Visiting Information

Take care - steps and paving may be uneven, and slippery when wet.

Private areas are clearly marked. Please do not attempt to enter them.

Skateboards, scooters, and any type of bicylce are not permitted on site. Please do not attempt to enter with them.

Please refrain from obstructing paths and passages.

Take your litter home with you. Picnics are not permitted inside Christ Church.

Seats are available in the Cloister, Cathedral and Ante-Hall. Do not sit on steps or pathways.

Dogs on leads are very welcome in our Visitor Centre. However, dogs (except assistance dogs) are not permitted inside Christ Church itself.

Keep personal belongings (including small bags and pushchairs) with you at all times.

Christ Church does not have any left luggage facilities. Suitcases and luggage, and bags larger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm (H x W x D) may not be brought on site. Please do not bring these items with you as unfortunately you will not be permitted to enter with them. Random bag checks are in operation.

Please be aware of the advice issued by the Police about your safety in the rare event of an armed incident.

CCTV

CCTV images are being recorded for the purposes of crime prevention and public safety. Please contact 01865 276151 for further information about the scheme which is controlled by Christ Church.

Photography and filming: Photography is permitted, without tripods, provided this is for personal, non-commercial use. All requests for commercial photography and filming should be submitted to the Treasury (email: dawn.saunders@chch.ox.ac.uk; tel: 01865 276179) seven working days in advance.

Wedding photography is not permitted without written permission from the Treasury. Visitors dressed in wedding attire will not be allowed access to Christ Church. Professional portrait and engagement photography is also not permitted at Christ Church. Christ Church reserves the right to ask visitors taking part in wedding, engagement, portrait or commercial photography to leave the premises.

 As a working College and Cathedral, areas of Christ Church such as the Hall and Cathedral may close from time to time. You are advised to visit our known closures page and booking tickets online in advance when planning a visit.

Guiding is suspended on site.

If you would like to make a booking for 12 or more people please visit the Groups section of our website for full details and to make a booking enquiry.

Christ Church is located on St Aldates, an easy walk of no more than a few minutes from Oxford city centre.

You can find useful directions and guidance on traveling to Christ Church on our 'Find Us' page.

Christ Church Meadow is a tranquil open space at the heart of the city.

The Meadow is open throughout the year (except 25 December), offering a peaceful and beautiful space for everyone to enjoy. You do not need a ticket or a booking. Go for a walk or run, sit by the river and watch the boats pass by or join friends and family for a picnic. Follow the historic pathways and take in the views of the river, the buildings of Christ Church and Oxford's famous skyline.

You can discover more about the Meadow with our brand-new Meadow Trail. Find out about the plants, flowers, and animals that make this area so special, and gain an insight into the history of Christ Church.

The trail is available online for free, or you can collect a printed booklet from our shop for a small fee.

For an in depth exploration of the Meadow, join our Head Gardener for a seasonal guided tour. Learn about its conservation, current and future planting schemes and enjoy an afternoon of peace and quiet away from the bustling city.

We ask that you observe the following when visiting Christ Church Meadow:

The Meadow is open for free all year round (closed Christmas Day). The Meadow is open from 05:30/06:00 until the following times each day:

15 April - 30 April - 20:30

1 May - 31 August - 21:00

1 - 14 September - 20:00

15 - 30 September - 19:30

1 - 14 October - 19:00

15 - 28 October - 18:30

29 October - 14 February - 17:00

Dogs are welcome but must be kept under close control by their owners

We ask that you leave behind only your footprints. Bins are provided for refuse and recycling.

Public bike racks are available nearby. Please leave bikes and scooters outside the Meadow.

No barbeques or music are allowed. Instead, bring a picnic, or visit our takeaway cafe!

The Meadow is open for quiet enjoyment. No ball games, kites, or frisbees are permitted.

Fishing and the catching of birds is prohibited.

Please observe the Countryside Code, and respect the flora and fauna of the Meadow.

While boats are welcome on the river, do not fasten crafts to the iron palisading or river-wall.

Do not fly drones or model airplanes over the Meadow or Christ Church.

All persons entering the Meadow do so entirely at their own risk and to the extent allowed by law. Christ Church accepts no liability for any injury, damage or loss sustained by such persons.  Images are being recorded by CCTV for the purposes of crime prevention and public safety. Please contact Oxford 276151 for further information about the scheme, which is controlled by Christ Church. 

 Please visit the Picture Gallery section of our website for opening times and tickets.

Guided Virtual Tours of Christ Church

Our new Virtual Tours allow you to experience all the most well-known parts of Christ Church, in addition to private areas of the college and cathedral not normally open to the public, from the comfort of your own home.

You’ll be guided by our experts in a bespoke live tour, with additional pre-recorded interviews featuring students, staff, and clergy. From the history of the college to modern-day university life and the inner workings of the cathedral, our virtual tours cover every aspect of what makes Christ Church so unique.

What’s Included

• One-hour tour of Christ Church, delivered via Microsoft Teams.
• An exciting and innovative digital presentation
• Live narration from our team of experts
• Live Q&A opportunities
• Live technical support

To find out more and make a private booking email us.