Oxford is one of the most famous cities in the world. You would think being English I would have visited often, but last year my husband and I visited for the first time. Oxford is famous for its University, which is made up of over 30 colleges. The dreaming spires, the ancient stone buildings, the sense of history around every corner — it really is a remarkable place.
We drove down on a Friday afternoon and checked into a lovely hotel just outside the city centre. I'd recommend doing this rather than staying right in the middle — parking is a nightmare in Oxford and it's much easier to park at your hotel and walk or take a bus into town.
Saturday morning we started with a proper English breakfast and then headed into the city. Our first stop was the Bodleian Library — one of the oldest libraries in Europe and an absolute architectural masterpiece. Even if you're not a bookworm, the building itself is worth seeing.
We then wandered through the various college grounds that are open to the public. Christ Church is probably the most famous — partly because of its connection to Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland, and partly because it was used as a filming location for the Harry Potter films. Standing in the Great Hall, you can absolutely see why they chose it.
For lunch we found a wonderful little pub tucked down a side street — proper pub food, real ales, and a roaring fire. Perfect for a February day.
The afternoon was spent exploring the covered market, browsing the independent bookshops (Oxford has some wonderful ones), and just soaking up the atmosphere of this extraordinary city.
If you haven't been to Oxford, put it on your list. It's only about an hour from London, easily accessible from most of England, and absolutely packed with history, culture, and beauty. We're already planning a return visit.