enjoy the classic British tradition of Afternoon Tea with an Alice in Wonderland-themed service at The Alice Oxford, the restaurant located within the Randolph Hotel.
• Six by Nico: if you’re looking to enjoy a fun feast in Oxford head to Six by Nico, a unique restaurant that offers a new menu each 6 weeks around a particular theme. Give yourself at least 2 hours here as 6 courses can be paired with curated cocktails or wines.
• Museum of Natural History: established in 1860 to draw together scientific studies from across the University of Oxford, today, the award-winning museum continues to be a place of scientific research, collecting and fieldwork. Highlights in the collections include the world’s first scientifically described dinosaur – Megalosaurus bucklandii – and the world-famous Oxford Dodo, the only soft tissue remains of the extinct dodo. 
• Pitt Rivers Museum: founded in 1884, this dazzling anthropological museum houses more than 700,000 objects, photographs and manuscripts from all over the world and from all periods of human existence. Objects are arranged by type, rather than by time or region and include exceptional objects of ritual significance, everyday domestic objects, plus objects made for tourists or trade. 
• Oxford River Cruises: explore Oxford the best way possible by floating down the gentle River Thames, where you’ll spot the famous university regatta course and quaint Iffley village. 
• Blenheim Palace: Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is a must-visit UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enter the Palace and explore the gilded State Rooms and priceless collections set against striking stonework and experience the beauty and magnificence of this Grade I listed building. Explore over 2000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown Parkland and 150 acres of award-winning Formal Gardens.