Towers
to Climb in Oxford
Climb to see the ‘dreaming spires’! You can choose
from 5 towers in the city, all with fabulous views.
1. Carfax Tower
Carfax is regarded as being the centre of the city of Oxford.
Its name is derived from the French for ‘crossroads’
– carrefour. Carfax Tower is owned by the City council and
is on the site of a 13th-century church (St Martin’s Church).
It is 23m (74 ft) tall and you can climb the 99 steps to the top.
The church clock chime the quarter hours.
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more information
See the 360
degree panorama from the top of the Carfax Tower.
2. The Tower of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
The views from the top of the 13th-century tower make climbing
the 124 steps well worth the effort. You will have uninterrupted
views across the heart of the university, the city and then the
surrounding gentle countryside.
Visit
the Official Website
3. Saxon Tower of St Michael at the North Gate
This is the oldest building in Oxford and the easiest climb in
the city! There is a handrail, good solid stairs and many ‘resting
places’ on the way up (and back down again) if you need
them. It is at the site of the original north gate into the city
and it dates from 1040.
Visit
the Official Website
4. Oxford Castle Tower
Originally built in 1071 for William the Conqueror, the castle
was strategically placed to allow the Normans to control the area.
The prison in the castle was mainly used to house prisoners from
the surrounding county and also, for a time, the University’s
‘rebellious scholars’. It was still in use as a prison
until as recently as 1996.
Visit the Oxford Castle Unlocked Website - Visit the Oxford Castle Official Website
5. The Cupola at the Sheldonian Theatre
The Sheldonian Theatre was built in 1668 and named after Gilbert
Sheldon, who was Chancellor of the University at the time the
construction was funded. The theatre is used for music recitals,
lectures, conferences and for various University ceremonies. It
has a prominent eight-sided cupola in the centre of the roof,
accessible via a staircase and its large windows on all sides
provide impressive views across central Oxford.
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