One of Oxford’s oldest buildings (St George’s Tower dates from Saxon times) is brought vividly to life by well trained and knowledgeable costumed guides in this roller coaster ride through the city’s sometimes dark history. There’s a 900 year old crypt to explore, a claustrophobic Debtor’s Prison and plenty of themed special tours to raise the hairs on the back of your neck! Take a ghost walk if you dare, and select your guide from a list of historical figures including Geoffrey of Monmouth, the Empress Matilda and “Prisoner D100”. Oxford Castle Unlocked is open year round, excepting December 24-26 inclusive

Great for: History

There are dozens of Harry Potter locations in the city – mainly in University buildings. The Bodleian Library, Christ Church and New College have all been used to recreate the wizard’s university Hogwarts. In the Bodleian, both the Divinity Hall and the Duke Humphries Library have been used. The Cloisters in New College appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Christ Church’s Great Hall was used as a model for the refectory in Hogwarts, and the college’s stairway and Cloisters have both appeared in scenes from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Great for: Harry Potter Fans

The Botanic Garden is run by the University, both as a museum and a living collection. Taken together with Harcourt Arboretum, the Botanic Garden is a working University department dedicated to the study of plants. Right in the centre of the city, the Garden boasts one of the most diverse collections of plants for its size anywhere in the world. It routinely holds special events designed to educate visitors, or to teach gardening and related skills (such as plant illustration). The Garden is just off the High Street, and is next to the river Cherwell on its far side. Particularly recommended are the Glasshouses, which incorporate plants from all over the world. At night, when the Glasshouses are lit up, the Gardens are a spectacular place to be.

Great for: Day Trips