If you approach St Michael's from the south, east or west and imagine yourself living here 1000 years ago, you will be reaching the North Gate of the city. The tower that you see before you formed part of the city wall with only fields and open countryside beyond to the north. This wonderful example of Saxon architecture and workmanship is, in fact, the oldest remaining eleventh century building in Oxford.

We know that a Church stood on this site before the Norman Conquest because in 1086 the Domesday Book records the priests of St Michael's owning 2 houses, which is an indication of the wealth and importance of the Church at that time.

The Church building, as it stands today, has evolved over several centuries. The Sanctuary and the south-east section of the South Aisle were built in the thirteenth century, the Lady Chapel and organ transept were added in the fourteenth century, and the North Aisle and the south wall of the Nave adjacent to the tower are attributed to the fifteenth century. Structurally, the Church and Tower have remained largely unchanged since the fifteenth century, but both have undergone cosmetic improvements over the years.

The largest and most ambitious project in modern times was the restoration of the church tower in 1986. Visitors to the tower are greeted in the first floor treasury by a magnificent display of rare silver, the earliest dated 1562, and the Charter of 1612 bearing the great seal of James I. Climbing the tower you will pass the interesting clock mechanism, the door to the martyrs' prison cell, a display of the Towers of the World, and the church bells before stepping out onto the roof of the tower to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and hills beyond. Entrance to the tower is through the glass Visitor Reception Centre where you can take the opportunity to browse and purchase souvenirs or religious books.