Location: Oxford
Top Things to do in Oxford
10 Nature & Parks in Oxford That You Shouldn't Miss
In the "city of dreaming spires," academia takes center stage. Gaze out at Oxford's world-famous university from the top of Carfax Tower before heading into the city's pedestrian-friendly streets. Follow your nose to the Covered Market for the makings of a picnic to enjoy at Headington Hill Park. Mix the historic and modern with visits to the 12th-century village church of Iffley and trendy Cowley's ethnic shops and music venues.
Restaurants in Oxford
1. Meadow Lane Skate Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The best skate park for miles around. Well maintained and really friendly. Excellent, flowing bowl section, really cool street and park set up. Boards and bikes welcome. Scooters are banned from this facility. Regular BMX and Skateboard coaching sessions for kids and Girls Only Sessions for the ladies. Check the website / Facebook for up to date info
2. Christ Church Meadow
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,066 reviews
This scenic park offers a delightful two-mile walk through meadows and along river banks, offering picturesque views and ideal spots for picnics, sitting or just relaxing.
Reviewed By KatrienS955 - Ghent, Belgium
The entrance to the meadow was extremely crowded, and also near the buildings of Christ Church there were several tour groups, and it was overwhelmingly crowded, with long lines to get in. However, as soon as we turned into the tree lined walk to the river, we left the crowds behind, and thus had a lovely walk along the river and the meadows, with some great views over Magdalen college tower and the Christ Church buildings in a distance. Passed several punters, and more kajaks.
3. Corpus Christi College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Founded in 1517 by Richard Fox, then Bishop of Winchester, this is the smallest Oxford college with approximately 350 undergraduate and graduate students.
4. St John's College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Founded in 1555 and named after St. John the Baptist, patron saint of tailors, this Oxford college is best known for its Canterbury Quad with its impressive classical architecture.
Reviewed By stephencamburn - Chinon, France
I am a graduate alumnus of St. John's College Oxford and although I came down from Oxford with a doctorate as long ago as 1982, I have remained very much in contact with the college. St John's is one of the most beautiful colleges in the University of Oxford which is studded with buildings of great architectural beauty and historical significance. St. John's has recently recovered from major building works to provide the college with a beautiful and greatly needed new library to augment the oold library that was founded by a previous President of the college, Archbishop Laud who lost his head on Tower Hill in the early seventeenth century. Like all Oxford colleges, St. John's is only open to the public at certain times of the day in term-time and you should always check on these hours in advance. As you step into the college (and it is easy to trip over the step in the wooden door, so be careful) what you see is the oldest part of college, dating back to the sixteenth century, certain parts of it even going back to the late middle ages. Walk straight ahead under an arch into Canternbury Quad, one of the most beautiful seveteenth century architectural environments in England. It is laid out in the Italian style of Inigo Jones with sprung arches and bronze statues of King Charles I and his Queen by Hubert Le Seuer over each porch. Continue walking straight into the garden which was originally laid out by 'Capability' Brown in the eighteenth century and currently recovering from the redevelopment necessary for the new library. Retrace your steps and from the Front Quad enter the porch which leads to the Chapel on your right and the Dining-Hall on your left. The Chapel should be open and is worth seeing as a jewel-box of seventeenth century ecclesiastical art from the eagle pulpit to the statuary and ancient inscriptions on the walls. The organ has recently been restored and if you are lucky the organ scholar might be playing the organ during your visit. From the Chapel, the passage way will take you into North Quad which is mainly nineteenth century in construction but with the seventeenth century classical building of the dons' senior common room on your right. Further along the quad on the right are modern 1960s buildings called the Bee-Hive (because that's what they resesmble) which were cutting-edge in their time but no longer to all tastes. In the far corner of the North Quad there is a short passage leading out onto the Sir Thomas White Building which is now nearly forty-five years old and a good example of modern architecture adapting well to the needs of modern undergraduates and research scholars. I lived there very happily, once upon a time!
5. War Memorial Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
This peaceful garden was created in 1925 in tribute to all residents of Oxford and the University who lost their lives during World War I.
Reviewed By panda762 - Colchester, United Kingdom
Stunned and delighted to come across such a beautiful memorial garden in the centre of Oxford, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowded shops. An absolutely gorgeous space to simply take a few minutes to reflect as you wander through.
6. Exeter College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By JeffTheChairman - Exeter, United Kingdom
During a few days sightseeing in Oxford we fell in love with the place, the people and the buildings We managed a free tour of EXETER College and we were really amazed The gardens the buildings and the church or is it a cathedral If visiting Oxford don’t miss a walk around EXETER
7. Port Meadow
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 331 reviews
Reviewed By petalb2018
spectacular bit of wide open common-ground meadow space... horse and cows... wild grasses.. rowers, boaters, picnickers, dog walkers abound, but can always be as far away from it all as you please... not so nice since they built awful Jericho buildings spoiling the view at one end and giving first sense of enclosure. still if you start at Jericho end and walk to godstow / wolvercote, for a thirst quenching pint perhaps, then you'll have your back to them.
8. University of Oxford Botanic Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 992 reviews
The Oxford Botanic Garden is the oldest in the UK and with nearly 5,000 different types of plant, the Garden is a year-round oasis of biodiversity, right in the heart of the city. For winter opening hours please visit our website.
Reviewed By X8085XIalanf - Bournemouth, United Kingdom
These gardens are an absolute delight. The greenhouse plants are a marvel especially the pitcher plants and giant lilies. Outside the walled garden the Merton borders are an example of sustainable horticultural development and are a complete joy. It’s difficult to say how wonderful these gardens are. To fully appreciate them you need a good 1 to 2 hours. Perfection.
9. Oxford Canal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 346 reviews
Reviewed By starlightShanghai - Victoria, Canada
What a peaceful retreat! This area gives the term ‘tranquility’ a whole new meaning! A canal houseboat community in complete harmony with nature - absolutely wonderful! There’s a great footpath (tow path) along the canal and easy access to the many little bridges spanning the canal. I wonder how many visitors to Oxford actually experience this lovely place ... or do they immediately rush to the city centre to enjoy all the stunning historical architecture? Of all the places I’ve been to in the world, this section of the Oxford Canal is among the most beautiful. It’s very easy to reach: if heading into town from the train station, it’s that section of the canal that’s on the left.
10. Oxford University Parks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Reviewed By WilliamThomas - Cheltenham, United Kingdom
The parks in Oxford University are great relaxing places to study and chill in. They offer an escape from the urban landscapes and give a real sense of being in the countryside. The park just in front of Christ Church has a community of cows just roaming around and really does something for your mental state being amongst wildlife and green space.
