Spending a weekend in Oxford is a great way to get a taste of this historic city, experience the beautiful architecture and enjoy the amazing variety of activities available in the city known as the City of Spires!
Use these tips and recommendations to plan your own two days in Oxford itinerary to suit your trip!
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Weekend Breaks in Oxford Guided Tours
If you would prefer to have your weekend activities planned for you, there are some amazing options for planning an Oxford weekend break with guided tours, like this University and City Guided Tour.
Alternatively there are day trips from London available that cover Oxford, the Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace and more. This is an Oxford and Cotswolds day tour.
To see the full range of tours and activities offered by Get Your Guide, click here.
Things to do in Oxford: Weekend Guide
If you’re a self-guided trip planner, use this weekend in Oxford travel guide to plan your days out in Oxford and make the most of your trip.
This guide is written by an Oxford local to help you make the most of your 2 days in Oxford.
Go Punting in Oxford
Punting is the quintessential Oxford activity when you visit the university city. Although it is best done when the weather is good, there’s not a lot that’s fun about sitting in a boat in the freezing cold and rain!
If you’re visiting in the peak season, the warmer months or during university graduation times, it is highly advised that you book your punt in advance.
There are several locations you can go punting from in the city:
- From Magdalen Bridge at the end of the High Street, making it the easiest to reach from the city centre
- Folly Bridge, just a short walk from the city centre, located by the Head of the River pub, this is a great option to punt on the regatta course along the Thames
- Cherwell Boathouse is outside of the city and best reached by car, taxi or bus. This is a great option if you’re staying in this direction or if you want to avoid the high demand of the city punts during good weather.
Enjoy the local food stores and artisans in the Covered Market
The historic 1770s Covered Market is a historic building jam-packed with local boutiques, artisan shops and tasty local food outlets.
Don’t miss the Oxford Cheese Shop and their amazing truffle cheese. Watch the talented cake decorators through the window at the Cake Shop, or grab a sandwich from Taylor’s – an Oxford favourite.
Explore the Oxford University Buildings
With just 48 hours in Oxford, a city tour of the university is a great way to learn more about the city, the university history and its eccentricities, such as racing tortoises and underground book tunnels!
You’ll also see famous sights like the Bridge of Sighs, the Radcliffe Camera, The Sheldonian Theatre and other iconic Oxford university buildings.
If you’re going on a summer weekend trip to Oxford, it’s usually advisable to book in advance on a guided tour such as this one.
However there are also great free walking tours run by students and locals which you can often turn up on the day of. Check out this free Oxford walking tour recommended by Tripadvisor.
Visit an Oxford College
Visiting a college is a great way to understand more about the university and its famous collegiate system.
A free walking tour won’t include taking you inside any colleges, but some of the paid tours like this one will.
You can also visit the colleges yourself. Most have a fee ranging from £3-£15 depending on which college you visit, if it’s peak season and if you’re a resident or not.
Some of the famous colleges to visit include:
New College
- Famous of it’s Cloisters where parts of the Harry Potter movies were filmed. The Gardens and Dining Hall here are also spectacular. Prices range from £5-£8 depending on whether it’s summer or winter.
Christ Church
- One of the most famous colleges thanks to the Christ Church Cathedral inside the grounds. You’re likely to have large queues to visit this college in the summer months. It’s also the most expensive to visit at £15. However if you’re attending the evening service at the church, your entry is free.
Trinity College
Exeter College
Go on a tour of the Oxford Bodleian Library
The Bodleian encompasses several buildings and libraries within the university area, including the Radcliffe Camera, Weston Library, the Duke Humfrey’s Library and others. However the one you want to visit is the Bodleian Old Library which is accessed through the Tower of the Five Orders, off Radcliffe Square.
Tickets are limited and tend to sell out in the morning for that day. It’s highly recommended to visit before lunchtime or buy your ticket from the ticket office at the front on the day before you plan to visit. The ticket office is at the entrance, just near the Bridge of Sighs.
With your ticket you will get a guided tour of the Divinity School, which was used in the filming of Harry Potter as the hospital wing at Hogwarts. You’ll then be taken into the Old Bodleian Library, one of the oldest in Europe. Tickets cost £9.
If you’re a Harry Potter fan and just interested in seeing the Divinity School, you don’t usually need to book and tickets cost £2.50.
Climb St Mary’s Church Spire
An amazing vantage point above Radcliffe Square is the University Church St Mary’s Spire.
Tickets cost £5, you can turn up on the day but due to the narrow nature of the stairs, entry slots are timed to avoid crowding and you may have to wait for a slot.
If you choose to wait, you can explore the rest of the church or enjoy a tea break at the church cafe.
The view from the top over the Radcliffe Camera and surrounding sand-coloured university buildings is spectacular.
Ashmolean Museum
The wonderful thing about many museums in Oxford is that they’re owned by the University and are completely free.
The Ashmolean Museum is not only a wonderful experience, but also a great option if you’re looking for things to do in Oxford in the rain. You can spend hours here exploring for free!
The museum was founded in 1683 and is a museum of art and archaeology. There are fascinating exhibits from all over the world and it’s laid out in a very helpful, informative and easy to digest way.
There is also a wonderful modern cafe on the roof with glass walls so you can enjoy the view and a balcony to sit out if the weather is good.
Pitt Rivers Museum
The Pitt Rivers Museum is a great alternative if you don’t enjoy the traditional style museums.
At the Pitt Rivers Museum you’ll find shrunken heads, Edo figures, ancient tribal artefacts and so much more weird and wonderful anthropological artefacts from all over the world and throughout history.
The museum itself is housed in a beautiful building and the items are grouped by ‘things’ rather than chronologically.
The museum is completely free and also a completely unique experience that’s loved by visitors and locals alike.
Grab pizza at the White Rabbit
Looking for something to eat?
George Street in the city has plenty of eating options to choose from. The White Rabbit pizzas are a favourite among locals. Although expect a queue if you haven’t booked ahead on a weekend evening!
See sunset above the Oxford spires at Varsity Club
Seeing the city’s unique skyline of spires is a magical way to end the day.
You’ll find the Varsity Club bar entrance just inside the Covered Market off the High Street.
Keep climbing right to the top and you’ll reach the rooftop bar where you can enjoy spectacular views in the heart of the city across the rooftops of the university’s historical buildings and spires.
Even if you can’t make it here for sunset, try and pop up for a quick visit during the day to see the view. It’s much quieter and the views are just as spectacular to see.
Sample food at Gloucester Green Market
If you’re more of a street food fan, Gloucester Green Market hosts food stalls on Wednesday – Saturday.
This market is a vibrant, open air market full of vintage clothing, fresh fruit and veg, flowers, second hand stores and a huge range of food stalls, particularly on Saturdays.
Here you can try everything from Japanese Takoyaki to traditional Malaysian cuisine to authentic Eastern European dishes. If you’re lucky, there are a few free samples around, not that you need it – the portions are huge and prices are incredibly cheap. A perfect option for food if you’re visiting Oxford on a budget.
Have a pint at the Turf Tavern
No trip to Oxford is complete without a visit to one of its famous pubs. This one is a must-visit in any weekend in Oxford visitors guide!
The Turf Tavern is tucked down an alleyway off New College Lane, just past the Bridge of Sighs. It’s probably the most famous historic Oxford pub, believed to date to 1381.
Although it’s a well-known spot for tourists to visit, its regular pub quiz, open mic nights and BBQs make it popular with locals too.
Soak in the vibrant atmosphere, the low wood beam ceilings, ancient stone floor and brilliant outdoor space with a tipple or two here.
Other famous pubs in Oxford to visit include:
- The Bear Inn: home to a quirky collection of ties and tucked down a small alley.
- The Kings Arms: a university student’s favourite
- The Eagle and Child: known as the favourite pub of C S Lewis and J R R Tolkien.
- The Old Bookbinders Alehouse: a location used in the Inspector Morse filming
- The Rickety Press: a favourite for locals with their house lager and ales being very budget friendly
Wander around the Oxford Botanical Gardens
For botanists and garden enthusiasts, the Oxford Botanical Gardens are a must visit in the summer months when the gardens are in full bloom.
The gardens sit along the River Cherwell and can be accessed from the bottom of the High Street.
Ticket prices vary throughout the year depending on the season so check the latest prices here.
You could easily spend 2+ hours here if you’re visiting in the summer months. There’s the Walled Garden and Lower Gardens in full bloom, plus the glasshouses to explore too.
Enjoy a summer picnic in Christ Church Meadow
Across the River Cherwell and behind the Botanical Gardens, you’ll find the idyllic Christ Church Meadow.
If the weather is warm, this is the perfect location to enjoy the good weather, grab a picnic blanket and make the most of this lush meadow right in the city!
With the River Cherwell flowing alongside, you can enjoy the views of the punt boats drifting past, the beautiful Christchurch College in the background and have plenty of space to enjoy for you or the kids to run around, whilst also keeping food costs down with a picnic!
There is no charge to enter the Christ Church Meadow, only the actual college. You can enter for free from St Aldates street or the kissing alley off Merton Street.
A weekend in Oxford: summary
Hopefully this comprehensive guide gives you plenty of ideas to plan your days out in Oxford and to make the most of any trip to Oxford in two days!
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