List of tourist attractions in Oxford facts for kids

The spires of Oxford during blue hour in April 2023

Welcome to Oxford, a super cool city in England! It's famous for its amazing university, which is one of the oldest in the world. Oxford is full of history, beautiful buildings, and fun places to explore. It's like stepping into a storybook! If you're visiting, there are tons of exciting things to see and do. Let's check out some of the best spots for young adventurers like you.

Awesome Museums and Galleries

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Oxford has some fantastic museums where you can learn about everything from ancient history to cool science. Many of these are part of the famous university.

University Museums

• Ashmolean Museum: This is Britain's oldest museum! Imagine how many amazing treasures are inside. You can see ancient Egyptian mummies, Roman sculptures, and even art from different parts of the world. It's like a journey through time.
• Pitt Rivers Museum: Get ready for a unique experience! This museum is packed with objects from cultures all over the globe. It's displayed in a really old-fashioned way, so you'll discover something new around every corner.
• Museum of Natural History: Love dinosaurs and animals? This is the place for you! You can see huge dinosaur skeletons and even the remains of a dodo. It's a great spot to learn about the natural world.
• Museum of the History of Science: This museum is in Britain's oldest building made just for a museum. It shows how science has changed over hundreds of years. You'll see old scientific tools and inventions.
• Bate Collection of Musical Instruments: If you love music, check out this collection! It has all sorts of musical instruments from different times and places. You might even hear some of them played.

Other Cool Museums

• Museum of Oxford: Want to know more about Oxford itself? This museum tells the story of the city, from its very beginnings to today. You'll learn about famous people and events that shaped Oxford.
• Science Oxford: This is a super interactive place where you can get hands-on with science. It's perfect for curious minds who love to experiment and discover how things work.

Famous University Buildings

Oxford University Press

Beyond the colleges, Oxford University has some incredible buildings that are famous worldwide. Many of these are very old and have amazing stories.

• Bodleian Library: This is one of the oldest and biggest libraries in Europe. It's so grand and historic, it looks like something out of a Harry Potter movie! Many famous books and manuscripts are kept here.
• Clarendon Building: This beautiful building is often used in movies and TV shows because it looks so impressive. It's a great example of old Oxford architecture.
• Radcliffe Camera: This round, dome-shaped building is one of Oxford's most famous landmarks. It's part of the Bodleian Library and is a truly stunning piece of architecture.
• Sheldonian Theatre: This historic building is where university ceremonies take place. It's known for its unique design and amazing ceiling.
• Oxford University Press: This is the university's publishing house, one of the largest in the world. They've been printing books for hundreds of years!

Green Spaces and Nature

Punts in Oxford

Even though Oxford is a city, it has lots of beautiful green spaces. The rivers that flow through Oxford create lovely meadows and parks right in the city center.

• University Parks: These are large, open parklands perfect for a walk or a picnic. You'll see students playing sports and people enjoying the outdoors.
• University Botanic Garden: This is the oldest botanic garden in Great Britain! It's a peaceful place with thousands of different plants from all over the world. It's like a living museum of plants.
• Christ Church Meadow: This large, open meadow is next to Christ Church college. It's a popular spot for walking and enjoying views of the river and the college. You might even see cows grazing!
• Port Meadow: This is a huge, ancient common land where horses and cows still graze freely. It's a fantastic place for a long walk, especially along the river.
• Mesopotamia: This is a narrow strip of land between two branches of the River Cherwell. It's a lovely, peaceful walk with water on both sides.
• South Park: This park offers amazing views of the Oxford skyline, especially the famous "dreaming spires." It's a great spot for photos and enjoying the city from above.

Theatre and Shows

If you enjoy live performances, Oxford has some great places to catch a show.

• Oxford Playhouse: This is a well-known theatre that hosts all kinds of performances, from plays to musicals and comedy shows.
• North Wall Arts Centre: This centre puts on a variety of arts events, including theatre, dance, and music. It's a lively place for creative performances.

See also

• Oxford
• Oxford University