Jericho is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Oxford – and it’s no surprise. Lined with rows of Victorian terraces and classic English red-bricked townhouses, this area has its own village green (where you can usually see horses and ponies), a canal, and a high street filled with trendy cafés, boutiques, and perfect Sunday Roast pubs.
Beyond its architectural beauty, Jericho boasts a village-like atmosphere that is rare to find so close to a city centre. The neighbourhood is home to a lovely village green where you can often spot horses and ponies grazing, giving it a rustic feel right in the heart of Oxford. The nearby Oxford Canal adds to the area’s tranquil ambience, offering scenic walking routes that are perfect for leisurely strolls. Meanwhile, Jericho’s high street is a bustling hub of activity, lined with trendy cafés, independent boutiques, and inviting pubs known for their excellent Sunday Roasts.
Jericho provides a perfect blend of urban convenience and quaint, small-town charm. Plus, it’s within walking distance of most colleges. Here’s everything you should know about Jericho in Oxford, including what to see, where to shop, and where to rent.
Why I Love Oxford's Jericho
Let’s start with the basics. Jericho is a historic suburb of Oxford. It is lively, ful of things to see and do, and has easy access to the Oxford Canal. This great neighbourhood also has several pubs, niche shops, supermarkets, a cinema, markets, and plenty of green spaces to rest your thoughts.
Oxford’s Jericho is one of the best destinations if you’re looking for a relaxing and inspiring walk, a summer wander, or a bit of shopping and cuisine. Here are some of my Jericho unmissable places and why I love them so much. I will also cover the best shopping spots and include some information about living in Jericho (such as flat-sharing or renting a house in this area). We got some ground to cover, so let’s get started, shall we?
The History of Jericho
Jericho was originally a place for travellers to rest when they reached Oxford after its gates had closed. That’s where the name might have come from, as it refers to a “remote place“.
In time, Jericho grew – mostly because of its proximity to the Oxford Canal, which was introduced in 1790. Reports from about a hundred years later show that Jericho was a working-class neighbourhood prone to flooding. Unfortunately, the combination of poor drainage, low lands, and open sewers became a breeding ground for diseases like typhoid and dysentery. In fact, during the 1832 cholera epidemic, Jericho residents accounted for 22% cases.
Best Pubs, Places, and Shops in Jericho
There is so much to see and do in Jericho. Shops, pubs, restaurants… I love coming here on a weekend and exploring the canal, usually ending with a slice of cake from the Barefoot Cafe. Now, I had to make a selection of the best Jericho places, because there are so many things to do and see in this Oxford neighbourhood! So, here are some of my favourites.
The Jericho Cafe
The Jericho Café is a friendly, informal café that serves tasty and homemade food all day long. They are somewhat of an institution in Jericho and Oxford because they have been in business for over 32 years! They truly have something for everyone – whether that’s a full breakfast, a quiet drink, or a quick lunch with friends. And, of course, delicious homemade cakes and lattes. All their food is made with fresh and quality ingredients that are locally sourced in Oxford.
One thing to keep in mind: The Jericho Café doesn’t take bookings. They have a first come first served service style, but they luckily have a new terrace for al fresco dining and lots of tables downstairs.
The Phoenix Picturehouse Cinema
Phoenix Picturehouse is a historic, century-old cinema boasting two screens and a friendly upstairs bar. It shows blockbuster and independent films. The North Oxford Kinema in Walton Street was opened in 1913. After a change of ownership in 1977, it was renamed the Phoenix. In August 2017 the Phoenix Picturehouse cinema closed for a major two-month refurbishment. Both of its cinema screens we re-done, reopening its doors in October 2017.
Today, the cinema is one of Jericho’s most popular attractions, enticing people from all around Oxford with its showings.
Jericho’s Last Bookshop
Tucked away on Walton Street in the lively Jericho neighborhood, The Last Bookshop is a paradise for bibliophiles. This charming bookstore specializes in both secondhand and remainder books, offering a diverse, carefully selected collection that caters to all kinds of readers.
The Last Bookshop is a place where you can meander through the shelves and stumble upon a hidden gem—perhaps a book you never knew you needed, nestled between two titles that have been on your reading list for ages. This element of surprise is central to the shop’s ethos, encouraging visitors to explore, linger, and unearth literary treasures in an environment that feels both inviting and timeless.
FREUD Café
FREUD is a café, bar and bistro located in a former 19th-century church, and one of our Oxford Jericho’s favourite places. Established in 1998 by David Freud, a former art student at the Courtauld Institute, FREUD has transformed this historic church into a vibrant social hub. The building itself is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture, featuring towering columns and a vast, open interior that retains much of its original ecclesiastical grandeur. The ambiance is unlike any other in Oxford, where the sacred meets the contemporary, creating an atmosphere that is both reverent and lively.
Today, FREUD is renowned not only for its unique setting but also for its eclectic offerings. Visitors can sip on expertly crafted cocktails while gazing at the beautiful pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows, which infuse the space with colorful, ethereal light.
Barefoot Jericho
Barefoot is a small artisan Bakery based in Jericho – and it offers some of the best cakes in the city. Believe me. They started making cakes from their kitchen at home and selling them on a market stall in Oxford. Since then, the business has grown from strength to strength, and now owns a micro-bakery producing handmade bread, pizza, savouries & viennoiserie.
Barefoot doesn’t use any additives or flavourings and focuses on classic recipes and simple natural flavours – also incorporating seasonal fruits & vegetables, flowers, botanicals and herbs.
Objects of Use
Objects of Use is a unique and thoughtfully curated shop located in Jericho, Oxford, offering a range of beautifully crafted everyday items that emphasize both functionality and design. This store is a haven for those who appreciate the beauty of well-made, utilitarian objects, whether it’s for the kitchen, home, or garden.
The shop specializes in sourcing products that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, bringing together an eclectic collection of goods from around the world. From handmade brushes and artisanal pottery to high-quality tools and durable textiles, Objects of Use offers items that are not only practical but also have a timeless appeal.
How to Get to Jericho
You can easily walk to Jericho from Oxford city centre. In fact, I seriously recommend you use the Oxford Canal (well, the path that runs next to it, to be precise) to do so! Alternatively, walk up Cornmarket Street / Woodstock Road until you reach Little Clarendon Street and then turn left.
