University Church of St Mary the Virgin

This area is still part of university that holds a lot of history about events happening here. Meanwhile I believe this church also hold a lot of architecture evolvement during the time. You may read the history nearby there. But i would suggest to have some exploration and enjoying the design. It was really chill place.

Must visit place when you are in Oxford. The church is free but to go to the tower, you need to pay. It is close before sunset so please check before you visit

The University Church of St. Mary in Oxford is an architectural masterpiece and a must-visit landmark for anyone exploring the city. This stunning church, located at the heart of Oxford's historic center, offers a captivating blend of history, spirituality, and breathtaking design.

The church's towering spire dominates the skyline and beckons you to explore its interiors. As you step inside, you'll be awestruck by the grandeur of the Gothic architecture, intricate stained glass windows, and the serene atmosphere that makes it an ideal place for contemplation and reflection.

History seeps from every corner of the University Church. It has played a significant role in the university's life, hosting graduations and notable events. The charming churchyard, with its ancient tombstones and vibrant garden, provides a peaceful haven in the bustling city.

Visiting the University Church of St. Mary is not only an encounter with history but also an opportunity to appreciate exquisite craftsmanship. Whether you're interested in architecture, spirituality, or simply exploring Oxford's rich heritage, this church is an absolute must-see. It's a place where the past meets the present, offering a glimpse into the enduring charm of Oxford.

Small wait for the tower but it was clear why they apply a capacity limit when we got to the top, as the stairway and balcony are only suitable for one person at a time. Great views looking across all directions of Oxford and would highly recommend the experience, although would avoid if you are afraid of tight spaces or heights.

Beautiful church with stained glass windows. You can go up the tower for a 360 degree view of Oxford for just £5 per person. No prebooking needed, we went on a weekday around noon & there was no queue. You’ll need to climb a narrow & steep spiral staircase and the balcony corridor can fit just one person at a time. Just walk slowly & patiently, and enjoy the views! Tower closes at 5:00pm, last entry 30 mins before.

I don’t know what’s not to love about this charming little church. It’s over spilling with history and serves as a perfect break from hustle and the bustle of high street. They often have live music and you can climb to the top if you get there before 4:30 or so. It’s a landmark for the whole city and I highly recommend going to the top and sitting for a while to catch your breath during your whirlwind tour of the city.

Excellent views from the church tower, for just £5 per ticket. The church itself is lovely with wonderful stained glass windows and a great cafe. We visited on a weekday and waited about 10 minutes to enter the tower. The tower is old of course, and has narrow steep stairs. Most folks maintained etiquette going up and down the stairs (you can either have a group going up or down at a time).

Beautiful church. Free to enter but costs to climb the tower

Views (shown in pictures on a misty day) from the tower are the best you'll get from the city.

It is part of the University of Oxford and has a rich and significant history. The church is situated in the heart of Oxford, close to the High Street and Radcliffe Square. is a fascinating place to explore, offering an insight into the history of the university and the city

The University Church of St Mary the Virgin is a unique architectural masterpiece in Oxford. It has a wonderful history ( one of the oldest, built in 11th century, first building adapted to University) and eye catching views. It is free to enter. If you want to climb the tower need to pay £5.

One of the oldest churches in England located at Oxford... Had a great view of the university and the city around from the top of this church.. Really a one time visit is must which is worth a try..

Fantastic church with wonderful architecture. Free to visit, there is also a tower tour which cost £5, worth it for the views.

This church is hard to miss due to its size and beauty and its just by chance that we were walking down the room and saw that you could go in and visit - even more surprised and excited when we saw you could climb the tower to the top. I believe the tower is 13th century and its defiantly worth the small fee to climb - the views of the city from the top were amazing and it even gives you a better view of some of the wonderful architecture oxford has to offer. Its especially interesting to see from of the graffiti cravings in the stone - some of them look extremely old.
Wish I had more time to look round the church - but what I saw was spectacular. The stained glass windows were beautiful. Will defiantly be going back for a better look round.

My daughter and I visited the church purely to climb the tower which costs £5 each. We had a small wait of about 10 minutes as they limit the number of visitors in the tower due to the confined space up there. Once we ascended the narrow spiral staircase, while hoping that we did not meet anyone who was descending, we were able to see some breathtaking views of the city. The space atop is very narrow so some shuffling of bodies is required to pass anyone. There are 3 sides of the tower to access.

Had a lovely view from the top. Try to come in early and be prepared for the climb. But it'll be worth the climb and the best time to visit is in the evening when the sun is about to set. The Golden Hour.

Be prepared for a majestic view of Oxford. It might get a bit claustrophobic on your way up but hold out.

Oxford University's beautiful and historical place of worship.

The views from the roof top provides the most exquisite views of parts of Oxford's famous skyline.

As expected the church provides a safe space for quite prayer and meditation.

There is a rather inexpensive gift shop just inside the rear entrance which leads our to the stunning Radcliffe Camera and Vaults tearooms.
Very well worth a visit

This Church is beautiful inside and out. The £5 cost to climb the tower is well worth it for the views out over Oxford in lovely sunny weather. It is a bit.of a steep climb though and if you don't like heights it can be a bit nerve wracking!

My First time visiting and I was not disappointed. The restaurant serves the most delicious food.

Beautiful place to visit while you are in Oxford.
You can buy souvenir gifts from tower.
Excellent view's from the tower on a good day. Tickets are £5 to go up the tower and you get 20 minutes there. The steps get a bit steep as you get to the top but it is worth it for the view.

Really beautiful and it provides captivating views from the top, especially the Radcliffe Camera, and a powerful feeling of history. The climbing is also a nice experience, on the very old narrow stairs

Beautiful church! You get amazing views of the town