Trying to see Oxford in a day means making some choices. Topping our list of things to do in Oxford is the oldest University in the English speaking world, several Harry Potter filming sites, a castle, prison, gardens, and interesting history.
Somehow, what didn’t expect, was a town quite so captivating, impressive and filled with intricate detail to explore.
Instantly, Oxford, England’s majestic architecture, took us back in time, but to when? The city boasts examples of every English architectural period since the 11th century. There is plenty to see in this town, and trying to see Oxford in a day was an impossible mission, yet we rose to the challenge.
In fact, there are so many things to do in Oxford, England, with limited time, for us, the best option was to take a walking tour of the city and university, thus getting a sample of it all.
Read on and figure out the best option for you.
What to see even with only one day in Oxford
- Tour Oxford University
- Discover the Harry Potter sites
- Oxford Castle and prison
- University of Oxford Botanic Garden (Founded in 1621, it is the UK’s first Botanic Garden)
- Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens
- Punt down the River Thames
- Blenheim Palace (UNESCO site and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill)
- Take an evening walking and pub tour
Oxford University is a must-see
The city’s highlight is the prestigious Oxford University, an institution that has educated 30 British Prime Ministers and is the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
With 39 independent colleges making up the university, buildings can be found all around the city. Some allow visitors, while others are only available for students. However, a student-guided Oxford University tour is the best way to get inside some of the university buildings.
Oxford University provides an interesting mix of classic architecture, old-world charm, and modern memories created when some of its spaces were used in the filming of the first two Harry Potter movies.
Some of the popular sites include
- Balliol and Merton, established in 1263 and 1264, respectively, are the two oldest colleges.
- Exeter College, founded in 1314
- The 12th century Christ Church
- Ashmolean Museum (the university’s museum of art and archaeology).
- The famous round Radcliffe Camera. Constructed from 1737 to 1749, it houses the Radcliffe Science Library.
Where was Harry Potter filmed in Oxford?
Like many Medieval gothic British sites, portions of Oxford University became filming locations for Harry Potter movies, often to depict Hogwarts. But, not as many as you might think actually made it into the films.
For instance, the library scenes in the first Harry Potter movie were scheduled to be filmed at the University’s library. And a portion of it did. However, at some point, a library curator worried that heat from the theatrical lights might damage the books and cancelled it mid-shoot.
A week after visiting Oxford, we found ourselves at Alnwick Castle, also used for many of the Hogwarts scenes, and according to our guide there, an exact Oxford library replica was created at Alnwick Castle for the completion of these scenes.
Oxford film sites:
- Medieval library – see above
- Divinity School – used as the hospital in the infirmary scene in the first Harry Potter movie.
- The New College cloisters
- Christ Church (Hogwart’s Great Hall)
In retrospect, we could have joined this family-friendly Harry Potter tour that gets visitors into the sites, points out reminders from the film, and shares behind-the-scenes stories that only locals would know.
More things to try and do in Oxford in a day
- Oxford Castle and Prison
Oxford Castle has a long history in defence of Norman powers in the U.K. Originally built in 1073, it has been improved and transformed over time from wooden structures to stone to prison in 1785 and now a luxury hotel. You can visit the prison on a guided tour. Reserve your Oxford Castle and Prison tour here. - University of Oxford Botanic Garden
Founded in 1621, it is the UK’s first Botanic Garden. It contains a wide variety of areas ranging from a conservatory to a rainforest house to a medicinal collection. - Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens
Founded in 1970, Cotswold Wildlife Park has become one of the UK’s largest zoological collections, The park was designed with no intrusive fencing to allow visitors to get closer to the wildlife. - Punt down the River Thames
Originally built as small cargo boats or platforms for fishing about 150 years ago. Today they are used for recreation, and punters take people down the river or hire their own punt. Reserve your punt down the Thames along with a University tour here. - Blenheim Palace
The current home of the 12th Duck and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. There are over 300 years of history and stunning gardens. Reserve your entry ticket to the Blenheim Palace here. - Take an evening walking and pub tour.
Where to stay
While there are plenty of options, we have a definite first choice:
Malmaison Oxford Boutique Hotel:
If I had more than one day in Oxford, I would stay in this former prison. Fully converted to a luxurious boutique-style hotel, it was once a Victorian prison that only closed its doors in 1996. If walls could talk, there would be some interesting stories here.
A four-star rating and excellent reviews, this is the choice I will make on our next visit to Oxford. Reserve your room at Malmaison Oxford Boutique Hotel here.
A few random thoughts on Oxford
- Travel to Oxford from London by car or train. It’s a 90-minute drive, but it is quicker to take the train.
- We drove north from Oxford to York, exploring a number of fabulous sites along the way.
- Oxford is the setting for a long list of films.
- Women were first admitted to Oxford University in 1878.
Save on your trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Private guides: we often find the best option is to work with a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
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What will you do with one day in Oxford?
More from the UK you might like … First-timers start here: Travel Tips for the UK: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Photo Credits
Photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such, in the public domain, or some stock photos were supplied by DepositPhotos.
Rhonda Albom
You can about most of the New Zealand sites 🙂
Andrea
OMG what an amazing trip to follow Harry Potter’s. That building is so famous, but i smiled at your mention of some mysterious alleys. I guess those are common in old compounds also in Sweden and Paris, two place in Europe i’ve been to. But after seeing a few old buildings like that, it gets a bit heavy and tiring, that somehow the next old building somehow looks the same. So thanks for this experience in your photos.
Rhonda Albom
I live in New Zealand, a country that’s less than 200 years old. To me, each of these buildings is amazing.
Trekking with Becky
Your photos remind me that I need to go back to Oxford for at least a couple of days. I took a day tour that included Oxford and of course, it wasn’t nearly enough. Oxford University’s incredible, and I’d love to explore the city.
Rhonda Albom
Agreed, a day is clearly not enough, less would be worse.
Photo(Geo)grapher
Truly great post. It must be wonderful to explore these places.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks. We love exploring new places.
Sharon
Your photos convey the stately architecture of this grand place. I’ve visited once and I would love to go back! The Radcliffe Camera is especially awesome. And I’m so impressed that you transferred 40K photos into Lightroom. My goodness!
Rhonda Albom
I did love Oxford and would love to go back for another visit. As for the photos, I have been thinking about it for a while, and glad I finally did it. I love lightroom.
Heather
Wow, what incredible architecture! Oxford looks like the perfect place to visit, and I can see why you’d need more than a day.
Interesting fact about moving the Harry Potter filming location from the library out of concern of the books being damaged.
Thanks for putting Oxford on my radar!
Rhonda Albom
It was the little details like that book information that really made the tour interesting for me.
Eli
Yes, Ive been there, and it’s pretty amazing. My daughter studies in the UK!Awesome pictures:-)
Rhonda Albom
How cool. Which school?
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Aaila.
Rhonda Albom
Gracias. Oxford es una muy especial ciudad.
Anda
Astonishing architecture and excellent photography, Rhonda. Like always, your pictures want me to go visit the places you describe. I haven’t been to Oxford, but I hope I will.
Rhonda Albom
Anda, you will love the British countryside.
Rob Taylor
I love that Oxford has its own Bridge of Sighs… even if it’s called something else. Beautiful photography too!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Rob.
Travelera
Fantastic pictures once again! the one of the two students in the window is awesome! We have been thinking in going to Oxford for a couple of days because it is quite far from my English city but every time we are free to go, its raining lots and we do not want to be walking the streets in Oxford in the rain, anyway we will be going soon but you know what? I think you have seen more places in England than myself!
Rhonda Albom
It will stop raining one day, I hope. (It’s been raining here too.) LOL – remember, tourist always see more than locals.
L. Diane Wolfe
Beautiful! So many photo opportunities there. I loved the view from the Radcliffe Camera.
Rhonda Albom
We did make it into the Radcliffe Camera.
JM Illinois U.S.A.
Nope, I have not been to Oxford. However, we did make three trips to London, England and countryside which I dearly would love to return and visit more areas. I especially liked the photo which included people. Have a happy Day!
Rhonda Albom
I also love driving through the British countryside.
Kathe W.
never have been to Oxford…but have to London many times….it’s so full of history- thanks for the lovely photos!
Rhonda Albom
Oxford isn’t that far from London, maybe next time you visit you can add a day to head out there.
Jackie
I haven’t been to Oxford since pre-digital times! And back then I didn’t have a big interest in history or photography, ah to be young! No, thanks.
Lately I have been thinking I need to go there.
Rhonda Albom
I think we all have photos from the pre-photography days that we wish we could reshoot.
Quirky Homemaker
I can see how you’d not have enough time to see everything. Your architecture shots are gorgeous! Makes me want to visit Oxford.
Rhonda Albom
Nowhere near enough time.
Paul Pietrangelo
I agree with you, it’s like being in another world, a Harry Potter world. I think I would like to just enter this world for a day. Have a great day Rhonda. See ya. By the way, It was nice of Sarah to get to blog dealing with my cruise. I really appreciate it very much. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
Only a small part of Oxford was used in Harry Potter.
Cathy Kennedy
Rhonda, how old world like! I’d love to see Oxford England! These photos are gorgeous. The sense of history seem to whisper in my ear as I look at your photos. You have some excellent captures, like the young couple in long black gowns and the bicycle resting against a wrath iron gate at the end of an enclosed walkway (I assume). The architecture is amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks. I loved the way those two people were sitting there. They looked like a perfect picture.
Deb Nance
What incredible architecture. It’s as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.
Rhonda Albom
The detail is everywhere.
Indrani
Great series. I love these old monuments!
Happy WW!
Rhonda Albom
Me too.I love the old buildings.
Beth F
Fabulous series. It’s been years since I was there, so it was lovely to see the sights.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Beth.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – it’s a gorgeous city … love it – gleaming spires and all. Wonderful photos you’ve given us here … and yes so much to see and to do in and around the colleges … city and gown … cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom
It is such a lovely city.
stephanie
Such a great place to wonder. We were there a decade or more ago, so nice to relive it through your photos.
Rhonda Albom
I am guessing it looks the same. That’s one of the cool things about historic sites.
Lexa Cain
So great! I wish I could see England some day. Thanks for the awesome pics!
Rhonda Albom
I hope you get there some day.
Kat
I’ve been to Oxford twice and loved it to bits each time. It was snowing on one trip and I remember having to bust out an umbrella and wade through some pretty deep snow to get dinner one night. It’s a beautiful place.
Rhonda Albom
I am not a fan of snow and wading through deep snow for a meal has limited appeal to me.
Alissa Apel
Their archways and ceilings are so beautiful. Much more work done to the buildings there than here. About the only buildings that are nice like that here are capitols. I’m not a fan of our government, but like to go in them anyhow.
Rhonda Albom
I find the old architecture to be so impressive, as they didn’t have the same tools that we have today, yet spent the time to get the intricate details.
Janis
Wonderful photographs Rhonda!!!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Janis
Lydia C. Lee
That looks wonderful – we have a few days in London, wondering if we can shoot up there for a day….
Rhonda Albom
Get an early start, and plan for a long day.
Comedy Plus
I wold love to see all of England someday. I know I never will, but I’d like to.
Have a fabulous day. Happy Valentine’s Day. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
I think you two could do England. It’s an easy country to travel around.
Rajesh
Amazing architecture.
Rhonda Albom
And so much variety.
Patrick Weseman
Never have been there. So very beautiful. Amazing shots that you took.
Rhonda Albom
If you love the English architecture of the last millennium, this is the town to visit.
Teresa Kindred
Never been but would love to go. I travel through your photos! Great pictures!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Teresa, glad to take you with us.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Great shots. I’ve been there! Every college has its own personality.
Rhonda Albom
Did you love it as much as we did?
Jim, Sydney, Australia
Beautiful shots
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Jim
stevebethere
Beautiful photos Rhonda I love the arch in the third photo dow,n I have only been driven through Oxford that was years ago
Have an Oxfordtastic day & thanks for your visits 🙂
Rhonda Albom
You picked my second favourite photo. It is such a wonderful town. I hope you get a chance to visit it often.
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
Oh how gorgeous!!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Tamar.
Monika B.
The beautiful temple.
Rhonda Albom
Each time we turned our heads, there was something beautiful to admire.
Lady Fi
Your shots are just stunning! (I’m a Cambridge grad myself.)
Rhonda Albom
So many impressive schools in England.
Tanja (the Red phone box travels)
yes, I have been to Oxford:) on a Valentine’s day years ago:) great photos!
Rhonda Albom
Looks like I timed this one perfect for you.