Oxford in the Rain

The museums

You could spend an entire rainy day in any one of these:

• Ashmolean Museum — the largest. Easily 3-4 hours if you explore properly. The cafe on the top floor is a good refuge.
• Pitt Rivers + Natural History Museum — they connect internally, so that's two museums without going outside. Combined: 2-3 hours minimum.
• Bodleian Library tours — book a 90-minute tour and you'll be indoors the whole time, learning about one of the world's great libraries.

Pubs for a rainy afternoon

• The Turf Tavern — the small interior rooms are at their coziest when it's raining outside. The beer gardens are obviously less useful.
• The King's Arms — big enough to settle in with a book and a pint. Good food. The window booths are the best seats.
• The Eagle and Child — the Rabbit Room on a rainy afternoon is atmospheric. Imagine Tolkien reading The Lord of the Rings aloud while the rain hammers outside.

Indoor eating

• The Covered Market — entirely covered (the name helps). Browse, eat, and stay dry.
• Turl Street Kitchen — excellent brunch spot. Warm, friendly, and they won't rush you on a rainy day.

The Bodleian shops and bookshops

Oxford has exceptional bookshops. Blackwell's on Broad Street has the Norrington Room — the largest single room selling books in England, entirely underground. You can lose hours in there without spending a penny (though you will spend money).