The best things to do in Oxford

Most of Oxford’s attractions cluster around the compact city centre. The university is made up of 38 colleges, each of which has its own character. Christ Church and Magdalen (pronounced “mawd-lin”) are the grandest, but smaller colleges, such as Corpus Christi or Merton, have a more intimate charm. Once you’ve seen the colleges, seek out the city’s world-class museums, modern art gallery, and Victorian covered market.

City centre

Follow in Alice’s footsteps at Oxford’s largest college

Aristocratic Christ Church is the largest and most impressive of all the Oxford colleges. It was founded in 1525 and counts 13 British prime ministers among its alumni. Charles Dodgson (also known as Lewis Carroll), the author of Alice in Wonderland, taught mathematics here and was inspired by many of the college’s quirks. If you can, come for evensong in the college cathedral.

Insider’s tip: Look out for the stained glass window celebrating Dodgson’s work along with Alice, the daughter of dean, who was his inspiration. You can also see two long-necked brass firedogs in the Great Hall, supposedly the inspiration for Alice’s long neck.

Contact: 01865 276150; chch.ox.ac.uk
Price: £