Central Oxford 

The centre of Oxford is dominated by the University colleges, the most famous being Christ Church, Trinity, and Balliol (from a total of thirty six).

Most visitors orient themselves around Carfax, a crossroads in the very centre of the town. From here stretches The High to the east - "One of the world's great streets" (Nikolaus Pevsner), St Aldates to the south leading down to the river, Cornmarket to the north and Queen Street to the west - the latter two being the main shopping streets of Oxford.

St Giles'
Close to the Playhouse Theatre, the Randolph Hotel, and Oxford's principle (and world famous) museum - the Ashmolean, St Giles' is well-known for many things.

At the south end lies the recently restored Martyrs' Memorial which commemorates Archbishop Cranmer and Protestant Bishops Latimer and Ridley who were burnt at the stake in Tudor times by the Roman Catholic Queen Mary. A cross in the road outside Balliol college marks the actual spot of the execution.

Visit our tourist attractions pages for links to more detailled information on things to see and do in the centre, north, south, east and west of Oxford City.

Shopping
Oxford offers an extensive range of shops and restaurants. At the end of Queen Street lies The Westgate, a modern shopping complex. Further shopping centres are found at the Clarendon Centre (between Queen Street and Cornmarket), and the Golden Cross arcade next to the fanous Covered Market.

Not far away lies the recently redeveloped Gloucester Green, next to the bus station, where a weekly fresh produce market is held.

For further information on shopping in the city, visit our shopping pages.