Christ Church Cathedral — Attraction in Oxford

I booked a guided tour on line for my husband and I for our anniversary. On the confirmation it gave us a Postcode to the Cathedral and it said to arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour time. We arrived at the postcode with 10 minutes to spare as stated, only to find that there is actually no parking!! Which meant we then needed to find a car park, park and walk to where the cathedral is. By the time we found a space and walked there we were late by around 15 minutes!!! When we finally spoke to the person at the visitors centre he said that we would need to walk across to the Cathedral and see if we could join in on the end of our tour (which would be approximately 5 minutes) When we got to the entrance a young girl told us we could join them. I asked if we could go on the next tour, and she advised us that it was full so we couldn't join them. I told her that we were very disappointed with the fact that no where on their website or on the confirmation did it say that we would need to find a car park and not actually go to the postcode provided. She completely ignored what I had said and said with some attitude "so did you want to go and finish the tour" I was very annoyed at her complete lack of empathy and the fact that she disregarded everything I said. Nevertheless, she took us to where the tour guide was. He spoke for about 3 minutes before saying that the tour was over!! They left, but we decided to stay in the Cathedral and look around without a guide. After about 4 minutes of looking around the man who was doing the previous tour appeared and basically said that we had to leave. My husband explained why we were late and missed our tour time, so he kindly said that he would take us on a small tour of the Cathedral before the next tour was due to start. He was very informative. We thanked him and were grateful for him taking the time to walk us around but also told him of our disappointment with the fact that the website and confirmation was misleading and should be updated to advise customers that they need to find a car park nearby when booking. He agreed and said he would raise this with the person who deals with that. The Cathedral is quite small compared with others that we have visited but the history of the Cathedral is still very interesting. My star rating reflects the bad attitude of the young girl, the fact that due to incorrect information on the website it caused us to miss the tour that we paid £24 for and for spoiling our...

Christ Church Cathedral is one of Oxford’s most remarkable and atmospheric landmarks — a place where centuries of history, faith, and music intertwine. Uniquely serving as both the cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford and the chapel of Christ Church College, it offers an experience unlike any other in England.

From the moment you step inside, you’re struck by the intimate scale of the space compared to most cathedrals. Despite its modest size, the architecture is exquisite — a blend of Norman solidity and later Gothic grace, with beautiful vaulted ceilings, intricately carved stonework, and a serene, reverent atmosphere. The stained glass windows, particularly the Pre-Raphaelite designs by Burne-Jones and Morris, glow with warmth and colour, enhancing the quiet beauty of the interior.

The music is a defining feature of the cathedral’s life. The Christ Church Cathedral Choir is internationally renowned, and hearing them at Evensong is an unforgettable experience — the acoustics are rich yet clear, and the repertoire, beautifully performed, reflects the cathedral’s deep musical tradition. Even those not especially religious will find the service moving.

The cathedral’s connections with Oxford’s academic and ecclesiastical history are everywhere: the memorials to scholars and clergy, the tomb of St Frideswide (Oxford’s patron saint), and the many links to literary figures — Lewis Carroll being the most famous, as he was a Christ Church don and the author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The staff and volunteers are knowledgeable and welcoming, happy to explain both the building’s history and its ongoing role in worship and community life.

If there is any drawback, it’s that entry to the cathedral is through the main Christ Church visitor ticket, which can be a little expensive and occasionally busy during peak tourist season. However, attending a service is free and provides a quieter, more authentic experience.

In short, Christ Church Cathedral is not just a historic site, but a living place of worship and music. It embodies the spirit of Oxford — scholarly, spiritual, and timeless — and rewards every visit, whether for reflection, architecture, or...

Founded in the 12th century, Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford is a remarkable historical and architectural gem, renowned for its rich heritage, stunning architecture and Culture.

The architecture of Christ Church Cathedral is a magnificent blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles with stunning fan-vaulted ceiling, beautiful stained glass windows, and intricate carvings. The Cathedral's bell tower, known as Tom Tower, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and adds to the grandeur of the structure.

Highlights include the shrine of St. Frideswide, the patron saint of Oxford, and the medieval misericords, which are considered among the finest in the country. The choir, with its exquisite woodwork and acoustics, is another feature not to be missed.

The Cathedral is part of the larger Christ Church College complex, which includes the Great Hall—famously featured in the Harry Potter films—and beautiful gardens. Guided tours are available, offering insights into the Cathedral’s rich history and its role in the life of the university and city. There is a payment for entry into the Cathedral and there is a small discount if...