Located in central southern England, Oxford has one foot in the ancient world and the other firmly in the modern. The city’s picturesque Gothic university buildings are a magnificent legacy of its past, while its cosy pubs and trendy coffee shops are imbued with a lively contemporary buzz. Bibliophiles should head to the incredible Bodleian Library, one of the oldest in Europe, and then to the gorgeous Botanical Garden or the Harcourt Arboretum for a serene reading experience. History enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the Ashmolean, the UK’s oldest public museum, filled with fascinating archaeological relics and art exhibits from all corners of the globe, as well as the Pitt Rivers Museum, home to what is arguably the best collections on anthropology and archaeology. Tolkien fans will delight in the chance to visit the house where he lived.