Oxford is renowned for its historic architecture, charming independent high streets and of course, its infamous world-leading university campus. The city offers a striking contrast to that of London’s bustling streets, and is popular with tourists looking for a day trip beyond the country’s capital. Oxford is busy through every season of the year, presenting its vibrant parks and picturesque landscape during the warmer months, contrasted by the cosy but traditional English pubs through the darker and colder seasons of the year.
While Oxford has much to offer residents and tourists who visit, some of its best hidden gems are those that tourists always seem to miss. In this article, we will share the Oxford spots that locals like to keep to themselves.
Why Oxford is the Perfect Travel Location
North Parade
You can explore the beauty and diversity of Oxford’s North Parade from a short car journey away from the city centre. The street is most well-known for its charming and characterful independent shops, including cafes, gift stores, bakeries and a bustling community market. If you’re looking to visit the area over the weekend, you should certainly stroll by their market, which takes place every Saturday of the month! North Parade is the perfect spot for foodies and shopaholics alike.
Visitors can choose to browse their organic grocery stores or perhaps explore its boutique homeware shops seeking everything from decorative accessories to bespoke curtains and blinds in Oxford.
Jericho
If you’re looking for a quieter spot, located close by to the city centre, you can take a short walk to Jericho, a small neighbourhood village full of history and impressive architecture. The village has actually been crowned Oxford’s coolest neighbourhood and features traditional Victorian buildings to explore alongside an array of contemporary bars, cute cafes and boutique craft stores.
Oxford’s Botanic Gardens
Oxford offers more than just local shopping and exquisite coffee shops. Its Botanic Gardens are the oldest in the UK and are open to locals and tourists looking to explore its gardens. The garden is home to over 5,000 different plant species from a range of countries all across the globe.
On average, guests can spend up to 2 hours delving deep into the garden’s history and diversity, and can complete their trip with a visit to the garden’s local cafe. Standard tickets can be purchased for around £9, making it an affordable activity for trips to Oxford on a budget.
Harry Potter Filming Spots Around The City
Many fans of the iconic Harry Potter books and film series may be familiar with the Watford-based studios tour, which takes guests through the very film sets used in the movies. Though what many fans miss is the various filming spots located in and around Oxford. What makes these locations great is that they’re completely free to visit and are often much quieter due to them being hidden gems!
First, stroll over to the Bodleian Library, the location used as Hogwarts’ infirmary and library. Then, you can explore the outdoor courtyards used in various films such as the Goblet of Fire and Chamber of Secrets, located in Oxford’s New College Cloisters.
Blackwell Books, Broad Street
For the book lovers amongst us, if you’re in the Oxford area and looking for an easy and affordable activity to fill the day with, look no further than Blackwell Books, located on Broad Street. You could spend hours exploring their impressive library and book collections, but make sure to wander into their Norrington Room – the largest single room selling books in the entire world. They also host various events with best-selling and local authors, which attract an enthusiastic community of book lovers from in and around the Oxford area.
Harcourt Arboretum
During the summer months and across the first few weeks of autumn, Oxford’s residents enjoy paying a visit to the Harcourt Arboretum – a museum of trees located just a short drive away from the heart of the city. The outdoor area is actually managed by The University of Oxford, so it is well-maintained throughout every season of the year. When you visit, you can weave through their 130 acres of scenic forest landscape, perfect for a family walk followed by a stop at one of the area’s local pubs. The Harcourt Arboretum is located close to Oxford’s botanical gardens, so that you can explore both fascinating destinations in one go!
Aside from some of the recommended locations to visit in Oxford, if you get the chance, you should explore beyond the city and venture into the wider Oxfordshire countryside, home to charming villages, historic market towns and traditional country pubs. Some of the most popular destinations include Bicester Village, Wallingford, Burford and, of course, Chipping Norton – home to the iconic Diddly Squat Farm Shop and The Farmer’s Dog pub. Some of Oxfordshire’s most-visited towns and villages are all within a reasonable drive to one another, so you can explore each one within a day!
