The first stop for travellers to Oxford should be the Tourist Information Centre on Broad Street, Here you will find a wide selection of books, souvenirs, and brochures for attractions in and around Oxford.
For a quick orientation to the more popular attractions of Oxford you have two major options:
Official Walking Tours
Conducted by recognised members of the Oxford Guild of Guides. Obtain times and booking info for walks from the Tourist Information Centre (see above). Aside from tourist highlights, some of the popular tours include:
Inspector Morse Walking Tours, following in the footsteps of Oxford's most famous television detective, leave the Information Centre at 13.30 on Saturdays. Call to confirm departures in advance at 01865 726871.
Ghost Tour, Friday and Saturday, July-September and on October 31st (Hallowe'en). Meet outside the TIC and pay the guide.
Open Top Bus Tours
Tickets for this service are good for the entire day, so you can hop on and off at your own discretion. Major departure points are the railway station and St Aldates. Tickets can be bought at the station and the TIC, as well as on board the buses.
Park and Ride
If you are travelling to Oxford by car, please don't even think of driving in the city centre. It is much too crowded with fellow travellers and tour buses. Instead, use the Park and Ride service, which operates frequent buses from over 5,000 spaces at car parks on the city's ring road, with locations at Redbridge, Pear Tree (junction A34/A44), Thornhill, Water Eaton, and Seacourt. First buses are Mon-Sat at 0530, 0820-0850 on Sundays. Parking for this service used to be free, but this has now changed and you will need to pay for parking and for a bus into the city centre.
If you'd rather ride under your own power, The Carter Company offer self-guided cycling day trips into the Cotswolds and along the Thames. Guided cycle tours of Oxford run every Sunday in the summer. see www.the-carter-company.com/ for information and booking. Bike hire included.
Punting on the Thames or Cherwell is one of Oxford's true pleasures, offering great entertainment (for those watching from the safety of the riverbank while neophytes try to steer without capsizing their boats). Believe us, folks -- it isn't as easy as it looks! Punts hold up to 6 people and are available at the Magdalen Bridge and at Bardwell Road. Details here.
More Oxford Attractions
