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We do recommend adding Oxford as a stop on your England itinerary or as a day trip from London. If you set your London travel base at Reading, then a Oxford day trip becomes a must as it is pretty close thus making it a perfect day trip from Reading. It also is pretty walkable city. This article will help you to make the most of your visit to Oxford with all things to do in Oxford, places to visit, eat & drink and an itinerary as well.
With historic colleges, cobbled streets and if you are fan of Harry Potter, then a trip to Oxford is a must and it feels like taking a step into the history and magic.
Places to visit in Oxford
These are some of the must visit places that you can cover in Oxford and these places can be easily be done in a day without rushing around too much, which makes Oxford a perfect day trip idea from London.
1. Radcliffe Camera
This is Oxford’s most iconic landmarks and one of the starting points on your trip here. It is part of the Bodleian library and is surrounded by two colleges. The best views of the University Church Tower.
2. Christ Church College
This college is definitely the most famous college in Oxford and also well known Harry Potter shooting location. The grand dining hall, Gothic architecture, cathedral and for Harry Potter fans the staircase seen in the movies.
We highly recommend visiting Christ Church College but remember to book your tickets in advance. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10am for the next week. Alternatively you can plan to take a walking tour which includes visit to the multiple Oxford University Colleges, including Christ Church College and the Bodleian Library as well.
3. Bodleian Library
The only way you can see the Bodleian Library and hence we recommend the above mentioned Oxford walking tour which includes Christ Church College as well and would make your Oxford day trip definitely worth it.
4. Bridge of Sighs
This bridge quite resembles the famous bridge in Venice and makes it a photo spot opportunity. It connects two sections of the Hertford College.
5. University Church of St Mary the Virgin
Here you can climb the tower of this historic church to get breath-taking panoramic view of this historic city.
Other recommended places to visit in Oxford include Oxford Castle and Prison, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Covered Market, Magdalen College and Botanic Garden.
How to reach Oxford
Reach Oxford by Train: You can reach Oxford by taking train from many UK cities like London and Reading. If going from London, then there are frequent trains to Oxford from London Paddington. Book a open return ticket on Trainline if you are planning to visit Oxford only as a day trip option. It is always recommended to book your tickets in advance as it makes it cheaper.
Note: The train station is just 10 minutes walk from the centre of the town
Trains from London Paddington to Oxford
Trains from Reading to Oxford
Oxford Tube: If you are travelling from London and bus is your preferred option, then Oxford Tube becomes your best best to reach Oxford from London. This coach runs every 15 minutes and 24hrs a day for 365 days a year, amazing right?! You can catch this bus from Victoria, Notting Hill, Marble Arch or Shepherd’s Bus in London.
Reach Oxford by Bus: Megabus, Flixbus and the National Express coaches are cheaper than the train option but takes more time to reach Oxford. X90 bus option is available from London and if you are travelling from Reading, then you can take the X40 bus from near the Reading station.
Note: The Bus trip takes around 1hr and 40 min from London and 1hr 15min from Reading. The bus station is 2-min walk to the centre of town.
Drive: Oxford is easily accessible via the M40 motorway from London. There are many Park and Ride options available at the outskirts of the city as parking options. Parking in the city centre can be bit of hassle and game of luck. There are 5 Park and Ride locations, and it costs £4 return for Parking and bus ride option for one person and £5 for two persons.
Day Trip Options: There are many day trip options where you can visit Oxford without the hassle of drive or public transport with added benefit of guide. This day trip option from London helps you visit both Oxford and Cotswold with pick-up and drop-off in Central London.
Harry Potter Fans can club a visit to the magical Warner Bros Studio with Oxford as a day trip option from London.
Map of Oxford Day Trip Itinerary
HOW TO USE MAPS: Click on the top right corner [ ] to open in the Google Maps app or browser. Click on the star to save to your Google account.
Tips for your Oxford Trip
- Oxford is a walkable city so wear comfortable shoes and get ready to explore.
- Book tickets in advance for popular attractions like Christ Church and Bodleian Library to avoid long queues and waiting times.
- Start your day early to avoid huge crowds and make the most of your time.
- Best place to have lunch is at the Covered Market, which dates back to 1770 with great options for food, gifts and souvenirs.
Where to stay in Oxford
If you wish to stay and explore more of Oxford or nearby, then there are plenty of options available for a longer stay. Here are a few recommendations. Use the search widget below to book your accommodation in Oxford suiting your budget and preference.
What is the best time to visit Oxford
Oxford can be visited all year round but we would recommend to visit during summer when the gardens are in bloom and around June, the students are not present. This makes it perfect for tourists. Colleges close early during winters. The peak season and the best time to visit would be from April to August.
Top Activities in Oxford
- Sightseeing River Cruise
- Harry Potter Walking Tour Including New College
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- University and City Walking Tour with Alumni Guide
This historical day trip to Oxford is truly magical and you will love the experience! There are so much things to do in Oxford and see, and we are sure this guide will ensure you make the most of your time.
Thank you for reading our guide and don’t forget to check out our other itineraries and day trip ideas for your visit to United Kingdom.
Travel Resources
Travel by AIR – We use Skyscanner to find the best combination of cheap flights and dates. Here you can also use the ‘To Anywhere’ feature if you are flexible on going to any destination for your trip.
Travel by TRAIN – We use Trainline. The search feature allows you to compare the prices as per your schedule and also shows the live departure times with the platform details on the website.
Rent CARS – Use Rentalcars.com to compare all the car rentals across the UK and around the World.
Accommodation – For hotels, self-catering apartments, hostels and resorts, we use Booking.com where you can find suitable accommodation as per your budget and can filter by best-rated & review score.
