We will be in Oxford on Monday May 27, which is a bank holiday. Are museums usually closed or open on bank holidays? I looked on the websites for the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers museums and it doesn't specifically say they are closed but I wanted to make sure. And any info on whether we will be able to see inside some of the colleges? We are Harry Potter fans so would want to see some of the relevant sights. RS has very little info on Oxford...
If anyone has done a paid walking tour that they loved, please let me know. Looking at https://www.oxfordwalkingtours.com/ and https://www.oxfordofficialwalkingtours.org/ and https://footprints-tours.com/oxford-walking-tours/ as possibilities. Thanks!
Posted by
Washington DC
27063 posts
I took a walking tour organized by the tourist office. It's my impression that they sometimes have better access to the colleges.
Opening days and hours vary with the academic calendar and special events, so I think it's best to choose a tour with care.
I would expect the two museums to list accurate days of closure on their websites.
The Pitt-Rivers Museum tends to be dark. The gift shop will loan you a flashlight so you can read the labels in the display cases.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32709 posts
open and busy / crowded, especially if the sun, like the rest of us, is on holiday as it normally is on a Bank Holiday.
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN, USA
444 posts
Thanks acraven-I think the Oxford official walking tours are from the Tourism office. They have a University and City tour and a Harry Potter/Alice in Wonderland tour. Both could be fun...and we will try to be prepared for the darkness of the Pitt Rivers museum. :)
LOL nigel. Can't do much about crowds at this point except try to get an early start, I suppose.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32709 posts
How are you getting to Oxford?
If by train consider the route - from wherever - to Oxford and ensure that the usual Bank Holiday engineering works won't affect the journey.
If by car, be prepared for extra congestion, especially on the A34 and M40.
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN, USA
444 posts
Thanks nigel, actually we are arriving in London on Sunday and will be taking the bus there. Hopefully no issues other than traffic...
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
Few other possibilities which don't seem to have been mentioned in this or the other thread:
Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum (oldest in the UK)
The Parks (wander or maybe watch some cricket)
Punt / cruise along the Cherwell (pronounced Charwell)
Oxford Castle and Prison (guided tour only)
The Oxford Artisan Distillery (TOAD Gin) maybe not for the kids ...
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN, USA
444 posts
Thanks Marco-great suggestions! I didn't know about the Botanical Garden!