Expensive city, cheap dates

By the Just Oxfordshire Dating editors · Checked 8 November 2026 · 2 min read

In shortOxford can be pricey, but many of its best dates are free. The Ashmolean and the Pitt Rivers Museum cost nothing to visit, South Park has a view of the spires, and Port Meadow is open land by the Thames.

Key facts

Ashmolean Museum	Free, daily 10am to 5pm
Pitt Rivers Museum	Free, Monday from noon, Tuesday to Sunday from 10am
South Park	View of the spires, and a dark sky spot for stars
University Parks	Free, opens at 7.45am

Spending less takes the pressure off a date. In Oxford you can fill a whole day without paying for more than a coffee. Here are three good places to start.

The Pitt Rivers Museum

The Pitt Rivers is free and packed with objects to talk about. It opens at noon on Mondays and 10am the rest of the week, closing at 5pm.

Source: University of Oxford: Museums, gardens, libraries and places of interest, checked 8 November 2026

The spires from South Park

Walk to the top of South Park off Morrell Avenue for a view over the city's spires. After dark it is an official dark sky discovery site, so it is good for stargazing too.

Source: Oxford City Council: 55 free things to do in Oxford's green spaces, checked 8 November 2026

Pooh sticks on Port Meadow

Play Pooh sticks from the bridge at Walton Well Road in Jericho, then walk round Burgess Field just off the meadow. It is silly, free and good for breaking the ice.

Source: Oxford City Council: 55 free things to do in Oxford's green spaces, checked 8 November 2026

Questions

Is the Botanic Garden free?

No, the Botanic Garden charges for adult entry, though some groups go free. The Ashmolean, the Pitt Rivers and University Parks are free.

Where can we see the spires without paying?

Walk to the top of South Park. It is free and open to everyone.

What is a good free date on a rainy day?

The Ashmolean or the Pitt Rivers. Both are free, and you can spend hours in either.