Oxford is a city built on education. Many scholars, literary figures and prime ministers have studied in Oxford and today thousands of students continue to have a rather idyllic life there. Seeing as it was incredibly quiet on the Sunday morning of my visit, I’d have to guess that many students were sleeping in after a Saturday night out.

The buildings around the city are typical of Gothic and Romanesque architecture and there are hundreds of gargoyles staring at you. As it’s relatively flat, cycling is the fastest and easiest way around town. Dozens of bicycles line the city wall’s patiently waiting for their owners, or chained outside Radcliffe Camera, as above.

1. Visit Oxford University

I was pretty confused after walking around Oxford for most of the day. My friends and I kept passing colleges and buildings that were part of the university but where was the actual main campus?

We stopped a local couple on the street to clear up our confusion. The friendly Oxfordites slowly explained there was no main campus and instead there were 35 separate colleges. They eagerly named places we should visit and could have adeptly run their own walking tour of Oxford!

A lot of the colleges charge admission fees to enter the grounds. Keble College is free to enter although I still felt like I was trespassing on the quiet, secluded grounds. The colleges are all immaculately maintained and some even have onsite pubs!

2. Go on a tour of Bodleian Library

Founded by Sir Thomas Bodley in 1602, Bodelian Library is an impressive building with Gothic architectural features. It’s the largest university library in the UK with over nine million printed items.

Going on the guided tour is the only way of getting access to the best room in the building – Duke Humfrey’s library. The medieval library has an intricately detailed ceiling with coats of arms. There are a lot of rules in the library as the guide sternly told us not to touch anything and no photography is allowed.

The main reason we were visiting was because it was a filming location for Harry Potter. The library was the setting for Hogwarts Library where Harry sneaks in with his invisible cloak into the forbidden section of chained books.

The Divinity School features an ornate ceiling of 450 bosses, one quirky boss apparently inspired JRR Tolkein’s tree characters in Lord of the Rings. Be careful when sitting down on the ancient benches – my dear flatmate was attacked by a rogue splinter! The tour costs £6.50 and lasts an hour.

3. Have lunch at Turf Tavern

One of the oldest pubs in Oxford, Turf Tavern serves up no fuss fare with prompt and friendly service. The pub has incredibly low ceilings, which made me feel rather hobbit-like, and is very warm and cozy inside. I’m sure the outdoor courtyards would be packed in summer.

Turf Tavern boasts of its famous visitors and was also the filming location of an Inspector Morse episode. The funniest sign retold the classic story of Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke who made the Guinness Book of Records by downing a yard (two and a half pints) of ale in 11 seconds. I must state that this wasn’t during his term as Prime Minister!

4. Walk down High Street to Magdalen Bridge

A blend of big brands, cafes and bookshops line High Street. Your sweet tooth will be satisfied at Mr Simm’s Olde Sweet Shoppe which sells sweets in all shapes and sizes including a marshmallow handbag!

At the end of High Street is Magdalen Bridge. In summer you can go ‘punting’ (a British version of a gondola ride) down the Cherwell River beneath the bridge. In the cold, the boats nestle alongside each other waiting for their next adventure downstream.

5. Check out Christ Church and the Meadow

Christ Church is Oxford University’s biggest college and is the Cathedral Church for the Diocese of Oxford. It was founded by Cardinal Wolsey as a Cardinal’s College in 1524 and after he lost power it became property of King Henry VIII in 1529. The monolithic building faces the Christ Church meadow where locals go horse-riding and running. It’s a huge open space that’s also home to a herd of longhorn cattle.

Famous students include Lewis Carroll who was inspired to pen Alice in Wonderland from his time at Christ Church.

Christ Church was the location for many scenes in the Harry Potter movies including Hogwarts Dining Hall. Admission costs £6.50.

Best way to save money traveling to Oxford: If you’re heading from Paddington Station in London to Oxford get a group of four or more together – the train tickets will be half price!