Having spawned the legendary
, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins and the
, Oxford is not only England's oldest
centre for learning, but the home and inspiration of such famous
authors as Lewis Carroll, CS Lewis, and JRR Tolkien. In recent
years, the city added to its literary resume by acting as the
location for several parts of Hogwarts School in the blockbuster
Harry Potter films.
The 'dreaming spires' of Oxford University house the famous
Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of Modern Art; other excellent
museums in Oxford include the Pitt Rivers Museum of Anthropology
and Ethnology, the Christ Church Picture Gallery, and the Oxford
Museum of Natural History. Whether lazing on one of the college
quadrangles, punting down the river, pub crawling, or exploring the
city's ancient heritage, Oxford promises something for visitors of
all ages.
Outside of the university, the city of Oxford has a number of
its own attractions, including active theatre and art communities,
and many unique and interesting shops and restaurants. The Covered
Market in High Street is one of the oldest in England and worth a
browse, and you'll find many shops that sell Oxford University
memorabilia, whether authentic or not.
It should come as no surprise that a town this dedicated to its
university would have a busy nightlife, and many bars, pubs and
nightclubs open their doors nightly to students and anyone else who
wanders in.