Europe
United Kingdom (UK)
England
Oxfordshire
Oxford
Things to Do in Oxford
Carfax Tower
See all things to do

Carfax Tower

See all things to do
See all things to do
Carfax Tower
4
438 reviews
#30 of 173 things to do in Oxford
Architectural Buildings • Observation Decks & Towers
Read more
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Write a review
About
Located in Carfax, the center of Oxford's shopping area since the medieval times, this tower is all that remains of the 14th-century Church of St Martin.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Admission tickets
from $3.73
All you need to step foot in the door.
Full view
Top ways to experience Carfax Tower
See all
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
580 within 3 miles
BBuona Pinsa Bar
443
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Cafe
Turtle Bay - Oxford
1,861
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Caribbean • Pub • Healthy
Ben's Cookies
357
360 ft$ • Bakeries
O'Neill's
648
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Irish • Bar
Sartorelli’s Pizza
92
341 ftPizza
IScream Oxford
173
335 ft$ • Dessert • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Glut
384
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Diner • Vegetarian Friendly
No.1 Ship Street
569
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • European • British • Grill
The Red Lion
1,122
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
Sticks'n'Sushi Oxford
312
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • European
See all
Attractions
187 within 6 miles
John Lewis & Partners
13
38 ftDepartment Stores
Exmoor Blueberries
39 ftFarms
Clarendon Centre
20
145 ftShopping Malls
The Story Museum
205
419 ftSpeciality Museums
Oxford Town Hall
138
208 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Christ Church
2,545
0.1 miHistoric Sites • Castles
Tom Tower
32
402 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers
Modern Art Oxford
125
521 ftArt Museums
St. Michael at the North Gate
115
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Museum of Oxford
9
202 ftHistory Museums
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
438 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
187
Average
109
Poor
9
Terrible
10
Kapowell17
Huddersfield, UK180 contributions
Cheap and cheerful, worth the effort.
Jul 2020 • Couples
Just to explain the title, cheap as it is only £3 and cheerful because the gents that we booked the visit with were the cheerful ones helping us find other places of interest which were open due to the strange times because of Covid.

So the steps go in stages, the first spiral staircase takes you to a bit of an information point about the tower along with a video of other places to visit in oxford. More spiral steps lead to a little landing and a stairwell which then lead to a final spiral staircase. It is rather narrow but when you are at the top it is well worth it.

The views around the city are glorious and we were lucky enough to do this on a fine day so could see beyond Oxford as well.

We probably spent about 30mins in total from ascent to descent but were certainly glad we’d did it.
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mabel-the-Westie
Wiltshire, UK213 contributions
30 min slots perfect!
Sep 2020 • Family
Turned up here on a Tuesday lunchtime. You just walk inside and the person at the desk will let you know when there is a free slot. We only had to wait about 20 mins until we could begin our 30 min slot.

Steep spiral staircase is quite nerve wracking! I’m not one to be scared of heights but even I was a bit funny about these - I think perhaps because they were see-through (metal sort of grid-work) it made it more scary!

Views at the top are amazing and well worth the climb! It’s nice that you have it all to yourself during your slot, so can move around freely and take photos. There is a telescope at the top that was great for people watching! We didn’t pay for this, so I assume it is free.

Make sure you allow enough time within your slot to make your way back down! I would definitely recommend this, it was the highlight of our trip back to Oxford.
Written September 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL17,681 contributions
Another Beautiful Tower in Oxford
Dec 2022
There are many towers to see the skyline of Oxford. We climbed St. Mary's but we did enjoy seeing the tower as a city landmark. We crossed it several times walking in Oxford as it sits on the central Oxford intersection. We simply did not have the opportunity to climb it.
Written December 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Oxford Bus Company
Thank you for the positive feedback, it's great to hear that you enjoyed your visit.
Written January 6, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dr_Waugh
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK6,270 contributions
Rooftop views
Aug 2022 • Family
Nice old tower that gives you city rooftop views for a reasonable fee. The first two stairwells are spiral staircases and I struggled a bit with the height. If you are over 190cm I would think v carefully about if you want to go up. The third staircase to the top is stone and was fine. The least restrictive.

We enjoyed the views and orienting ourselves in the city, it helped us plan where to go and how to get there.
Written September 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Oxford Bus Company
Thank you for your feedback, it's great to hear you enjoyed your visit and the views.
Written September 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Purbeckphilk
Wareham, United Kingdom133 contributions
Historic place with great views.
Oct 2021
A good way of getting an aerial view of Oxford & the colleges & at £3.00 a head it doesn't break the bank. The trip to the top involves spiral staircases. Cast iron & stone steps. It is quite narrow in places, so please keep this in mind. There is a half way point where you can rest & read the information with regard the history.
Written October 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Oxford Bus Company
Thank you for your positive feedback, it is good to hear you enjoyed your visit.
Written October 26, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jo B
Newbury, England, United Kingdom3 contributions
Initial disappointment
Oct 2022 • Family
So pleased we were able to do this today with our grandchildren. My only complaint is that when we arrived having checked age restrictions online we didn’t expect to be told we wouldn’t be able to do it as we had a 5 year old with us! We pointed out that the website says over 5’s to be told that applies to non windy days! We had travelled 40 miles to specifically do this and were so annoyed but luckily the man, after giving us a lecture, let us climb with both children! The website needs to be updated. The climb was worth it and both children loved the views.
Written October 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Oxford Bus Company
Thank you for the feedback, we will pass the information for the situation to be clarified further on the website. All in all, it's great to hear the visit was enjoyable.
Written November 16, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Roger pembs
5 contributions
Great view!
Jun 2021
Not a huge amount to see inside the tower itself, but well worth the long climb up the stairs for the view over the city at the end.
The lady at the desk inside (Linda) was really friendly and welcoming. We only went in to ask whether the sightseeing bus was running; by the time we left she had sold us not only bus tickets, but also tickets for the tower itself and a walking tour! And all three were every bit as worthwhile as she said they were.
Written June 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Oxford Bus Company
Thank you for your positive feedback, I am glad you enjoyed the view of our beautiful City.
Written July 16, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris S
Gamlingay, UK141 contributions
Good spot to start a walk round Oxford
Oct 2020 • Friends
Great views, even on a rainy day and only £3 PP.

There's a lot of information inside the tower on the history and the staff are well informed.

Opened from 10am, we got there as it opened and went straight up.

Beware the steps are very steep and small in places.
Written October 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AMBLBHBW
129 contributions
View the Dreaming Spires
Aug 2021
£3 pp to climb the 99 steps to see the dreaming spires. Well worth it. A must do on your tour of Oxford. The Red Bus stops right outside. And you can pay in cash not card payment only as Oxford seems so keen on.
Written August 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Oxford Bus Company
Hi there, thank you for your positive feedback, it's good to hear you enjoyed your visit.
Written August 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dianeomeara
Wirral, UK5 contributions
Excellent Walking Tour
Sep 2022
We booked a walking tour "towns and gowns" through the big red bus tour in Oxford. The guide Jeremy A was absolutely excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed his 90 minute tour and he was so knowledgeable. Would highly recommend this tour
Written October 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Oxford Bus Company
Thank you for the great feedback, it's great to hear you enjoyed the tour!
Written October 14, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 322
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Carfax Tower (Oxford) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Carfax Tower
Carfax Tower is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
Carfax Tower admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $3.73, while a popular guided tour starts around $7.99 per person. See all 36 Carfax Tower tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
Carfax Tower can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 36 Carfax Tower tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Carfax Tower: See all Carfax Tower experiences on Tripadvisor