Settled sometime in the eighth century Oxford has become a large popular city. Known as the city of dreaming spires, Oxford is the example of just about every British architectural period from the Saxon to present. Oxford is also the home of the oldest English-speaking University in the world, the University of Oxford.

There are many landmarks that are of interest in Oxford. The University Church of St. Mary the Virgin was established in 1086. When Oxford University was young adopted the building as the first building of Oxford University. The church was rebuilt in the early sixteenth century in the Perpendicular style. The spire was added in 1320, while the oldest part of the church tower dates as far back as 1270. The church was outfitted with gothic pews in 1828. It is a beautiful sight for visitors to enjoy.

Another beautiful site for visitors to enjoy is the Oxford Botanic Garden. While many botanic gardens are plants that are grown for purposes other than purely aesthetic reasons, Oxford Botanic Gardens arrange them in attractive, sympathetic ways. The gardens try to inspire visitors to do their own gardens; they make their sure to label their beds and borders so that you can duplicate some of the beds at your own homes.

Oxford is home to one of the greatest museums in the world, Ashmolean. Claiming to be the first official museum in Britain, Ashmolean was based on the idiosyncratic collection of natural history specimens. First opened in 1683 there was originally three separate parts, a collection, a laboratory and lecture rooms. Today the Ashmolean is a collection of the original Ashmolean and Oxford Art gallery were merged into one building.

Radcliffe Camera is also a main attraction in Oxford. The Camera is considered as one of the most admired buildings in oxford. The first round library that was built in Britain, the Camera was constructed in 1737. The camera didn't become part of the university library until 1860 and now used as reading rooms. Unfortunately it is not open to the public but many people like to visit the building to see the outside of the circular building.

The main research library for the University of Oxford, The Bodleian Library is also considered a visitors destination. Like the Camera the exterior architecture is often of interest to visitors to the area. It is used by university students, scholars and is a copyright deposit for the university.

Oxford is full of beauty and architecture for visitors to enjoy.

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