Observatory
Carfax Tower
17 locals recommend,
Location
Queen Street
Oxford, England
Tips from locals
Discover the beauty of Oxford from the top of Carfax Tower, all that remains from the official city church of Oxford from 1122. Climb 99 steps to the top and learn about the history of this wonderful construction.
lthough the center of Oxford is not large, plenty of time should be allowed for a visit since there are so many things to do here. The city's four principal streets meet at the intersection known as Carfax, a good starting point for a tour. The 14th-century Carfax Tower, a relic of St. Martin's Church (now destroyed), has great views. Also worth visiting are the Town Hall; St. Aldate's Church (1318); and Pembroke College, founded in 1624 but with origins dating back to 1446. The nearby Modern Art Oxford, a visual art gallery focusing on exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, regularly offers talks, music, and movies. Oxford's splendid High Street is lined with numerous magnificent buildings (including many of the colleges) and was described by American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne as "the finest street in England." While sightseeing, visit the University Church, St. Mary the Virgin, with its fine decorated tower (1280) offering excellent views of the city. Also of interest are the choir, rebuilt in 1462; the nave and Lady Chapel, dating from 1490; and the stalls, dating from 1466.
lthough the center of Oxford is not large, plenty of time should be allowed for a visit since there are so many things to do here. The city's four principal streets meet at the intersection known as Carfax, a good starting point for a tour. The 14th-century Carfax Tower, a relic of St. Martin's Chur…
Carfax Tower has the second best view in Oxford. At the top, you’ll see the historic spires and domes of the city in the background with the shopping streets in the foreground. Carfax Tower is all the remains of an historic Oxford church, St Martin’s. Inside the tower there are still church bells and on the outside there’s a fancy clock with figures that chime the quarter hour.
Carfax Tower has the second best view in Oxford. At the top, you’ll see the historic spires and domes of the city in the background with the shopping streets in the foreground. Carfax Tower is all the remains of an historic Oxford church, St Martin’s. Inside the tower there are still church bells a…
Carfax Tower is located at the north-west corner of Carfax. The Tower is all that remains of the 13th century St. Martin's Church and is now owned by the Oxford City Council. It is 23 m (74 ft) tall and still contains a ring of six bells, recast from the original five by Richard Keene of Woodstock in 1676. These chime the quarter hours and are rung on special occasions by the Oxford Society of Change Ringers. It is possible to climb to the top of the tower for a good view of the Oxford skyline.
Carfax Tower is located at the north-west corner of Carfax. The Tower is all that remains of the 13th century St. Martin's Church and is now owned by the Oxford City Council. It is 23 m (74 ft) tall and still contains a ring of six bells, recast from the original five by Richard Keene of Woodstock i…