A Walk around Oxford

Start from the tourist information centre, where you can pick up maps and leaflets.

On the left is Christ Church College, one of the university’s largest.

Continue to the wrought iron gates; turn left and walk through the War Memorial Garden. Turn left on the path between the stone wall and the playing field; go through the gate.

On your left is Corpus Christi College; on the right, Merton.

Cross Merton Street; follow Magpie Lane to High Street.

Opposite is the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. A walkway on the left side leads to Radcliffe Square, dominated by the Radcliffe Camera, Britain’s first circular library, opened in 1749.

Exit the square on the left, on Brasenose Lane. Turn right on Turl Street, lined with colleges and right again onto Broad Street.

Here, Oxford fixtures include Blackwell, a renowned bookshop and the 17th-century Sheldonian Theatre. Climb to the cupola for a view of Oxford’s ‘dreaming spires’. Next is the Bodleian Library. Join a tour to see the magnificent Duke Humfrey’s Library and Divinity School, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

Turn right onto Catte Street and left onto New College Lane, beneath Oxford’s very own Bridge of Sighs.

For a pub lunch, turn immediately left into St Helen’s Passage and follow it to the Turf Tavern.

Return to New College Lane, turn left and continue past New College and St Edmund Hall. At High Street, turn left and walk to Magdalen College, pronounced ‘Mordlin’.

This college is worth visiting for its gardens and the sung evening service at 6pm, most days.

Distance Approx 5km (3 miles)

Time 4–6 hours depending on which colleges are open

Start point Tourist information centre 15 Broad Street

End point Magdalen College

Lunch Turf Tavern (£) 4 Bath Place, via St Helen’s Passage

Sheldonian Theatre Broad Street 01865 277299 Mon–Sat 10–12:30, 2–1:30 (3:30 in winter). All times subject to functions Inexpensive

Bodleian Library Broad Street 01865 277224 Guided tours all year Mon–Sat 10:30, 11:30, 2, 3 Moderate

To find out which colleges are open visit www.ox.ac.uk and follow the Visitors link