The photo opportunity afforded from the top makes it completely worth climbing the 99 stairs of the Carfax Tower in the centre of Oxford's shopping district. The tower-top is the best place from which to view the 'dreaming spires' of this architecturally beautiful city. The tower is the only remnant of the 14th-century St Martin's Church, demolished in 1896 to improve the traffic flow at the junction of Cornmarket and Queen Streets. On the first floor a display depicts the history of the church, while information boards in the tower-top identify the landmarks and spires in the panoramic view. On the eastern side of the tower is a clock with two figures (known as the 'Quarter Boys') that strike the quarter hours.

Address: Junction of St. Aldate's, Cornmarket, Queen and High Streets

Telephone: (0)1865 792 653

Opening times: Open daily from 10am to 5.30pm (till 4.30pm in October

Admission: £2.20 (adults), £1.10 (children)