University Church of St Mary the Virgin image

University Church of St Mary the Virgin

Tourist attraction Church Anglican church Episcopal church

CofE place of worship with an ornate 14th-century spire plus regular musical recitals and events. People often mention church, tower, Oxford, climb, view, views, city, beautiful, narrow, University,


Address

The, High St, Oxford OX1 4BJ, United Kingdom

Website

www.university-church.ox.ac.uk

Contact

+44 1865 279111

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (2.2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 9:30 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: 9:30 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday: 12 to 5 pm
  • Monday: 9:30 am to 5 pm
  • Tuesday: 9:30 am to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: 9:30 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 9:30 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: church (22) tower (20) Oxford (19) climb (13) view (12) views (12) city (8) beautiful (7) narrow (7) University (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Ebey A. 2 years ago on Google
    The church is free to enter and has some really beautiful glass paintings inside. A major part was under renovation so didn't get to see everything. However you can climb the clock tower with a small fee and get a whole view of Oxford city.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shikha S. 1 year ago on Google
    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.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael J. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent venue for concerts with very helpful staff. The acoustics are perfect for a chamber orchestra. Here is a photo of pianist Jocelyn Freeman receiving applause after a performance of Mozart piano concerto No 9 in the Oxford Proms August concert series.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Han S. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful church (Anglican) within Oxford campus with some gorgeous stained window. It is free to enter the church however they do charge a small fee if you want to climb the church bell tower to get a view of the Oxford city. They have a small gift shop by the entrance/lobby area of the church as well as a cafe/restaurant. A great place to relax, pray, and meditate during the day!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Salman S. 1 year ago on Google
    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.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Min P. 2 years ago on Google
    Stunning view from the top and recommend to climb to the top. If you have little kids, might be a challenge as it is narrow spiraling steps up.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Catherine P. 2 years ago on Google
    A fascinating church for its history. We were happy to explore without a guidebook; but it's probably a wise idea to find out about St Mary's before visiting. It felt more than a little sacrilegious to find Adam de Brome's tomb (Floreat Oriel!) covered in leaflets and books. Not many people were wearing masks, so we'll visit the coffee shop another time.. If there had been an announcement that a communion service would follow midday prayer, we'd have joined the congregation: as it was, we felt like excluded bystanders. As the University church, could do better in being welcoming.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 A M. 2 years ago on Google
    Offers great views on all sides across Oxford And a bonus was the organ playing when we were inside . Loved it
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Divya 1 year ago on Google
    The view from the top of the church is amazing. You can see all of oxford from here. But, it costs about £5 to go to top and the way up is through a thin spiral staircase which isn't suitable for everyone.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lorraine J. 1 year ago on Google
    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
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 conal d. 1 year ago on Google
    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!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Rolf W. 11 months ago on Google
    Lovely church, and climbing the tower gives you a breathtaking view over Oxford, although the staircase is very narrow (no one-way system in place), and so is the platform at the top. But definitely worth the £5 for the climb.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 SANJEEV J. 8 months ago on Google
    I'm reviewing the cafe located athe ground floor by the name of Vaults and green. Amazing atmosphere, great location, recommended to sit outside and eat. Loved the green salads, pumpkin soup and freshly brewed coffee. They serve wine as well.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 L A. 6 months ago on Google
    It’s a lovely view and beautiful English traditional architecture, but the stairs going up are very tight at the end and it can be uncomfortable up the top if windy. There should ideally be signs at the top for a 1 way system or some information prior to tell people how tight the stairs are

  • 5/5 Jem J. 7 months ago on Google
    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.

  • 5/5 Archisha T. 7 months ago on Google
    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.

  • 5/5 Martin B. 8 months ago on Google
    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.

  • 5/5 Malavika K. 9 months ago on Google
    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).

  • 4/5 Karen E. 1 year ago on Google
    Fairly simple church but beautiful stained glass. You need to pay to climb the tower but awesome views of four sides of Oxford. The best view of all the colleges and spires.

  • 5/5 Семен �. 10 months ago on Google
    The University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford is a fascinating place with a rich history and exciting opportunities for visitors. A tour of the tower is an unforgettable experience, allowing you to see the beauty of Oxford University and the picturesque panoramas of the city from above. Take in the grand views of castles and ancient buildings that will take your breath away. The contemporary art exhibitions in the church are an intriguing blend of the historic and the contemporary. The expositions present the work of talented artists who inspire with their creations and create a unique atmosphere of combining antiquity with modernity. Interesting facts about the church: St Mary the Virgin is one of the oldest churches in Oxford, dating back to the 13th century. It is a place where important university ceremonies and graduation parties take place. The architecture is striking in its elegance and detail, and the interior surprises with its beauty and religious significance. Visit the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford to enjoy the grandeur of history, the elegance of architecture and the contemporary exhibitions that complement this unique place in the famous university city.

  • 5/5 Juan Tuñón C. 10 months ago on Google
    What a pitty that the three or four times I tried to acces to the tower was busy. Everybody says that the views are the best in Oxford. The church is a very nice building, but no more interesting inside than outside. Entrance free except the tower.

  • 5/5 Stephanie w. 11 months ago on Google
    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.

  • 5/5 Gicu H. 1 year ago on Google
    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


Call +44 1865 279111 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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