A Day in Oxford

Oxford is a stunning city to head to if you’re looking for somewhere to explore in England! With its breath-taking architecture and classic charm, it is an aesthetically beautiful city perfect for those craving some culture. With it being centered around the University of Oxford (the oldest university in the United Kingdom), the city has a buzzing vibe as well as being a place of great historical significance.

Oxford houses the famous Bodleian Library, a must-see for anyone paying a visit. One of the oldest libraries in the whole of Europe, and the second largest library in Britain, it was founded in the 14th century and is home to over 12 million objects. Its grand, gothic and intricate design makes it easy to see why it was chosen as the set for Hogwarts Library in the Harry Potter films. The library has been expanded over time and encompasses parts of the Duke Humfrey’s Library, the School’s Quadrangle, the Clarendon Building, the Weston Library and of course, the near-by Radcliffe Camera, which was built in the 18th century. If the history, architecture or the rarities it holds don’t interest you, the Bodleian Library is famous for other reasons beside those. It is the dominant set for the well-known television adaption, ‘A Discovery of Witches’ and also houses the intriguing ‘Red Book of Hergest’, which inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘Red Book of Westmarch’. It was also used in the filming of ‘The Golden Compass’.

The Bridge of Sighs, or Hertford Bridge, is another one of Oxford’s famous landmarks. Named after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, it is symbolic of the city’s classic architecture and style. Close to the Old Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera and the Sheldonian Theatre, the bridge is definitely worth paying a visit to if you are in Oxford. Featured in film, television, art and literature repeatedly since it was built over 100 years ago, it makes for an iconic scene.

.

Another popular attraction is the Ashmolean Museum. One of many museums in Oxford, this site is the most popular amongst tourists for a reason. The building alone is impressive and was built in the 1800s, and was the first university museum in the world. The museum holds curiosities from around the globe and is free to enter, making it more than worthy of a visit.

The city is great for those looking for a weekend break, or even a day trip. It is full of sites and it is easy to make your way around on foot or by public transport. Oxford has great nightlife and shopping scene and is a very modern place, with lots of variety for those visting. As a side note, vegans/vegetarians really won’t struggle finding places to eat here – there are cafés, restaurants and stalls all over the place offering options. The Covered Market is the place to head to if you are looking for some fresh produce, a bite to eat or some souvenirs, and the River Thames runs through the city, known as ‘Isis’, and is perfect for a stroll along the canal, especially in the Summer months.

With so much to see and do, Oxford is a must if you are exploring the U.K.!