Oxford takes great pride in its rich history and dedicates significant resources to maintaining its ancient structures, as evidenced by the preservation efforts at Oxford Castle. This partially ruined Norman castle stands on the western outskirts of the town, just off New Road. Initially, it consisted of a wooden motte and bailey castle, which was later replaced by stone buildings in the 11th century.

During the conflict between England and Normandy from 1135 to 1153, the castle served as a strategic base for Empress Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I, in her quest to claim the English throne from her cousin, King Stephen. King Stephen besieged the castle with siege engines, but Matilda managed to escape, leading to the surrender of the castle's occupants before a full-scale battle could commence.

In the 13th century, further fortifications were added, including the construction of the Round Tower and the restoration of the chapel. King Henry III utilized the castle as a prison. However, during the English Civil War, the castle suffered significant damage and continued to function as a prison after the war's conclusion.

In 1888, the prison underwent expansion and operated as HM Prison Oxford until its closure in 1996. Today, only the motte and Saint George's Tower remain as remnants of the original castle.

The former prison buildings have been repurposed into a luxury hotel, office spaces, a shopping center, and a heritage complex. The castle's courtyard now hosts an open market and frequently features theater performances.

Additionally, Oxford Castle offers guided tours led by guides dressed in period costumes, providing insights into the castle's history. Visitors can explore Saint George's Tower, visit the crypt, and access the motte with its vaulted Well Chamber as part of the tour experience.

Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, Christ Church stands as one of the University of Oxford's largest and most affluent colleges. Noteworthy for its distinctive architecture, the college boasts several significant structures, including Tom Tower, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, Tom Quad, Oxford's largest quadrangle, and the Great Dining Hall, which also served as the gathering place for King Charles I's parliament during the English Civil War.

Christ Church boasts an impressive list of alumni, counting thirteen British prime ministers, more than any other Oxbridge college, as well as King Edward VII, King William II of the Netherlands, seventeen Archbishops, and the renowned author Lewis Carroll, known for penning "Alice in Wonderland."

Christ Church houses one of the UK's most significant private collections of drawings, featuring artworks by renowned artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo. This collection consists of approximately 300 paintings and 2,000 drawings, and a curated selection of these pieces is accessible to the general public at the specially designed Christ Church Picture Gallery. Most of these artworks were generously donated by a former college member, General John Guise (16823-1765), which paved the way for the establishment of the first-ever public art gallery in Britain.

The college's buildings and grounds have featured prominently in literary works such as Evelyn Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited" and in a minor capacity in Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." More recently, it has served as a backdrop for the film adaptations of J. K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series and Philip Pullman's novel "Northern Lights" (released in the United States as "The Golden Compass"). These appearances have catapulted Christ Church to its status as the most frequented Oxford college by tourists, attracting nearly half a million visitors each year.

***Harry Potter Walk***
Christ Church Dining Hall
Contrary to belief, no filming actually took place inside the famous Christ Church Dining Hall. Still, it did provide an immense inspiration for Hogwart’s very own Great Hall. Founded in the time of King Henry VII and being alma mater to thirteen British Prime Ministers, it's no wonder that the filmmakers opted to replicate this historical location at their own Warner Bros. studios. Matchingly magnificent, both the Christ Church Dining Hall and its studio copy are worth visiting, even if only to compare, all the same.

Bodley Tower Staircase
Probably one of the most famous filming spots, the grand stone staircase, located inside Bodley Tower at Christ Church College, is a prominent feature in the first two Harry Potter movies. Among the several memorable scenes filmed here are Harry’s first day at Hogwarts; a flashback sequence between Tom Riddle and Dumbledore; and a scene near the end of the first film where Harry is reunited with Ron and Hermione after being released from Hogwarts Infirmary – the one many Potterheads, no doubt, hold dear to their hearts.

Christ Church Cloisters
The Cloisters played a starring role in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, as Hogwarts Hallways.

Another notable scene associated with the hallways is that when Harry has just been made seeker for the Gryffindor quidditch team. In it, Hermione tells him that being a seeker is “in his blood,” upon which she goes on to show him a display case containing a quidditch trophy with his father’s name inscription.

Christ Church Cathedral holds a unique position as both a college chapel and the cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford. Prior to the 20th century, it was also the smallest cathedral in the United Kingdom.

Its historical roots trace back to before the Norman Conquest when a shrine was constructed on the site in memory of Saint Frideswide, a 7th-century priestess who faced persecution and sought to protect her chastity from King Algar, one of the rulers of the Seven Kingdoms of Saxony.

By 1122, the cathedral became a part of Saint Frideswide Priory. However, in 1520, Cardinal Wolsey seized the buildings and lands to establish Cardinal College. To make room for what is now Tom Quad, five bays in the western part of the nave were demolished. Eventually, King Henry VIII took over and had Christ Church College constructed upon the foundation.

The remainder of the cathedral was built in the Perpendicular or English Gothic style. The eastern part of the nave, the choir, and the tower retained the original Norman appearance.

Notable features include the exquisite rose window in the Botanical style with ten petals around the central glass. Other noteworthy windows are the Becket Window from 1320, which survived the Reformation, and the Jonah Window, depicting the City of Nineveh, created in 1632.

The shrine of Saint Frideswide has been restored and stands before a stunning stained glass window with 16 panels recounting her life. An interesting detail is the 16th panel, which includes a water-closet, a clear indication of its Victorian origin, certainly not present in the 8th century.

The Cathedral Shop, where visitors can purchase souvenirs, books, CDs, and other gift items, is located in the 12th-century Chapter House. While perusing the shelves, be sure to admire the vaulted ceiling adorned with 13th-century medallions depicting the Saints.

If it is a nice day and you don’t feel like having lunch in one of Oxford’s many excellent restaurants, why not take a picnic out to Christ Church Meadow, which is open to the public every day until sunset.

This roughly triangular-shaped stretch of land is a flood-meadow, which differs from a water-meadow which is man-made. The Meadow is bordered by the River Thames, called the Isis, the River Cherwell and Christ Church, which owns and maintains the land.

The upper part of the Meadow is given over to sports fields, while cattle graze for much of the year on the lower section. Deer are also brought here in the summer and autumn months.

Where the two rivers meet there is a small island on which stand several boathouses. Oxford’s Torpids bumping races are held here in March, and the Eights Week Regatta takes place in May.

You can see a plaque dedicated to James Sadler, who, in 1784, became the first Englishman to go up in a hot air balloon from the Meadow.

There are three entrances to the Meadow: one through the Memorial Gardens on Saint Aldate’s; a gate on Merton Street between Corpus Christi and Merton Colleges and the third, a gate at the eastern end next to the Botanical Garden. You are asked to please observe the rules on the notice boards outside each entrance.

Merton College, established in 1264 by Walter de Merton, who served as the Lord Chancellor to King Henry III and later to King Edward I, has a rich history. Among its original buildings, the Hall and the Chapel were completed in 1297, but today, only the chapel remains. The chapel is a splendid example of early English Gothic architecture, featuring an imposing east window. Subsequent additions to the college include the South Transept in the 14th century and the North Transept and the Tower in the mid-15th century.

After the dissolution of monasteries in 1548, the college acquired Saint Alban Hall from the Littlemore Convent, although it remained a distinct institution until 1881.

During the English Civil War, Merton College served as the Royalist headquarters and hosted members of Charles I's court, as well as foreign dignitaries like Queen Henrietta Maria of France, who stayed in what is now known as the Queen's Room, situated above the arch between the Fellows and the Front Quads.

Over time, the college expanded its holdings along Merton Street, acquiring the former Parish Church of Saint John and three adjacent houses, forming the north range of the Front Quad.

At one point, Merton College owned extensive land, stretching from the current site of Christ Church in the southeast part of the city to the eastern garden. Corpus Christi College now occupies the land at the west end, under a lease from Merton.

Merton College boasts an impressive list of alumni and academics, including four Nobel laureates and the renowned writer J. R. R. Tolkien, who held the position of Merton Professor of English Language and Literature from 1945 to 1959. Known for its academic excellence, Merton College consistently ranks at the top of the Norrington Table and is recognized as one of the wealthiest colleges in Oxford.

Many of the colleges at Oxford University claim to be the oldest, but in reality, University College holds that distinction. Its main entrance is on the High Street. Legend has it that King Alfred, famous for the burnt cakes incident, founded the college in 872. However, the actual foundations were laid in 1249, with funding provided by William of Durham.

Unfortunately, very few of the medieval buildings from that era exist today. They were replaced in the 17th century by the Main Quad, which was constructed starting in 1634 but not completed until 1676. The Radcliffe Quad was built in 1719, the New Building in 1842, and the Library in 1861.

The college is divided by Logic Lane, a cobbled street, which features a short covered bridge over the entrance on High Street. On the eastern side of the lane, you'll find the students' lodgings, while on the western side are the Library, the Hall, the Chapel, and the two college quads.

University College has strong connections with several influential individuals. Notable alumni include Clement Attlee, who served as the British Prime Minister from 1945 to 1951; Harold Wilson, who was British Prime Minister in two non-consecutive terms (1964-1970 and 1974-1976); Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States (1993-2001); Stephen Hawking, the renowned English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author; C. S. Lewis, the British writer and lay theologian best known for "The Chronicles of Narnia"; and Percy Bysshe Shelley, one of the major English Romantic poets, widely recognized as one of the greatest lyric and philosophical poets in the English language.

In 1892, a small domed room was constructed by Basil Chambers to house the Shelley Memorial. The statue of the great poet lying on an Italian beach, commissioned by Lady Shelley and sculpted by Edward Ford, was placed there. At one point, the room was humorously filled with water and goldfish, and the Rector had to install railings around the statue to prevent students from painting Shelley's private parts in vivid colors. Unfortunately, the attempts to remove the paint caused the marble to dissolve.

The University Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is the largest parish church in Oxford. It stands on High Street and is surrounded by colleges, which is why it is so popular with the students and professors.

The first church on this site was built in 1086 and when the university was founded in the 13th century, it was considered to be its first building. In 1320, a two-storey edifice was constructed on the north side of the chancel; the ground floor was the university’s Convocation House and today it houses Vault Café. The upper floor became the university’s first library, with books donated by Thomas Cobham.

The church’s Baroque porch was designed by Nicholas Stone. Its 13th century tower affords excellent views, and is open to the public. The steeple is reputed to be the most beautiful in England.

In 1555, the Oxford Martyrs were tried and condemned inside this church. You will notice that a section of the pillar opposite the pulpit is missing. This was cut out to support a small platform where the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, stood while withdrawing his recantation of his Protestant faith, before being taken out and burnt at the stake.

At the end of the 15th and the early 16th centuries, most of the church was rebuilt in the Perpendicular style, only the tower and the spire remained untouched. Out of the 12 statues, 11 were replaced in 1894 by George Frampton.

Into the 17th century, the church was used for graduation ceremonies, until the church officials got fed up with the very un-Christian parties held afterwards, and therefore they had the Sheldonian Theatre built to host the ceremonies instead.

The Radcliffe Camera, despite its name, isn't a camera in the technical sense; rather, it is the first circular library ever constructed in the United Kingdom. In this context, "camera" is synonymous with "chamber."

John Radcliffe, a royal physician, expressed his desire to build a library at the University to house his collection of scientific materials. This led to a debate among several colleges over which of them should have the honor of hosting the library. Ultimately, none of the colleges were chosen.

To make room for the library, several terraced houses on Cattle Street, the Black Hall, and some outbuildings from Brasenose College were demolished. Constructed in 1749 by James Gibbes in the English Palladian architectural style, the exterior of the Radcliffe Camera appears to have three stories. The ground floor is rusticated, while the first floor is divided into sections by ten pairs of Corinthian columns. Above this section is a lantern and a dome covered in lead.

Inside the building, the first floor serves as an open gallery that runs along the walls. There is a 2-meter-high statue of John Radcliffe, sculpted by John Rysbrack. In 1912, an underground archives room was established, connected to the Bodleian Library through a passage.

The Radcliffe Camera houses an impressive collection of over 600,000 books and now functions as a reading room affiliated with the Bodleian Library. Unfortunately, it is not accessible to the general public.

Bodleian Library is the main research library of Oxford University, and if you are not a student, you can visit it on a guided tour which should be booked in advance.

The Bodleian is one of the oldest reference libraries in Europe and one of the six legal deposit libraries in the United Kingdom, which means that a copy of every book published in the UK and Ireland is required by law to be deposited here.

The 1st library was founded by Thomas Cobham, the Bishop of Worcester, in the 14th century. It was a chained library – the books were chained to the shelves to stop people pinching them. In 1437, after the Duke of Gloucester donated a vast number of manuscripts, the building proved too small, so Duke Humphrey’s Library was built at Divinity School.

Over the years, the library fell into disuse until 1598 when a Fellow of Merton College, Thomas Bodley, had the place renovated and enlarged to receive his collection of books. It reopened in 1602 and took its present-day name. It was also Bodley who made an agreement with the Stationer’s Company in 1610 to put a copy of each of their books in the library. This agreement became the Deposit Law in the 19th century.

The library expanded in 1612 and 1637 and grew popular with Fellows to donate or bequeath their collections. The New Library was built in 1937 and today a tunnel under Broad Street connects the Old and the New Bodleian.

The library holds a staggering 11 million books and other reading matter, 117 miles of shelves and 400 staff members. Among the ancient manuscripts here is a copy of the Magna Charta and the Song of Roland. It also houses one of the last copies of the Guttenberg Bible.

***Harry Potter Tour***
Hidden away in the Bodleian Library, the Duke Humfrey’s reading room revels in a magical atmosphere. Boasting imposing high walls and an intricately painted ceiling, even the smallest of Harry Potter fans will fail to ignore this eye-catching beauty. Presented as the main Hogwarts Library in the film series, it is most memorable for the scene in The Philosopher’s Stone, when Harry uses his Cloak of Invisibility to sneak into the restricted section of the library. We see Harry creeping around here before he is given away by a screaming book.

Unfortunately, if you are not a student of Hertford College, you won’t be able to cross the Bridge of Sighs, but you can certainly admire it from street level and add a photo of it to your collection of Oxford’s marvellous structures.

The real name of the bridge is the Hertford Bridge and it was built in 1914 by Sir Thomas Jackson. It took its popular name from the fact that it is supposed to look just like the bridge of the same name in Venice. Actually, it resembles the Rialto Bridge more than anything else, but the Bridge of Sighs sounds more romantic.

The bridge is a fine example of the Quadrature of the Parabola, developed by Archimedes in the 3rd century BC – a rather difficult geometrical concept in that the area of a parabolic segment is 4/3 of a certain inscribed triangle. It all comes down to the triangle (top) of the bridge being supported by the arch (parabola) because they are of the same base length and height.

Leaving the Maths lesson behind, the bridge is covered and glass panelled and links the college’s Old Quad with the New Quad. According to popular legend, the college once closed the bridge to overweight students, forcing them to get some exercise by taking the long route from one building to another.

***Harry Potter Walk***
Conveniently easy to spot behind Oxford’s very own Bridge of Sighs, the ancient (almost 200-year-old) giant Oak Tree, featured during a duel between Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, can be seen in New College Cloisters. And while the cloisters themselves are closed to the public, a photo of the tree can still be snapped from the roadside!

Oxford University had its origins in academic institutions and monastery buildings where theology was the primary subject of study. However, these early establishments did not survive the Reformation period. Trinity College, located on Broad Street, now occupies the site where Durham College Monastery was established back in 1268.

The only remaining part of the original monastery is the east section of Durham Quad, which now houses the college library. In 1555, Sir Thomas Pope purchased the buildings and land with the intent of creating a college. He hoped that future generations would remember him through their prayers since he had no children to carry on his legacy. His final resting place is within the chapel, next to the altar.

The college's West Tower is adorned with four statues representing Astronomy, Geometry, Medicine, and Music. In 1688, a two-story building designed by Sir Christopher Wren was constructed in the Garden Quad to accommodate students. The neoclassical chapel, designed by Henry Aldrich, was added in 1694.

In 1883, the college underwent expansion, with the construction of the Front Quad overseen by Sir Thomas Jackson. In 1928, the Memorial Library was erected to honor the members who had lost their lives during World War I. Further expansion took place in the 1960s when several cottages and 17th-century houses were acquired, and the Cumberbatch Building was built in 1966.

Despite its considerable physical footprint, the college maintains a relatively modest student population of around 400. Initially established as a men's college, it became coeducational in 1979. Trinity College boasts the distinction of having produced three British Prime Ministers: Spencer Compton (1742–1743), William Pitt the Elder (1766–1768), and Frederick North (1770–1782). This places it third in terms of former students who have held the prestigious office, following Christ Church and Balliol College in that regard.

The University of Oxford, officially known as The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford, is a prestigious research university with a rich history. Its origins trace back to as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second-oldest continuously operating university globally. Its rapid growth began in 1167 when King Henry II prohibited English students from attending the University of Paris. In 1209, due to conflicts between Oxford students and the local townspeople, some academics relocated to the northeast, establishing what we now know as the University of Cambridge. These two venerable institutions, often referred to collectively as "Oxbridge," share many similarities.

Oxford University comprises 39 semi-autonomous constituent colleges, six permanent private halls, and various academic departments organized into four divisions. Each college operates independently within the university, managing its own membership, internal structure, and activities. Every student belongs to a specific college. Unlike universities with a central campus, Oxford's facilities and buildings are spread throughout the city center. Undergraduate education at Oxford revolves around small-group tutorials held at the colleges and halls, a distinctive feature of the Oxbridge system. These tutorials are supplemented by classes, lectures, seminars, laboratory work, and occasional additional tutorials offered by the central university faculties and departments. Postgraduate education primarily takes place centrally.

Oxford University is home to the world's oldest university museum, the largest university press globally, and the most extensive academic library system in the country. Oxford boasts an impressive list of alumni, including 28 British prime ministers, numerous heads of state and government worldwide, 72 Nobel Prize laureates, 3 Fields Medalists, and 6 Turing Award winners as of November 2019. Its alumni have also earned a remarkable 160 Olympic medals. Oxford is renowned for its scholarship opportunities, including the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, one of the oldest international graduate scholarship programs in existence.

New College, one of the prestigious constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, stands out for its rich history and significant contributions to academia and culture. Founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham, the Bishop of Winchester, it was originally named "Saint Mary College of Winchester in Oxenford." Wykeham established New College alongside Winchester College, which served as its feeder school. Remarkably, New College was among the first in the university to admit and tutor undergraduate students.

Despite its misleading name, New College is one of Oxford's oldest colleges. In 2017, it achieved the top rank in the Norrington Table, which assesses the performance of Oxford undergraduates in final exams. Historically, it consistently ranks high, with a remarkable 3rd highest average in the Norrington Table over the past decade.

Reflecting societal changes, New College welcomed its first mixed-sex cohort in 1979, transitioning from a six-century tradition of being a male-only institution.

New College is also celebrated for its choral tradition, being one of the main choral foundations of the University of Oxford. Its choir is considered one of the world's leading choirs, a testament to which is its extensive discography and the two Gramophone Awards it has won.

New College is architecturally rich with historical significance. Originally built in the "perpendicular style," it has seen various additions and changes over the centuries. The Great Quad, initially constructed with attics in the sixteenth century, got a proper third storey in 1674. The oval turf at the center of the quad dates back to the eighteenth century. Many college buildings are known for their unique architectural and historical value. 'New Buildings' along Holywell Street showcase different architectural styles, including High Victorian and late Victorian by George Gilbert Scott and Basil Champneys, respectively.

***Harry Potter Walk***
The New College Cloisters appear in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire a good number of times – many of the corridor scenes within the film are shot here, including that in which Harry has to push through all the Gryffyndor students wearing Potter stinks badges to go and have a word with Cedric.

The New College Courtyard also served as a filming location for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – the scene in which Harry tips off Cedric about the dragons which they will be battling in the first of the trials in the Triwizard Tournament. In the same movie, Harry comes face to face with Malfoy, who is sitting on a gigantic oak tree and where he is then turned into a ferret by Mad-Eye Moody. This particular tree is found in the New College Cloisters.

If you come to explore all things Harry Potter at Oxford during the colder period (October through March), then the entry to New College is free. However, if you go during the warmer months (March to October), you will need to buy a ticket.

While Oxford University was initially established by clergy members with a primary focus on theology education, it quickly evolved to serve various purposes beyond academic study. One such multifunctional building is the Sheldonian Theatre.

For numerous centuries, graduation ceremonies were conducted at Saint Mary the Virgin on High Church. These events often transformed into lively celebrations, a stark contrast to the solemn religious setting. This displeased the church's clergy to the extent that in 1660, they sought assistance from Gilbert Sheldon, who served as the University's Chancellor. Sheldon, who later became the Archbishop of Canterbury, not only embraced the idea but also personally financed the construction of a dedicated venue for these ceremonies.

The theater's design was entrusted to Sir Christopher Wren, who departed from the prevalent Gothic architectural style. Instead, he drew inspiration from the 1st-century BC Theatre of Marcellus in Rome. However, a challenge arose due to the D-shaped structure being too wide for the roof beams to support. To overcome this issue, Wren employed a geometric grid pattern, originally devised by John Wallis in 1648. This pattern featured a lattice framework of timber trusses and crossbeams, eliminating the need for additional supporting pillars. In 1802, George Saunders oversaw the reconstruction of the roof.

Adorning the ceiling are 32 oil-on-canvas panels, forming a captivating fresco that narrates the story of Truth, Arts, and Sciences triumphing over Ignorance within the University. Today, in addition to graduation ceremonies, the theater serves as a venue for various events such as conferences, lectures, and music recitals.

A remarkable feature of the theater is its octagonal lantern situated at the center of the roof, with windows on all sides. This offers splendid panoramic views of the city and is accessible to the general public.

The Museum of the History of Science is located in the Old Ashmolian Building on Broad Street and it is the oldest surviving building in the world constructed for the purpose of being a museum. Admission is free of charge.

It was built in 1683 to house Elias Ashmole’s formidable collection of over 18000 objects covering every aspect of the history of science. The collection expanded in 1924 when artefacts from the estate of Lewis Evans were added to the museum.

The collections are housed in three different galleries on three floors: the Entrance Gallery on the ground floor is where you will find the reception, the museum shop, four corner exhibitions and temporary exhibitions. The museum’s reference library has a comprehensive collection of scientific books.

In the Basement Gallery the displays deal with chemistry, natural philosophy and medical equipment. There are optical instruments including cameras, telescopes and microscopes, and early radio equipment by Marconi. You will also find a blackboard that was used by Albert Einstein when he visited the University.

The Top Gallery is full of mathematical instruments: quadrants, sundials and early instruments used for calculating navigation, surveying and astronomy and the most important astrolabe collection in the world with over 170 items.

Carfax Tower stands at the junction of four streets – Cornmarket Street to the north, Saint Aldate’s to the south, High Street to the east, and Queen Street to the west – which is probably the exact geographical centre of Oxford.

The tower stands on the north-east corner of the junction and is the only remnant of the 13th century Saint Martin’s Church. From 1122 to 1896, this had been the City Church of Oxford until it was partially demolished to make way for a new road. Further road widening led to the rest of the church being pulled down in 1900.

The tower stands 23 metres high and no other building in the city is allowed to be higher. It has a ring of six bells that were cast in 1676 by Richard Keene. They still ring out the quarter hour, but the two quarter boys that used to strike them are no longer in use. The bells are rung on special occasions by the Oxford Society of Change Ringers.

Behind the tower you will see a solitary tombstone. It is that of William Butler, who was once the mayor of Oxford. He was buried here in 1865, but when the church was demolished, the tombstone was forgotten and, together with the tower, it is now classed as a Grade II listed building.