This Oxford City Centre walking tour will allow you to see the city’s highlights while exploring little lanes and secret shortcuts only the locals know. An ideal self-guided tour if you’re in Oxford for just a few hours. In this circuit, you will be able to see some of Oxford’s most important landmarks and beautiful colleges without having to get too far from the city centre. Do you want to see a more extensive self-guided walking tour? Check this link.
Distance to cover with this self-guided tour: 2 miles / 3.2 kilometres.
Estimated time: 1 hour.
Type of terrain: Paved paths and pavements.
Oxford City Centre Free Self-Guided Walking Tour
Let’s start with a quick overview of this walking tour. As we mentioned above, this is a more compact and short tour. You can see everything it has to offer in about an hour (less if you don’t stop, more if you enjoy looking at things in a little more detail). Here are some of the things you will cover in this free, self-guided tour:
In solid lines: Starting from Carfax Tower, this walk will take you through the historical city centre and many lanes and shortcuts only known to the locals. You will see a thousand years of history, including the Saxon Tower of St. Michael, the Sheldonian Theatre, and the 20th-century Bridge of Sighs.
In dashed lines: If you have a little extra time or you want to see more of Oxford, you can expand your walking tour by adding this little circuit, which will take you to the remains of Oxford’s Norman castle and numerous shops. A perfect conclusion if you want to end your walk with a nice coffee or beer, or some food.
Central Oxford Walking Tour
Directions and Stops
Let’s now go step-by-step with all the directions you need to follow to do this self-guided walking tour of Oxford’s city centre.
- Start at Carfax Tower. Head along Queen Street and turn left down St Ebbe’s Street. Continue walking until Brewer Street and turn left. Don’t miss Pembroke College Bridge.
- Turn right and continue down St Aldates until you reach the pedestrian crossing right after the entrance to Christ Church. Cross the road and go into the Memorial Garden gate. Continue straight and turn left at the end of the building.
- Go through the kissing gate and emerge onto Merton Street. Turn right and pass Merton College. Turn left on Logic Lane and go through University College.
- When it’s safe to do so, cross over the High Street into Queen’s Lane. Pass St. Edmund’s Hall and follow Queen’s Lane between Queen’s and New College. You can make a stop here to get refreshments through a tiny alley that leads to Turf Tavern.
- Walk past the Bridge of Sighs onto Cattle Street. Cross over the Square to see the Sheldonian Theatre and exit by the arched gate onto Broad Street.
- Turn left on Broad Street, pass the Museum of the History of Science and continue to Turl Street. Turn left down Turl Street and take the first turn on the right into Ship Street; then, walk to the end.
- Optional walking tour: Cross Cornmarket Street at the end of Ship Street and walk past the Oxford Union. Then, turn left on George Street. Turn left down Bullwarks Lane and left again out into New Road. Cross over to see Oxford’s Castle. From here on, follow the map to find your way back to Carfax Tower.
Here’s a detailed map to make the walking tour easier to follow. You can click on this link to open it in your own maps app.
What You Shouldn't Miss in This Oxford City Centre Walking Tour
Carfax Tower
Carfax Tower, in Oxford, is a 23-meter-high bell tower that used to belong to a 12th-century church. Here’s how to visit it (and why!).
Turf Tavern Pub
The Turf Tavern is hidden away and accessed only by two small alleys. This historical pub has been around since the 16th century!
Oxford Castle & Prison
Oxford Castle is a partly ruined Norman medieval castle on the centre of Oxford. The castle then became a prison which closed in 1996.
History of Science Museum
The History of Science Museum holds a large collection of scientific instruments ranging from Middle Ages to the 19th century.
Radcliffe Camera
Radcliffe Camera is a neo-classical style building inside Oxford University, built from 1737 to 1749 for the Radcliffe Science Library.
Merton College
As one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England, Merton College dates back to the 1260s by Walter de Merton.
Christ Church College
Christ Church is college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII and is one of the larger colleges.
The Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is one of Oxford’s most photographed spots. This skyway joins two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane.
Oxford Colleges
St John’s College
A constituent college of the University of Oxford, St John’s College was founded in 1555 as a men’s college but turned coeducational later.
Keble College
Keble College is one of the University of Oxford’s constituent colleges. It is located on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum.
Exeter College
A constituent college of the University of Oxford in England, Exeter College is the fourth-oldest college of the university.
Christ Church College
Christ Church is college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII and is one of the larger colleges.
Brasenose College
Oxford University’s Brasenose College (BNC) was founded in 1509 and is home to one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world.
All Souls College
All Souls College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. It was founded by Henry VI and it has no undergraduate members.
Oxford Museums
Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford is Britain’s first public museum. It was founded in 1683.
Oxford University University Museum of Natural History
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History or OUMNH displays many of the University of Oxford’s natural history specimens.
Oxford Libraries
Radcliffe Camera
Radcliffe Camera is a neo-classical style building inside Oxford University, built from 1737 to 1749 for the Radcliffe Science Library.
Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library is one of Oxford’s most famous landmarks. Among the oldest in Europe, it’s easy to visit and incredible to see.
Best for Shopping in Oxford
There are two – possibly three – shops you should NOT miss if you’re visiting Oxford and doing a self-guided walking tour. These are Alice’s Shop (with tons of Alice in Wonderland memorabilia, all beautifully displayed in a historically-relevant little building!), The Shop of Secrets (more Harry Potter merch than you can dream of), and Blackwell’s Bookshop, founded in 1879.
Of course, as Oxford continues to grow, there re several other places you can visit if you’re looking for unique gifts or just a memorable experience. Below is a more comprehensive list with all of them.
Blackwell’s Bookshop
Blackwell’s Bookshop first opened its doors in 1879 on Broad Street, Oxford. They have been trading continuously from there ever since.
Alice’s Shop
Alice’s Shop is a little shop placed exactly where Alice Liddell (the “real” Alice that inspired the books) used to buy sweets.
Arcadia Books & Stationary
Arcadia is a popular bookstore in Oxford, offering second-hand books and stationery with a vintage and whimsical vibe.
The Shop of Secrets
The Shop of Secrets is Oxford’s chamber of Harry Potter collectibles and merch. A shopping must-to in the city, this is why you should visit.
Parks and Meadows
Oxford has many beautiful parks and meadows – which make perfect spots for a picnic or a relaxing stop. These parks are large and tend to have exotic plants and students practising sports or reading a book under the shadow of a tree. The best thing about adding a visit to a park during your self-guided walking tour is that you can visit them any time of the year. University Parks, for example, are evergreen and have seats no matter the season. Of course, if you like plants and quietness you should not miss the Botanic Gardens, they are included in the map above and have exotic species, lots of secret corners, and even a pond with fish!
Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum
The Oxford Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in the UK. It was founded in 1621 and holds unique and important species.
Christ Church Meadow
Christ Church meadow is open to the public all year round. This open space in the heart of Oxford is an ideal choice for recreation.
Oxford University Parks
Oxford University Parks (or University Parks) is a large park area northeast of the city. The park is open to the public during the day.
Port Meadow
Port Meadow is a large open space in the north of Oxford. The River Thames flows through its heart and the plains are home to many animals.
Learn More About Oxford
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Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum: A Brief History
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Oxford College Gardens
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Oxford Aerial Map and Guide
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Insight Guides Great Breaks Oxford
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