Leisure time
The city is home to a vibrant and accessible art scene, with museums and galleries catering to every interest. Whether you're drawn to ancient artefacts, contemporary installations or the work of emerging local artists, you’ll find it all here. The University itself is home to some of the most beautiful art spaces in the city and collectively, Oxford’s museums and galleries showcase fifty centuries of artistic endeavour.
University of Oxford Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) features some of the city’s most beautiful spaces and significant collections. Together, they provide important places of scholarly enquiry and represent an entry point to a beautiful, accessible world of discovery and joy. The Ashmolean Museum, the UK’s oldest public museum, houses a vast collection of art and antiquities. Meanwhile, modern art lovers will enjoy the exhibitions at Modern Art Oxford, and college galleries and independent spaces showcase work from both local and international artists.
Our music scene is rich and varied, hosting everything from world-class classical concerts at the Sheldonian Theatre and Holywell Music Room to lively gigs at grassroots venues and pubs. Oxford has a proud musical heritage, having nurtured famous acts like Radiohead and Foals, and it continues to be a hub for emerging talent.
Theatre lovers are also spoilt for choice as the Oxford Playhouse stages a dynamic mix of professional productions, student performances and national tours, whilst smaller venues such as the Burton Taylor Studio offer more intimate and experimental shows. And in summer, outdoor theatre in college gardens and parks brings Shakespeare and other classics to life in stunning settings.
Oxford is a sporting city too, with top-class facilities and a vibrant sports culture. Run at the Iffley Road Sports Complex, where Roger Bannister famously hit the tape on the world’s first sub-four-minute mile and explore our Olympic-standard pool, gyms and courts, as well as boathouses supporting the city’s iconic rowing traditions.
And, as you might expect at the oldest university in the English-speaking world, nine centuries of continuous existence has made us one of the best places to stretch your mind and continue your learning. Every year, more than 15,000 adult learners from across the globe enrol on part-time continuing education programmes with Oxford Lifelong Learning. The huge range of subjects on offer, provides stimulation for every curious mind. And for everyone interested in pursuing spiritual growth the Religious life section below is packed with suggestions of places and spaces to connect with like-minded souls from a plurality of faiths and interfaith organisations.
With a year-round calendar of festivals, exhibitions, lectures, concerts and competitions, Oxford is a city that celebrates talent, curiosity and participation. It’s a place where culture and sport go hand in hand, and everyone is encouraged to participate.
Volunteering is a brilliant way to get to know your community and make genuine connections. The University is currently piloting a new Staff Volunteering Scheme that gives employees up to 22.5 paid hours to volunteer with local and community organisations. This pilot supports our Local Engagement Report and the University’s commitment to supporting Oxford and Oxfordshire through sustained community partnerships.
Open the door to ancient woodlands, world-class museums, unparalleled literary collections and more by visiting the GLAM website. At the heart of Oxford’s art and heritage landscape is the Ashmolean Museum, the University's own museum of art and archaeology. The oldest public museum in the UK, it houses world-class collections ranging from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art and tells human stories spanning cultures and millennia. Oxford also boasts unique cultural destinations like the Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum, known for its fascinating displays of ethnographic and anthropological objects, and the Museum of the History of Science, home to Einstein’s blackboard and a rich collection of scientific instruments. Our museum video tours showcase the wonders waiting to be discovered.
Many colleges also have their own galleries, such as the Christ Church Picture Gallery, which holds an impressive collection of Old Master paintings and drawings. These smaller venues offer a more intimate viewing experience.
Beyond the University, OVADA (Oxford Visual Arts Development Agency) supports experimental and community-based art practices, hosting exhibitions and events in its warehouse-style gallery and the city is also home to active art groups such as Artweeks and the Oxford Art Society offering exhibitions, open studios and opportunities to connect with local artists. Modern Art Oxford showcases cutting-edge contemporary art from the UK and around the world. With regularly changing exhibitions, talks and workshops, it’s a hub for creativity and critical thought.
A little further afield again are: Cogges Manor Farm Witney, The Oxfordshire Museum Woodstock, River and Rowing Museum Henley-on-Thames and Vale and Downland Museum Wantage.
For a compact city, Oxford has a remarkably diverse music scene. Its classical and choral traditions are rooted in collegiate life, while a lively student population supports regular gigs and contemporary music. Touring acts perform at the O2 Academy and smaller venues host performances throughout the week. Classical and choral concerts abound, with regular events at the Sheldonian Theatre, Holywell Music Room and St Michael at the North Gate. The Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra and Oxford University Music Society also provide excellent student and community performances, and many colleges hold their own concerts and recitals.
Oxford’s theatre scene is equally vibrant with the Oxford Playhouse and New Theatre host touring productions, while smaller venues such as the Old Fire Station, Pegasus Theatre, Creation Theatre and The North Wall support more local and experimental work. In summer, open-air performances appear all over the city including in college gardens. And Oxford has several cinemas, screening everything from blockbusters to arthouse films. For current listings and reviews, visit Daily Info.
Sport and physical activity are a great way to stay healthy, meet new people and make the most of life in Oxford. Whether you're looking to join a team, try a new fitness class or simply enjoy the outdoors, there's plenty of choice and this sports access facilities guide enables everyone to enjoy the University's three main sites.
The University of Oxford Sports Centre offers a 25m swimming pool, gym, classes and an extensive range of facilities - many of which are available to staff and their partners at discounted rates. Local leisure centres provide gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes, often at lower cost than private gyms. Flexible memberships are available, and many offer discounts for children, seniors or those living locally. Brookes Sport at Oxford Brookes University in Headington also has excellent facilities. For a county-wide search of clubs and facilities, visit Go Active.
If tennis is your game, visit the University Lawn Tennis Club, seek out Lawn Tennis Association courts and discover park tennis and summer courts across Oxford. Or if running is more your thing you can find local running groups and start training for OX5 Run, the Town and Gown 10k, Oxford Half Marathon and once you’ve ticked all those of your list, there’s always the Race to the Stones 100km ultra marathon. For those who like to take things a little slower, there are plenty of walking groups to join.
Oxfordshire offers a wealth of engaging opportunities for children of all ages, combining creativity, play, sports and learning in beautiful surroundings. Whether it’s enriching holiday clubs or everyday playgroups, the county supports families with accessible and stimulating activities. Local playgroups and toddler sessions offer informal, community-led groups for children under five - ideal for play-based learning and parent social connection. Details and drop-in options are listed by Oxfordshire County Council and on the Oxfordshire Mummies directory of playgroups whilst Oxfordshire Play Association promotes quality play events across the county.
For structured childcare and fun opportunities during school holidays, try Holiday Clubs of Oxfordshire or Oxford Active Camps. The Government-funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme provides free holiday clubs and healthy meals for eligible children aged Reception to Year 11.
Museums and heritage sites offer hands-on, family-friendly programmes. Visit the Story Museum, Ashmolean Museum’s family trails and Museum of Natural History for curated children’s events (search your museum of choice). Cogges Manor Farm in Witney delivers workshops on rural life and food. For immersive outdoor play and environmental learning, the Earth Trust offers year-round opportunities for fun and learning in a beautiful, natural setting.
Young musicians can also join ensembles, youth or college choirs, with schools offering lessons via the Oxfordshire Music Service.
Clubs and societies at the University are open to both academic staff and their partners and cover just about every imaginable national, special interest and sporting group. The Newcomers' Club is a good starting point and the University Club on Mansfield Road which offers a bar, cafe and restaurant and indoor and outdoor sports facilities. Ordinary membership is free to University staff. Associate membership is available to people in other categories for a small annual fee.
The Oxford Research Staff Society welcomes anyone involved in research at the University, providing professional training and networking opportunities as well as social events such a pub quizzes and formal dinners in colleges. And the Equality and Diversity Unit supports many different networks and produces regular newsletters highlighting events such as Oxford Pride or Black History Month.
International staff wishing to speak their native language will find country and language-specific groups at Meetup Oxford and Oxford Expats and the Newcomers' Club for partners of University staff offers a weekly conversation group.
