An Oxford Girlies' Guide to Autumn

Let’s be real, there’s just something magical about autumn in Oxford! The golden leaves crunching underfoot, mist rolling over the spires, and the excuse to live in oversized jumpers and drink endless iced lattes. If you’re anything like me, your ideal autumn day in Oxford involves a cosy cafe crawl and maybe some vintage shopping to top it off! Here’s my guide to the perfect Oxford autumn day, girly edition, of course!

Brunch at Society Café

Head straight to the Oxford Brunch Bar on George Street. It’s a cosy little spot with the best steak sandwiches and even better coffees. Grab a seat by the window, as it’s perfect for people-watching and journaling (if you're solo)!

If you’re more of a tea girl, Vaults & Garden near the Radcliffe Camera is unbeatable for autumn vibes. Think rustic charm, fairy lights, and soup that tastes like comfort in a bowl. It's insanely pretty, affordable, and just the cosiest place in the autumn!

Autumn Walks: University Parks or Christchurch Meadows

No Oxford autumn is complete without a long (slightly aimless) walk surrounded by burnt-orange trees. University Parks gives you that crisp, clean vibe with crunching leaves and a chance to spot overly enthusiastic rowers heading to the river! It's definitely a scenic place, and it's not that busy during weekdays, although you'll definitely spot some keen runners doing their laps. There's also a park run on Saturdays, so if that's your thing, definitely sign up.

Christchurch Meadows, though, is for the romantics and university students trying to clear their minds – the misty mornings, the deer that you can sometimes see in the fields, and a cinematic stroll towards Folly Bridge. Bring a camera, a scarf, and maybe a hot drink to keep you warm when it's absolutely freezing outside!

Afternoon Treat: Coffeesmith's

When the mid-afternoon chill sets in, duck into Coffeesmiths in the Golden Cross, directly in the centre of town! It's the cutest, cosiest coffee shop, with the biggest cinnamon buns I've ever seen. Prices are affordable, and the staff are absolutely lovely. It's often full of students studying, so it tends to be a very quiet, cosy spot. It is rarely heavily busy due to how it is slightly off the main street, so you'll be sure to find a table here.

Golden Hour Shopping: The Covered Market & Jericho

There’s no better time for a little retail therapy. The Covered Market is full of hidden gems like vintage scarves, handmade candles, and autumn-themed trinkets you definitely don’t need (but will absolutely buy anyway). The bookshop inside, Gulp Fiction, is the most amazing place for coffee as well as picking up a fun book! They often have events weekly, so go onto their website to check these out.

I'd also recommend going into Moo-Moos' for a milkshake (butterscotch is my go-to!) if you aren't into coffee/tea and just want a yummy-tasting drink. This has been here for as long as I can remember, and the staff are amazing! So many different flavours, as well as some special daily ones too.

Then wander up to Jericho for the best boutique browsing. Reign and Unicorn (though this is on Ship Street in Oxford centre) are my go-tos for chic finds and cosy knits that make you look like you have your life together (even if you’re running purely on caffeine and vibes). Both can be relatively stressful experiences, but if you know what you want, you'll almost definitely find them here.

Dinner & Wind Down: A Pub Dinner

For the perfect end to your day, The Victoria Arms is the dinner spot, and although a little further from the centre, it has good wine, is lit up by fairy lights and has food that’s the absolute yummiest. If you’re feeling more casual, Turf Tavern tucked behind the Bridge of Sighs has that classic Oxford pub warmth, complete with fairy lights and a slightly chaotic charm! It tends to be incredibly busy, so make sure to plan ahead, as they usually don't take bookings and students frequent this pub in the evenings.

Top tip: End your night with a walk past the Radcliffe Camera! It’s even prettier at night, all lit up against the chilly autumn sky. You’ll fall in love with Oxford all over again.