Oxford, England

The University of Oxford Botanic Garden is Great Britain's oldest botanical garden facility, originally founded in 1621 as a medicinal research garden by Henry Danvers. Today, the garden remains one of the world's oldest scientific gardens and is home to more than 6,000 plant species grown on its 4.5-acre campus, making it one of the most diverse compact collections of plants in the world. Its grounds famously served as the inspiration for iconic settings in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings novels. A walled garden area is home to 17th-century stonework and the oldest tree in the Garden, while a number of conservatory glasshouses cultivate plantings of native and exotic flora and fauna from around the world. Outside the walled garden area, the Garden's lower garden landscape abuts the River Cherwell and showcases dry grassland plantings able to withstand drought conditions.

Rose Ln, Oxford OX1 4AZ, UK, Phone: +44-18-65-28-66-90

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History, commonly referred to as the Oxford University Museum, showcases impressive collections of natural history specimens belonging to the University of Oxford, which were originally founded between 1855 and 1860. The museum's lovely neo-Gothic-style building was constructed by Irish architects Benjamin Woodward and Thomas Neweham Deane and is known for its iconic glass room and large square court space. Throughout its history, the museum has hosted important historical events such as the 1860 Oxford evolution debate and the world's first public demonstration of wireless telegraphy in 1894. Today, visitors can explore the museum for free and peruse earth science, paleontology, zoology, and entomology collections, including noted displays of dinosaurs and dodo birds.

Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PW, UK, Phone: +44-18-65-27-29-50

The Bodleian Library is the University of Oxford's primary research library, acclaimed as one of Europe's largest and oldest libraries. The library, which is commonly referred to as The Bod, holds collections of more than 12 million items, making it the second-largest library facility in Britain. Though its current incarnation dates back to 1602, early versions of the library date as far back as the 14th century. Today, it spans five buildings, including the iconic Radcliffe Camera building, and has been used as a filming site for major feature films such as the Harry Potter series. Though volumes may not be removed from the library's reference collections, visitors can peruse the library's holdings after taking a standardized formal oath declaration.

Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BG, UK, Phone: +44-18-65-27-71-62

The Pitt Rivers Museum is the University of Oxford's primary anthropological and archaeological museum, accessible via the adjacent Oxford University Museum of Natural History. The museum was originally founded in 1884 by private donor Augustus Pitt Rivers and showcases a collection of more than 500,000 artifacts from around the world today, which are arranged typologically rather than geographically or chronologically. This unique exhibit approach is intended to showcase the evolution of human culture and emphasize historical and regional variations of common items such as tools, clothing, and machinery. Notable artifacts include the museum's Haida totem pole, which formerly stood outside the indigenous Star House on British Columbia's Graham Island.

Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PW, UK, Phone: +44-18-65-27-09-27

Keble College is one of the University of Oxford's primary constituent colleges, originally established in 1870 as a monument to prominent Oxford Movement figure John Keble. Though the college's studies originally focused on theology, today it offers a wide variety of subjects, including scientific and arts degrees. Distinctive neo-Gothic red brick buildings are showcased throughout the college's campus, designed by architect William Butterfield and known for their tradition-breaking layouts. Visitors can explore the college's campus and view historic buildings such as the beautiful Keble Library and the college's original Chapel and Hall buildings. Modern buildings include the Sloane-Robinson Building, the O'Reilly Theatre, and the H.B. Allen Centre.

Oxford OX1 3PG, UK, Phone: +44-18-65-27-27-27

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

The Radcliffe Camera is the most famed building within the University of Oxford's Bodleian Library campus, originally constructed between 1737 and 1749 by James Gibbs. The stunning Neoclassical-style building, which was developed to house the collections of the Radcliffe Science Library, is the earliest example of a circular library building in Britain and showcases a two-story gallery divided into bays by ornate Corinthian columns. It has been featured in major films and television series such as Young Sherlock Holmes, The Red Violin, and The Golden Compass and served as an inspiration for locations in J.R.R. Tolkein's famed Lord of the Rings novel series. Visitors can explore the library after taking the Bodleian's standardized oath of entrance.

Radcliffe Sq, Oxford OX1 3BG, UK, Phone: +44-18-65-27-71-62

The University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, commonly known as St. Mary's or SMV, is an historic church located on the campus of the University of Oxford, known as the central building area that the university was originally developed around. The church's history dates all the way back to the Anglo-Saxon era in 1086 and was the first site where what is now the University of Oxford congregated as early as 1252. Beautiful design features include an eccentric baroque porch designed by architect Nicholas Stone, a gorgeous 13th-century tower, and one of England's most beautiful church spires. Visitors can ascend the church's tower as part of self-guided tours for a nominal fee and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the university's campus and surrounding areas. Regular Sunday services are still held throughout the year, many of which are led by notable visiting pastors.

High St, Oxford OX1 4BJ, UK, Phone: +44-18-65-27-91-11

The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology was the world's first university museum at its founding in 1677, intended to house Elias Ashmole's donated cabinet of curiosities. The museum, which was opened in its first incarnation in 1683, has been housed within its present building since 1845, which was extensively renovated and redeveloped in 2009. Visitors can explore unique collections of fine art and archaeological specimens, including one of the world's greatest collections of English silver, majolica pottery, and pre-Raphaelite paintings. Other collections highlight items from Ancient Egypt and the Sudan, as well as prominent collections of Minoan and Greek pottery. Major pieces on display include works of art by legendary figures ranging from Leonardo da Vinci to Pablo Picasso.

Beaumont St, Oxford OX1 2PH, UK, Phone: +44-18-65-27-80-00

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Oxford University Parks are a combined green oasis on the University of Oxford's campus, originally laid out for recreational activities in 1864. The beautiful park, which once belonged to the university's Merton College, serves as a significant green space for the city, open 364 days a year to university students, local residents, and area visitors alike. Beautiful walking trails traverse the length of the River Cherwell along the park's northeastern edge, while a small island known as Mesopotamia sits between the river's lower and upper levels. More than 1,600 trees of 250 species line the park, including endangered and vulnerable tree species. Attractions include landscaped gardens, an historic cricket ground, day-use picnic areas, and spaces for pickup games of lacrosse, football, tennis, and rugby.

S Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3RF, UK, Phone: +44-18-65-28-20-40

Modern Art Oxford is one of Oxford's most acclaimed art gallery spaces, originally established in 1965 as an outpost of New York City's famed Museum of Modern Art. Since 2002, the gallery has been operated as an independent art gallery, showcasing internationally-renowned exhibitions of modern and contemporary artworks by renowned artists from around the world. It is housed within a beautiful gallery space that was originally constructed for Hanley's City Brewery by architect Harry Drinkwater. Notable exhibitions throughout the gallery's tenure have included shows by artists such as Tracy Emin, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Stella Vine, Jannis Kounellis, and Thomas Houseago. A public learning and engagement program at the gallery presents annual special events and workshops, which are free to attend.

30 Pembroke St, Oxford OX1 1BP, UK, Phone: +44-18-65-72-27-33