Carfax Tower — a 23-metre medieval bell tower standing at the four-way intersection in the heart of Oxford, is the sole surviving remnant of the 12th-century St Martin's Church. Serving as Oxford's official city church since 1122, Queen Elizabeth I once held religious ceremonies here; in 1896 the main body of the church was demolished for road widening, leaving only this stone tower standing across nine centuries. Climb 99 spiral steps to the top for a 360-degree panoramic view of Oxford's entire skyline of spires; the Quarterboys on the east wall strike the ancient bells every quarter hour, with six bronze bells still rung by the Oxford Society of Change Ringers on special occasions. The one-day in-depth tour includes summit viewing, historical site exploration and a city centre walk.
From climbing 99 steps to overlook Oxford's spires, to listening to the ancient chimes of the Quarterboys, step into the historical scene of a thousand-year-old crossroads and feel the pulse and breath of Oxford's city centre
Start the morning at the foot of Carfax Tower. Purchase a ticket and climb the 99 narrow spiral steps to the 23-metre high observation platform at the top, enjoying a 360-degree panoramic view of Oxford — the circular dome of the Radcliffe Camera, the cathedral spire of Christ Church College, the classical silhouette of the Sheldonian Theatre all come into view, and on a clear day you can even see the Chiltern Hills in the distance. Examine the Quarterboys on the east wall — two bronze mechanical soldier statues installed in 1898 that strike the bronze bells with hammers every quarter hour, one of Oxford's most delightful historical installations. Then explore the remains of St Martin's Church at the base of the tower: the solitary gravestone behind the tower marks the resting place of William Butler, Mayor of Oxford who died in 1865 — the only grave overlooked when the church was demolished, surviving to this day as one of Oxford's most touching historical footnotes. In the afternoon, stroll along Queen Street to the Covered Market for authentic local food, then walk to Christ Church College to experience the majestic grandeur of the Harry Potter Great Hall.
A family-run Brazilian cafe right next to Carfax Tower Gardens. Famous for its classic English breakfast and chicken carbonara pasta, with rich aromatic coffee and hot chocolate. £8-£15 per person, the perfect spot to rest after climbing the tower.
A Spanish restaurant housed in an 18th-century building beside Carfax Tower, retaining original wooden beams and colourful tiles. Signature garlic prawns, paella and sangria are full of Iberian flair. £15-£25 per person.
A 3-minute walk from Carfax Tower, this Asian fusion restaurant's menu covers Korean fried chicken, Malaysian curry, Vietnamese pho and Indonesian satay. Milk tea is a must-order drink, with plenty of vegetarian options. £10-£18 per person.
Oxford's legendary artisan ice cream shop, with thyme honey and Earl Grey flavours full of British creativity. Perfect for a summer afternoon stroll on the High Street. Single scoop from £4, just a 5-minute walk from Carfax Tower.