With jaw-dropping medieval lanes and olde-worlde pubs, this city centre district is one of the most beautiful places in the UK

Folk travel from far and wide to lay their eyes on Oxford’s beauty. It’s a city like no other, densely packed with gorgeous spires, elegant domes and cobbled squares that have inspired countless works of art and literature. So, including Oxford city centre on Time Out’s list of the most beautiful places in the UK was really a no-brainer. 

Time Out contributor James Manning wrote: ‘Even for jaded students, the stretch of central Oxford between Broad Street and the High Street is just jaw-dropping, its medieval lanes and olde-worlde cottages, pubs and bookshops contrasting with the grandiose, honey-coloured stone buildings of high academia.’

The central district is where you’ll find most of Oxford University’s most impressive buildings. The Divinity School is its oldest surviving building and showcases an incredible English gothic design with ornate carved ceilings and intricate stonework; the Radcliffe Camera with its massive dome and Corinthian columns is an instantly recognisable architectural masterpiece and the Hertford College Bridge of Sighs is as enchanting as its name suggests. 

Of course, Oxford is more than just a pretty face. There’s an enormous amount of stuff to do there. Peruse the spectacular collection at the Ashmolean, catch an indie film at the award-winning Ultimate Picture Palace, stop for a pint at the trendy Tap Social Taproom or mooch around the food stalls and indie shops in the 250-year-old Covered Market. Take time to wander around its many bookshops, too – earlier this year the city was voted the UK’s best literary destination.   

Several other city sights made it onto Time Out’s guide to Britain’s best-looking places, including the Shambles in York for its overhanging buildings and characterful row of twee shops, Castell Coch in Glamorgan for its ornate interiors, and (controversially) the Barbican in London for its towering concrete curves. 

See the full list of the most beautiful places in the UK to visit in 2026.

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.