Oxford has plenty of attractions, college interiors and guided tours, but you do not necessarily need to book all of them. A lot of the famous Oxford sights can already be seen from outside, and several museums are free.
We did not manage to enter Christ Church or Magdalen College, but there was still plenty to see just walking around the historic centre.
Transportation
London to Oxford
We booked Chiltern Railways from London Marylebone to Oxford. Seating is unreserved, so it’s first come, first served. If you want to sit together or get a forward-facing seat, board soon after the platform is announced. No need to rush, but don’t leave it too late as it can get busy. The train can be crowded because it also serves Bicester Village, so expect plenty of shoppers travelling between London, Bicester and Oxford.
Oxford Station to the Historic Centre
Instead of walking from Oxford Station, we took a bus to St Aldates. Oxford buses were a little confusing because there are different operators and different contactless systems. We followed Google Maps to know what bus to take then told the driver “Two tickets to St Aldates please” but I think tap on and off works too, im just not sure if i need to tap on and off so i just paid outright. The fare was £3.70 for two adults, or £1.85 each per ride.
Keeping Oxford Cheap
There are a lot of places in Oxford where you can pay to go inside, but paying for several of them quickly adds up.We mostly prioritised the free streets, historical buildings and exterior views instead.
Our Oxford Walking Route
📍 Open full Oxford walking route in Google Maps
1. Alice’s Shop
What: A small historic shop opposite Christ Church, now selling Alice in Wonderland souvenirs.
Who/When: Alice Liddell was the real girl who inspired Lewis Carroll’s Alice. Her father worked at Christ Church, and she knew this shop as a child in Victorian Oxford. Lewis Carroll later included a fictional version of the shop in Through the Looking-Glass (1871).
Why it matters: It is one of the few surviving real places in Oxford directly connected to Alice Liddell and the creation of the Alice books.
Photographs aren’t allowed inside incase you want to go in. It’s a very small shop and you can buy things if you want to support.
2. Christ Church Memorial Garden
Right in front of Alice’s Shop is the gate to Christ Church college via Broad walk.
What: A formal garden beside St Aldates that leads toward Christ Church and Broad Walk.
When: Created in the 1920s after the First World War.
Why it matters: It was designed as a memorial to Christ Church members who died in World War I, rather than simply as part of the college grounds.
3. Christ Church Exterior
We then walked around the front of Christ Church. Unfortunately, tickets were already sold out when we checked the day before. If Christ Church is one of your main reasons for going to Oxford, book it in advance, especially during summer. Tickets are released weekly and Christ Church recommends advance booking to guarantee entry. We still enjoyed seeing the buildings from outside.
Why it matters: Broad Walk has been part of the Christ Church landscape since at least the 17th century. It forms part of the historic college grounds and gives views of Christ Church without entering the college. Christ Church itself was founded in the 16th century, originally by Cardinal Wolsey and later refounded by Henry VIII.
4. University Church of St Mary the Virgin
What: The historic church of the University of Oxford, beside Radcliffe Camera.
When: A church stood here by the 12th century, while much of the present building is medieval.
Why it matters: Before Oxford had dedicated university buildings, lectures, meetings, ceremonies and even the university library were connected with St Mary’s. It was effectively one of the centres of early university life.
5. Radcliffe Camera
Next was Radcliffe Camera, probably the building I associate most with Oxford. It is part of the Bodleian Library and is still used as a working library, so you cannot normally just walk inside. The exterior and Radcliffe Square are already worth seeing.
What: The large circular library in the middle of Radcliffe Square. “Camera” here means room or chamber, not a photographic camera.
When: Built between 1737 and 1749 and funded from the estate of physician John Radcliffe.
Why it matters: It was built specifically as a scientific library and later became part of the Bodleian Library. Today it is still a working Oxford University library.
6. Bodleian Library
We skipped the paid tour, but the surrounding buildings and courtyards are still interesting from outside.
What: The Bodleian is Oxford University’s main historic research library.
When: The Bodleian Library was formally established in its present form in 1602, building on an older university library.
Why it matters: The Bodleian became one of Britain’s great research libraries. Duke Humfrey’s Library was used as the Hogwarts library.
Divinity School
What: Oxford’s oldest purpose-built teaching and examination room, part of the Bodleian Library complex.
When: Built mainly between 1427 and 1483.
Why it matters: It was built for theology lectures and examinations, which were central to medieval university education. It’s also an actual Harry Potter filming location, used as the Hogwarts infirmary.
7. Bridge of Sighs
What: The Bridge of Sighs is the covered bridge across New College Lane connecting two parts of Hertford College.
When: The bridge was completed in 1914.
8. Halley’s House
What: The former home of astronomer Edmond Halley.
When: Halley lived here in the early 18th century while working at Oxford.
Why it matters: Halley is best known for predicting the return of the comet now called Halley’s Comet. His Oxford house reportedly had a small rooftop observatory, making this little area an interesting science-history stop as well as one of Oxford’s most photographed streets.
9. Sheldonian Theatre
What: The Sheldonian is Oxford University’s ceremonial theatre on Broad Street.
When: Built between 1664 and 1669 and designed by Christopher Wren, before he became famous for rebuilding many London churches after the Great Fire.
Why it matters: Oxford needed a purpose-built venue for major university ceremonies instead of continuing to hold them inside a church. It is still used for graduations and other formal university events today.
Clarendon Building
What: A grand early-18th-century classical building beside the Bodleian.
When: Built around 1711–1715, designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor.
Why it matters: It was originally built for Oxford University Press, funded largely from the proceeds of the Earl of Clarendon’s History of the Rebellion.
10. Broad Street
From there, we walked along Broad Street. There are university souvenir shops, bookshops and other shopping options here. It was very interesting to walk through here there are lots of shops and cafes.
11. Ashmolean Museum
What: Oxford University’s museum of art and archaeology, with collections ranging from ancient Egypt and Greece to Asian and European art.
When: Founded in 1683 after collector Elias Ashmole donated his collection to the university.
Why it matters: It is generally regarded as the world’s first university museum and one of the earliest museums created specifically for public access and study. General admission is free.
We then went inside the Ashmolean Museum. The building itself is beautiful and there is a huge collection inside, but it was very crowded during our visit. My mum looked around a little while we were there, but we mostly used it as an indoor break. Also useful: the Ashmolean has much nicer toilets than the public toilets we found around the city centre. After that, we stopped for food and rested for a while since I was starting to feel under the weather.
12. Magdalen College
Later, we walked toward Magdalen College, but by then we were running out of time, so we only saw it from outside. This is probably the one thing I would change if we did Oxford again. If you mainly want to experience the interior of an Oxford college without spending too much, I would book Magdalen College and go there first. Admission is only £10 for an adult, compared with more than £20 for Christ Church during our visit. It still gives you the proper Oxford college experience with old buildings, cloisters, chapel and extensive grounds. It also has the Water Meadow, deer park and Addison’s Walk. Unless Christ Church or its Harry Potter connection is particularly important to you, Magdalen would be my budget pick for one paid college.
What: One of Oxford’s historic colleges, known for its medieval cloisters, chapel, Great Tower and large riverside grounds.
When: Founded in 1458 by William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.
Why it matters: Waynflete founded the college to support scholarship and education, and it grew into one of Oxford’s wealthiest and most architecturally impressive colleges. C.S. Lewis was also a Fellow here for almost 30 years.
13. Rose Lane and Oxford Botanic Garden
Near Magdalen College, we walked along Rose Lane beside the Oxford Botanic Garden. The Botanic garden was already closed then (around 5PM) even though it was British Summer Time so take note of that. But we were still able to enjoy the little garden on the side.
When: Oxford Botanic Garden was founded in 1621.
Why it matters: It was established for the study of medicinal plants and is the oldest botanic garden in Great Britain. It later developed into a wider scientific collection used for teaching, research and conservation.
Returning to London
I wasn’t feeling well by late afternoon, so instead of walking all the way back to Oxford Station, we took another bus.
For the return Chiltern train, we learned another useful lesson. Because Chiltern has unreserved seating, I initially thought arriving early would help us get better seats. At Oxford Station, that did not really work. Another train was still using the platform, so our train was not there yet. We walked to the farthest part of the platform from the station, and boarded the train with the seats facing away the station (forward facing). We boarded the first car which was the quiet zone and we were able to get much needed rest without noise even after the train went past Bicester Village where most of the crowd came in.
Paid Attractions We Skipped
- Oxford Castle & Prison – £15 during the summer promotion.
- Christ Church – around £21.83
Best if Christ Church or its Harry Potter connection is a priority. This was sold out when we went in summer, but when we went March 2025 we were able to buy walk in tickets. - Magdalen College – £10
Probably the best-value option if you just want to experience one Oxford college interior. - New College – £12
Includes cloisters, chapel, hall and gardens, with Harry Potter filming connections. It was closed on the Friday we visited. - Divinity School only – from £5.50
Actual Harry Potter filming location used as the Hogwarts infirmary. - Bodleian Library tour – £12.50 for 30 minutes / £17.50 for 60 minutes
The 30-minute tour includes the Divinity School and Duke Humfrey’s Library. - Sheldonian Theatre – £8.25
Cupola-only admission can be cheaper. - University Church tower – £6.15
The church itself is free; this is only for the tower. - Oxford Botanic Garden – £9
Total Expenses for Two
| Expense | 2 People | Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| London Marylebone → Oxford train | £10.60 | £5.30 |
| Oxford → London Marylebone train | £19.90 | £9.95 |
| Bus to St Aldates | £3.70 | £1.85 |
| Bus back to Oxford Station | £3.70 | £1.85 |
| Total transport | £37.90 | £18.95 |
Note: Train fares were booked in advance using a Two Together Railcard so we got these prices at a discount than full fares.
Notes for Future Reference
- If paying for only one college, I would choose Magdalen College at £10 and go there earlier in the day. Actually going there first thing by bus from station might actually be better for the itinerary.
- Book Christ Church early if it is a priority. Summer slots can sell out.
- Chiltern on this route has unreserved seating. Board promptly once your train is available if seat direction or sitting together matters to you. But do not assume arriving 30 minutes early means you can board your return train early. Another service may still be occupying the platform.
- Ashmolean Museum is free and is a useful indoor/rest/toilet stop.
Prices are as of August 2026 and may change.
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