Oxford Vacations: Things To Do When You Stay in Oxford

Although Oxford is a University city there is plenty for you to do if you decide to visit it. Both the river Thames and Cherwell run through the city and meet just south of its centre. If you want why not spend some time relaxing and just strolling along the banks of either of these.

However, there are plenty of other wonderful things to do and see when you stay in Oxford and below we take a look at just a few of them.

1.    The Ashmolean Museum is one of the greatest in the world and also claims to be Britain's first official museum. When this museum was founded, the term museum had not been coined and its creator based it on a collection of natural history specimens brought together by John Tradescant and his son. The collection was later given to Elias Ashmole. He then had a special building erected in which the collection could be housed and it first opened its doors to the public in May 1683. But what made this museum so special was when the Alfred Jewel was added to the collection in 1718. 

But as the collection grew the original property in which it was housed became too small and a new museum building was erected and opened its doors in 1894. During 1908 the collection of items collected and displayed in the Ashmolean were merged with an art gallery.

2.     Oxford Botanic Gardens were originally Physic Gardens that were founded by Henry Danvers in 1621 so that he as the Earl of Danby could study more closely medicinal plants. At the time of its creation the garden cost £5,000 and was built on the site of a form medieval Jewish cemetery. The plant ragwort was propagated here from seeds that came from Mount Etna. This is the oldest surviving botanic gardens in England and along with the herb and medicinal plants you can view tropical lilies, palms and other arid zone plants in various greenhouses in the gardens. The gardens also feature a rock garden and a bog garden for you to explore.

3.    Located on Oxford High Street is the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. This is a very important building in Oxford University's history. It was in the walls of this building that the first library for the university was established and it is believed that in the early part of the 12th Century Masters and students were gathered at it. 

It was in this building that the trial of the Bishops Latimer and Ridley along with Archbishop Cranmer took place for heresy in 1555. They soon became known as the "Oxford Martyrs". It is on one side of Radcliffe Square and facing it is the Radcliffe Camera.  You are bound to notice the buildings spire, parts of which date back to when it was originally constructed in the thirteenth Century. The more energetic can climb the towers one hundred and twenty seven steps and be rewarded with spectacular views of the city.

When you next stay in Oxford, choose your Oxford hotel from this list.