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[2025 Oxford Attraction] Travel Guide for University Church of St Mary the Virgin (Updated Mar)

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Best Things to DoNo.5 of Best Things to Do in Oxford
The University Church of Notre Dame, also known as St. Mary's Church, is the main church of Oxford University. It has a history of nearly a thousand years and its architecture is magnificent and gorgeous. Because it is next to Glochester Green bus station, it is also the first impression many tourists have of Oxford. This is a post-Gothic building, and the church spire is considered one of the iconic sights in the UK. You can climb to the top of the tower for a 360-degree view of Oxford, especially the beautiful long view of Radcliffe Library, All Souls College and the city to the south. The baroque church porch was built in 1637, and its spiral columns were a major innovation in the history of British architecture. The war of 1645 left bullet marks on the porch. In the early days, St. Mary's Church was the common church of the various colleges, and all ceremonies, formal meetings, and examinations took place here. Later, the activities of each college became more and more independent, and the role of the church gradually weakened. In the famous scuffle between university teachers and students and the citizens in the 13th century, the king ordered the citizens to compensate the university for its losses and to cover the cost of the university for the next 500 years. Therefore, on the day of the monk's day every year, a team of representatives of Oxford citizens will come to the church and give the compensation to the high-ranking people in the school. It has now become a rather symbolic ritual.
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University Church of St Mary the Virgin Address:

The, High St, Oxford OX1 4BJ, United Kingdom

University Church of St Mary the Virgin Recommended sightseeing time:

1-2 hours

University Church of St Mary the Virgin Phone:

+44 1865 279111

University Church of St Mary the Virgin Ticket Price

Free entry
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