Making the most of your time in Oxford, beyond the working day
Oxford attracts people from all over the world to study, teach, research and work. Whether you’re visiting the University for a research project, attending a conference, taking up a visiting fellowship or spending several weeks working in the city, your time in Oxford doesn’t have to be all work.
One of the advantages of staying in Oxford for a longer period is having the opportunity to experience the city at a slower pace. Once you’ve settled into your accommodation and found your routine, you can start exploring the history, culture and countryside that make Oxford such a unique place to stay.
We’ve put together some of our favourite experiences for academics, researchers and professionals staying in Oxford. From exploring the University itself to getting out into the surrounding countryside.
1. Start by discovering Oxford University
If it’s your first time in Oxford, a university tour is one of the best ways to get your bearings.
Oxford isn’t simply a city with a university in it. The University is woven into the city itself, with historic colleges, libraries, gardens and academic buildings forming much of the character of central Oxford.
For academics and researchers in particular, taking some time to understand the history and traditions of the University can make your stay feel very different.
Oxford University & City Tour with Christ Church
One of the experiences we’d recommend most to guests visiting Oxford for the first time is the Oxford University and City Tour with Christ Church.
The tour combines an introduction to Oxford’s historic city centre and University with a visit to Christ Church, giving you the opportunity to see some of the places that make Oxford famous while learning more about the University’s history.
It’s particularly worthwhile early in your stay. Once you’ve explored Oxford with a guide, you’ll probably find yourself recognising places and buildings as you move around the city during the rest of your visit.
And if you’re staying for several weeks, there’s something quite nice about getting the “tourist” part
2. Discover Oxford’s literary history
Oxford’s academic history extends far beyond the University itself. The city has also been home to some of the world’s most influential writers and thinkers.
For anyone with an interest in literature, history or academia, this is an aspect of Oxford that’s particularly fascinating.
The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour
The Inklings were a group of writers and academics associated with Oxford, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
A private walking tour dedicated to the Inklings explores locations connected to the writers, including Exeter College, where Tolkien studied, and Magdalen College, associated with Lewis. The experience currently runs for approximately two to two and a half hours and is specifically designed around the literary history of Oxford.
The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour
For academics, writers, literature enthusiasts or simply anyone interested in the intellectual history of Oxford, this could be a particularly enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
3. Give yourself a few hours to simply explore
If you’re working or researching in Oxford for several weeks, you don’t necessarily need to book a full-day excursion every time you have some free time.
Sometimes a couple of hours is enough to step away from work and see something different.
Oxford Official University & City Tour
For a shorter introduction to the city, the Oxford Official University & City Tour takes approximately two hours and covers some of Oxford’s major landmarks, including the university area, Bodleian Library and Sheldonian Theatre. Afternoon tours may also include a college visit, subject to availability.
This could be a good option if you’ve only got an afternoon free or you’re looking for something relatively easy to fit around your working schedule.
4. Make the most of a free weekend
One of the benefits of spending several weeks in Oxford is that you can experience more than just the city centre.
If you’ve been working all week, a day away from Oxford can be a great way to reset and the Cotswolds are right on the doorstep.
Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace
The Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace Private Day Tour from Oxford combines some of the surrounding countryside with a visit to Blenheim Palace. The private tour includes transport and can be tailored to the group, making it particularly appealing if you’re travelling with a partner, colleague or small group.
Blenheim Palace is also particularly relevant if you’re interested in British history. The UNESCO-listed palace was the birthplace of Winston Churchill, while the surrounding Cotswold villages offer a completely different experience from central Oxford.
For someone staying in Oxford for a month or more, this is exactly the kind of experience that can turn a work trip into a memorable stay.
Make Oxford feel like more than a work trip
When you’re visiting Oxford for research, teaching or work, it’s easy to fall into a routine:
Accommodation → University → Library → Meetings → Accommodation.
But one of the best things about spending longer in Oxford is having the opportunity to experience the city beyond your work.
Take an afternoon to explore the University. Discover the writers and thinkers who have shaped Oxford’s history. Spend a Saturday in the Cotswolds. Or simply walk through the historic city centre without having anywhere you need to be.
Whether you’re staying for a few nights or several weeks, we hope these experiences help you make the most of your time in Oxford.
Staying in Oxford for work or research? Explore our Oxford Accommodation