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Evening

Headington Shark at Sunset

Catch the last light on the city’s most unusual roof sculpture, then head into town for a proper Oxford evening.

Best time: 15 OctAbout 120 min

Timeline

  1. 17:11

    The Black Boy

    Grab a pint at The Black Boy. This Headington gastropub has an award-winning streak and is the perfect spot to settle in before the walk up to the shark.

  2. 17:26

    The Shark House

    Walk up to The Shark House. The 25-foot shark buried face-first in the roof makes for a striking silhouette against the evening sky. The sun sets toward the WSW, offering good lighting for photos from the street.

  3. 18:11

    The Shark House

    Stay for the sunset. The shark stands as an anti-war statement and a beloved local landmark. Take your time to appreciate the view as the light fades.

  4. 18:41

    The Grand Cafe

    Head down to the city centre for the Grand Cafe. It is open until 20:00, so you have time for a warm drink or a light bite while the evening settles in.

  5. 19:11

    The Old Black Horse

    End the night at The Old Black Horse. This 17th-century coaching inn is open until 24:00 on weekdays, offering a quiet, historic atmosphere to wind down.

Local tip

The walk from The Shark House to the city centre takes about 30 minutes. If you prefer a quicker route, check the bus route from Headington to the centre.

Check before you go

  • The Grand Cafe closes at 20:00, so arrive before then.
  • The Old Black Horse is open until 24:00 on weekdays (Mon-Thu).

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Oxford (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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