A few hours in north Oxford
Summertown: books, sculpture and a night at the North Wall
Daunt Books, a sculpture garden behind the library and performances at the North Wall, around Banbury Road and South Parade.
At a glance
- Start here
- Banbury Road around South Parade.
- Sculpture garden
- Through Summertown Library. Entry is free, with Wednesday and Sunday currently closed.
- Sunday market
- Banbury Road, listed 10am–2pm.
Daunt Books, the Turrill Sculpture Garden and the North Wall give you a few reasons to spend time around Banbury Road and South Parade. A performance can turn an afternoon visit into an evening out.
More about this guide
The day matters. The sculpture garden is currently closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. Sunday has the farmers’ market, which you can combine with the bookshop.
Read, browse and see something new
A bookshop afternoon or an evening out
Daunt Books
Daunt’s Summertown shop carries fiction, non-fiction and children’s books, with staff picks and author events. Its website shows only part of the stock. Ask the booksellers about a subject or gift, or contact them in advance for a particular title or edition. The events programme has details of author visits.Daunt’s Summertown shop
Turrill Sculpture Garden
The Turrill Sculpture Garden is reached through Summertown Library on South Parade. Entry is free, with changing displays by local and national sculptors. Access follows the library timetable, and the garden currently lists Wednesday and Sunday as closed. Look at the posted hours before travelling. Some exhibitions include creative activities for children, with details in the current exhibition information.Sculpture displays and opening days
Sunday farmers’ market
The council lists Summertown Farmers’ Market on Banbury Road on Sundays from 10am to 2pm. Traders and produce vary. Daunt currently publishes Sunday opening, so a bookshop visit can fit around the market. The sculpture garden is closed that day.Council’s Summertown market listing
The North Wall
The North Wall has theatre, music, comedy and exhibitions on South Parade. The programme lists arrangements for each show or gallery visit. There is no dedicated customer parking, and South Parade parking is limited. The venue’s travel page has public-transport options. There is level access from the pavement into the foyer, gallery and theatre, with a ramped pavement approach nearby. Ask the box office about wheelchair spaces or a backed seat because seating changes with the show.North Wall programme Venue access and seating
Editor’s note
Which day to come
For the bookshop and sculpture garden, come on a weekday other than Wednesday, or on Saturday. Sunday suits the market and bookshop. For a North Wall performance, book the show and fit the rest of the visit around its start time.
Know before you go
The practical bit.
- Start here
- Banbury Road around South Parade.
- Sculpture garden
- Through Summertown Library. Entry is free, with Wednesday and Sunday currently closed.
- Sunday market
- Banbury Road, listed 10am–2pm.
Sources & visitor information 7 sources · Sources checked 12 Oct 2026
We use the linked sources for practical visitor details. Each date shows when we checked a source. Confirm opening times, prices and booking arrangements before you travel.
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