Dubbed the City of Dreaming Spires, Oxford is one of the most celebrated university cities in the world brimming with a blend of vibrant yet medieval culture. Located to the South East of England, about 92 kms from London, Oxford makes for an ideal day trip destination from London. Contrary to popular opinion, there’s a lot more to do in Oxford than the University of Oxford, so stay with us and we’ll tell you a list of all the interesting and offbeat things to do in Oxford.
London to Oxford Day Trip Options
Oxford and Cambridge Walking Tour
- Discover the 2 prime scholar towns of England - Oxford and Cambridge on foot
- Visit the real world Hogwarts - Christ Church College where Harry Potter was filmed
- Witness the Bridge of Sighs, Bodleian Library, King's College Chapel and many buildings of significance.
- Devour a freshly prepared English packed lunch and have it on the go to save time and cover more ground
Stratford, Oxford, Cotswolds & Warwick Castle Tour with Lunch
- Drive through the beautiful English countryside on a luxurious coach
- Enjoy the interactive and educational visit to the historic Warwick castle
- Visit the town where William Shakespeare was born - Stratford upon Avon
- Amble around the famed city of Oxford
- Visit Brasenose college to admire its exquisite grounds and architecture
- Devour a freshly prepared English packed lunch and have it on the go to save time and cover more ground
Things to do in Oxford
Oxford has plenty to offer and it seems a shame to squeeze all of that into a few mere must dos' due to the paucity of time. Neverthless, here we go.
University of Oxford : The 38 colleges which comprise the University of Oxford are nothing short of architecturally diverse and endlessly atmospheric. It is impossible to visit them all in a day, so pick and choose your favourites and saunter through the campuses. Our favourites include Magdalen, Worcester and St Catz.
Punting: This is the most quintessentially Oxford thing and happens to be the best way to cruise past the city's riverside treasures. If you have not gone Dubaipunting before, there's no place better to do it than in Oxford, so pack a picnic and get punting. If you're not up for getting wet, try watching a punting match and relish the fun.
Oxford Covered Market: In the iconic Oxford Covered Market dating back to the 1770s you can browse through 50 independent stalls spanning from fashion boutiques to florists to fishmongers and vegetable sellers. It is also home to Ben's Cookies , so grab a few of those and maybe a coffee from Ricardo's or Moo-Moo's.
Radcliffe Square: Arguably one of the most beautiful squares in all of London, the Radcliffe Square in its cobbled streets, cropped grass surroundings and stoic structures is a sight behold. Some of the sights to see around here are The Gothic University Church , Bodleian Library, Brasenose College and Sheldonian Theatre.
Pitt Rivers Museum and Natural History Museum: Both these museums are located in the same building, so visit both these history steeped museums without traveling too far. While the Natural History Museum is bright and cheery, the Pitt Rivers museum borders on dingy and cold, but they each own a charm that demands to be seen.
The Ashmolean Museum: This is the oldest public museum in the UK is also one of the finest with a collection that pans from everything from ancient to contemporary. At Ashmolean Museum, make sure to wind your way to the top and indulge in some British tea with cake and views over Oxford from the museum's rooftop cafe.
London To Oxford Day Trip - Transport Options
London to Oxford by Train
There are about 168 trains that shuttle between Paddington station in London to Oxford on a daily basis. With a frequency of about 5 -10 minutes between trains, this is the most affordable and quickest option. You can look for trains from London to Oxford here. Pro tip : Purchasing round trip tickets work out cheaper than one way tickets.
Duration : 1 hour
London to Oxford by Tube/Bus
The Oxford Tube is a popular way to get to Oxford. Buses leave London Victoria Coach Station every 10 - 15 minutes through the day and have multiple pick up points from around London and plenty of stops in Oxford. Once again, the round trip fare is cheaper than the one way fare but this is a more expensive option than the train. You can check the routes and schedule here.
Duration : 1 hour 40 minutes
London to Oxford by Car
Oxford is 92 km from London and though the drive is not interesting, you can stop by towns like Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace on your way. Take the M25 to the M40 and get off at the A40 to reach Oxford. This is definitely an expensive option as gasoline ( petrol ) costs will amount to a lot + the rental of a car if you're a tourist. Moreover, parking in Oxford is a difficult and expensive affair.
Duration : 1 hour 30 minutes
Tips
- The city centre of Oxford houses all the expensive restaurants and shops. If you’re on a budget, head out to student housing areas like Jericho and the Cowley Road for a taste of local flavor and an affordable meal.
- Museums in Oxford offer discount on group visits. If you join a tour or excursion with an existing tour, you can get a considerable discount and perhaps make a few friends on the joint tour too!
- In Oxford, shops open around 9 AM and serve customers upto 6 PM. On Saturday’s it is likely that shops work half day and shut by 5 PM and Sunday being an off, most establishments remain closed.
- If you’re interested in cutting edge student theatre with pocket friendly tickets, you can visit the Burton Taylor theater for a good show.
Other Day Trips from London
London to Stonehenge
One of the most historically significant remnants of Britain’s yesteryears is the Stonehenge, an unassuming but awe-inspiring structure of stones arranged on a field 5,000 years ago. Situated about 115 miles from London in Salisbury, Stonehenge can easily be visited in a day, making it one of the most popular, if not the most, day excursion destinations from London. Constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC, Stonehenge consists of a ring of standing stones, each weighing around 25 tons and almost 15 feet high. You can also visit the Stonehenge Visitor Center, an exhibition and museum where you can learn more about the history of the Stonehenge.
Recommended Experiences
• Stonehenge Half-Day Tour from London
• Windsor, Bath and Stonehenge Tour from London
• 3-Day Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Bath & South West Coast Tour
London to Cotswolds
It’s been over 50 years since the Cotswolds was declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Spread over 800 square miles of rolling hills, the Cotswolds is the biggest of the 38 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. Reminiscent of the old-world charm, this pretty corner of England has repeatedly been honored as the most picturesque rural setting in all of the British Isles. If you wish to experience the most charming and typical rural Britain landscape, then head over to the Cotswolds. Situated 100 miles from London, the trip to Cotswolds is a leisurely affair, one that makes visiting the region an absolute must for those visiting London.
Recommended Experiences
• Stratford, Oxford, Cotswolds & Warwick Castle Tour with Lunch • Stratford, Oxford, Cotswolds & Warwick Castle Custom Day Trip • Lunch in Cotswolds & Walking Tour of Villages
London to Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic cathedral city in the district of Kent and UNESCO World Heritage Site that lies on the banks of River Stour. An extremely popular destination in Kent, Canterbury is situated about 60 miles to the east of London. The medieval city of Canterbury has been the setting of many works of literature and is most famous for once being the centre of English Christianity. Testimony to this is the iconic Canterbury Cathedral, one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. You can also explore the rolling countryside and the beautiful coast, discover historic buildings or go shopping and enjoy a nice days out.
Recommended Experiences
• Leeds Castle, Canterbury and Dover Custom Day Trip
• Leeds Castle, Canterburry, White Cliffs of Dover and Greenwich River Boat Ride
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