Oxford colleges

Many, but not all, of the colleges now charge visitors to enter - the link below gives the entry costs for each of the colleges. Christ Church is very expensive in my view.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/visitors/visiting-oxford/visiting-the-colleges

This link gives some more details of the most popular colleges:

https://oxfordvisit.com/articles/how-do-you-arrange-to-visit-oxford-university-colleges/

It also depends a bit on what you want to see. Many of the older colleges have little of their original buildings left - they were often built of wood and have since burned down. I would also put in a mention for Wadham College (central location, free to enter) whose Front Quad - the bit you see as you enter - is pretty much as it was when it was first built over 400 years ago. If the hall is open, it has a lovely Jacobean hammer-beam ceiling.

Christ Church College is definitely worth visiting in my opinion, and I say that as someone who has never read/watched HP nor plans to- it's beautiful on its own merits. Back in March we visited Magdalen College, which also has an entry fee, and I really enjoyed that one as well- beautiful architecture and grounds, including the river running through it and deer.

If you have time, I highly highly recommend a tour of the Bodleian Library, but you have to book the tickets as soon as they go on sale (the tours are normally once a week and go on sale the month before). If you do the full tour you get to see some of the best architecture in Oxford and go inside the Radcliffe Camera.

One of my favourites is Balliol.

A small charge (just £6) at the Porter's Lodge (you have to go in to the Lodge). http://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/

I have personal reasons including, among others, that Lord Peter Wimsey went to school there.

It doesn't hurt that it is the best College, IMHO.

I would agree that a tour of the Bodlean Library is well worth while, if you can get a ticket.

I wish I had visited more, but I will confirm that Balliol is beautiful and that I really enjoyed my tour of Christ Church (wonderful stories from my guide having nothing to do with HP), and that the Bodleian Library is amazing. Check open hours of the ones you want to see. Christ Church requires a reservation (except for evensong) and the Library a ticket bought well ahead of time.

Thank you, everyone! Getting tickets for the Bodleian Library tour is on my to-do list, though I’m not overly optimistic since they release at 2:15am my local time. I’ll do my best and hope for some luck!

I also wanted to ask: how much time should I allocate for visits to Balliol College, Christ Church College, and Magdalen College? Would 1.5 hours per college be sufficient? If we do manage to get tickets for the Bodleian Library tour, that will take another 1.5 hours.

Most attractions are open from 10am to 5pm (with Magdalen open until 6:30pm during the summer), and I’m starting to worry that fitting in the library tour, the Pitt Rivers Museum, university church of st. mary the virgin, and all three colleges might be a stretch in one day. I’ve mapped everything out, and they seem fairly spread out. Could anyone advise on the most convenient way to get from one place to another? Appreciate the help!!

The only sensible way for a visitor to get around central Oxford is by walking - don't even think about taxis or buses. Bikes are Ok and (I think) there is a hire and park scheme but you have to join the scheme, park the bike, lock it up etc. Central Oxford isn't very big - I'd guess walking from Christ Church to the Pitt-Rivers museum would take less than 15 minutes.

Get a good map - the quickest route is often via narrow old streets.

...and I’m starting to worry that fitting in the library tour, the Pitt Rivers Museum, university church of st. mary the virgin, and all three colleges might be a stretch in one day.

I would be worried to the extent that I would scale back my plans considerably. Pitt Rivers alone can easily take 2+ hours if you find the collection appealing.

we enjoyed our walk around Magdalen and seeing the deer, I believe at times you can also punt on the nearby river.

Oxford is all about walking. There's also a small memorial to the MG motor company if anyone is into that.

Adding on to what markcw said.....

You will be missing the excellent Ashmolean Museum, which is possibly even more interesting than the Pitt Rivers.

|You will be missing the excellent Ashmolean Museum, which is possibly even more interesting than the Pitt Rivers.

I remember seeing a few of threads here or maybe on Reddits that Pitt Rivers is the most interesting museum to prioritize on if one can only visit one museum in Oxford. Is that not true? Ashmolean though very interesting was being described as a smaller version of British museum and hence not prioritized if one already plans British museum into his London part of itinerary. Pls correct if this is not right.

Pls correct if this is not right.

What's right is what appeals to you, not someone posting on Reddit. Read a description of each site, maybe watch a video or two on YouTube and make decisions based on your specific interests.

You can't compare the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers - they are like chalk and cheese. A lot depends on what you find interesting/enjoyable...