This 11.5km circular route starts you off in the city centre and takes you into a bit of nature. See the Martyrs’ Cross, Radcliffe Camera, Bridge of Sighs, and J.R.R. Tolkien’s former home. Have a bite to eat at the Plough before heading back along the Oxford Canal back to the start. You can rent a bike with Bainton Bikes, Brompton Bikes, Byke, or Pony. You can also use Parkopedia to find parking if you have your own bicycle.
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Route overview of the 11.5km Oxford City Cycle
This route starts at Martyrs’ Cross. Martyrs’ Memorial is up the road of Magdalen Street East.
Part 1 of the 11.5km Oxford City Cycle
Martyr’s Cross and Martyr’s Memorial commemorate the execution by burning at the stake of three Protestants who faced charges of challenging the established beliefs and customs of Catholicism. The Protestants were the Church of England Bishops Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer.
Their trials occurred at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, near this site, in 1555 and 1556. While the cross signifies the exact location of the stake where Martyr’s Memorial was initially intended to be constructed, impractical reasons lead to its placement in the current site.
Martyr’s Cross
Martyr’s Memorial
Leaving Martyr’s Cross, walk past Balliol College on your left, then turn right into Turl Street. Turn left into Brasenose Lane towards the Radcliffe Camera. Behind Radcliffe Camera, you will find the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. With the Radcliffe Camera on your right, turn left into Catte Street, where you will pass the Bodleian Library. Continue down this street, passing the Bridge of Sighs to your right on New College Lane.
Part 2 of the 11.5km Oxford City Cycle
Contrary to its name, Radcliffe Camera is the University of Oxford’s Sciences library. Initially, the library covered a range of subjects, eventually specialising in the sciences in 1810. Built and completed between 1737 and 1749, the library was funded by the estate and will of John Radcliffe, an alumnus and physician of the university, who passed away in 1714. Unfortunately, the library is not open to the public. However, the exterior alone is spectacular. Radcliffe Camera is a focal point of the University of Oxford, now synonymous with the institution.
Radcliffe Camera
University Church of St Mary the Virgin is considered the oldest university building. Built in 1270, it has a great view of the Radcliffe Camera. Important decisions affecting the university as a whole would be voted on here by all academics. It was also one of the first buildings to serve as a library. Entering the church is free, but tickets must be purchased to go up the tower. The church frequently hosts events and concerts, which you can learn more about here.
Sadly, on 10 February 1355, known as St Scholastica Day, a 3-day violent riot started as a result of two students complaining about the quality of alcohol served to them in a tavern. The lives of students and townspeople were lost, resulting in the town being fined and an annual penance being imposed. This has since fallen away. In an act of conciliation on the 600th anniversary of the riot in 1955, the mayor at the time received an honorary degree. In return, the vice-chancellor was made a Freeman of the City.
University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Credit: Tony Hisgett
The Bodleian Library has been a library of legal deposit for 400 years and is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. This library is part of the Bodleian Libraries group, which holds over 13 million printed items. Some of the rarest books are held in the special collection in the Weston Branch, including the Bay Psalm Book, Shakespeare’s First Folio and papyri dating back to the 3rd Century B.C. Additionally, the library has been featured in numerous movies, including X-Men: First Class, Golden Compass, and, of course, Harry Potter.
Bodleian Library
The Bridge of Sighs, also known as Hertford Bridge, is synonymous with Oxford, while its namesake is in Venice, Italy. The Venetian Bridge of Sighs earned its name from an old legend that prisoners, while crossing the bridge, took their final look at the outside world and sighed in despair. The Oxonion Bridge has a false legend. Allegedly, a health survey was conducted at the university and concluded that the students at Hertford College were heavier than at the other colleges. Thus, the bridge was supposedly closed, forcing the students to take the stairs.
Bridge of Sighs
Continue past the Bridge of Sighs over the intersection into Parks Road. Continue along this road to turn right onto National Cycle Route 51, Norham Gardens, where you will see Lady Margaret Hall.
Part 3 of the 11.5km Oxford City Cycle
Lady Margaret Hall was founded in 1878 and allowed women into Oxford for the first time. This is evident in the list of distinguished female alumni, including Benazir Bhutto, the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nigella Lawson, Antonia Fraser, Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Laureate, and Diana Athill. You can see a virtual tour of the grounds here.
Lady Margaret Hall. Credit: Ed Webster
Passing Lady Margaret Hall, continue on Fyfield Road. At the end, turn right, then immediately left into Dragon Lane. At the end of the road, turn left, then immediately right into Charbury Road. Turn left into Linton Road, then right into Northmoor Road, where you will see J.R.R. Tolkien’s former home on your right.
Part 4 of the 11.5km Oxford City Cycle
20 Northmoor Road was J.R.R. Tolkien’s home from 1930 to 1947. This is the home where The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were created and written. In 2004, the home was sold for £1.5 million. Now, the asking price is a whopping £4.575 million for the 370square-metre property.
20 Northmoor Road. Credit: Mark Rankin
Continue down Northmoor Road, turn left into Belbroughton Road, then right into Banbury Road. Turn left into Lathbury Road, then right into Woodstock Road.
Part 5 of the 11.5km Oxford City Cycle
Turn left into First Turn and continue straight until you find The Plough on your left.
Part 6 of the 11.5km Oxford City Cycle
The Plough is an excellent spot for a quick drink and snack. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and open for lunch and dinner the rest of the days. If you are in a group, booking a table in advance is advised.
The Plough. Credit: The Oxford Magazine
To the right of the plough is a pathway into the park. Continue along this pathway over the bridge, turning sharp right to join the pathway along the Oxford Canal. The Oxford Canal will be on your left, and the railway tracks on your right.
Part 7 of the 11.5km Oxford City Cycle
Continue along the path next to the Oxford Canal until you reach two bridges that split. Take the bridge to the right onto and over Rewley Road. Follow the narrow path under the bridge to ride along the canal, then turn left over the bridge that crosses the canal. Follow this path along the River Thames, then turn left onto Botley Road and Osney Bridge.
Part 8 of the 11.5km Oxford City Cycle
Continue straight along Botley Road; at the first roundabout, go slightly left to continue onto Hythe Bridge Street. At the next intersection, continue straight onto George Street, which will take you back to Martyrs’ Cross on Broad Street.
Part 9 of the 11.5km Oxford City Cycle
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Resources:
This article was curated in kind collaboration with CoHSAT.
If you enjoyed this route, see our 5.3km North-South Cycle
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Information from various sources including wikipedia.org