Carfax Tower

The Carfax Tower, in Oxford

The Carfax Tower is a medieval tower that stands at the central crossroads of Oxford, a vestige of a former church. The Oxford audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this emblematic landmark, the nerve centre of the town, whose summit offers a fine view.

The tower of the central crossroads

The Carfax Tower stands in the heart of Oxford, at the meeting point of the four main arteries of the town, where the roads of the north, the south, the east and the west cross. The very name of Carfax would come from the French carrefour, or from the Latin quadrifurcus, which means four forks, in reference to this central crossing. This stone tower is all that survives of the former church of St Martin, demolished in the nineteenth century to facilitate the circulation, of which only the tower was kept as a landmark and historic witness. From the top of its floors, accessible by a staircase, you enjoy a fine panorama over the centre of Oxford, its roofs, its towers and its spires. The tower is also adorned with a clock and mechanical figures, the quarter boys, who sound the quarter hours. An emblematic landmark and the central point of the town, the Carfax Tower is a must-see stop of the discovery of Oxford.

What to see

You admire the medieval stone tower at the central crossroads of Oxford, whose name evokes the crossroads of the four great roads, the only vestige of the former church of St Martin demolished in the nineteenth century, adorned with a clock and the mechanical figures, the quarter boys, and whose summit offers a fine panorama over the centre. The Carfax Tower is an emblematic landmark of Oxford. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Carfax Tower lies at the Carfax crossroads, in the heart of Oxford, reachable on foot. You admire it freely from the street; the climb of the tower follows its own hours and conditions, which vary. The view from the summit is particularly beautiful on a clear day.

What is the Carfax Tower in Oxford?

A medieval stone tower at the central crossroads of Oxford, whose name evokes the crossroads of the four great roads; it is the only vestige of the former church of St Martin demolished in the nineteenth century, and its summit offers a fine panorama over the centre.

Where is the Carfax Tower of Oxford?

At the Carfax crossroads, in the heart of Oxford, in England.