Carfax Tower

Carfax Tower is the 74-foot stone survivor of St Martin's Church, demolished in 1896 but for this stubborn 13th-century bell tower. You'll climb 99 steep, narrow stone steps in a tight spiral staircase to reach Oxford's best 360-degree viewpoint. The reward is spectacular: you can see down the High Street's curve, across the Radcliffe Camera's dome, and over college spires stretching to the countryside. Entry costs £3.50 for adults.

The climb feels properly medieval, with worn stone steps and tiny slit windows offering glimpses as you ascend. At the top, the viewing platform is genuinely small, fitting maybe 8 people comfortably. The views hit differently depending on direction: south down the High Street shows Oxford's famous curve and college facades, while north reveals the covered market's rooftops and Broad Street. Wind whips around the platform, and the church bells below chime loudly every 15 minutes.

Most guides oversell this as essential Oxford, but it's actually skippable if you're not fussed about heights or views. The climb is genuinely tough if you have mobility issues, and the platform gets uncomfortably crowded during peak times. However, if you want that classic Oxford postcard shot or you're a view completist, it delivers. The £3.50 feels reasonable for what you get, though St Mary the Virgin's tower offers better spire views if you can only pick one.