Distance 3.2 miles/5.1km
Typical duration 1 hour 35 minutes
Start and finish Oxford YHA
Start postcode OX2 0AB
Step-by-step details and maps ramblers.org.uk/oxfordcity
In a nutshell
Oxford is full of interesting history and famous buildings and this walk lets you explore some of its most notable sights. You’ll pass prestigious colleges, as well as the Bodleian Library, the Bridge of Sighs, the Radcliffe Camera and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Oxford has been a location for many films; keep your eyes peeled to see if you can spot which ones.
Why it’s special
It was Victorian poet Matthew Arnold who gave Oxford the nickname “the city of dreaming spires” due to its many beautiful university buildings. With so many stunning sights to see and famous places to explore, it can be hard to know which way to head. This walk cherrypicks some of the very best places to see.
The first building to look out for is the Ashmolean Museum, the university’s museum of art and archaeology. It’s well worth exploring if you have time, but if you’re in a hurry, pause to admire the stunning architecture .
This route takes you past a few of the colleges, including St John’s, All Souls, Hertford and Christ Church, which you will recognise from films including the Harry Potter franchise. You’ll pass the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest in Europe, and the Bridge of Sighs, which, despite its name, doesn’t resemble its namesake in Venice but joins two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane.
There’s a chance to stop at the famous pub of St John’s College, the Lamb & Flag, where you can enjoy a pint with the profits going towards funding DPhil student scholarships. Apparently this is where Thomas Hardy wrote parts of Jude the Obscure. Fans of television’s Inspector Morse may also recognise the tavern, which featured in the show.
Radcliffe Square is thought to be one of the prettiest squares in Europe. You’ll see the Radcliffe Camera, designed by one of Britain’s most influential architects, James Gibbs. Originally housing the Radcliffe Science Library, it is now a reading room for the Bodleian. The final section of the walk takes you along Oxford’s lovely stretch of the Thames Path.
Reward yourself
Stop off in Radcliffe Square at the Vaults & Garden cafe for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. The garden provides a particularly lovely setting for a refreshment stop. The Vaults & Garden, University Church, High Street, Oxford OX1 4BJ www.thevaultsandgarden.com
Get there
The start of the walk is next door to Oxford mainline railway station, where there are frequent direct services from London Paddington. There are many bus routes serving Oxford from county towns and beyond, including Heathrow, Gatwick and London. These all call at the railway station, or the bus station in George Street.
