Ah, Oxford! The City of Dreaming Spires is most famous for its 800-year-old University, but nowadays the city is a bustling cosmopolitan town with a mix of ancient and modern. Located a short hop north and west of London, Oxford offers plenty to do for visitors.

While there are plenty of activities in Oxford that cost a pretty pound, there are plenty of free (but premium) things to occupy your visit. Here is a list of our favorite ten free things to do in Oxford, England.

Oxford’s most famous resident is also its most unusual.

The 440 pound, 25-foot shark is embedded head-first in the roof of a house in Headington, a suburb of Oxford. The Headington shark first appeared in August 9, 1986, on the 41st anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. The sculpture is an expression of protest and anger against the use of nuclear power and weapons.

The shark was controversial when it first appeared. Oxford City Council tried to have it removed several times over the course of 6 years. Due to community support of the shark, it was allowed to remain.

The shark was renovated on its 21st anniversary in August 2007.

Location: 2 New High Street, Headington, Oxford
By Bus: Saphire 280 bus from Turn Street (stop L1) or Bus 8 from Queens Lane (stop K4) to Sanfield Road, then walk 3 minutes.

The Pitt Rivers Museum contains a variety of odd and interesting archaeological and anthropological artifacts from around the world.

Punting is Oxford’s answer to the gondola.

Take an afternoon stroll down to Magdalen Bridge and watch as people try their hand at punting – an Oxford favorite pastime since before the 1880s. Hours can be spent watching tourists attempt to propel their crafts along the river. While some are competent boatsmen, others ineptly zigzag across the river, crashing into every log and bush along the bank.

Why not try your hand at punting? While hiring a boat isn’t free, it is without a doubt one of the most fun and relaxing ways to spend an afternoon in Oxford. If you don’t feel comfortable navigating a punting boat, you can rent a row boat or pedalo, or even your own chauffeur for your journey down the river.

Location: Magdalen Bridge Boathouse
Cost: Free to watch. £22/hour to rent a punt (extra for a chauffer; a £30 refundable deposit is required)

Oxford is a city that has inspired literary genius. Visitors to Oxford are particularly keen to trace links to its famous writers.

Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, created his famous “Alice in Wonderland” stories for Alice Liddell, the daughter of the Dean of Christ Church. Fantastic as it was, “Wonderland” was rooted in the environs around Oxford, including the Thames River, Christ Church College, the Natural History Museum, and The Perch tavern.

A group of literary academics known as the Inklings sprung up in Oxford which included famous writers such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. The Inklings met regularly in the Eagle & Child pub in St. Giles to discuss literature and their own work. A plaque and a letter signed by both Lewis and Tolkien mark their favorite nook. C.S. Lewis’ grave can be found at Holy Trinity Church at Headington Quarry, where Lewis worshipped for 30 years. J.R.R. Tolkien is buried with his beloved “Luthien,” his wife Edith, at Wolvercote Cemetery off Banbury Road and Five Mile Drive.

Wander through the quads, halls, and chapels of Oxford’s colleges, and imagine life as a student.

Several of Oxford’s thirty-eight constituent colleges allow free, self-guided tours during certain hours. Each college offers unique architecture and history, and some have exquisite chapels that rival the cathedrals of Europe. If you don’t have time to visit each one, we recommend All Souls College, Exeter College, Hertford College, Keble College, St. John’s College, and Wadham College.

Opening times: Check out the Visiting Oxford website for visitor hours for each college.

Opening times: Check out the Visiting Oxford website for visitor hours for each college.