This self-guided walking tour of Oxford takes you past iconic landmarks, through historic streets and into quieter areas of the City. Distance: ~5–6 km; time: 2-3 hours and start: Oxford Parkway Station. This route is ideal for those looking to explore Oxford on foot.
In an 1888 letter to his fellow writer Katharine Tynan, the poet W.B. Yeats wrote the following about Oxford,
“I wonder anybody does anything at Oxford but dream and remember, the place is so beautiful. One almost expects the people to sing instead of speaking. It is like an opera.”
Unlike many cities in the UK, Oxford was spared from Nazi bombing in World War II, and therefore much of the city that W.B. Yeats saw in 1888 remains. I have to say, I agree with him, Oxford is beautiful, both a place of quiet contemplation and a buzzing, exciting city where great minds collaborate and collide.
In this post, I’ll take you on a written tour of Oxford, highlighting some of its history and sites of interest.
A quick prelude… getting to Oxford
Oxford is very accessible from London, sitting on two main train routes from London Marylebone and London Paddington. The journey takes roughly an hour, subject to trains running on time, making it a perfect place to visit for the day or for a weekend. In addition, regular coaches run from Heathrow and London Victoria throughout the night.
On this occasion, I chose to drive and park at the park and ride at Oxford Parkway. From Oxford Parkway, you can either take the train or bus into the city centre, or, if you are like me, walk in via Summertown. That said, the walk takes about an hour, although it is a straightforward route into the city along the old medieval Banbury Road.
Oxford University Parks: A Quiet Interlude
Summertown is an affluent suburb of Oxford with a vibrant high street full of cafés, restaurants, and novelty shops, of which my favourite is Daunt Books. After a quick stop in Summertown to have a bite to eat and a stroll around the bookshop, I continued my journey into the city.
As you get closer to the city, one of the first icons you come across is the Oxford University Parks. This is a large, sculpted green space which is popular with sports groups, students, and visitors. It was originally owned by Merton College but was purchased by the University in the 1850s and turned into a public park for general and sporting use.
Continuing past the Parks, you follow Parks Road towards Oxford’s Natural History Museum, which is one of the city’s many museums and well worth a visit.
Oxford’s Natural History Museum: Where Science Meets Architecture
The museum was established in 1860 to bring together studies from across the University of Oxford and is adjoined by the Pitt Rivers Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology. The museum itself hosts an impressive collection of fossils, biological specimens, and even whole dinosaur skeletons.
The building itself is also spectacular. Having been built in the Victorian neo-Gothic style, it is a cross between an educational cathedral and a “Grand Central” station.
You could easily spend half a day at the museums, but an hour was my limit for today, and it was time to continue with my walk.
Parks Road: The Academic Heart of Oxford
Continuing along Parks Road, rather than Banbury Road, you pass Trinity College Gardens on the right and the old Warden’s House on the left. Trinity College was founded in 1555 by Sir Thomas Pope and is one of the oldest colleges in the University of Oxford. It is known for its extensive and beautiful gardens. Notable alumni include the former Prime Ministers William Pitt the Elder and Lord North.
A short walk further brings you to the King’s Arms, which is often said to have the highest IQ per square foot of any pub in Britain. It is frequently visited by students and dons alike and is known for its scholarly atmosphere.
Nearby stand the Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera. The Radcliffe Camera is perhaps one of the most iconic buildings in Oxford, known for its circular domed roof, and forms part of the Bodleian Library complex. The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the second largest in Britain after the British Library. It first opened in 1602, although its origins lie in an earlier library established to house books donated by Humfrey, Duke of Gloucester.
Visitors can go on guided tours of the Bodleian Library. However, I chose to visit the Norrington Room in the nearby Blackwell’s bookshop instead—perhaps my favourite bookshop in the whole country. The Norrington Room holds over 150,000 books covering subjects from the arts to physics, making it an academic book lover’s dream.
Ascending the Two Towers
Close to this area are two towers which can be climbed to enjoy views across the whole city. In front of the Radcliffe Camera stands the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. In the early days of the University, this church played an important role in university life, hosting its governing council and serving as the location for special occasions such as ceremonies.
The oldest surviving element of the church is its tower, which can be scaled by the public. Work began on it in the 1270s.
A short distance away, at the end of the High Street, stands the Carfax Tower. This is all that remains of the 12th-century St Martin’s Church and is one of the oldest buildings in the city.
A Reflective Finish
As I made my way back through the city, I found myself reflecting once more on Yeats’ words. There is something about Oxford that invites you to observe, think, and perhaps dream a little, something that feels entirely in keeping with the spirit of this blog.
It is a place where history does not feel distant, but quietly present in the streets, the buildings, and the people who pass through them.
Whether you come for its architecture, its academic heritage, or simply to wander, Oxford offers something more subtle than many cities. It is a place that has inspired some of the greats in history and continues to inspire those who visit today.
If you’ve enjoyed reading,
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