University Church of St Mary the Virgin

The University Church of St Mary felt like the soul of Oxford. Its spire reached gracefully into the sky, while inside the stillness carried centuries of prayer and thought. Climbing the tower, the city opened below me like a living manuscript — rooftops, spires, and stories stretching in every direction.

A stunning and historic gem in the heart of Oxford. The church itself is beautiful, peaceful, and typically uncrowded—a perfect place to pause and reflect. Entry is free, and it’s a must-see for history buffs, especially knowing that C.S. Lewis delivered his famous Weight of Glory sermon here. Climbing the tower costs £6 and is well worth it, though be prepared: 158 steps await, with about half in a very tight spiral. It gets especially tricky at the top if it’s crowded—the narrow passageways make it difficult to pass others, and the path around the tower leads to a dead end, so backtracking is required. Still, the panoramic views of Oxford, particularly of All Souls College and the Radcliffe Camera, are absolutely breathtaking. Bonus tip: do not miss the Vaults & Garden Café right on-site. Delicious food in a beautiful setting. This church and tower climb are a highlight of any visit to Oxford.

Stunning partial panoramic view of the University Church! Be aware that the staircase is very narrow and steep - not recommended for elderly. Make sure you are fit to climb the stairs up and down (same way). The alleyway at the top was narrow, confined and packed. It was a one way path so you had to move if someone was coming in or out. That also meant you won’t be able to stay for long because of the incoming traffic. It was worth visiting once because this was probably the only place in Oxford where you could see a top view of the beautiful Radcliffe Camera.

Am incredible historic landmark in the middle of Oxford, free to visit. Perfect for a cool rest in summer, silent prayer and reflection. Stunning stained glass windows. There is a small charge if you want to climb the tower. Well worth the cost and short climb to the top for some of the best views of Oxford! On a clear day, you can see for miles! There is a small shop when you enter, where you can also buy Oxford souvenirs and postcards.

Climbing the tower of St Mary the Virgin was such a special experience. The staircase is very narrow, so there was a little queue, but once you step out at the top, the view of Oxford takes your breath away — totally worth the wait. Tickets are £6, and on a sunny day you can see the whole city spread out beneath you, with all the spires and rooftops glowing. The church itself is beautiful and I learned it regularly hosts services and concerts, though I didn’t have time to join one this visit. Next time, I’ll make sure to experience that too

Exquisite visit of the church, and its clock tower, with a one person colimaçon stairs, that gives access to a superb view of Oxford's 4 cardinal points. The price at 6£ is fair, the staff is friendly, and it smells like a Harry Potter's book.

A gentleman named John showed me around - even pointing out where C. S. Lewis stood to preach, as well as the street light and the image of the hoofed Narnia character that can be found to the left side of the church when you’re looking at the church from the street. What a glorious experience. Praise be to God and a special thanks to John at University Church of St. Mary the Virgin.

Worth going up the tower, although a bit pricey and not well organised. You have to be very patient to go around the parapets as the passageways are very narrow but you will be expected to go back and forth through them in both directions, so can be a little bit slow to get around and see the views. There should really be someone managing the flow up to the actual view points at the mezzanine floor, as people could be held here until a small number go up and view before coming down and allowing the next batch. We spent 15 minutes waiting for some insta tik tokker fans to finish whatever they were doing before we could move in any direction which kind of ruined the experience.