One of the most distinctive features of the university is that it is made up of many small colleges: every student is a member of a college as well as a university and most undergraduates are taught, study, eat, sleep and socialise all within their college. Sometimes they don't go out for days on end! Colleges vary enormously in size and age. They form a significant part of the university and you must see one or two. The most impressive ones (Magdalen, New College, Christ Church) charge for entry, but if you don't want to pay, plenty of the others will let people in for free during their opening hours: All Souls, Merton, Worcester and St.John's all have much to attract visitors. Each college has a chapel, hall and library and these are often the most impressive buildings if you are able to look inside, but the quad-style architecture of the colleges means that just looking at the outside of the buildings will be time well spent, and if you go in the summer you will also be able to see colourful garden displays too.

 

The central buildings are what attract the most tourists though, so make your way to Radcliffe Square and gaze up on the Radcliffe Camera: one part of the central Bodleian Library. Turn around and you will be facing the University Church; and for just 20p you can climb its spire and see over the whole of Oxford. The building behind the Radcliffe Camera is the Old Bodleian – very well worth seeing. There is usually an exhibit there and you can enter the amazing Divinity School – the only part of the library accessible to tourists. The building behind the New Bodleian is the Sheldonian Theatre which has a beautifully painted roof and another viewing tower, and facing it is "The Bridge of Sighs", part of Hertford College.

 

If you've reached this part of the town then you're standing beside the two biggest student pubs in Oxford. The pubs in Oxford are as old and varied as the Colleges and a trip to the city would certainly be incomplete without looking in one. The Kings Arms is at the four way junction by the Bridge of Sighs and hard to miss if you're there. The Turf Tavern is the other major pub and is, by contrast, quite difficult to find even if you have directions. It is far too complicated to explain in writing but ask someone if you're nearby and with luck you might find it. There are two entrances, both of which are down long alleyways. If you find it then reward yourself by buying a pot au chocolat: you'll find none better in the Western World.