City of Oxford Tourist Information

Oxford is the city of dreaming spires. The golden stone of university buildings with there spires, towers and domes have shaped a graceful and timeless city, which no visitor forgets. Over 900 years as a seat of learning have made Oxford a very special place to visit any time of the year.

The city's history is fascinating. The Romans made Oxford a pottery centre, the Saxon princess Frideswide founded a religious community on the site of Oxford's cathedral, and the Oxenford, the original Saxon crossing point, gave the city its name.

Alfred the Great developed the fortified the city against the invading Danes, Robert D'Oilly built Oxford's castle in 1072, Richard the Lionheart was born at Beaumont Palace in 1157, Charles I held parliament in the Convocation Hall during the Civil War and Hitler planned to make Oxford his headquarters if he had invaded Britain.

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Oxford university dates back to the 12th century and today is made up of 39 colleges, each with its own governing body. Despite its distinct academic aura, the city has a youthful feel to it. Oxford is a city of cosmopolitan restaurants and lively pubs, a wide variety of entertaiment and excellent shopping. Combine that with an amazing variety of museums and you will soon realise that Oxford needs time to explore.

Oxford is a city for all seasons. Imagine golden buildings caught by spring sunshine, summer afternoons punting on the river, autumn leaves softly falling in ancient college quadrangles or choral music sung in college chapels on crisp winter evenings. The added gem is you are only a few miles from the most beautiful and unique region in the UK - the Cotswolds.

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Things to Do

• Hop On Hop Off bus tour around the city and university colleges.
• The Oxford Story in Broad Street - The longest indoor ride in Europe and brings 900 years of history to life.
• The Bodleian Library - Britains most famous library and founded 400 years ago by Sir Thomas Bodley.
• The Ashmolean Museum - Britains oldest museum and houses the university's world famous collection of art and archaeology.
• Other Museums - University Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum both in Parks Road. Museum of the History of Science in Broad Street houses Isaac Newtons blackboard. The Museum of Oxford in St Aldate's tells the city's own story.The Bate collection of Musical Instruments (one of the finest collections in the world) and the Museum of Modern Art in Pembroke Street.
• Christ Church whose College Chapel is Oxford's Cathedral (the smallest cathedral in England) and the stunning old masters and medieval Italian art at Christ Church Picture Gallery.
• Botanic Garden - The oldest and one of the loveliest riverside botanic gardens in Britain on the banks of the River Cherwell a stroll away from Corpus Christie and Merton Colleges. Opposite is Magdalen College and a little further on in Longwall Street is the garage where in 1913 William Morris produced the first 'Bullnose' Morris Oxford motor car.
• Alice in Wonderland - Oxford is the 'birthplace' of Alice, written by a shy mathematics don whilst teaching at Christ Church. For more informarion see www.experienceoxfordshire.org.
• Punting on the River - Cherwell Boathouse, punts for hire, www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk.

Oxford, The City of Dreaming Spires