Tourist attractions Oxford

Blenheim Palace, the residence of the Dukes of Marlborough, is the greatest building of the English Baroque, matched in splendour by the sublime landscape of its vast park. A gift from Queen Anne Stuart to the Duke of Marlborough to mark his victory ..

This former hunting reserve planted with ancient trees is surrounded by a 15km deer-proof wall. Capability Brown got rid of the perfectly straight alleys and geometrical flowerbeds designed in the early 18C, but the original spirit of the park remain..

The Bodleian Library, founded in the 14C and reconstructed in the 17C, is one of the richest libraries in the world with its almost five million books, manuscripts and maps. On the right-hand side of the courtyard stands the Tower of the Five Orders..

The largest and most majestic Oxford college, founded in 1525, is built around the vast «Tom Quad». The main gate built by Wren, «Tom Tower», the Tudor hall and the portrait gallery should not be missed.

Built by CR Cockerell in a very free neo-Grecian style (1845), the Ashmolean developed from the collections of John Tradescant, the gardener at Hatfield House, and his son. Nowadays, the Ashmolean is a university museum housing rich and varied collec..

The college, once St-John's hospital, was founded in 1456. The wall along the High Street dates from the 13 C. The chapel, bell-tower and cloister are late Perpendicular. The 46 m high bell-tower , is still, as James 1 said, «the most perfect struct..

It was founded and received its charter in 1427. The chapel, 1610-1631, in the second quad has Flemish stained glass of 17 C origin. Between the two quads are the two oak-panelled rooms where John Wesley, founder of Methodism, taught for 25 years. Th..

The Sheldonian Theatre was the first classical building in Oxford (1664-1669), and the first architectural work of Wren . It houses official university ceremonies. The roof structure is an engineering masterpiece, even if the rest of the building ..

Built in late Roman style with a 16 C roof, it was originally the priory church of St Frideswide, which explains why it is today the smallest cathedral in England. The 15 C starred choir vaulting is magnificent. Notice the window dating from c. 1..

Founded in 1340, and rebuilt between 1671 and 1760, this is the only Oxford college in which the architectural styles have been harmonised. The Front Quadrangle , has cloisters on three sides and the hall and chapel on the fourth. The Classical cha..

Founded in 1555, it stretches back from the original 16 C façade. The grounds were designed by Capability Brown . The front quad contains remains of the medieval St Bernard's college (1437), while the columns of Canterbury quad (1631-1636) give a to..

Today the contents of this natural history museum pale into insignificance beside the extraordinary building that contains them. The building is a cast iron neo-Gothic cathedral designed like a railway station, and decorated with delicate 19C stone c..

This anthropological collection is housed next to the natural history museum. It includes masks, musical instruments, jewellery, skulls, totems and armour, displayed by category rather than by country of origin, to show traditions that are common to ..

The 17C County Hall is quite interesting, it was designed by Christopher Kempster , who assisted Wren with the construction of the dome of St Paul's Cathedral.

The 14 C tower is all that remains of St-Martin's church, the centre of the Saxon and Medieval town. From the top of the tower, enjoy a superb view of the High Street.

It was founded in 1509. The entrance and the main hall are also from the early 16 C, the library and the chapel from the mid 17 C, and the old kitchen is a 14 C relic of Brasenose Hall (the name come from the brass knocker which is nose shaped).

Founded in 1326, it was entirely rebuilt between 1642 and 1649 in Jacobean style. A second quad was added in the 18 C. The library is by James Wyatt.

The college was founded in 1314, and it possesses both the rich Jacobean and sober Victorian styles. The oldest part is the Palmer Tower (1432). The chapel by Gilbert Scott (1857), imitates the Sainte Chapelle in Paris, and has a tapestry by Morr..

It was founded in 1571. Its façade is very late Perpendicular. The entrance, the hall, the chapel and the inner quad are Classical 17 & 18 C.

This is the heart of the university, dominated by the dome of the Radcliffe Camera designed by James Gibbs. To the south is St Mary's Church, to the west Brasenose College, to the east All Souls College, and to the north the federal buildings aroun..