universities Archives

The Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Five universities worth visiting for tourists

Many university campuses around the world have impressive buildings, but these five unis have something genuinely extraordinary about them. They’re tourist attractions in their own right. Oxford University, England The University of Oxford has pretty much the complete package, with gloriously scenic grounds, unusual buildings…

The Museum of Natural History in Oxford.

Museum of Natural History, Oxford: Ticket prices, hours & visitor guide (2026)

The first time I stepped into the central court in Oxford's Museum of Natural History, I stopped beneath the glass roof and simply stared upwards. Cast-iron columns decorated with botanical designs soar to meet the vaulted glass ceiling, flooding the Victorian Gothic space with natural…

Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford: Ticket prices, hours & visitor guide (2026)

The first time I stepped through the arched doorway from Oxford's Natural History Museum into the Pitt Rivers, I stopped and simply stared. The cavernous Victorian hall stretches before you, dimly lit to protect its treasures, packed floor to ceiling with glass cases containing over…

Statues inside the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford: Ticket prices, hours & visitor guide

Explore the art and archaeology of Oxford's Ashmolean Museum. Essential visitor guide covering ticket prices, opening hours, and must-see exhibits. The first time I climbed the Ashmolean's grand staircase, I was struck by how this place manages to feel both imposing and welcoming. Britain's oldest…

Polar Museum, Cambridge: Visitor guide with times, prices & parking

Why visit the Polar Museum in Cambridge? The Polar Museum, housed within the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, is the UK's only dedicated polar museum and offers an extraordinary collection documenting Arctic and Antarctic exploration. It's one of the best reasons…

Palazzo Bo, Padua: Ticket prices, hours & visitor guide (2026)

When I first glimpsed Galileo's wooden lectern through the doorway of the Great Hall in Padua, it struck me that this wasn't just a university building — it's where Western science fundamentally changed direction. The Palazzo Bo has served as the University of Padua's headquarters…

Anatomical models in the Palazzo Poggi, Bologna.

University of Bologna for tourists: Archiginnasio Palace & Palazzo Poggi

In the Archiginnasio Palace and Palazzo Poggi, Europe’s oldest university brings its history to life. A visit to the University of Bologna, summarised The University of Bologna is Europe’s oldest university. Highlights include the Anatomy Theatre in the Archiginnasio Palace. The Palazzo Poggi hosts several…

Plan your visit to the Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh: Opening hours, ticket prices and parking

First time visiting the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and how to get there. History and overview of the Cathedral of Learning The Cathedral of Learning rises above the University of Pittsburgh campus as a…

Plan your visit to the Yale Center for British Art: Opening hours, ticket prices and parking

The Yale Center for British Art (YCBA) in New Haven, Connecticut, showcases one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of British art outside the United Kingdom. This guide gives you all the practical details you need — including opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility and…

Inside the John Rylands Library, Manchester.

How to get into Manchester’s Rylands Library if you’re not a student

There’s no entrance fee to go inside Manchester’s John Rylands Library, but opening hours are limited for this Victorian wonder. Manchester’s most enjoyable heritage building? In Manchester, much of the history leans towards the industrial side of things. This is why the John Rylands Library…