Visiting Oxford

Visit Oxfordshire

Oxford, as an ancient university city, is both timeless and modern. Its 'dreaming spires' and tranquil college quadrangles co-exist with lively arts venues, bustling shops and fashionable restaurants.

See our specialist Visit Oxfordshire website, the official tourism website for Oxfordshire, for all the information you will need if you're visiting our beautiful city.

Map of Oxford and Oxfordshire

Visit the Maps of Oxford and Oxfordshire page of the Visit Oxfordshire website for a wide range or maps to help you find your way to, and around Oxford.

Tourism Brochures

You can download tourist information brochures on the Brochures page of the Visit Oxfordshire website.

Search for Accommodation

Browse, search and book hotels, B&Bs, self-catering, camping and hostel accommodation for your stay in Oxford online on the Where To Stay pages of the Visit Oxfordshire website.

Oxford Tourist Information Centre

Oxford's Tourist Information Centre is situated in Broad Street. Visit the Oxford Tourist Information Centre page of the Visit Oxfordshire website for full details. Call on the Centre to help make the most of your visit to Oxford. Staff will be delighted to help with:

• Information about Oxford and the surrounding area
• Reservations in quality-assured accommodation
• Information on attractions, entertainment and events
• Official walking tours of the city and colleges
• Tickets for bus tours and excursions
• Comprehensive selection of maps, guides and gifts

What to See and Do

The Bodleian Library, the Ashmolean Museum, the Botanic Gardens and Christ Church Cathedral are just a few of Oxford's world famous attractions. Visit our What to See and Do pages on the Visit Oxfordshire website for more detailed information on attractions and ideas for days out in Oxford and the surrounding area.

Getting to Oxford

Visit the How To Get To Oxford page of the Visit Oxfordshire website for information on travelling to and around the city.

Tours of Oxford

There a many interesting and varied tours of Oxford to help you discover some of the secrets of the city's past and present. See a comprehensive list of tours available and book online on the Tours pages of the Visit Oxfordshire website.

Shopping in Oxford

Oxford is home to a large number of specialist and independent stores as well as all the big high street shops. 

In the City Centre we have a world-famous Covered Market, two high-quality indoor shopping centres (Westgate and Clarendon Centre) and a thriving Castle development. 

One of the joys of living in and visiting Oxford, is discovering its hidden gems. Oxford is home to many local shopping centres which offer something slightly different from the norm:

• Summertown Shops and South Parade - smaller braches of national and regional chains and local independent traders, banks, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants
• Templars Square Shopping Centre - 70 traders ranging from family run traditional butchers to well know high street names
• North Parade - just 5 minutes walk from the centre of Oxford, North Parade offers shops, practical inspirational businesses and plenty of places for refreshment
• Headington Shopping Centre - offers specialist shops plus supermarkets, banks, estate agents, charity shops and places to eat and drink
• Jericho and Little Clarendon Street - a wide variety of specialist shops and smaller branches of national chains as well as a plethora of cafes and restaurants
• Cowley Road - culturally diverse shopping including Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Lebanese, Greek, Italian, Polish, Japanese, Thai and Chinese restaurants and cafes

Visit our Markets and Fairs page for details on farmers' markets in the city, collectors fairs and Oxford's famous Covered Market.

More Information

Visit our Tourism, Culture and Sport Links page for useful links to other websites relating to visiting London and the rest of Britain, museums and galleries in Oxford, other attractions and leisure organisations.

Visiting the Surrounding Area

Visit the Oxfordshire pages of the Visit Oxfordshire website for information about visiting the rest of Oxfordshire including the Cotswolds.

Page last reviewed 7 Feb 2011