As long-term (in some cases, lifelong) residents of Oxford, we at the Daily Info office are engaged in a constant effort to promote the town side of our home city. "Oxford's great!", we cry. "It's got wonderful museums and great bars and delicious restaurants and some of the loveliest scenery in England and an enormous shark sticking out of the top of a house!"
While this may be entirely true, we are under no illusions that the vast majority of visitors are here to see the gown side of the equation: ancient colleges, flowing gowns, gracious quads and all the rest of it. This page is, consequently, a guide to the University of Oxford, and how best to go about seeing it. For other aspects of the city, try our Museums & Galleries page, our Riverside Walks page, or our guide to Eating Out. New students at both Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities can find all this information and much more in our handy Freshers' Guide.
Don't forget to check what events are on in Oxford during your visit!
- Where is the University?
- Just off the bus! Where do I start?
- Getting Stuck In: A Tour of Central Oxford
- Further Afield
- Views and Photo Opportunities
- College Index
"Where is the University?"
Surely every Oxonian has been asked this question at least once, most likely by a well-meaning, bum bag-clad visitor wearing a grin and an Oxford University sweater. The answer is, well, err, that there isn't one University. Oxford is not based around a single central campus; instead, it is a collection of autonomous, self-governing colleges, each with its own history, character and architecture. Visiting the University means, in practice, trying to cram as many of them in as possible.
There are 38 colleges in total. Three of them - Balliol, University and Merton - date to the thirteenth century, while the most recent, Green Templeton, was founded back in the mists of 2008. Combined with the University's collection of churches, libraries, concert halls and outdoor spaces, they showcase every conceivable architectural style and form one of the greatest bodies of urban beauty and history in the world. Some parts of the University - particularly the oldest, most centrally located colleges - charge for or restrict admission but many can be visited absolutely free. We've listed them all below, along with some suggestions on what to do if you're pressed for time.
Daily Info has compiled this guide with first-time visitors in mind, but hopefully even seasoned veterans will find it useful. If you think there is something we've missed or you've spotted a grievous error, please get in touch! Email us at info@dailyinfo.co.uk and tell us where we have erred.
I've just got off the bus! Where do I start?
In an ideal world, you should already be armed with one of Daily Info's fabulous Maps, which contains an index of all the colleges. A copy can be acquired for free by calling us on 01865 241133 or by emailing givememaps@dailyinfo.co.uk. Blackwells Bookshop on Broad Street also stock copies of the map, so give them a try if you're already in the city. Failing that, the first port of call for new arrivals in Oxford should be the Visitor Information Centre on Broad Street, in the centre of town. Maps, brochures, opening hours information and a sense of direction can all be acquired here.
If your time in Oxford is limited and you want to see as much as possible before returning to the real world, it may be that a Guided Tour is your best bet. There are many options available, including themed tours for Harry Potter or Morse fans, as well as general tours of the University. Many leave from outside the Visitor Information Centre itself: take a look at our Tours page for more information.
Getting stuck in: A Quick Tour of Central Oxford
Now that you are armed with your map and correctly oriented, head east down Broad Street into the heart of the University. The first college encountered will be Balliol (pronounced Bay-lee-ol), which dates to the thirteenth century. Although little of the original medieval architecture remains, its tranquil gardens and mad Victorian turrets are still worth a visit. Adjoining it is Trinity, whose proximity and aristocratic reputation has made it left-wing Balliol's traditional rival. It boasts two very fine pairs of wrought iron gates.
Turn right onto Turl Street, one of the city's most beautiful and celebrated thoroughfares. There are three colleges to be explored here - Lincoln, Exeter and Jesus - and the first can be visited for free. Pay particular attention to Lincoln’s library, which is housed inside an 18th-century church (it is not, sadly, open to the public) and to Anthony Gormley’s Iron Man sculpture gazing out from the top of the roof above Blackwells Art & Poster shop.
Almost everyone who visits Oxford finds themselves at Christ Church (the "Harry Potter College") at some point, and with good reason. The college has its own Picture Gallery; its entrance is one of the most spectacular towers in the University; its Chapel actually doubles as the city's cathedral and it owns a magnificent public Meadow that somehow manages to remain secluded in spite of its ultra-central location. But visitors: be warned. The most iconic of the Oxford colleges is the most expensive by far and can get ludicrously busy during the peak summer months.
Exit through the back of Christ Church (via the Picture Gallery) to get to lovely Merton Street. You will find yourself opposite Oriel and Corpus Christi Colleges, the latter of which offers free admission. A bit further down the road is Merton College, notable to visitors for being (probably) the University's oldest college and to students for being its nerdiest, as it habitually comes top of the intercollegiate Norrington Table. A short stroll round the corner - or a long walk if you feel like stopping off at the University Botanic Gardens - leads towards Magdalen (pronounced Maud-lin). This stunningly beautiful college, set over more than 100 acres, contains a 144-foot tall bell tower and an enormous island deer park. If you only have the time to visit one Oxford college, make sure it is this one.
Doubling back down the long, rambling High Street will lead visitors past the city's densest cluster of colleges. Sadly, the Palladian grandeur of the Queen's College is not open to the public except by prior appointment, but Teddy Hall and All Souls are both free. Tucked away around the corner is New College ("new" means, in Oxford context, that it was founded in 1379), whose gardens contain a sizable chunk of the medieval city wall. A restorative coffee and cake would be well deserved by this point, so stop off at the splendid high gothic University Church and take a breather in the Vaults & Garden Café, which is located inside the church itself.
The terrace of Vaults & Garden backs onto Radcliffe Square, the spiritual and geographical centre of the University. To our minds the most beautiful building in Oxford - the Radcliffe Camera - is located here, although both it and the Bodleian Library remain fully-functioning student libraries and must be visited with an official guide. Next door is the Sheldonian Theatre, a concert hall designed by Sir Christopher Wren and the site where Oxford students graduate to this day. It is open for visits year round and for guided tours between May and October. Remember to inspect the wonderful stone heads who guard its entrance on Broad Street.
Further afield
The itinerary suggested above only takes in the most central and well-trodden parts of the University. You don't have to stray far to find alternatives which are considerably more tranquil and usually completely free. Try starting with St John's, one of the richest and grandest of all the colleges and home to some of the prettiest gardens. Perhaps because most visitors don't see past the shroud of trees in front of its main entrance, in spite of all this it is usually completely empty. Venturing a little further up the Banbury Road into Victorian North Oxford will reward more adventurous travellers with the University's best red brick architecture. The twiddly gothic decoration of Keble will delight some and horrify others, but in either case the Light of the World in its Chapel merits a look. Keep going north to discover St Hugh's and Lady Margaret Hall. Both were founded as women's colleges in the late nineteenth century, and even today they maintain some of the character of grand, stately boarding schools.
Not many visitors come to Oxford in search of modern buildings, but architecture buffs may be delighted to know that the city is home to some of the only Grade 1 listed modernist buildings in the country. Surrounded by meadows and located on an island on the River Cherwell, St Catherine's College (St Catz) is well worth a visit for its elegant accommodation blocks and the Barbara Hepworth sculpture in its gardens. Also highly recommended is Worcester. While it may not look like much from the outside, the college contains lovely canalside gardens, a string of beautifully-preserved mediaeval cottages and its very own lake. An excellent spot to spend a sunny afternoon.
Where can I get the best views?
"That sweet City with her dreaming spires," as Matthew Arnold called Oxford, has actually done quite a good job (recent decisions excepted) of preserving views of its skyline. For your best opportunity of replicating the kind of picture you might find on a postcard, climb the slope of South Park, the stairs of Carfax Tower, or enjoy a cocktail on the rooftop terrace of the Varsity Club. Those with a bit more time and dedication might want to try heading southwest of the city to Boars Hill (just try not to get too jealous of the enormous houses).
College Index
We have listed all of the colleges below, along with their contact details, opening hours and admission charges (if any).
These details may change from time to time: visit the Oxford University Website for more information.
Tel: 01865 279379
Open: Weekdays and Sundays 2pm - 4pm, closed in August, at Easter, and over Christmas.
Charge: Free
Note: Maximum group size of 6
Tel: 01865 277777
Open: Usually open 10am - 5pm or dusk (whichever is earlier)
Charge: Adults £5, concessions and students £2, free to potential applicants, members of Oxford University and Oxford alumni.
Note: Groups: 19 plus guide for green/blue badge guided tours; 8 plus guide for all other groups
Tel: 01865 278400
Open: Blackfriars Church is open to the public daily in daylight hours.
Tel: 01865 277830
Open: Mon-Fri: 10:00-11:30 and 14:00-16:30, Sat and Sun: 13:00-16:30
Charge: Free, donations welcome.
Note: Maximum group size of 20. Only one group allowed into the College at any one time. Individual tourists can be allowed in at the discretion of the duty porter, with a small donation to the College.
Tel: 01865 286100
Open: By appointment only.
Tel: 01865 276492
Open: Mon-Sun. To visit Christ Church please book a timed ticket online via the Christ Church website. Tickets are released on a weekly basis. Please note that as a working academic and religious institution some areas, including the Hall and the Cathedral, may close occasionally without notice. Any known closures will be listed against the relevant time slots on the booking system. Visit the cathedral website for a schedule of daily services.
Charge: Full details can be found by visiting the tickets page on the Christ Church website.
Note: Book tickets online to guarantee entry. Groups of 12 or more must book in advance.
Tel: 01865 276700
Open: 13:30-16:30
Charge: Free
Note: Groups (maximum 20) must book in advance and be accompanied by a Blue Badge Guide
Tel: 01865 279600
Open: Members of the public are very welcome to visit Exeter College at Turl Street, unless the College is closed for a special event. We recommend calling in advance to check the College is open and any restrictions on where you can visit. The College is normally open between 14:00 and 17:00 during term time and between 13:00 and 17:00 outside of term time.
Charge: Alumni, prospective students and Bodleian card holders are welcome to visit with up to three guests for free. Organised tour groups can visit for £3 per person (no charge for tour guides) by booking with the Porters’ Lodge.
Note: Exeter College Chapel services are open to all and provide everyone the opportunity to reflect and to listen to the College’s outstanding choir, irrespective of religious beliefs. Cohen Quad is open to current members of the University of Oxford and to Exeter College alumni with appropriate identification. Cohen Quad is not generally open to the public, although public events such as musical or dramatic performances, lectures, or open days are sometimes held there and members of the public encouraged to attend.
Tel: 01865 274770
Open: By appointment only
Notes: Maximum 20 people in a group. Graduate college.
Tel: 01865 271006
Open: Chapel only. Mon-Fri 10:00-17:30, Sat 09:00-12:00
Charge: Free, donations welcome
Note: Large parties must book in advance
Tel: 01865 279400
Open: Hertford College is only open to prospective students, alumni, members of the University or those with a connection to the college. Members of the public are welcome to attend advertised music recitals in the Chapel.
Charge: Free
Tel: 01865 279700
Open: Blue Badge guided tours only: 14:00-16:30 daily. For all other visitor enquiries contact the College Lodge on the number above.
Charge: Adults £3, seniors and children over 5 £2.
Note: Maximum 20 people in a group; groups must book in advance.
Tel: 01865 272727
Open: Daily 14:00-17:00
Charge: Free
Note: Members of the public are welcome to visit the College main quad (Liddon quad) and Chapel. Occasionally during the year the College will be closed for College events so it is always best to contact the Porters prior to planning a visit. It is recommended to pre-book in case the College is closed due to events. Alumni, prospective students and offer holders are welcome to visit the College at any time. Please note that visitors to the College are not permitted to bring in any animal, except those specifically trained to provide assistance to their owners (eg guide/assistance dogs). Guided tours and groups of 8 or more must pre-book through the Porters Lodge or they will need to split into smaller groups and take the tour in turns.
Tel: 01865 612000
Open: Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00.
Charge: Free
Note: Graduate college committed to flexible learning.
Tel: 01865 274300
Open: Daily 10:00-17:00.
Charge: Free
Tel: 01865 271650
Open: By appointment only.
Note: Graduate college
Tel: 01865 279800
Open: Mon-Sun 14:00-17:00.
Charge: Free
Tel: 01865 276000
Open: 2 January to 19 December: 10:00 to dusk or 17:00, whichever is the earlier, with the exception of July, Aug and Sept when the college will close at 18:30. (These are subject to occasional change which will be advertised on this website, or our noticeboard outside the main entrance). The College will be closed to all visitors on 27 Sept, 6 Oct and 20–31 Dec, all dates inclusive.
Charge: Adults £9.50; over 65s, children and students £8.50; family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children aged 7 or over) £28.
Note: Please see college website for full visitor information
Tel: 01865 270999
Open: Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00.
Charge: Free, donations welcome.
Notes: Groups (maximum 12 people) must be accompanied by a guide.
Tel: 01865 276310
Open: Mon-Fri 14:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30pm), Sat 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), Sun 12:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30pm).
Charge: Adults £3. Free to children under 13. There is a reduced fee of £2 for adults aged over 65. Free to University members and alumni (and up to three guests). Guided tours of college and medieval library £5 per person (summer only).
Note: Groups of more than 10 must book in advance.
Tel: 01865 271233/01865 279500
Open: Easter-Oct 10:00-17:00 (seven days a week); Oct-Easter 13:30-16:30 (Tuesday-Sunday).
Charge: Adults £8; seniors, under 16s and full time students £7; family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children aged 7 or over) £25. Free to children under 7 years of age, Oxford residents and old members.
Note: Maximum 20 people in a group. Larger groups will need to split.
Tel: 01865 278500
Open: Closed until further notice due to building works.
Tel: 01865 276555
Open: Mon-Fri 14:00-17:00 or dusk (whichever is earlier), Sat-Sun 13:00-17:00.
Charge: Adults £3; concessions £2.
Note: Access to hall, chapel and first quad only. Maximum 12 people in a group. Closed during events.
Tel: 01865 276444
Note: Pembroke College is only open to prospective students, alumni, members of the University or those with a connection to the college.
Tel: 01865 279120
Open: Pre-arranged tours only, permitted Mon-Fri between 14:00-17:00 during term time.
Charge: Free
Note: The Queen’s College is only open to prospective students, alumni, members of the University, or those with a connection to the college. Aside from this, entry is only permitted if you are on a pre-arranged tour with the Oxford Guild of Tour Guides or attending Evensong.
Tel: 01865 288120
Open: By appointment.
Charge: Free
Tel: 01865 616477
Open: By appointment.
Charge: Free.
Notes: Graduate college.
Tel: 01865 270600
Open: 09:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00. No admission outside term-time except for university members and Alumni card holders.
Charge: Free, donations welcome.
Note: Large groups must book in advance.
Tel: 01865 274800
Open: Daily 09:00-17:00.
Charge: Free, donations welcome.
Notes: Large groups must book in advance.
Tel: 01865 284700
Open: By appointment only
Note: Graduate college
Tel: 01865 271700
Open: Daily 09:00-17:00.
Charge: Free.
Note: Advance booking is required for groups of ten or more.
Tel: 01865 278490
Open: By appointment only.
Note: Graduate college.
Tel: 01865 279000
Open: Daily Daily 10:00-16:00.
Charge: Free
Note: Maximum 12 people in a group. Larger groups by appointment.
Tel: 01865 276884
Open: By appointment only.
Charge: Free
Tel: 01865 274900
Open: Please check in advance
Charge: Free, donations welcome
Note: They welcome visitors but ask that you check in advance. Email hello@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk or telephone ahead.
Tel: 01865 277300
Open: 13:00-17:00 or dusk, whichever is earliest. The chapel is also open daily from 13:30 until close.
Charge: Free
Note: Maximum 14 people in a group, accompanied by a guide. Larger groups will be split into smaller ones.
Tel: 01865 278900
Open: 10:00-17:00.
Charge: Free, donations welcome
Note: Booking is required for groups of five or more.
Tel: 01865 613500
Open: Not open to the general public. However, if you would like to arrange a visit, please contact us at enquiries@ssho.ac.uk.
Tel: 01865 279900
Open: Term time: 10:00-noon and 14:00-17:00; out of term: 10:00–noon and 13:00-17:00
Charge: Adults £5; concessions £3; U12s free
Note: A call is recommended to avoid disappointment, as the college could close for events during the summer.
Tel: 01865 276602
Open: 09:00-17:00 (open to the public out of term time only).
Charge: £2 per head (children under 5 years free).
Note: Maximum 15 people in a group, accompanied by a guide. Advance booking is required. The Univ VR app offers a virtual tour of parts of the College, with commentary, and is available from both the Apple App Store (search 'Univ VR App') and via Google Play.
Tel: 01865 277900
Open: Term time: 13:00-16:15. Vacation 10:30-11:45 and 13:00-16:15.
Charge: Free
Note: Information for groups available at: Groups visiting Wadham College.
Tel: 01865 274100
Open: Daylight hours
Charge: Free
Note: Groups should notify the College in advance of their visit. Graduate college.
Tel: 01865 278300
Open: Open to current and Old Members, prospective applicants and residents of OX1 and OX2, daily 12:30-16:00 (book via telephone or lodge@worc.ox.ac.uk).
Charge: Free
Tel: 01865 274200
Open: By appointment.
Charge: Free.
This ancient map by our once-resident cartoonist, Mary Potter, features many of the colleges listed above, along with a few other local landmarks. Click a landmark on the map to read info about it.
