![\"Oxford](\"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/iStock_oxfordbuilding.jpg\")
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Think of Oxford, think of its university. Given that this seat of learning is one of the world\u2019s oldest, it\u2019s no wonder that the city is synonymous with its educational institution. During term-time, Oxford is thronged with eclectically dressed students, weaving through the streets on rickety bicycles or hurrying to their next lecture. But as visitors will soon find out, there\u2019s far more to this cosmopolitan little place than study.<\/p>\n
That said, visiting the university is high on most travellers\u2019 agendas. But it isn\u2019t quite as simple as it seems: Oxford is divided into over 30 colleges, where professors are based and students live. Dotted all over the city, each has its own identity and attraction (‘beauty’ may be a step too far in the case of 1960s-style St Catherine’s College). Visitors are welcome to wander round all colleges, but charges and opening hours vary (enquire at the tourist office on Broad Street). A few city centre colleges well worth your time are grand old Magdalen, with its riverside meadow and deer park, neat and formal Trinity, and Christ Church, whose dining hall you may recognize from the Harry Potter films. Book buffs may also be interested in a tour of the university\u2019s Bodleian Library<\/span><\/a>, one of the oldest libraries in Europe (and a very handsome building to boot).<\/p>\n If you\u2019re search of culture, Oxford will certainly provide: the thriving university means that the city has a packed arts agenda and some world-class museums. The recently-restored Ashmolean Museum<\/span><\/a> houses a vast collection of art and archaeological artefacts, including the world\u2019s largest collection of Raphael drawings. Fans of anthropology will love exploring the exhibitions at the Pitt Rivers Museum<\/span><\/a> on South Parks Road. It also makes a great rainy day activity for families, with plenty of curiosities for kids to marvel at (the shrunken heads are bound to impress). If the sun shines, however, you may want to give punting down the river a go. Do as the students do and load up on Pimms and picnic goodies before hiring a punt from Magdalen Bridge (the less adventurous can also rent someone to do the punting for them).<\/p>\n Aside from the obvious tourist attractions, Oxford has plenty to offer visitors who are keen to soak up the city\u2019s atmosphere. An ideal place to do just that is the bustling Covered Market<\/span><\/a>, crammed with independent shops, stalls and caf\u00e9s. And although Christ Church Meadow is postcard-perfect, it can get crowded with tourists in summer, so make like the locals and head north of the city centre to Port Meadow, a generous patch of riverside common land. It\u2019s also close to two great gastro pubs, The Perch<\/span><\/a> and The Trout<\/span><\/a>, should you need to refuel after your walk.<\/p>\n These days, Oxford isn\u2019t just a great place to study: it\u2019s also a top choice for diners and drinkers. Just north of the cit y centre, trendy Jericho\u2019s streets are packed with restaurants and bars, including sleek cocktail bar the Duke of Cambridge![\"The](\"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/iStock_oxfordresaurant1.jpg\")
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