Hertford Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Sighs
Culture, Education, Travel, United Kingdom

What to do in Oxford for Free & where to see Harry Potter’s filming location?

When I visit a city for the first time, the first thing I do is to just walk around, see what the city looks like and just get the general vibe – then I enjoy all that’s free – and when I go again, then I start to pick a few things with paid entry, where I really feel like there’s something that will make me happy!

I spent a few days in Oxford this year during Spring time and I really enjoyed the place! Have a read of all the places you can enjoy for free and then watch the video with extended information about what you can visit to enter the world of Harry Potter!

OXFORD, a vibrant student city

Oxford has plenty to offer without spending a penny! Here are some top free things to do in Oxford:

🏰 Wander the Colleges (Some Are Free!)

Many Oxford colleges are free to enter—especially during quieter times. Notable ones include:

  • Keble College – known for its unique striped brick architecture.
  • Exeter College – small, charming, and centrally located.
  • All Souls College – you can peek into the beautiful quadrangles.

📚 Visit the Bodleian Library & Radcliffe Camera (Exterior)

While tours inside the Bodleian require a ticket, the courtyards and exteriors are free to explore, and the Radcliffe Camera is one of the most photographed spots in Oxford.

🖼️ Explore the Ashmolean Museum

The oldest public museum in the UK is completely free and full of art, archaeology, and fascinating artifacts from around the world. I went there for a few hours and definitely had an amazing time!! I recommend 100%!

🎭 Catch a Free Event or Talk

Check the university and museum calendars—free lectures, poetry readings, and exhibitions happen regularly, especially during term time. Oxford is so alive with the hectic student life that there are always events happening.

🛍️ Stroll Through Covered Market

Even if you don’t buy anything, the historic Covered Market is worth visiting for its atmosphere, quirky shops, and local food stalls. It’s definitely worth a visit, it’s very ancient and quaint!

⛪ Visit the University Church of St Mary the Virgin

Entry to the church is free (though the tower has a fee). It offers Gothic architecture and a great spot to rest in quiet. Hope you get there when it’s a bit quiet as many visitors tend to walk around but I really liked the atmosphere of this small old church.

Which Park to choose in Oxford?

After a city break, time for a rest in nature and Oxford has a lot to offer!

🌳 University Parks

  • More botanical and landscaped: Tree-lined paths, rare plant species, and curated gardens.
  • Peaceful and spacious: Great for a tranquil walk, a book under a tree, or a relaxed picnic.
  • Less touristy: Feels more like a secret escape used by locals and students.
  • Bonus: You might spot some cricket on the playing fields.

🐄 Christ Church Meadow

  • Pastoral and iconic: Sweeping views of the college spires, grazing cows, and the river Thames (Isis).
  • Photogenic and atmospheric: The views toward Christ Church College are breathtaking.
  • More historical feel: Feels like stepping into a painting of Oxford’s academic past.
  • Busy with tourists: Especially on sunny days.

💬 Verdict:

  • If you want serene natural beauty and fewer crowds: go to University Parks.
  • If you want classic Oxford charm with postcard views: visit Christ Church Meadow.

But honestly? You can do both — they’re only a 10–15 minute walk apart. 😊

My photos from Spring time this year (2025) – nice vibe – lots of students and tourists – good atmosphere overall and many events happening – so very lively place! I recommend!

Oxford has plenty to offer without spending a penny! Here are some top free things to do in Oxford: 🏰 Wander the Colleges (Some Are Free!) Many Oxford colleges are free to enter—especially during quieter times. Notable ones include: Keble College – known for its unique striped brick architecture. Exeter College – small, charming, and centrally located. All Souls College – you can peek into the beautiful quadrangles. 📚 Visit the Bodleian Library & Radcliffe Camera (Exterior) While tours inside the Bodleian require a ticket, the courtyards and exteriors are free to explore, and the Radcliffe Camera is one of the most photographed spots in Oxford. 🖼️ Explore the Ashmolean Museum The oldest public museum in the UK is completely free and full of art, archaeology, and fascinating artifacts from around the world. I went there for a few hours and definitely had an amazing time!! I recommend 100%! 🎭 Catch a Free Event or Talk Check the university and museum calendars—free lectures, poetry readings, and exhibitions happen regularly, especially during term time. Oxford is so alive with the hectic student life that there are always events happening. 🛍️ Stroll Through Covered Market Even if you don’t buy anything, the historic Covered Market is worth visiting for its atmosphere, quirky shops, and local food stalls. It’s definitely worth a visit, it’s very ancient and quaint! ⛪ Visit the University Church of St Mary the Virgin Entry to the church is free (though the tower has a fee). It offers Gothic architecture and a great spot to rest in quiet. Hope you get there when it’s a bit quiet as many visitors tend to walk around but I really liked the atmosphere of this small old church. Which Park to choose in Oxford? After a city break, time for a rest in nature and Oxford has a lot to offer! 🌳 University Parks More botanical and landscaped: Tree-lined paths, rare plant species, and curated gardens. Peaceful and spacious: Great for a tranquil walk, a book under a tree, or a relaxed picnic. Less touristy: Feels more like a secret escape used by locals and students. Bonus: You might spot some cricket on the playing fields. 🐄 Christ Church Meadow Pastoral and iconic: Sweeping views of the college spires, grazing cows, and the river Thames (Isis). Photogenic and atmospheric: The views toward Christ Church College are breathtaking. More historical feel: Feels like stepping into a painting of Oxford’s academic past. Busy with tourists: Especially on sunny days. 💬 Verdict: If you want serene natural beauty and fewer crowds: go to University Parks. If you want classic Oxford charm with postcard views: visit Christ Church Meadow.
Oxford has plenty to offer without spending a penny! Here are some top free things to do in Oxford: 🏰 Wander the Colleges (Some Are Free!) Many Oxford colleges are free to enter—especially during quieter times. Notable ones include: Keble College – known for its unique striped brick architecture. Exeter College – small, charming, and centrally located. All Souls College – you can peek into the beautiful quadrangles. 📚 Visit the Bodleian Library & Radcliffe Camera (Exterior) While tours inside the Bodleian require a ticket, the courtyards and exteriors are free to explore, and the Radcliffe Camera is one of the most photographed spots in Oxford. 🖼️ Explore the Ashmolean Museum The oldest public museum in the UK is completely free and full of art, archaeology, and fascinating artifacts from around the world. I went there for a few hours and definitely had an amazing time!! I recommend 100%! 🎭 Catch a Free Event or Talk Check the university and museum calendars—free lectures, poetry readings, and exhibitions happen regularly, especially during term time. Oxford is so alive with the hectic student life that there are always events happening. 🛍️ Stroll Through Covered Market Even if you don’t buy anything, the historic Covered Market is worth visiting for its atmosphere, quirky shops, and local food stalls. It’s definitely worth a visit, it’s very ancient and quaint! ⛪ Visit the University Church of St Mary the Virgin Entry to the church is free (though the tower has a fee). It offers Gothic architecture and a great spot to rest in quiet. Hope you get there when it’s a bit quiet as many visitors tend to walk around but I really liked the atmosphere of this small old church. Which Park to choose in Oxford? After a city break, time for a rest in nature and Oxford has a lot to offer! 🌳 University Parks More botanical and landscaped: Tree-lined paths, rare plant species, and curated gardens. Peaceful and spacious: Great for a tranquil walk, a book under a tree, or a relaxed picnic. Less touristy: Feels more like a secret escape used by locals and students. Bonus: You might spot some cricket on the playing fields. 🐄 Christ Church Meadow Pastoral and iconic: Sweeping views of the college spires, grazing cows, and the river Thames (Isis). Photogenic and atmospheric: The views toward Christ Church College are breathtaking. More historical feel: Feels like stepping into a painting of Oxford’s academic past. Busy with tourists: Especially on sunny days. 💬 Verdict: If you want serene natural beauty and fewer crowds: go to University Parks. If you want classic Oxford charm with postcard views: visit Christ Church Meadow.
Oxford has plenty to offer without spending a penny! Here are some top free things to do in Oxford: 🏰 Wander the Colleges (Some Are Free!) Many Oxford colleges are free to enter—especially during quieter times. Notable ones include: Keble College – known for its unique striped brick architecture. Exeter College – small, charming, and centrally located. All Souls College – you can peek into the beautiful quadrangles. 📚 Visit the Bodleian Library & Radcliffe Camera (Exterior) While tours inside the Bodleian require a ticket, the courtyards and exteriors are free to explore, and the Radcliffe Camera is one of the most photographed spots in Oxford. 🖼️ Explore the Ashmolean Museum The oldest public museum in the UK is completely free and full of art, archaeology, and fascinating artifacts from around the world. I went there for a few hours and definitely had an amazing time!! I recommend 100%! 🎭 Catch a Free Event or Talk Check the university and museum calendars—free lectures, poetry readings, and exhibitions happen regularly, especially during term time. Oxford is so alive with the hectic student life that there are always events happening. 🛍️ Stroll Through Covered Market Even if you don’t buy anything, the historic Covered Market is worth visiting for its atmosphere, quirky shops, and local food stalls. It’s definitely worth a visit, it’s very ancient and quaint! ⛪ Visit the University Church of St Mary the Virgin Entry to the church is free (though the tower has a fee). It offers Gothic architecture and a great spot to rest in quiet. Hope you get there when it’s a bit quiet as many visitors tend to walk around but I really liked the atmosphere of this small old church. Which Park to choose in Oxford? After a city break, time for a rest in nature and Oxford has a lot to offer! 🌳 University Parks More botanical and landscaped: Tree-lined paths, rare plant species, and curated gardens. Peaceful and spacious: Great for a tranquil walk, a book under a tree, or a relaxed picnic. Less touristy: Feels more like a secret escape used by locals and students. Bonus: You might spot some cricket on the playing fields. 🐄 Christ Church Meadow Pastoral and iconic: Sweeping views of the college spires, grazing cows, and the river Thames (Isis). Photogenic and atmospheric: The views toward Christ Church College are breathtaking. More historical feel: Feels like stepping into a painting of Oxford’s academic past. Busy with tourists: Especially on sunny days. 💬 Verdict: If you want serene natural beauty and fewer crowds: go to University Parks. If you want classic Oxford charm with postcard views: visit Christ Church Meadow.
Oxford student life
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Oxford has plenty to offer without spending a penny! Here are some top free things to do in Oxford: 🏰 Wander the Colleges (Some Are Free!) Many Oxford colleges are free to enter—especially during quieter times. Notable ones include: Keble College – known for its unique striped brick architecture. Exeter College – small, charming, and centrally located. All Souls College – you can peek into the beautiful quadrangles. 📚 Visit the Bodleian Library & Radcliffe Camera (Exterior) While tours inside the Bodleian require a ticket, the courtyards and exteriors are free to explore, and the Radcliffe Camera is one of the most photographed spots in Oxford. 🖼️ Explore the Ashmolean Museum The oldest public museum in the UK is completely free and full of art, archaeology, and fascinating artifacts from around the world. I went there for a few hours and definitely had an amazing time!! I recommend 100%! 🎭 Catch a Free Event or Talk Check the university and museum calendars—free lectures, poetry readings, and exhibitions happen regularly, especially during term time. Oxford is so alive with the hectic student life that there are always events happening. 🛍️ Stroll Through Covered Market Even if you don’t buy anything, the historic Covered Market is worth visiting for its atmosphere, quirky shops, and local food stalls. It’s definitely worth a visit, it’s very ancient and quaint! ⛪ Visit the University Church of St Mary the Virgin Entry to the church is free (though the tower has a fee). It offers Gothic architecture and a great spot to rest in quiet. Hope you get there when it’s a bit quiet as many visitors tend to walk around but I really liked the atmosphere of this small old church. Which Park to choose in Oxford? After a city break, time for a rest in nature and Oxford has a lot to offer! 🌳 University Parks More botanical and landscaped: Tree-lined paths, rare plant species, and curated gardens. Peaceful and spacious: Great for a tranquil walk, a book under a tree, or a relaxed picnic. Less touristy: Feels more like a secret escape used by locals and students. Bonus: You might spot some cricket on the playing fields. 🐄 Christ Church Meadow Pastoral and iconic: Sweeping views of the college spires, grazing cows, and the river Thames (Isis). Photogenic and atmospheric: The views toward Christ Church College are breathtaking. More historical feel: Feels like stepping into a painting of Oxford’s academic past. Busy with tourists: Especially on sunny days. 💬 Verdict: If you want serene natural beauty and fewer crowds: go to University Parks. If you want classic Oxford charm with postcard views: visit Christ Church Meadow.
the Hertford Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Sighs, which crosses New College Lane to connect two parts of Hertford College
 Hertford Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Sighs
Oxford has plenty to offer without spending a penny! Here are some top free things to do in Oxford: 🏰 Wander the Colleges (Some Are Free!) Many Oxford colleges are free to enter—especially during quieter times. Notable ones include: Keble College – known for its unique striped brick architecture. Exeter College – small, charming, and centrally located. All Souls College – you can peek into the beautiful quadrangles. 📚 Visit the Bodleian Library & Radcliffe Camera (Exterior) While tours inside the Bodleian require a ticket, the courtyards and exteriors are free to explore, and the Radcliffe Camera is one of the most photographed spots in Oxford. 🖼️ Explore the Ashmolean Museum The oldest public museum in the UK is completely free and full of art, archaeology, and fascinating artifacts from around the world. I went there for a few hours and definitely had an amazing time!! I recommend 100%! 🎭 Catch a Free Event or Talk Check the university and museum calendars—free lectures, poetry readings, and exhibitions happen regularly, especially during term time. Oxford is so alive with the hectic student life that there are always events happening. 🛍️ Stroll Through Covered Market Even if you don’t buy anything, the historic Covered Market is worth visiting for its atmosphere, quirky shops, and local food stalls. It’s definitely worth a visit, it’s very ancient and quaint! ⛪ Visit the University Church of St Mary the Virgin Entry to the church is free (though the tower has a fee). It offers Gothic architecture and a great spot to rest in quiet. Hope you get there when it’s a bit quiet as many visitors tend to walk around but I really liked the atmosphere of this small old church. Which Park to choose in Oxford? After a city break, time for a rest in nature and Oxford has a lot to offer! 🌳 University Parks More botanical and landscaped: Tree-lined paths, rare plant species, and curated gardens. Peaceful and spacious: Great for a tranquil walk, a book under a tree, or a relaxed picnic. Less touristy: Feels more like a secret escape used by locals and students. Bonus: You might spot some cricket on the playing fields. 🐄 Christ Church Meadow Pastoral and iconic: Sweeping views of the college spires, grazing cows, and the river Thames (Isis). Photogenic and atmospheric: The views toward Christ Church College are breathtaking. More historical feel: Feels like stepping into a painting of Oxford’s academic past. Busy with tourists: Especially on sunny days. 💬 Verdict: If you want serene natural beauty and fewer crowds: go to University Parks. If you want classic Oxford charm with postcard views: visit Christ Church Meadow.
Parks in Oxford UK
Oxford UK
Visit Oxford UK
Giant tree in Oxford with benches around

Visit Harry Potter’s HOGWARTS LIBRARY in Oxford | Duke Humfrey’s Library at the Bodleian! ✨📚

The Divinity School is a beautiful, vaulted hall at the University of Oxford that served as a filming location for the Hogwarts infirmary in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The neighboring Duke Humfrey’s Library, a part of the Bodleian Libraries, was used for scenes in the Hogwarts library, including the Restricted Section. You can visit these locations by booking a guided tour. Check that great video for a virtual tour and follow her channel!!

One thought on “What to do in Oxford for Free & where to see Harry Potter’s filming location?”

  1. Thanks for the information seems like a great place to visit.Hope you are well love to you🙂🌞🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🌟

    On Sun, 26 Oct 2025, 10:05 POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT – Pioneering Ethical

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