Saxon Tower

The Saxon Tower, in Oxford

The Saxon Tower is the tower of the church of St Michael, the oldest building of Oxford, dating from the eleventh century. The Oxford audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this Saxon witness, a vestige of the origins of the town, on Cornmarket Street.

The oldest tower of the town

Here is another emblematic tower of Oxford, and you easily guess that it is much older than everything you have seen up to here. It dates indeed from the eleventh century and would have been built around the year one thousand, which makes it the oldest building of the town. This Saxon tower, the Saxon Tower, is the bell tower of the church of St Michael at the North Gate, thus named because it formerly stood near the north gate of the ramparts of the medieval town. Massive, austere and of robust construction, it illustrates the Saxon architecture, prior to the arrival of the Normans in England. An exceptional witness of the origins of Oxford, it has crossed a millennium of history. You can climb it to enjoy a fine view over the centre, and discover there objects linked to the past of the town. A precious vestige of the old times and the oldest tower of the town, the Saxon Tower is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the oldest tower of Oxford, the Saxon bell tower of the church of St Michael at the North Gate, built around the year one thousand in the eleventh century, massive and austere, illustrating the Saxon architecture prior to the Normans, which you can climb for a fine view over the centre. The Saxon Tower is the oldest building of Oxford. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Saxon Tower of the church of St Michael lies on Cornmarket Street, in the heart of Oxford, reachable on foot. A place of worship and a monument, it can be visited with respect; access and the climb of the tower follow their own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check them before coming.

Why is the Saxon Tower of Oxford remarkable?

Because it is the oldest building of Oxford, dating from the eleventh century and built around the year one thousand; the Saxon bell tower of the church of St Michael at the North Gate, it illustrates the Saxon architecture prior to the arrival of the Normans in England.

Where is the Saxon Tower of Oxford?

On Cornmarket Street, in the heart of Oxford, in England.