A Weekend in Oxford: Free Museums, Harry Potter Filming Locations & Things to See
A giant T. rex, two fantastic free museums and historic streets that look like something from a film set. Oxford turned out to be a brilliant place for a weekend away!
We recently enjoyed a couples’ weekend in Oxford, swapping our usual family days out for a little time exploring somewhere different.
Oxford is within easy driving distance of Hampshire for a weekend break, and with its historic university buildings, beautiful architecture and fascinating museums, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
We spent much of our weekend simply wandering around the city, taking photographs and discovering new places along the way. One of the things we loved most was how much there was to see just by walking around.
Although we visited without the children this time, we found several places we’d happily return to as a family.
Exploring Oxford’s Historic Streets and Famous Landmarks
Oxford is a lovely city to explore on foot, particularly if you enjoy history, photography or discovering interesting buildings.
You don’t have to go far before coming across another impressive college, beautiful church or historic street.
A couple of places that really caught our attention were:
The Bridge of Sighs
One of Oxford’s most recognisable landmarks is the Bridge of Sighs, officially called Hertford Bridge.
This beautiful enclosed bridge connects two parts of Hertford College above New College Lane.
It’s a fantastic photography spot, and you can walk directly underneath it without paying anything.
We couldn’t resist stopping for a few photographs!
The Radcliffe Camera
Another building that really stood out was the Radcliffe Camera, with its huge dome and impressive stone columns.
Located in Radcliffe Square, this historic university library building is one of Oxford’s most photographed landmarks.
Even if you’re not planning to go inside any of the university buildings, the surrounding streets are well worth exploring.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History – A Brilliant Free Attraction
One of the biggest highlights of our weekend was visiting the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
And the best part? Admission is completely FREE!
From the moment you step inside, the museum is impressive. Its magnificent glass roof, decorative ironwork and beautiful Victorian architecture make the building itself worth seeing.
But it’s the incredible exhibits that really catch your attention.
We were amazed by how much there was to discover.
Dinosaurs, Fossils and the Famous Oxford Dodo
The museum is packed with fascinating exhibits covering millions of years of natural history.
Some of the highlights include:
- An enormous Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton cast
- Dinosaur fossils and prehistoric creatures
- The famous Oxford Dodo
- Animal skeletons and natural history specimens
- Insects and displays about the natural world
- Colourful gemstones, minerals and meteorites
- Exhibits exploring evolution, biodiversity and life on Earth
The dinosaur displays were particularly impressive, and we spent quite some time looking around them.
We also loved seeing the famous Oxford Dodo. The museum holds exceptionally rare surviving remains of this extinct bird, including some of the only surviving dodo soft tissue in the world.
There’s something interesting wherever you look, and it’s the sort of museum where you can easily lose track of time.
Would we recommend it for families? Absolutely!
Our boys would love the dinosaurs and all the unusual exhibits, so this is definitely somewhere we’ll be returning to with them.
Visiting Information
Location: Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW
Admission: Free
Opening hours: Daily, 10am–5pm, with last admission at 4.45pm. Seasonal closures apply.
Booking: Not required for ordinary individual and family visits.
Website: Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Allow at least one to two hours if you want to explore the museum without rushing.
Pitt Rivers Museum – Another Free Museum Worth Exploring
One thing that’s especially useful to know is that the Pitt Rivers Museum is connected to the Natural History Museum.
You enter through the Natural History Museum, making it easy to explore both during the same visit.
And once again, entry is FREE!
This museum has a completely different atmosphere, with fascinating archaeological and anthropological collections from cultures around the world.
We particularly enjoyed seeing the enormous carved wooden figures and displays filled with historic objects.
There are thousands of things to discover, and it’s an interesting contrast to the dinosaur skeletons and natural history exhibits next door.
For families with children who enjoy history and discovering how people lived around the world, it’s another attraction worth exploring.
Opening hours: Generally 10am–5pm Tuesday to Sunday, and 12pm–5pm on Mondays, with some holiday exceptions.
Website: Pitt Rivers Museum
Discovering Oxford’s Harry Potter Filming Locations
Being huge Harry Potter fans, we couldn’t visit Oxford without looking for some of the famous places connected with the films!
Oxford has several genuine filming locations, and many of its historic buildings have the perfect atmosphere for a little Harry Potter sightseeing.
If you’re a fan, here are three places worth knowing about.
Bodleian Library
The historic Bodleian Library was used during the filming of several Harry Potter movies.
Duke Humfrey’s Library appeared as the Hogwarts library, while the Divinity School was used for scenes set in the Hogwarts hospital wing.
Some interior areas can be visited on organised tours, although tickets and access arrangements should be checked in advance.
Christ Church College
Christ Church is another famous Oxford location associated with Harry Potter.
Its grand staircase appeared in the films, while the magnificent Great Hall helped inspire the design of Hogwarts’ Great Hall.
Although the dining hall wasn’t itself used as the Hogwarts Great Hall filming set, it’s easy to understand why it provided inspiration.
New College
New College is another fantastic place for Harry Potter fans.
Its historic cloisters and courtyard featured in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, including scenes involving Draco Malfoy and the famous tree.
Visitor access can vary, so it’s worth checking before travelling.
For us, tracking down some of Oxford’s Harry Potter connections added another enjoyable part to an already lovely weekend.
Is Oxford Good for a Family Day Out?
Although our visit was a weekend away without the children, we definitely think Oxford would make a great family day out.
One of the biggest advantages is that you can enjoy several of its attractions without paying admission fees.
The Natural History Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum alone could keep curious children occupied for a good part of the day.
You can then spend some time walking around the historic city centre, admiring the beautiful buildings and visiting famous landmarks.
It’s also a good option for a day when the weather isn’t great, as the museums offer plenty to explore indoors.
For families travelling on a budget, Oxford has more to offer than you might expect.
Getting to Oxford from Hampshire and Where to Park
Oxford is a manageable journey from Hampshire, particularly if you’re planning an overnight stay or a full day exploring.
The driving time depends on which part of Hampshire you’re travelling from and the traffic, so it’s worth allowing plenty of time.
If you’re visiting by car, one option worth considering is Redbridge Park & Ride, located south of Oxford near the A34.
Postcode: OX1 4XG
At the time of writing, a combined £3 Park & Ride ticket covers up to 16 hours of parking and return bus travel for up to five people travelling together. This promotional offer is currently scheduled to run until 31 March 2027.
Check the latest prices and arrangements before visiting.
Parking information: Oxford Park & Ride
Once you’re in Oxford city centre, many of the attractions we’ve mentioned are within walking distance of one another.
Our Tips for Visiting Oxford with Children
If you’re planning a family visit, here are a few things we’d recommend:
- Start with the Natural History Museum. It’s free, full of interesting exhibits and especially good for children who love dinosaurs.
- Don’t miss the Pitt Rivers Museum. It’s connected to the Natural History Museum, so it’s easy to visit both.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Exploring Oxford involves plenty of walking.
- Make time for the Bridge of Sighs and Radcliffe Camera. Both are lovely spots for family photographs.
- Check Harry Potter attraction tickets beforehand. Some famous filming locations require paid entry or a guided tour.
- Allow plenty of time. There’s far more to discover than you might initially expect.
Would We Visit Oxford Again?
Definitely!
We really enjoyed our weekend exploring Oxford. From its beautiful historic buildings and charming streets to the incredible museums and Harry Potter filming locations, there was so much to see.
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History was a particular highlight, and we still can’t believe such an impressive attraction is completely free.
Although this was a weekend away for just the two of us, we’d love to return with the children and explore even more.
If you’re looking for somewhere different to visit from Hampshire, whether for a family day out or a weekend away, Oxford is well worth considering.
Have you visited Oxford before? We’d love to hear your favourite places to explore or anything you think we should see next time!
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