OXFORD ART TRAIL

Over the years, we have built up a wealth of knowledge and awareness of the needs of the artist, hobbyist, beginner, and student of creative studies. Our team are all artists, illustrators, graphic designers or students of art and design.

20 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AS

Art Location. William Bird (1930-2010) created works of art showing the daily life of Oxford's streets. He was a Broad Canvas customer and we are proud to stock prints of two of his works. Some of his other works can be seen in the Oxford Town Hall. To view this scene, stand opposite Broad Canvas, close to the doors of Balliol College. There is also a bench from where you might try to recreate the painting.

We are selling prints of Across Broad Street, please click here to view.

Art Location. Another of William Bird's painting locations: the view from outside Broad Canvas facing east towards the unmistakable sight of the Sheldonian Theatre. Don't forget to have a close look around the Sheldonian if you have time. William Bird (1930-2010) created various works of art showing the daily life of Oxford's streets. He was a Broad Canvas customer and we are proud to stock prints of two of his works. Some of his other works can be seen in the Oxford Town Hall.

We are selling prints of Broad Street to Sheldonian Theatre, please click here to view.

Art Location. Look up from outside the gates of Trinity College, and above Blackwell's Art and Poster shop to see a 7-foot figure, looking out over Oxford. This is number XI of Antony Gormley's Another Time series of sculptures. See photos of the statue's installation here. Learn more about Turner Prize winner Antony Gormley here. He also has another statue, Present Time, displayed in Mansfield College, and a new work on Parks Road - see if you can find it.

Trading since 1879, Blackwell’s of Oxford is the UK’s largest academic and specialist bookseller. It’s one of the most famous booksellers on the planet. For many years, it was proudly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having the world’s largest room selling books. Found on Broad Street, it's a treasure trove of interesting and rare books, and can be found just along the road from us.

48-51 Broad Street, OX1 3BQ

Jan Savery's 1651 painting of the extinct Dodo bird is the emblem of the Museum of Natural History. It is believed that Jan's uncle Roelandt supplied the original works on which Savery based his dodo painting. And Lewis Carroll was thought to have been inspired by the painting when he included the creature as a character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the famous novel inspired by a boat trip on the River Thames.

The Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, OX1 3PW

The Pitt Rivers Museum displays the University of Oxford’s archaeological and anthropological collections. It's full of interesting art and artefacts from around the globe, and we definitely recommend a visit. The museum is located to the east of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (access is through this building).

South Parks Road, OX1 3PP

English Pre-Raphaelite artist William Holman Hunt painted the figure of Jesus as in Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me".

The Side Chapel, Keble College, Parks Road, OX1 3PG

Oxford Ceramics Gallery is an independent gallery specialising in the exhibition and sale of modern and contemporary studio ceramics. They work with both UK and international artists with a focus on British, Danish and Japanese work. The gallery has been in its current Walton Street home in Jericho (central Oxford) since 2011. 

29 Walton Street, OX2 6AA

ronapainting gallery showcases painting, original prints, photography and sculpture. Rona has been a painter for forty years. Having worked in galleries as well as organising numerous exhibitions internationally, she was keen to open her own gallery. She loves to support the arts in Oxford. After launching a pop up gallery, which was open for five months, Rona wanted a permanent space where people can view and buy beautiful original work in person.

34 Walton Street, Jericho, OX2 6AA

St John's College was founded in 1555 by Sir Thomas White, to provide a source of educated Roman Catholic clerics to support the Counter-Reformation under Queen Mary. The college features a large collection of paintings, some are in public areas of the college including Anne of Cleeves. St John's College has an online selection of its art collection, which you can view here.

St Giles, OX1 3JP

Art Location. The site of a watercolour by Frederick Mackenzie in 1848, as viewed from next to the Martyr's Memorial, is a great subject for painting and drawing. There is a busy bus stop here, so it might be worth situating yourself next to the memorial.

Image credit: Ashmolean Museum. Postcards and art prints available from the Ashmolean Museum and online here.

The museum’s world-famous collections range from Egyptian mummies and classical sculpture to Pre-Raphaelite paintings and contemporary art. Enjoy a delicious lunch or an indulgent afternoon tea taking in the beautiful views from its rooftop terrace.

Beaumont Street, OX1 2PH

This arts centre beats at the heart of Oxford, showcasing the best local and international performance and artwork. A centre for creativity, it takes a risk and entertains, while housing two organisations: the homelessness charity Crisis and Arts at the Old Fire Station (AOFS).

40 George Street, OX1 2AQ

A café and sandwich shop with delicious homemade, organic and local produce, and outside catering. Stop by and recharge on your travels. If you’re lucky, they may be showing one of their occasional art exhibitions.

14 Bonn Square, OX1 1LT

Modern Art Oxford has a rich history of bold and progressive art that promotes diversity and internationalism. Public engagement with creativity and the arts is encouraged and contemporary visual culture in society is celebrated.

30 Pembroke Street, OX1 1BP

See a William Turner in person and explore Oxford’s historic Town Hall while you are there. They also have occasional events, so keep a look out to see what's on.

Oxford Town Hall, St. Aldate's, OX1 1BX

Image credit: Oxford City Council

Is it a shop? Is it a gallery? We’re not sure, but we love this historic and iconic place. Found on Oxford’s High Street, it has a long tradition of selling antique prints and maps and hosting printsellers and booksellers since the 1840s.

Salutation House, 104 High Street, OX1 4BW

Christ Church is unique among the Oxford and Cambridge colleges, possessing an important collection of Old Master paintings and drawings. To see the Picture Gallery without visiting the rest of the college, enter through Canterbury Gate off Oriel Square (from King Edward Street).

Christ Church, St Aldate’s, OX1 1DP

Art Location. The Ruskin School of Art is the University of Oxford’s Fine Art Department, and one of the UK’s leading Art Schools. It has great architecture so is an ideal subject from which to create art. It was founded in 1871 by John Ruskin, an English polymath – a writer, lecturer, art historian, art critic, draughtsman and philanthropist of the Victorian era. His works and teachings inspired many other visionary artists across the world.

74 High Street, OX1 4BG

Please note that the Ruskin School of Art is not open to casual visitors.
Image: Copyright Motacilla

Working closely with leading members of the Oxfordshire Craft Guild, the store has a wide and varied selection of their work. Created with care and passion each piece reflects styles and influences from around the globe. Be inspired by their collection of ceramics, jewellery, woodturning, glass, textiles and paintings.

85 High Street, OX1 4BG

Art Location. Sir William Nicholson was a British painter, illustrator, printmaker, set designer and author. Whilst living in Woodstock at the start of the 20th Century, he made several architectural studies of Oxford’s college and University buildings. You can view the entrance to Queens College, next to Logic Lane. This is almost the same spot as William Turner's 'High Street, Oxford' (location 23).

Works of art by WIlliam Nicholson can also be seen in the Ashmoelan Museum, Merton College and New College.

Image credit: Ashmolean Museum. Postcards and art prints available from the Ashmolean Museum and online here.

Art Location. The site of an oil painting by one the world's foremost artists, exhibited in 1810. The view looks west along the High Street, with University College on the left, All Souls College on the right, and the spires of All Saints Church (now the library of Lincoln College, centre) and St Mary's Church (the University church, centre right). In the distance is Carfax Tower (see location D). The painting is now exhibited at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford (see location 13).

Image credit: Ashmolean Museum. Postcards and art prints available from the Ashmolean Museum and online here.

To see more of the city, including the River Isis, Christ Church Cathedral, University Parks and historic buildings, follow the extended orange lines. These are great places for artistic inspiration, a picnic or just a chance to rest a while. Visit these sites to find the heart of what makes Oxford so special: history, architecture and beautiful landscapes.