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, a work stay 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 six of our favourite ways for academics, researchers and professionals to make the most of their time in Oxford beyond the working day, 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 done early, so the rest of your stay feels more like living here.
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 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 on a work stay in Oxford for several weeks, you don’t 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. Unwind After Work, for Free
Some of the best things to do on a work stay in Oxford cost nothing and fit easily into a weekday evening:
- Choral Evensong: Christ Church Cathedral and several college chapels, including Magdalen, hold sung evening services that are free and open to the public. It is a peaceful way to hear world-class choirs. Service times vary through the year, so check before you go.
- Port Meadow: a huge open meadow beside the Thames, a short walk from Jericho. Perfect for a long evening walk, with views back towards the city’s spires.
5. Make the Most of a Free Weekend
One of the benefits of a longer work stay 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.
6. Settle In Like a Local
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 a longer work stay in Oxford is the chance to experience the city beyond your work.
- Bodleian reader card: visiting academics and researchers can apply for a reader card to use the Bodleian Libraries. Check the Bodleian Libraries’ admissions page for what you need to bring.
- Walk without a plan: spend an hour wandering the historic city centre without anywhere you need to be. Our guide to Oxford city centre has 12 easy ideas if you want a starting point.
Where to Stay for a Work Stay in Oxford
We have been hosting academics, researchers and professionals in Oxford since 2022. Our one-bedroom apartment and two-bedroom duplex are in the city centre, within walking distance of the colleges and the tours above, and our three-bedroom house in Headington suits hospital staff, families and small teams. See all our short lets in Oxford.
Each home has a full kitchen, Wi-Fi and fresh linens. In winter we offer stays of 28 nights or more at monthly rates, with weekly cleaning included, and we can invoice companies and institutions directly.
You can check availability and book direct or read what past guests say on our reviews page. Arranging a stay for staff? See our guide to corporate accommodation in Oxford. Relocating for a new job? Read moving to Oxford for work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do in Oxford after work?
Choral Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral or a college chapel is free and open to the public, and an evening walk on Port Meadow is a lovely way to unwind. A two-hour city tour is also easy to fit around a working day.
Do I need to book Oxford tours in advance?
It is a good idea, especially at weekends and in summer. Guided tours and college visits can sell out, and opening times change around term dates.
Where should I stay for a long work stay in Oxford?
For work in central Oxford, a city centre apartment means you can walk to the colleges and libraries. For the hospitals in Headington, a home in Headington keeps your commute short. We offer both, with monthly rates for winter stays of 28 nights or more.
