Oxford
Oxford is a university city in Oxfordshire, England, known for its college courtyards, the Bodleian Library and museums that are free to enter.
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Oxford is a city in Oxfordshire, about an hour by train from London. Its reputation rests on the University of Oxford, one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world. Its colleges sit across the historic center, and many buildings are built from honey-colored Cotswold stone. The Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera and the college quads shape the city's look. Christ Church, the Ashmolean Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum are good starting points.
A day trip works for travelers who want the highlights. Two nights give a slower pace, with time for punting on the Cherwell, walks along the river, and the shops and pubs away from the colleges. Late spring and early autumn are good months to visit. Plan at least one full day in the center, and more if you want to see the Botanic Garden or the museums in depth.
Oxford in five
- Book Christ Church and the Bodleian firstChrist Church needs a ticket and lists closures for services and events. The Bodleian runs 30-minute and 60-minute library tours, and its Divinity School closes on some event days.Oxford colleges and museums
- Use the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers as your rain planBoth are free. The Ashmolean opens 10am to 5pm with last entry 4:45pm, and the Pitt Rivers is entered through the Museum of Natural History on Parks Road.
- Arrive by train, not by carChiltern Railways lists services from London Marylebone taking under an hour, and Great Western Railway also runs from Paddington. The Ashmolean is about a 10-minute walk from the station.Oxford in one day
- Choose a base before summer weekends fillCentral Oxford suits a short stay, Jericho and Cowley Road add restaurants, and Summertown trades atmosphere for quiet. All four are compared in the stay guide.Where to stay in Oxford
- Heading in from Heathrow for a day?Check whether your passport needs a UK ETA before booking the flight, so the Oxford leg is only trains and tickets and not a border surprise.UK ETA explained
Things to do in Oxford
See all attractions in Oxford
Need to know
- Airport
- London Heathrow, then onward by train or coach via London
- Getting there
- Chiltern from Marylebone in under an hour; Great Western from Paddington
- Getting around
- On foot; the college center is compact, with buses to Summertown
- Best base
- Central Oxford for a short stay; Jericho or Cowley Road for food
- Time needed
- 1 day for highlights; 2 days with Blenheim or a Cotswold stop
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh7°Low2°Cold, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryCloudy11 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cold, quietFebruaryCloudy
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Cool, daffodilsMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, daffodils
- AprilCloudy9 rainy daysHigh13°Low4°Mild, blossomAprilCloudy
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, blossom
- MayCloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°May MorningMayCloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
May Morning
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, quieterAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Mild, calmSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Wet, short daysNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, short days
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Cold, lightsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Oxford, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jun Garsington Opera · Jul Garsington Opera
Right now in Oxford
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 10%
Oxford
09:14 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°6°10%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Tue12°6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed10°6°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu8°6°2%Thursday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri9°5°14%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sat9°5°16%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun9°6°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 06:24 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Coming up
Every year
- MarCheltenham FestivalThe Cotswolds, a day trip
- Jun–JulGarsington OperaOxford
- JunMeltdownLondon, a day trip
- Jul–SepBBC PromsLondon, a day trip
- JulWireless FestivalLondon, a day trip
- JulPride LondonLondon, a day trip
- AugBristol International Balloon FiestaBristol, a day trip
- AugGreat British Beer FestivalLondon, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Blenheim Palaceshort bus or car ride to WoodstockA World Heritage Site palace and park; the palace advertises a saving for tickets bought online.
- The Cotswoldsabout 1 hour by car for the nearest villagesStone villages and walking routes beyond the western edge of the city.Read the guide
- Stratford-upon-Avonabout 1 hour by carShakespeare's town, easier with a car than with the rail changes.Read the guide
Before you go to Oxford
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Rules for Oxford, checked
- Ashmolean: entry is free, open 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4:45pm. Pitt Rivers Museum: free, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, Monday 12pm to 5pm.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Christ Church does not allow bags larger than 40 x 30 x 20 cm and has no left luggage; its Meadow is free all year except 25 December.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Oxford FAQ
Is Oxford worth a day trip from London?
Yes. Trains from Marylebone take under an hour on Chiltern Railways, and the Ashmolean, a college, the Bodleian and a walk by the river fit in one day. Stay a night if you want the evenings or Blenheim too.
How many days do you need in Oxford?
One day covers the highlights if you book a college or library entry and use the free museums. Two days let you add Blenheim Palace or a Cotswold stop without rushing through the colleges.
Are Oxford's museums free?
The Ashmolean is free and the Pitt Rivers Museum is free, though some exhibitions need a ticket. Colleges differ: Christ Church needs a ticket, and the Bodleian charges for its library tours.
Can you visit Oxford colleges without a ticket?
Some colleges open to visitors at set times and others close for exams or events. Christ Church requires a ticket, and its Meadow is open free all year except 25 December. Check each college's own page before you go.
When is the best time to visit Oxford?
April to June and September to October give mild weather and open colleges. July and August are warm and busy with tour groups, and December has short days but quiet streets.