Discover Oxford’s Covered Market and Jericho Arts Quarter — explore artisan shops, cafés, and galleries showcasing the city’s creative and historic side.

Oxford’s Hidden Cultural Gems

Looking to see a different side of Oxford beyond the dreaming spires? Head to the Oxford Covered Market and Jericho Arts Quarter, where the city’s local artisans, independent shops, and creative spirit shine brightest.

From 18th-century market stalls to colourful art studios, this is Oxford’s beating cultural heart — alive with food, craft, and imagination.

Exploring Oxford Covered Market

1. The Historic Covered Market

Walking into Oxford Covered Market feels very different from entering a modern shopping centre.

Its interconnected passages contain traditional shopfronts, independent businesses, food stalls, cafés, and specialist retailers beneath a historic covered structure.

Visitors can browse:

Artisan food
Fresh produce
Cheese and delicatessen products
Cakes and pastries
Flowers
Gifts
Jewellery
Clothing
Independent cafés

The compact layout makes it easy to explore while walking between Oxford’s major city-centre landmarks.

2. Independent Traders

Independent businesses are central to the market’s identity.

Traditional traders operate alongside newer cafés, bakeries, boutiques, and specialist food businesses, creating an interesting mixture of old and new Oxford.

Rather than functioning simply as a visitor attraction, the market remains part of everyday city life.

That living character is one of the main reasons it remains worth visiting.

3. Food and Artisan Produce

Food is one of the biggest attractions inside the Covered Market.

Visitors can stop for coffee and cake, browse traditional food shops, pick up lunch, or discover locally produced and specialist ingredients.

The mixture can include:

Fresh bread
Cakes
Cheese
Meat
Fruit and vegetables
Coffee
International food
Confectionery

Its central location makes the market an excellent lunch stop while exploring Oxford.

4. Historic Market Architecture

Look beyond the shops and the market itself becomes part of the attraction.

Traditional entrances, covered passages, historic shopfronts, signs, and compact trading spaces preserve the atmosphere of a market that has operated since the Georgian period.

Moreover, its relatively small scale creates an intimate atmosphere compared with many larger city markets.

Learn more at the Oxford Covered Market website

Exploring Jericho

Around a 15-minute walk from the Covered Market, Jericho offers a completely different atmosphere.

Its streets are lined with colourful terraced houses, independent cafés, pubs, restaurants, shops, and cultural venues.

The neighbourhood has long attracted students, academics, artists, writers, and creative businesses.

Today, it is one of Oxford’s most distinctive areas for simply wandering without a fixed itinerary.

Walton Street

Walton Street forms the main commercial spine through Jericho.

Visitors will find a mixture of:

Independent restaurants
Cafés
Pubs
Specialist shops
Delicatessens
Cultural venues
Historic buildings

Unlike Oxford’s busiest tourist streets, Jericho often feels more like a lived-in neighbourhood.

This makes it an excellent place to stop for coffee, lunch, or an evening meal after exploring central Oxford.

Phoenix Picturehouse

One of Jericho’s best-known cultural landmarks is the Phoenix Picturehouse.

The cinema’s history stretches back to 1913, making it one of Britain’s longest-running cinemas.

Today, its programme combines:

Independent films
International cinema
Major releases
Documentaries
Classic films
Special screenings
Live cultural broadcasts

Its intimate character makes it an important part of Jericho’s independent arts scene.

Oxford Playhouse

Close to the route between Jericho and the city centre stands Oxford Playhouse.

The theatre hosts a varied programme encompassing drama, comedy, dance, family performances, talks, and touring productions.

Its proximity to both Jericho and central Oxford makes it easy to incorporate an evening performance into a day exploring the city.

Independent Food, Cafés, and Pubs

Jericho has developed one of Oxford’s strongest independent food and drink scenes.

Along Walton Street and the surrounding roads, visitors can discover cafés, traditional pubs, restaurants, bakeries, and international cuisine.

The area’s historic pubs are particularly atmospheric, while newer independent businesses add a contemporary feel.

Therefore, Jericho works especially well as an afternoon or evening extension to a visit to Oxford’s historic centre.

Colourful Streets and Architecture

One of Jericho’s greatest attractions is simply its streetscape.

Rows of compact Victorian terraces sit beside former industrial buildings, churches, pubs, and contemporary developments.

Colourfully painted houses have become particularly associated with the neighbourhood and provide excellent photography opportunities.

The contrast with Oxford’s monumental university architecture is striking.

Oxford Canal

The Oxford Canal runs along the western edge of Jericho.

Its towpath provides a peaceful walking route away from the busy city centre, passing narrowboats, waterside vegetation, bridges, and former industrial areas.

Walking beside the canal provides another perspective on Oxford and demonstrates how closely the city’s development was connected with transport and industry.

Independent Oxford

What connects the Covered Market and Jericho is their strong independent character.

The Covered Market preserves centuries of small-scale city-centre trading, while Jericho combines neighbourhood businesses with cinema, food, arts, and community life.

Together, they offer visitors:

Local businesses
Historic surroundings
Independent food
Arts and entertainment
Photography
Less conventional Oxford experiences

This makes them particularly rewarding for visitors who have already explored the city’s major university landmarks.

Visiting Oxford Covered Market & Jericho

How to Get There
Covered Market: Market Street, Oxford, OX1 3DZ
Jericho: Centred around Walton Street, northwest of Oxford city centre
Train: Oxford railway station is within walking distance of both areas
Bus: Numerous local and regional services stop throughout central Oxford
Walk: The Covered Market and Jericho are approximately 15 minutes apart on foot
Cycle: Oxford’s extensive cycling network provides easy access to both areas

Opening Hours & Admission
Oxford Covered Market is free to enter
Individual traders maintain their own opening hours
Jericho’s streets are accessible throughout the year
Cinemas, theatres, restaurants, and events have individual opening and ticketing arrangements

Facilities
Independent shops
Cafés and restaurants
Traditional pubs
Cinema
Theatre nearby
Public transport
Cycle parking
Public toilets in central Oxford
Accessible routes

Nearby Attractions
Ashmolean Museum — Britain’s first public museum, with internationally important art and archaeological collections
Bodleian Library — One of Europe’s oldest libraries and a landmark of the University of Oxford
Oxford Castle & Prison — Historic castle and former prison spanning centuries of Oxford history
Pitt Rivers Museum — Extraordinary museum of archaeology and anthropology

Together, these attractions make it easy to combine Oxford’s famous academic heritage with its markets, independent businesses, and contemporary cultural life.

Why Visit Oxford Covered Market & Jericho?

The Oxford Covered Market & Jericho experience offers:

More than 250 years of market heritage
Independent shops and artisan food
Colourful Victorian streets and architecture
Independent cinema, theatre, cafés, and pubs
A fascinating alternative to Oxford’s traditional tourist trail

Whether you’re interested in food, shopping, photography, architecture, cinema, local culture, or simply discovering a quieter side of the city, these two areas provide an excellent addition to an Oxford visit.

It’s not just about colleges and dreaming spires — it’s a chance to experience the independent side of Oxford, where historic market traditions, neighbourhood culture, artisan food, colourful streets, and contemporary arts come together.