day trip for oxford

One Day in Oxford Itinerary — How to Spend a Perfect Day in Oxford, United Kingdom

Just 75 miles to London’s west sits Oxford, home to the world-renowned Oxford University and known as “The City of Dreaming Spires.” Many people may be unfamiliar with what the city has to offer, but Oxford’s historic heritage, beautiful architecture, and abounding opportunities for learning are sure to appeal to anyone! Oxford is the perfect escape from the bustling London lifestyle, so why not book a quaint B&B, find a good book, and enjoy a cup of tea in one of the West’s most historically rich city centers?

What’s the Best Time to Visit Oxford?

Like much of England, it’s best to visit Oxford in summer. The winter months are fantastic for people looking to avoid the crowds that tourist seasons bring, but temperatures stay around 4-10 degrees Celsius (for American visitors, that’s 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit), and are prone to dip. Snowfall varies, but rain is year-round in Oxford. In fact, Oxford has never gone a full month without at least a drizzle! That said, October is traditionally the wettest month.

May, June, and July are the best months to visit Oxford for those looking for sunshine and warmth. The summer months usually sport temperatures ranging from 15 and 22 degrees Celsius (60-70 degrees Fahrenheit) and days in June offer around five more hours of sunshine than days in December. July and August are peak visiting times for tourists, but the earlier months of April and May host over six festivals, including the Chocolate Festival and the English Music Festival . Between late spring and early summer, any visitor to Oxford is sure to find what they want.

A Few Facts About Oxford

Oxford is a small city with roots deep in English history. Formal education began in Oxford sometime around the 11 th century, making Oxford University the oldest English-speaking university in the world and the second oldest university overall. Oxford’s reputation for great scholars and thinkers is worldwide. Albert Einstein, Adam Smith, J.R.R. Tolkien, Oscar Wilde, Lewis Carroll, and John Locke all spent time studying at Oxford, just to name a few. Of the city’s estimated 155,000 residents, 25,000 attend one of Oxford’s thirty-nine colleges.

Oxford is wonderfully easy to navigate, and Carfax Tower is a great place to get your bearings. Visitors can climb to the top and take in a bird’s-eye view of Oxford’s city center. The River Thames and the River Cherwell both run through Oxford, providing great waterside walks and green areas for picnics and lazy afternoons. The city center is a diverse mix of shops, restaurants, museums, and libraries, all scattered among Oxford University’s college buildings.

Due to the colleges being built at separate times in Oxford’s history, the buildings all display different styles of Western architecture. Wary visitors should glance up every once in a while—the gargoyles hide secrets! If they look closely, tourists might even catch a gargoyle picking its nose…

One Day in Oxford Itinerary

If you have just one day in Oxford, this guide is a great resource to guarantee you see the best of what this great city has to offer!

Tour the Colleges

No trip to Oxford would be complete without taking a look at some of its historic college buildings. But, with so many to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start! Here are a few of the must-visits when it comes to Oxford’s college scene.

Christ Church College

There’s no denying that Christ Church College is exceptionally beautiful. Something about this college captures people’s imaginations and sends them to worlds of magic, mystery, and intrigue. In fact, Christ Church was the inspiration for Hogwarts’s Great Hall in the Harry Potter movies! A glance into the college’s dining hall will explain why.

The college’s beautiful spires and grounds also influenced a man named Charles Dodgson—more commonly known by his pseudonym, Lewis Carroll—to write the story of a girl named Alice, who follows a white rabbit into a world filled to the brim with adventure. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland teems with allusions to Christ Church, and Alice was actually named after the daughter of the Dean of Christ Church, Alice Liddell! The college costs fifteen pounds to enter, but the cost is well worth it.

Exeter College

Unlike Christ Church, Exeter College is free to enter! You can find it on Turl Street, less than a five-minute walk from Carfax Tower.

J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings , was a student at Exeter, and it isn’t hard to see how the college influenced his worlds of magic and lore. Dating from 1314, Exeter is Oxford’s fourth oldest established college and was originally meant to educate clergy. Now, the college’s chapel and Fellow’s Garden are beautiful pieces of Oxford’s landscape and are a must-see for tourists!

New College

“New” is a relative term; New College was actually founded in 1379! Like Christ Church, New College requires an entrance fee, but the five-pound donation pays for itself quickly. The cloisters, chapel, and gardens found in New College are incredible sites for visitors to see, and New College is truly a wonderful place for anyone visiting Oxford to experience.

Harry Potter fans might even recognize some more parts of Hogwarts! All Oxford University tours are self-guided, but the brochures provided are informative and allow visitors to go at their own pace.

Head to Oxford’s Covered Market for Lunch

Walking around Oxford’s colleges is sure to work up an appetite. A stroll to Oxford’s Covered Market is a great chance to appease your hunger and see another one of Oxford’s top attractions! The market was established in the late 1700s and continues its tradition of providing Oxonians and visitors with the freshest, most delicious food in the city. Bakeries, cafes, delicatessens, produce stalls, and a variety of other restaurants and vendors fill the market every day. It’s open from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm and is particularly busy on Saturdays. It’s conveniently located on Market Street, just between Carfax Tower and Exeter College.

Visit The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

Consistent with the city’s historical dedication to knowledge and learning, Oxford is home to the world’s oldest university museum : The Ashmolean. Inside, visitors can see a broad range of art and cultural artifacts.

The museum has everything from Egyptian mummies to art made completely from gunpowder! Located on Beaumont Street, the museum’s entrance is only a five-minute walk from the markets, making it a great place to saunter to after lunch!

Sit down for a drink

Even though Oxford’s academic tradition emits an air of importance, every college town has its collection of bars and pubs. After an entire day of walking around and taking in the history and beauty of Oxford, there’s nothing more relaxing than finding a nice pub to enjoy a pint of beer or a glass of wine along with some traditional English fare. The city center is riddled with great eating establishments, but The Bear Inn (Oxford’s oldest pub), The Eagle and the Child , The Jam Factory , and The Old Bookbinder are all great options.

Where to Stay in Oxford, England

The Old Bank

91-94 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BJ

Situated in the heart of Oxford’s historic city center, The Old Bank offers beautiful amenities and views of the city. Right across the street from All Souls College, The Old Bank boasts incredible reviews and is one of the best places to stay in Oxford.

BOOK A ROOM HERE

The Bear and Ragged Staff

28 Appleton Road, Oxford, OX2 9QH

The Bear and Ragged Staff is an inn located five miles outside the city proper. It offers visitors great food, king-sized beds, a cozy atmosphere, and the building itself dates back hundreds of years. This inn is another fantastic option for anyone visiting Oxford.

Best Western Plus Oxford Linton Lodge

11-13 Linton Road, Oxford, OX2 6UJ

Within walking distance from the city center, Best Western Plus Oxford Linton Lodge offers a great stay for your money. The staff is very helpful, the rooms are modern and comfortable, and the breakfast is quite filling. Everything for a nice stay is readily available.

Central Backpackers

13 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HH

No university city is complete without a good hostel, and Central Backpackers fulfills that role nicely. The hostel is located conveniently close to the main railway station and the city centre, plus it has a nice rooftop terrace. Great for those visiting Oxford on a budget.

Day Trips from Oxford

Blenheim palace.

Located thirty minutes from the city, Blenheim Palace is a spectacular world heritage site that all travelers to Oxford should check off their list. It was Winston Churchill’s ancestral home , and the estate’s extensive wings, gardens, and halls are straight from the likes of Downton Abbey . Tours of the estate, tickets to historical exhibits, and events are available for purchase to interested visitors. Truly, words can’t describe the atmosphere of the palace. It’s something you’ll need to see for yourself!

As mentioned, Oxford is not far from the capital city, so if you have the time, why not go and spend one day in London ? This city and its sights really don’t need too big of an introduction – Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tower Bridge… so many incredible architectural feats, so many places with incredible amounts of history. Not to mention the incredible museums. If you haven’t been to London, a day trip from Oxford is your golden opportunity.

Cotswolds is an incredibly picturesque area full of quaint little villages you can visit and simply let all the stress ooze out of you. Thatched roofs and incredible scenery will make you stand in awe of the nature around here. It’s like a fairy tale. Head to Great Tew or Bourton on the Water to see the English countryside at its very best, and sit down in a pub to get that genuine feel of the places. Or just go for romantic walks with your significant other – you can’t go wrong with that, either.

Stonehenge & Bath

Stonehenge is probably well known to all tourists who come to the city and a great day trip from Oxford. Less than an hour and a half by car, this magnificent structure is fairly easy to reach. See for yourself the famous stone circles that have withstood the test of time and within which a centuries-old secret still lies hidden.

After that, head to the famous town of Bath whose Roman heritage and magnificent architecture will provide plenty of great photo opportunities. Both locations are listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Extra Tips for Visiting Oxford

University Closings

During the school year—and even sometimes in summer—it’s not uncommon for Oxford colleges to “close” to visitors. Before planning your trip, be sure to check if your top colleges have any upcoming events or exams that might prevent you from entering!

While it’s fairly easy to walk around the Oxford city center, there are multiple bus services that also help make traveling in Oxford easy! Oxfordshire Stagecoach is responsible for must local services, and a Dayrider pass allows unlimited travel for one day. Oxford Bus Company handles most inter-city travel in the Oxford region. 

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Make sure you have everything you need

What to pack for your next trip.

Make your next trip as simple and as enjoyable as possible by packing smart. It’s amazing how much stress top travel items can save you, so choose carefully. Things like lightweight travel backpacks, for example, are ideal for short trips and allow you to move around with ease, and a passport holder will make sure you keep your documents safe at all times. Check our travel checklist guide for 2021 to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and travel to your next destination in style and with maximum comfort.

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Andy Earle is a researcher who studies parent-teen communication and adolescent risk behaviors. He is the co-founder of talkingtoteens.com, ghostwriter at WriteItGreat.com , and host of the Talking to Teens podcast , a free weekly talk show for parents of teenagers.

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A Day Trip to Oxford: The Perfect One Day Itinerary

By: Author Laura

Posted on Published: 13th June 2023  - Last updated: 10th February 2024

Categories Oxford , Travel , UK

Planning a day trip to Oxford and want to know what the very best things to do are that you simply cannot miss? This Oxford day trip itinerary shares what to do in Oxford in just 24 hours.

Oxford is one of the UK’s most beautiful cities and it’s the perfect city to visit as a day trip from London. One day in Oxford is just enough time to get a flavour of what this wonderful city has to offer. There’s a great food scene, stunning architecture, and lots of places to explore on an Oxford day trip.

Some things to do in Oxford include visiting the “Harry Potter” college, drinking at J R R Tolkien’s old haunt, exploring the Natural History Museum and more. If you’ve only got 24 hours in Oxford, make sure to check out these top Oxford attractions first.

I’ve also included advice on how to get to Oxford at the very end of this post so make sure to scroll to the bottom before planning your Oxford day trip.

Now let me tell you how to spend one day in Oxford!

Oxford Day Trip Itinerary

How to get to oxford from london, best time to visit oxford, where to stay in oxford.

Breakfast at The Handle Bar Cafe & Kitchen

The first thing to do on an Oxford day trip is grab a filling breakfast. If you’re coming to Oxford on a day trip from London then you’ll either be coming from Gloucester Green bus station or the train station.

The Handle Bar is in the centre of Oxford, just a few minutes away from the bus station and less than ten minutes from the train station. It’s on your way to all the good stuff so it’s the perfect place to start the day.

RELATED: The Best Brunch in Oxford

The Handle Bar is one of my favourite brunch locations in Oxford and where you’ll find the best avocado on toast in the city.

A slice of sourdough bread is topped with a healthy dollop of smashed avocado as well as feta cheese, paprika and chilli. It’s so damn good!

The name hints at this cafe’s unique decor and inside you’ll find a number of bikes hanging from the ceiling as decor. It’s located above a bike shop in a bright, airy space that is a lovely place to start the day.

RELATED: The Best Cafes in Oxford

Address : 28-32, St Michael’s Street, Oxford, OX1 2EB Opening Hours : 8am – 6pm Monday and Tuesday 8am – 11pm Wednesday to Friday 9am – 11pm Saturday 9am – 5pm Sunday Website : www.handlebaroxford.co.uk

Climb University Church of St Mary the Virgin

Now that you’ve fuelled up, it’s time to see just what Oxford is all about. And what better place to see the dreaming spires of Oxford than from the skies?

No, unfortunately, you won’t be going up in a hot air balloon (though Virgin do offer hot air balloon rides over the city!), instead, you’ll be climbing the narrow, windy steps of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

That probably doesn’t sound quite so appealing but you’ll thank me when you get to the top and see the amazing view over Oxford. Given that the University Church of St Mary the Virgin is on one side of Radcliffe Square you’ll get a wonderful view of the iconic Radcliffe Camera and the city of dreaming spires from the top.

With only one day in Oxford, you sadly won’t manage to zip around the entire town so a trip up here is a great way to get a wide look at the city.

To your right, you’ll see right into All Souls College, one of Oxford University’s most elusive colleges with only around 10 post-graduate students each year.

Address : High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BJ Opening Hours : 9:30am – 5pm Monday to Saturday; 12pm – 5pm Sunday Price : £5 Website : www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/content/opening-times

Admire the Radcliffe Camera

You’ve seen the Radcliffe Camera from the top, now it’s time to get up close and personal. From Radcliffe Square, you’ll be able to walk around this rotund library and appreciate the sheer size of this structure.

It was built in the middle of the eighteenth century and has a neo-classical design. This sandy-coloured stone is iconic of Oxford as most of the university’s buildings are this colour.

The square surrounding it is paved with cobblestones, another typical feature of Oxford, though it’s rather uncomfortable to walk across!

Inside, the library is usually packed with Oxford University students and there are a whopping 600,000 books inside. Impressive stuff!

The only way for tourists to visit the inside is on a 90-minute guided tour and it’s well worth adding this to your Oxford day trip itinerary. More on the Bodleian Library tours below.

This is probably the most popular photo spot in Oxford so make sure you get lots of good pics here!

RELATED: Where to Get the Best Views of the Radcliffe Camera

Address : Radcliffe Square, Oxford, OX1 3BG

Take pictures of the Bridge of Sighs

Less than a minute from the Radcliffe Camera is another iconic Oxford landmark – The Bridge of Sighs. This is a floating passage joining two parts of Hertford College and is named after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice.

Whilst it looks like something from times gone by, this structure is actually much newer than a lot of other parts of Oxford as it was completed in 1914.

Taking pictures of the Bridge of Sighs is an absolute must on any Oxford day trip and if you’re really lucky you might snap a shot of a student cycling through underneath too!

Address : Bridge of Sighs, New College Ln, Oxford OX1 3BL

Go on a tour of the Bodleian Library

Not only are the libraries of Oxford stunning on the outside, but they’re also all stunning on the inside. Whilst the Radcliffe Camera is the iconic symbol of Oxford, the Bodleian Library is actually a group of libraries that are spread across the city.

For a glimpse inside some of the historic reading rooms, you’ll need to book yourself a guided tour. These are very popular and sell out quick so make sure to book this in advance of your day trip to Oxford!

RELATED: Inside 8 of Oxford University’s Most Beautiful Libraries

There are a number of different options available with a 30, 60 and 90-minute tour.

As a book lover, I will, of course, recommend the full 90-minute tour. This includes Radcliffe Camera, Divinity School, Convocation House, Chancellors Court and Duke Humfrey’s Library.

If you’re only here for Oxford’s Harry Potter filming locations then the 30-minute tour will suffice.

This consists of just the Divinity School and Duke Humfrey’s Library. The former served as the hospital wing at Hogwarts and the latter was the restricted section of Hogwarts library.

RELATED: A Guide to Harry Potter in Oxford

Address : Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG Price: £6-15 Website : https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/tours/tours-for-individuals

Grab a Bite to Eat

If you’re visiting Oxford in the summer then the Vaults & Garden is the perfect place for lunch as they have outdoor seating with amazing views of the Radcliffe Camera. You can order your food inside then bring it out on a cute, floral tray to enjoy your meal in the sunshine.

The menu is short and sweet and varies on a day-to-day basis since the ingredients are delivered fresh each day. There’s slow-roasted lamb shoulder or Oxford cheese rarebit, for example. It’s also vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Check out the menu for yourself here .

RELATED: Things to Do in Oxford in the Summer

Address : University Church, 1 Radcliffe Square, Oxford, OX1 4AH Opening Hours : 8am – 6pm every day Website : www.thevaultsandgarden.com

If you’re visiting in the winter then I’d recommend visiting Quod instead. It’s just a few minutes away on the main high street and is one of Oxford’s more luxurious restaurants.

However, on weekdays you can enjoy a set course at this wonderful restaurant for just £19.95 for 2 courses or £23.95 for 3 courses.

No 1 Ship Street is also close by with a lunch set menu from Monday to Saturday.

For something more casual, pop back to the Covered Market for a variety of different sit-down and takeaway food options.

RELATED: Best Cafes in Oxford

It’s quite a large space but it is also very popular with students and locals alike so you may find that it’s quite busy at lunchtime. Fortunately, you can easily book a table online via Open Table .

Address : 16-17 Turl Street, Oxford, OX1 3DH Opening Hours : 8am – 4pm every day

Browse the Covered Market

After lunch, have a wander through Oxford’s covered market. It’s full of small, independent shops and you may find a cool souvenir or two. It’s a labyrinth of shops and you never know what you might find so just explore!

With a local florist, butchers, fruitmongers and more, the Oxford Covered Market feels like a slice of time gone by. You’ll also find leather crafts, homemade cakes and other trinkets worth browsing.

And if you’ve still got room after lunch, pick up a gloriously gooey cookie from Ben’s Cookies or a super sweet milkshake from MooMoo’s Milkshake, also in the covered market.

Address : Market Street, Oxford, OX1 3DZ Opening Hours : 8am-5:30pm Monday to Friday; 8am-6pm Saturday; 10am-5pm Sunday Website : oxford-coveredmarket.co.uk

Visit Christ Church, Oxford

Now it’s time to go on a tour of one of the best Oxford colleges . Christ Church is one of the most famous colleges and is very popular with tourists because it’s home to a number of Harry Potter filming locations. The Great Hall in the Harry Potter films was modelled on the Great Hall at Christ Church, where students dine every evening.

What’s more, the steps leading up to said dining hall were used in the first Harry Potter film. You may remember that McGonagall stands tapping her fingers at the top of a flight of stone stairs whilst she awaits the arrival of the new students. That’s these very stairs!

Check out my free self-guided Harry Potter Oxford tour for more information on these filming locations.

However, there’s more to Christ Church than Harry Potter. For book lovers, this college is also where Lewis Carroll first met the real-life Alice in Wonderland.

There’s also Oxford’s (only) cathedral hidden away in this college. The front quad is one of the largest quadrangles in Europe. You’ll have to visit to find out all the secrets of Christ Church!

RELATED: The Best and Most Beautiful Oxford Colleges

If you’ve got time, check out Christ Church Meadow too. It’s a huge patch of green taking you all the way down to the river and makes for a wonderful walk. If you’re lucky, you may even see some Oxford rowers out on the water!

Address : St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1DP Price : £15 Opening Hours : 10am – 5pm Monday to Saturday, 2pm – 5pm Sundays Website : https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/plan-your-visit/

Explore the Museum of Natural History

The Ashmolean is an amazing museum, no doubt about it. But if you’re only in Oxford for one day, then my personal recommendation would be to visit the Oxford University Museum of Natural History instead. It’s much smaller but full of intriguing exhibits.

It’s a beautiful neo-gothic building but if you think the outside is impressive, just wait until you step inside!

The skeleton parade is eerily beautiful and one of my favourite photo spots in Oxford. This a small but fascinating collection of animal skeletons which are displayed along the length of the museum.

Another one of my favourite things to see here is the Dodo. Yes, that mythical bird from Alice in Wonderland was once real.

In fact, the specimen here supposedly has just enough matter on it for scientists to be able to one day recreate the Dodo and maybe bring it back from extinction! Pretty cool, huh?

RELATED: A Guide to Alice in Wonderland in Oxford

If you head towards the back of the museum, you’ll find that there’s actually another museum hidden inside the museum.

This is the Pitt Rivers Museum, which has to be one of the unique places to see in Oxford. There are over 600,000 objects in this space, which come from just about every corner of the world! Look out for the shrunken heads.

Yes, the shrunken heads.

RELATED: The Best Free Things to Do in Oxford

Address: Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PW Price: FREE Opening hours : 10am-5pm every day Website : www.oumnh.ox.ac.uk

Have Dinner at The Rickety Press

The Rickety Press is one of my favourite places to eat in Oxford and I always try to pop in for either brunch, lunch or dinner when I’m in this city. It’s the place to go for pizzas and burgers in Oxford.

The burgers are oh so juicy and you can get an enormous portion of fries on the side. As for the pizzas, the dough is just amazing. I always buy the dip for £1 extra just for the dough.

There’s a range of seating from intimate booths to tables for two or even a large table for groups. No matter who you’re dining with, the Rickety Press is a great option in Oxford.

There’s usually a great atmosphere inside in the evenings with lots of drinks on offer and the staff are great too.

What’s more, there are some great offers here throughout the week. On Mondays, there are half-price burgers all day and the pizzas are half price at lunchtime from Tuesday to Friday! Dreamy.

Looking for something a little fancier? Head to Gee’s instead.

Address : 67 Cranham St, Oxford, OX2 6DE Opening Hours : 9am – 11pm every day (12am Friday/Saturday) Website : dodopubs.com/locations/the-rickety-press

Grab a pint at a traditional Oxford pub

Normally I’d recommend the historic Eagle & Child pub without reservation. But unfortunately, that pub is temporarily closed as it seeks to raise funds for a refurbishment.

Instead, check out The Bear, a tiny, cosy little pub nestled behind Christ Church, Turf Tavern, a favourite amongst film crews who have graced Oxford, or the King’s Arms, for both indoor and outdoor seating. If cocktails are more your thing, I’d recommend House Bar behind Christ Church.

More about the Eagle & Child:

There are so many wonderful pubs in Oxford. Almost as many as there are cafes in Oxford . However, one of my favourites will always be the Eagle & Child on St Giles’ because of its literary history.

You may have heard of authors Lewis Caroll and J R R Tolkien. They were part of a literary circle called “The Inklings” where they would share their work with like-minded individuals and critique each others’ writing.  

In fact, it was at one of these meetings that C S Lewis first handed out the proofs for  The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe !

The Inklings used to gather at the Eagle & Child on Tuesdays at midday but I’d recommend saving this stop for the end of your Oxford day trip. You deserve a pint after all that exploring and can really sit back and relax!

This pub is only a 7-minute walk from Gloucester Green bus station and a 14-minute walk from Oxford train station so you’re well placed to make the journey home after a jam-packed day trip to Oxford!

RELATED: Things to do in Oxford in the Evening

Address : 49 St Giles’, Oxford OX1 3LU Opening Hours : 11am – 11pm every day (closes 10:30pm Sundays) Website : www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

I hope you find my Oxford day trip itinerary helpful and you have a wonderful day in the city of dreaming spires! If you’d prefer to explore the city on a guided tour then you can go on a walking tour of Oxford, such as one of the below.

Getting from London to Oxford couldn’t be easier and either the train, bus or car are all very convenient routes.

By Train 

There are regular trains from London Paddington to Oxford. The station is a little way out of the city centre but you can then take a bus or walk into town. Book via the Trainline  for the cheapest tickets.

The Oxford Tube is a super convenient and cheap bus service that’ll take you from the centre of London straight into the heart of Oxford. If you’re taking this route, I’d recommend getting off at the High Street so that you can walk to Radcliffe Square in just 3 minutes. 

Oxford is only an hour / hour and a half drive from the centre of London. It’s a very easy drive down via the M4, M25, M40 and A roads.

Oxford is a university town and is therefore much busier during term times. Oxford University terms are very short and only last eight weeks.

The autumn term, known as Michaelmas, usually stretches from early October to early December. The spring term, known as Hilary, usually stretches from mid-January to mid-March. The summer term, known as Trinity, usually stretches from the end of April to mid-June.

If you want to visit Oxford when it is quieter, you may wish to avoid going on an Oxford day trip during Oxford University term times. You may also find that more things are open whilst the students aren’t there as some sites may have restricted hours for tourists during term time.

That said, if you are keen to catch glimpses of Oxford University student life, you may prefer to visit whilst the city is filled with students. If you manage to figure out what dates matriculation or graduation are on, you may even spot the students wandering around in their big black gowns.

Personally, I would visit when the students aren’t around, but it’s really up to you!

In terms of which season to visit Oxford in, as with most of England, the summers are much, much more pleasant. Summers in Oxford are glorious with freshly mown lawns, sunny outdoor spaces and the option to go punting.

If you liked this post, check out these: Best Brunch in Oxford Coffeeshops and Cafes in Oxford Free Things to Do in Oxford Things to Do in Summer in Oxford Things to Do in the Evening in Oxford Bookshops in Oxford Best Oxford Colleges to Visit Harry Potter in Oxford Alice in Wonderland in Oxford Saltburn Filming Locations in Oxford

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Editor of What’s Hot?

Friday 11th of December 2020

As someone who has been living in Oxford since 2014 and who is a newbie blogger, I cannot tell you how excited I am to find you and this post! Love this! -Elizabeth xx

Catherine Marie

Tuesday 4th of February 2020

This makes me miss Oxford! Can't wait to be back there!

The Perfect Day Trip to Oxford Itinerary: Top Things to Do in Oxford

Disclaimer: This post might contain affiliate links, which means we get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you).

Looking for an easy day trip from London? Consider taking a day trip to Oxford!

Visiting the University of Oxford is probably every super nerd’s dream. It’s where scenes from Harry Potter where filmed, where JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis crafted their literary genius, and where some of the most famous academics attended University. If you’re looking to admire the life of the famed playwright, Shakespeare, consider a nother great day trip from London to  Warwickshire . Even if you aren’t a nerd or bookworm, visiting Oxford is a great day trip from London ! 

Here is your guide to visiting Oxford in one day if you’re taking a day trip from London!

Taking a Day Trip to Oxford from London

How to spend one day in oxford, practical information for visiting oxford university.

Transportation to Oxford from London is fairly easy, you can take public transit or take the 90-minute drive to the city.

Bus:  The Oxford Tube  and the X90 leave London’s Victoria Station every 12-20 minutes

Train:  Trains from London leave Paddington every half hour

Suggested Oxford Day Trip Tours

JRR Tolkien and the Inklings Walking Tour: a walking tour of Oxford highlighting the works and friendships of JRR Tolkien while he was a professor at Oxford

Oxford: University and City Walking Tour with Alumni Guide : Get an inside look of Oxford from the lens of an alumni

From London: Full-Day Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford Tour : See more than just Oxford with this full-day tour including Windsor Castle and Stonehenge!

From London: Oxford and Cotswolds Villages Day Trip

London: Oxford, Stratford Upon Avon, Cotswolds, and Warwick

Explore Oxford University

Did you know Oxford isn’t just one school? It’s actually composed of 38 constituent colleges! Oxford has been a place for education and teaching since 1096 making Oxford is the oldest English speaking university. It continued to grow rapidly after Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris.

Since Oxford is famed for its rich academic history, notable alumni, and influence in literature and movies, it’s worth the visit! Some of Oxford’s notable alumni include JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Lewis Carroll and Oscar Wilde.

See the Bridge of Sighs

Because the colleges at Oxford are so old, they are full of interesting architecture. The Hertford Bridge, or “the Bridge of Sighs”, is a skyway joining Hertford College over New College Lane. This bridge is one of Oxford’s famous landmarks.

Consider a Tour of Oxford

If you visit Oxford, taking a tour is a great way to see some of the highlights. You can take tours themed on Harry Potter and JRR Tolkien if you’re interested in taking the nerdy route! Oxford has so much to see because of it’s rich history and beautiful architecture so even just walking around on your own with a map is a great way to see the town!

See the Radcliff Camera

Completed in 1748, the Radcliffe Camera is a neoclassical style library and study for students at Oxford University. The word “camera” is most often associated with photography, though in this context, the word is used in its original meaning, which is simply “room.” The Radcliff Camera is one of the most iconic sites at Oxford because, well, look at it! It’s so beautiful! Another library at Oxford worth visiting is the Bodleian Library.

Across from the Radcliff, Camera is the Univesity Church. If you climb to the top, you can get a great view of the Camera!

Climb the Tower of University Church

After you stop by the Radcliff Camera, stop by the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin . Here, you can climb the tower of the church to get an panoramic view of the Radcliff Camera and Oxford.

Hours : Monday-Saturday • 9:30am – 5.00pm Sunday • 12noon – 5.00pm

Admission   £5.00

See the Ornate Door and Lamp Post that Inspired CS Lewis

Nearby the Radcliff Camera is an interesting site with a fun story to go along with it! Apparently, on a snowy night, CS was inspired by this doorway and lamp post for the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Although it might just be a story, it would make sense by the looks of it!

Have Lunch with JRR Tolkien at The Eagle and Child

For the fans of Lord of the Rings, you can see many sites at Oxford that are notable for their association with JRR Tolkien. For lunch, stop at the Eagle and Child, where JRR Tolkien and his friends, like CS Lewis, would meet to discuss their works. Interestingly, JRR Tolkien wasn’t a big fan of CS Lewis’s work! At the Eagle and Child, or known as the Bird and the Baby, you can see where Tolkien would engage with his friends. You can also visit Tolkien’s former home, resting place, the Botanic Gardens that inspired his work, the Merton College where he taught, and the Exeter College where Tolkien attended college.

What : JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis’s Meeting Place at Oxford

Where : 49 St. Giles, Oxford OX1 3LU, UK

Hours : Everyday 11-11

View Einstein’s Handwriting at the Science Museum

At the Museum of the History of Science , you can view scientific artifacts, but the most interesting is Einstein’s handwriting! Einstein gave a talk at Oxford on May 16, 1931. The blackboard displays the equations taken from a model of the universe, the Friedmann-Einstein universe,  that Einstein proposed in May 1931.

Where : Broad Street Oxford OX1 3AZ

What : A Science Nerds Heaven

Cost : Free

Hours : Tuesday to Sunday 12 — 5pm

Visit Harry Potter Film Sites at Oxford

The architecture and beauty of Oxford University inspired the scenes of the Harry Potter films. So much so that many of the scenes from the movies were filmed at Oxford!

Learn More About Things to Do in London

Learn more about visiting London in our other posts!

• Five Days in London Itinerary
• Your Ultimate Guides to the Museums of London

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

A Day Trip To Oxford: Things to Do in Oxford for a Day

Last updated: April 19, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 15 Comments

I spent a good deal of my childhood in Oxford, and it has long been one of my favourite cities in the UK. As you can imagine, we’ve explored the city in great detail! In today’s post, I want to help you plan your own day trip to Oxford, with a guide to all our favourite things to do in Oxford.

Being so close to London, Oxford makes for a popular day trip from the English capital. I t’s only an hour by rail from central London, with trains running regularly. So it’s easy enough to stay in London and just visit Oxford for the day. Oxford is also very compact and easy to get around, so you’ll be able to take in a good many highlights in a day.

Of course, there’s plenty to do for more than just a day if you’d prefer to spend longer in Oxford, so I’ve also included some tips on accommodation for a longer stay as well.

Here are some ideas for things to do on an Oxford day trip, based on both our recent visit and my previous experience living there. There’s also a section on how to get to Oxford from London to help you plan.

Things to do in Oxford on a Day Trip

Here’s a list of all our favourite things to do in Oxford which you should be able to do in a day trip from London, or other nearby location.

1. Take a walking tour

One thing Jess and I did this time round that was different to my previous visits was to take an official walking tour. This was an excellent way to get oriented (I always get lost in Oxford, the place is a maze!), learn about some of the history of the city, as well as see some University Colleges, of which there are many!

We took the Official University and City Tour , which started at the visitor centre and which is run by the official Oxford Tourism Board. Tours run a number of times a day, and are led by  licensed blue badge guides, which means they really know their stuff.

The tour lasted a couple of hours, with our guide taking us to some of the highlights of Oxford, including the covered market, the high street, the Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library and of course, a number of the university colleges.

It was excellent value for money, and a wonderful way to quickly get a handle on the layout of Oxford, the history of the town, and to learn more about the university colleges. We also went in to a number of the universities, and were given advice and tips as to which ones we should come back to to visit independently.

Finally, our last port of call was the optional Divinity School, a stunning building which also doubled up as the location for the Hogwarts Sanatorium in the Harry Potter movies.

Film buffs will know that Oxford was featured in many of the Harry Potter films – see our guide to Harry Potter filming locations for more of these. Plus you can take a specific Harry Potter walking tour if that’s what you are interested in.

All in all, a very worthwhile couple of hours of exploration! If you’re interested in doing a walking tour of Oxford, this is a link to the tour we took  so you can book in advance now.

Alternatively, you can also take a tour of Oxford which is led by an Oxford student , which is a fun way to get more of an insight into what life here is like as a student. These tours cover similar ground and last around the same amount of time – you can see the reviews and book online here .

2. Visit the University Colleges

We visited a number of the colleges on our walking tour, and they are just stunning. Our guide had given us some ideas as to which we could visit by ourselves, including some of his personal favourites, and I would very much recommend setting aside a bit of time to explore the colleges by yourself.

A little bit about Oxford University. One of the oldest Universities in the world, Oxford University is made up of thirty eight colleges, each of which is independently governed. There’s no campus, with all the colleges, halls, faculties and departments set throughout the city centre.

Visiting the colleges is a bit hit and miss depending on the time of year. In addition, some of the colleges (notably Christchurch), do charge an entry fee. Since opening times vary depending on the time of year and the exam schedule, your best bet is to draw up a shortlist of colleges you would like to visit, and pop into the porter’s office for each college to see if it’s open. The porter’s office is pretty much always at the entrance, and we found that they were always more than happy to help us out.

We visited a number of the colleges, including David’s College, Exeter College and Trinity College. I particularly liked the chapel at Exeter College, arguably one of the most picturesque of all the college chapels, and the gardens at Trinity College was also gorgeous to walk in.

Christchurch, which is generally regarded as one of the more spectacular colleges, was unfortunately closed on the day we visited, but if it’s open when you’re in town, I’d highly recommend popping by.

3. Go Punting

Punting is a classic pastime in Oxford, and one that is best enjoyed over a lengthy period of time, where you can learn how to actually do it, and maybe even reach a pub somewhere on your journey.

I’ve punted a few times before, but usually in the company of a competent punting friend. On this visit, it was just Jess and I, so I was given the task of figuring out how to make the boat move along the river in the direction I wanted it to go.

After a slightly confusing start where I confused the front and back of the punt, and following some helpful advice from the punt house as to my technique, we set off upstream, with the theory being that this would make for an easier return journey. I settled into a vaguely efficient rhythm, managing to avoid both the riverbanks and other punters, and we had a lovely time, even if we didn’t get quite far enough to find a pub.

For punting, I’ve always gone with the Cherwell Boathouse . It’s a great location, there are pubs in both directions, and they have a lovely bar and restaurant on-site if you don’t quite make it the half hour upstream that’s required to find a pub. We went this time, and were thankful for the friendly service and helpful punting advice! Punts are hired either by the hour, or the day, with the most up to date prices on their website.

4. Imbibe a Beverage

If you struggle to punt your way to a pub, don’t worry. Oxford has no shortage of fantastic watering holes, with some personal favourites including The Eagle & Child (popular with Tolkien), The White Horse, the Lamb and Flag, and the King’s Arms.

At the top of my list though is The Turf Tavern . A little tricky to find, being as it is down a tiny alley just next to the Bridge of Sighs, if you’re struggling just find a local to give you directions. This is one of the oldest pubs in Oxford, and has a lovely outdoor beer garden as well as plentiful indoor seating and a wide selection of beers as well as food.

It’s popular with University students, and has had it’s fair share of famous faces over the years, including former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, who downed a yard of ale in 11 seconds. Not as easy as it sounds. Other famous visitors include Bill Clinton, and legend has it that it was at the Turf Tavern that he “did not inhale”. Whatever you think of that story, you’re bound to love this venue.

5. Visit Oxford Castle

If you are travelling with children, they’ll likely love a visit to Oxford Castle . Originally built in the 10th century, the castle served first as the main defensive centre of the town, back when castles were genuinely useful for that, before being used as a prison from around the 14th century.

Whilst much of the original castle was destroyed in the English Civil War, the parts that survived were incorporated into Oxford’s official prison, and stayed that way until 1996, when it was concluded that it probably wasn’t the most modern of prison constructions, and decommissioned.

Now, the surviving castle complex serves a number of functions, with part of it being a hotel. As a visitor wanting to learn more about the history though, you’ll want to take an Oxford Castle Unlocked tour, which gives you access to the Motte (a big earth mound), St George’s Tower, the crypt and parts of the prison.

The tour, which ran for around half an hour, largely comprised St George’s tower, and was performed by a character actor who assumed the role of King Stephen. From him, we learnt all about the history of the tower and it’s various uses, as well as some notable characters who had been held here.

We also got to go up on the roof of the tower itself, which had great views over the city. After the tour was complete, we were able to explore the prison, where we got a bit of an insight into prison life over the years, which looked pretty miserable! You can buy tickets online here .

6. Climb the University Church

Regular readers will know that one of my favourite ways to see a city is from above, usually by finding a nice tower and climbing to the top of it. It turns out that even in all my years living around Oxford I had never found a suitable tower, which was a bit of a failing as it turns out there’s an excellent view to be had from the top of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin , which is right next to the Radcliffe Camera.

It’s a bit of a climb to the top, and there’s an entry fee of £4, but the view is more than worth both the effort and expense.

Practicalities for Visiting Oxford

Where to stay in oxford.

If you want to stay in Oxford for longer than a day, there are plenty of options in Oxford for accommodation to suit the majority of budgets.

We stayed a little way outside of the city centre at the peaceful Hawkwell House Hotel , found in Iffley Village. This is just a short taxi ride from Oxford City centre, or a ten minute bus ride. It’s also walkable via a lovely riverside footpath.

Our room was very comfortable, and the included English breakfast was of course appreciated. Other details like free wi-fi and luggage storage rounded out a solid offering.

If you’d prefer to be more central, there are lots of options for city centre accommodation in Oxford – check out the booking.com listings for Oxford here to get yourself started.

How to Get To Oxford from London

Oxford is very easy to get to, being served by trains and buses, and of course by car. There are direct trains from London Paddington to Oxford multiple times an hour – if you get one of the fast trains the journey time is around an hour.

Avoid the local trains which stop at more than four stations on the route, as this can make the journey more like two hours! We recommend the  Trainline   website for advanced booking reservations – we’ve tried most of the train booking sites in the UK and the Trainline is our favourite for ease of use.

Always book train tickets in advance of your travel for the best prices in the UK, and opt to either have them delivered to your mobile device, or to pick them up from the station, to save on postage fees.

There are also buses to Oxford from the centre of London, Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport and Stanstead Airport, as well as many other destinations around the UK.

Buses (also known as coaches) in the UK are usually a little bit cheaper than the train, although they do take a bit longer. We recommend Megabus for bus travel, see their prices and book in advance for the best deals here .

If you’d prefer to drive yourself, Oxford is between 60 and 90 minutes drive from London. If you’re visiting Oxford as part of my detailed two week UK itinerary , then you’ll know that a hire car is my preferred method of getting around the country, giving you more flexibility and control over your trip. We recommend searching for your car rental on Discover Cars here . They compare a range of providers so you can find the best deal for your trip.

Finally, if you want to just visit Oxford as part of a tour and let someone else handle all the logistics, there are a number of tours you can take from London. Here are a few options to choose from:

• A tour of Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford . This is a full day out, and means you’ll see a number of popular English attractions
• A tour of Oxford, Stonehenge & Windsor   – another full day of some of the most popular attractions you can visit from London
• A tour of Oxford and the Harry Potter Studios – two popular destinations that you can visit in a day from London
• A tour of Oxford and some of the stone villages of the Cotswolds

As you can see, there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to options for visiting Oxford as a day trip from London, as well as trips incorporating some other popular destinations.

Further reading

We’ve got lots of resources to help you plan your trip to the UK, from posts we’ve written ourselves to third party content we’re happy to recommend. Here it is:

• If you’re planning a trip around the UK, I have both a one week itinerary of the UK and a two week UK Itinerary for you to check out.
• For budget planning, see our guide to how much it costs to travel in the UK
• Our guide to things to do in Cambridge , another popular day trip from London
• A two day Edinburgh Itinerary & 21 Highlights in Edinburgh
• A 2 Day Glasgow itinerary
• Looking for an epic Scottish road trip? Take a look at our guide to the North Coast 500
• A guide to 10 of the best Stately Homes in England , to give you some ideas as you plan your itinerary
• Essential Sight-Seeing in London
• The Best Photography Locations in London
• Tips on Buying and Using the London Pass
• Eight Things to Do in Kensington
• Visiting Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds as a day trip from London
• 20 Things To Do in Dublin
• A Guide to Touring the Scottish Borders
• If you want a physical (or digital!) book to accompany your travels, then we suggest the Oxford Insight Guide

So you know: we partnered with Visit Britain for our trip to Oxford, who covered our accommodation, walking tour, punting trip and Oxford Castle visit. As always, opinions remain our own – check out our code of ethics for our disclosure policy.

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There are 15 comments on this post

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SITI MAHINA BINTI ABDUL MANAP says

7th September 2023 at 9:01 am

Tq for the post.Really helpful.Will fly over to London mid December 2023.Any tips on how it’s like in winter?

Laurence Norah says

8th September 2023 at 8:13 am

My pleasure. So in December the UK in general is relatively cold, although this will depend on where you are coming from. Expect temperature to be between freezing and around 10C, with rain likely. The days will also be quite short at this time of year, sunrise in mid-December is around 8am, and sunset is just before 4pm.

As long as you dress appropriately though, with warm layers and a waterproof coat or umbrella, you will be fine. Most cities and towns will have nice Christmas lights and other festivities going on at this time of year, like CHristmas markets, so it can be a lovely time to visit.

I’d suggest reading our UK packing list guide for some tips on what to bring 🙂

Have a great trip!

Isabelle Martinez says

5th November 2019 at 3:44 pm

Very interesting post. Exactly what I need to plan a day trip to Oxford on my next stay in London.

6th November 2019 at 9:02 am

Thanks very much – have a great trip!

Tania Fonseca says

4th April 2019 at 12:37 pm

Thank you for such a helpful guide full of great ideas! Can’t wait to visit Oxford next month and follow your tips. Wish you all the best!

4th April 2019 at 1:13 pm

Our pleasure Tania! Have a great trip – let us know if you have any questions!

6th February 2019 at 1:27 am

I am planning my first trip to the UK (not London- done that). Came upon your blog and really enjoy the frankness and especially the beautiful photos.

6th February 2019 at 10:31 am

Thanks Linda 🙂 Have a great trip and do let us know if you have any questions!

23rd January 2019 at 5:31 pm

Thankyou for a lovely reminder of my home city of Oxford. I have not been home for 23 years ( it’s still home to all of my family, I’m the only one who moved more than 3 miles away) I miss my home city , even though I love my adopted country (USA) it doesn’t have the grandeur and rich history of England.

23rd January 2019 at 9:08 pm

Our pleasure Marie! We hope you get to make it “home” at some point soon 😀

27th November 2018 at 5:34 pm

I tried punting in Oxford and it’s so much harder than it looks >< You need to have a good core and strong arms for that! Well done for finding the front and back of the punt Laurence!

27th November 2018 at 6:19 pm

Thanks Alice! It is definitely a lot harder than it looks, and I have to say we didn’t go in an exactly straight line for most of our voyage 😉

Divya Nelson says

23rd March 2018 at 5:50 am

Thank you for such a lovely, picturesque guide to Oxford . I loved it thoroughly.

23rd March 2018 at 3:10 pm

My pleasure Divya – thanks for your kind comment!

curtis lau says

29th October 2016 at 8:59 am

Thanks for the introduction of the Oxford. Good insight.

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One Day In Oxford England Itinerary, What To See and Do In A Day

Oxford is a beautiful and bustling university town. It’s a 1,000 year old scholarly city with film set grandeur and ambience.

Oxford is home to the world’s oldest English-speaking university. The town is nicknamed the “Town of Dreaming Spires.” It’s full of creamy honey-toned architecture, neat lawns, and the feel of cloistered academia.

Oxford is located just 56 miles from London, making it an easy day trip from the UK’s capital.

Here’s my recommended one day itinerary for visiting Oxford. It covers all the top attractions and and best things to do in the city. I also give you sightseeing and day trip options if you have more time in Oxford.

Oxford is renowned for the 39 separate colleges that constitute Oxford University. They are sub-communities where the students live and eat in their own worlds, developing their own history and customs.

There is no official date when Oxford University was founded.

The earliest Oxford colleges were founded in the mid 1200s. By the mid 16th century, the whole collection was complete.

Together, the colleges form an incredible square mile warren of old world stone architecture and bristling spires, all made of pretty Cotswold limestone. Bells chime all the time, as if the city is celebrating.

You definitely can’t see all the colleges with just one day in Oxford. You’ll have to pick and choose.

But you can glimpse many of them just by strolling the city center, as you take in the bookstores, pubs, and punting.

What To Do In One Day In Oxford Itinerary

Here are my picks for the top attractions and best things to do with one day in Oxford.

As with all of my suggested itineraries, I recommend that you use this one day in Oxford itinerary as a guide. You can tailor it to suit your individual interests, needs, and pace of travel. 

I also give you tips for visiting and options for other things to see near Oxford if you have more than a day.

One Day In Oxford Morning

1. breakfast.

If you haven’t had breakfast when you arrive in Oxford, pop into the Handle Bar Cafe and Kitchen on St. Micheal’s Street for some avocado toast or a smoothie.

You can also grab a specialty coffee at Society Cafe . It’s a pretty bright white cafe with passionate baristas and nummy baked goods.

2. Walking Tour

You may want to start your one day in Oxford with a guided talking tour to get the lay of the land.

You can book a small group tour with a university alumnus or a private 2 hour guided walking tour . You can also book a 3 hour tour that combines walking and biking .

A guided tour will be efficient and make sure you see things or details you might otherwise miss. Then you can figure out what you specifically want to go back and see.

Some walking tours have special themes you may enjoy. For example, you could book a Tolkien and CS Lewis walking tou r or a Harry Potter tour . There’s also a hidden histories tour , which is one of the all in vogue “uncomfortable” tours.

3. Ashmolean Museum

If you didn’t book a guided walking tour, start with the venerable Ashmolean Museum . Established in 1683, the Ashmolean is one of Britain’s oldest public museums. Plus, it’s completely free to visit.

Housed in an early Victorian building, the Ashmolean has an international art and archaeology collection spread out over six floors. There’s also a fairly new rooftop terrace and restaurant where you have stunning views over the city.

The museum’s “Ancient World” galleries house collections of Islamic art, Egyptian mummies, Indian textiles, ancient documents, and even Oliver Cromwell’s death mask.

There’s an extraordinary collection of artifacts from Minoan Crete. It came courtesy of Arthur Evans, the archaeologist who excavated Knossos Palace .

Upstairs in the Italian Renaissance area, you’ll find sketches by Michelangelo and Raphael . There are also masterpieces by Uccello, Mantegna, and Bellini. The museum’s acknowledged masterpiece is Uccello’s The Hunt in the Forest .

At the Ashmolean, you can also get your Pre-Raphaelite fix.

The museum holds preparatory sketches for William Holman Hunt’s  The Light of the World , a famous painting on display in London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral .

You can also find sketches and watercolors. One of the museum’s most remarkable works is a painted wardrobe by Edward Burne-Jones.

After your museum visit, head east down Broad Street to see some of Oxford’s attractions.

4 . Blackwell’s Bookshop

Blackwell’s is Oxford’s famous bookstore. It’s located on Broad Street, which some think is (yet another) location that inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies.

Founded in 1879 by Benjamin Henry Blackwell, it’s one of the world’s largest academic and specialty bookstores. It’s a book lover’s paradise. If you’re not careful, you could be sucked in for hours.

You’ll find almost 3 miles of books on every imaginable topic. Don’t forget to take a peak in the Norrington Room downstairs.

It’s not uncommon to see famous authors in here reading from a recent novel or delivering a lecture.

5. Sheldonian Theater

Broad Street ends at the Sheldonian Theater . This is a little architectural jewel that was one of architect Sir Christopher Wren’s first big commissions. He was then a professor of astronomy at Oxford.

The theater was built from 1663 onward to serve as a setting for Oxford’s degree ceremonies.

The theater is modeled on the Theater of Marcellus in Rome . It has a distinctive white cupola, from which you’ll have panoramic views.

The theater is surrounded by 12 busts of Roman emperors who all look rather startled and sport different style beards. They were commissioned by Wren and carved by Christopher Bird. The busts have been nicknamed “the Philosophers” and “the 12 Apostles.”

Inside the theater are 17th century murals depicting the triumph of truth over ignorance. They were painted during the reign of Charles II.

Click here for prices and tours for the theater.

7. Radcliffe Camera

The Radcliffe Camera is one of Oxford’s top attractions and its most photographed landmark.

The “Rad Cam” was built as an addition to the Bodleian Library in 1737. Funds were donated by Dr. John Radcliffe, a physician to King William and Queen Mary.

Camera is a Latin word for chamber or room. The Rad Cam has a towering 140 foot rotunda that wouldn’t seem out of place in Rome . It’s the third largest dome in the U.K.

Inside, you’ll find a light-filled, circular, and columned library. It was the first of its kind in Britain and perfectly exemplifies Palladian principles, using a symmetrical, repeating pattern.

Read : Guide To the Palladian Vicenza Italy

Today, the Rad Cam serves as a reading room for the Bodelian Library. You can only go inside the Rad Cam by joining the 90 minute tour of Bodleian library.

8. Bodleian Library

The venerable Bodleian Library is Oxford’s spiritual core. It’s one of the oldest libraries in Europe.

In the UK, it is second in size only to the British Library in London . It receives a copy of every book published in the UK.

The Bodleian Libraries hold over 13 million printed items in three reading rooms. Book worms will be in seventh heaven.

The library houses many rare books and maps. One of its most famous items is the Gough Map , which is a medieval map of Great Britain.

Other famous items include manuscripts of 18 plays by Shakespeare, a copy of Handel’s Messiah, and four 13th century original manuscripts of the Magna Carta.

The Bodleian is not a lending library though. No book every leaves the space.

Students who enter have to make the “Bodley Oath,” whereby they swear not to bring fire or flames into the library.

The Bodleian Library complex also includes the Weston Library, the Divinity School, and Duke Humphrey’s Library.

Weston Library

The Weston Library initially opened in 1946 as the New Bodleian Library. In 2015, it was given a major renovation and re-christained as the Weston Library by Prince William.

The Weston has an ornamental 17th century Ascott Gate salvaged from an estate. It reads “If you are good, enter. If wicked, by no means.”

The Weston Library is free to visit. It also has miles of books and some precious treasures. You’ll find a copy of the Gutenberg Bible, manuscripts from famous authors, and the Oscar Wild’s infamous court summons. Wild was the novelist who was put on trial for “gross indecency” in 1895.

Divinity School

The Oxford Divinity School is a sublime space with a beautiful and intricate vaulted ceiling.

This medieval building was built in the 1400s to be used for lectures, oral examinations, and discussions on theology. This makes it the oldest surviving purpose-built part of  any  university.

Entry to the Divinity School is £2.50 per person. This room doubled as the infirmary in the Harry Potter movies. Click here for a Harry Potter tour with a divinity school entry.

Duke Humphrey’s Library

The Duke Humphrey’s Library is upstairs above the Divinity School. Completed in 1488, the sumptuously decorated library takes its name from the youngest brother of Henry V, of Agincourt and Shakespeare fame. It’s lined with portraits of Oxford founders.

Even on a tour, you can’t enter the the magnificent medieval room or pick up the ancient tombs. But you can peer into the library from an extension on one end.

In the Harry Potter films, Duke Humphrey’s was the Hogwarts Library.

9. Tours of Bodleian Library

To visit the Bodleian Library, you have to pre-arrange a guided tour. You can book a 30, 60, or 90 minute tour of the library on its website . Here’s what you can see:

• 30 minute tour: € 9, covers the Divinity School and Duke Humphrey’s Library
• 60 minute tour: € 12, covers the Divinity School, Convocation House, Chancellor’s Court, and Duke Humphrey’s Library
• 90 minute tour: € 18, covers everything on the 60 minute tour plus the Gladstone Link (underground library and passageway) and Radcliffe Camera.

If you have time, I recommend the 90 minute tour. It’s the only one where you can go inside the Radcliffe Camera.

You can book tours online up to 30 days in advance. A few tickets are reserved for same day visitors.

10. New College

New College isn’t really new, as its name implies. The college was established in 1379 as an Oxford undergraduate college.

The college buildings were built in the Perpendicular Gothic style. The college is also renowned for its beautiful 15th century cloisters. The medieval dining hall is the oldest in Oxford.

You may also remember New College from the Harry Potter movie, Goblet of Fire . Draco Malfoy is turned into a ferret in the cloisters.

One Day In Oxford Afternoon

For lunch, you can join the queue at Vaults and Garden Cafe , which serves up a changing menu of salads, curries, and stews under vaulted ceilings. If it’s nice out, you can dine in the garden and admire the Rad Cam up close.

You can also settle in at The Grand Cafe . It’s an Oxford institution on High Street and the site of the oldest coffee shop in England.

Alternatively, if you’re a market person, head to Oxford’s Covered Market on Market Street. This is Oxford’s answer to the bazaar.

It’s the go to place in Oxford for fresh produce, meat, flowers, and baked goods. You can sidle up to a sandwich counter or sit down at one of the cafes.

12. Bridge of Sighs

Hertford Bridge is part of Hertford College on Queen’s Lane. It dates from 1874. The mini-bridge links two buildings of the college.

It’s a photogenic bridge nicknamed the “Bridge of Sighs” because of its similarity to the more famous bridge in Venice .

While it’s small like the Bridge of Sighs, stylistically, it looks more like the Rialto Bridge.

13. All Souls College

Then at least dip into All Soul’s College . The college was founded as a center of prayer and learning in 1438.

It has a beautiful Gothic facade, with eye catching towers on the north quad. Inside, the chapel has a 15th century fan vaulting in the vestibule and and a medieval hammer beam roof.

14. University Church of St. Mary The Virgin

Right next door to All Souls College is the University Church of St. Mary . Some think it’s the dreamiest of Oxford’s “dreaming spires.”

From the tower, you have the best bird’s eye view of Oxford and the facade of the Radcliffe Camera. You can also snap a photo of the Bridge of Sighs.

The climb isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s 127 steps up a medieval spiral staircase. There is no elevator.

Tickets may be purchased from the shop at the Radcliffe Square entrance. They’re £5.

15. Christ Church College

If there’s only one college you visit, make it Christ Church College . It’s an absolute must visit attraction with one day in Oxford.

The grand college simply oozes history. It’s the largest and most prestigious of Oxford’s colleges.

The college was founded in 1525 by Henry VIII’s chancellor, Cardinal Wolsey. The college is the alma mater of 13 British prime ministers, Albert Einstein, and Lewis Carroll.

Established in 1525, the college comes complete with its own cathedral and art gallery.

The main entrance to Christ Church is the 17th century Tom Tower, which was designed by Christopher Wren. The 6 ton bell, dubbed “Great Tom,” rings 101 times every night at 9:05 pm.

It seems nonsensical, but there’s a reason for the madness.

In 1663, Oxford had only 101 students. Curfew was at 9:00 pm.

“Oxford Time” was then 5 minutes behind the now used GMT time. Hence, the bells tolled at 5 minutes after 9:00 pm.

The Great Hall in Christ Church College is a spectacular Renaissance space. It once served as Charles I’s parliamentary seat during the English civil war.

The hammer beam roof hovers above. Around the room are portraits of bygone scholars and prime ministers.

The Christ College Picture Gallery features an exceptional collection of works from the 14th to 18th centuries. It’s behind the college cathedral.

It boasts paintings and drawings by Italian Renaissance painters Filippino Lippi, Tintoretto, and Michelangelo .

Christ Church served as the filming inspiration for the Harry Potter movies. It doubled as the Great Hall of Hogwarts, though the producers built a studio replica to use for filming.

Apart from the Harry Potter films, Christ’s Church College may be best known for its association with Alice and Wonderland. It was here that Lewis Carroll began conjuring the story about a girl who follows a rabbit down a hole and ends up at a mad tea party.

To book a tour of the college, head to the Meadow Gate entrance.

16. Christ Church Cathedral

The lovely Christ Church Cathedral serves a dual purpose. It’s both the Christ Church College chapel and the cathedral of Oxford.

The cathedral is the world’s smallest cathedral and is a gorgeous treasure house of architecture. It began life as a simple priory church. During the Reformation, Henry VIII decreed it a cathedral.

Like practically every building in Oxford, the church has an elegant fan vaulted ceiling. There are beautiful stained glass windows. And you’ll find a lovely painting by the Pre-Raphaelite artist and Oxford student Edward Burnes-Jones.

This is a wonderful place to go to Choral Evensong. It happens daily at 6:00 pm.

One Day In Oxford Evening

17. sample the oxford ale.

In the evening on your one day in Oxford, do what the Oxfordians do — settle in at one of the city’s many boozers. Strong ale is Oxford’s signature drink and a long standing tradition.

You can have a pint at the creaking timbers of the Eagle and Child . (Please note the pub is under renovation at the moment and is expected to re-open late in 2022.)

The historic pub is the place where C.S.Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein once slacked their thirst. They met there for almost 30 some years. They nicknamed the pub the “Bird and Baby” and called their literary group “the Inklings.”

The pair later moved their conversions to the 500 year old Lamb & Flag in Oxford’s Jericho neighborhood (which is also being renovated).

Many an Oxford scholar took a liquid break at the King’s Arms . Turf’s Tavern is a 13th century hole in the wall pub that was frequented by Bill Clinton.

You can also take a historic pub tour with a student guide .

18. Dinner In Oxford

Where to eat dinner in Oxford?

If you’re staying for dinner, you can try: Gees Restaurant (Mediterranean in a twinkly light-filled conservatory) or The Punter (modern vegetarian and vegan).

For a splurge, you can check out Pompette (French) or Arbequina (Spanish tapas).

19. Harry Potter In Oxford

Are you a Harry Potter fan traveling to Oxford?

As I mentioned above, scenes in the films were inspired by or filmed at Christ Church, the Bodleian Library, the Divinity School, and New College.

Click  here  to book a tour of Harry Potter-themed tour of Christ Church College. Click  here  for a Harry Potter walking tour of Oxford that includes Christ Church.

From London, you can book a guided tour that includes Oxford and the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio . Or, you can book a private tour from London to Oxford .

READ : Guide To Harry Potter Filming Locations in London

Tips For Spending One Day In Oxford

Here are some tips and things to know about visiting Oxford.

1. Plan In Advance

You’ll have a more efficient visit to Oxford if you plan in advance. Decide whether you want to do a DIY one day tour or book some guided tours.

If you opt to fly solo, be sure to consult a map and plan your itinerary in advance, so you aren’t wasting time figuring out which places you need to visit and where they are. 

You should also determine your mode of transportation in advance and book any necessary tickets online.

1. How To Get To Oxford

Leave as early as possible so that you can make the most of your one day in Oxford, from wherever you are arriving from in the UK.

Oxford is 62 miles northwest of London. It takes about an hour and a half to drive.

Once there, you can book a  walking tour with a university guide  to get oriented.

Traveling by train is probably the fastest way to get to Oxford. Trains leave from London’s Paddington Staton for Oxford every 5-10 minutes.

The journey takes about 1 hour. Once you arrive at the Oxford train station, it’s about a 10 minute walk to the city center.

By Guided Day Tour :

If you want someone else to take care of the logistics and transportation, you can easily visit Oxford on a guided day trip tour from London.

Here are some tour options to consider:

•   a 10 hour day tour that visits Oxford, Straford-Upon-Avon & the Cotswolds
• a 10 hour tour of historic colleges in Oxford & Cambridge
•   7 hour day trip tour of Oxford
• a 7 hour private day trip from London

2. How To Get Around Oxford

Oxford is a very walkabout pocket sized city. It’s really more like a small town.

The main attractions are all clustered in the city center, which makes it possible to see much of Oxford in one day.

But you can also take the hop on hop off tourist bus or take a city bike tour . Cycling is a popular activity in Oxford. Watch out for cyclists as you walk around.

3. Where To Stay In Oxford

For a splurge, try the Old Parsonage Hotel . The charming hotel is a country-esque crash pad. It’s housed in an 17th century building built of Cotswold stone covered with ivy. It has creaking floors, a private garden, sweet library, and an exceptional breakfast.

The Old Bank Hotel is in a Georgian townhouse with rooftop gargoyles. It has luxury bedrooms, an art collection, and a prime location with views of Oxford landmarks.

The Randolph Hotel has been give a makeover and is now colorful, with Oscar Wild prints.

More Than One Day In Oxford?

If you have more than one day in Oxford, there are some other amazing things to do in the city.

1. Magdalen College

Magdalen College (pronounced maud-lin) is in the southeast section of Oxford. It has a pristine green quad, 15th century cloister, and flowery water meadow.

The Great Tower is 145 feet tall. This is where the college choir sings to launch May Day festivities .

Magdalen College is where C.S. Lewis lived and taught. The cloister’s grotesque carvings appeared in Chronicles of Narnia novel.

Next to Magdalen are the Oxford Botanical Gardens.

There are over 5,000 different types of plants. It’s lovely, but mostly used for research.

2. Pitt Rivers Museum

Pitt Rivers Museum is a quirky Victoria-era museum housed in a Neo-Gothic brick building. It focuses on anthropology and archaeology.

The museum is a dimly-lit maze. It houses a madcap array of curiosities from the farthest reaches of the British empire.

You’ll find a witch trapped in a bottle, shrunken heads, monkey skulls, totem poles, weapons, and witching paraphernalia. Canoes of every kind hang from the ceiling.

3. Oxford Castle & Prison

With more than one day in Oxford, history buffs will want to tour Oxford Castle .

You can learn all about the history of this castle, climb St. George’s Tower for views, descend to the 900 year old crypt, and explore the 18th Century prison. The prison remained in use until 1996.

4. Museum of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History is a castle-like Gothic pile built in the 1850s. It was financed through the sale of bibles.

You’ll see dinosaur skeletons and a stuffed dodo that was immortalized in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland .

The museum was famously the site of a great debate over evolution between Bishop Samuel Wilberforce and Thomas Huxley. Huxley was a student of Charles Darwin.

Floating down one of Oxford’s canals is a time honored tradition in Oxford. You can rent a flat bottomed boat, called a punt, under Magdalen Bridge.

But believe me; it isn’t easy to drive one. Mastering the long wood pole takes practice.

If you want someone else to do the rowing, you can book a tour with an Oxford student .

Day Trips From Oxford

There are also some wonderful destinations that are just a stone’s throw away from Oxford: the Cotswolds, Warwick Castle, Straford-upon-Avon, and Blenheim Castle.

1. Cotswolds

In the Cotswolds, little has changed since the middle ages. The Cotswolds is where you go to experience tumbling hills, chocolate box villages, and admire authentic thatched cottages.

You can book a guided Cotswolds tour just for your group . You can also book a day tour from London that combines Oxford and the Cotswolds .

2. Stratford-Upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a picturesque market town. It’s best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare and for its beautifully preserved Tudor buildings. 

The main attraction, naturally, is the timber-framed house where Shakespeare was born. It was passed down to various Shakespeare descendants.

Then, in 1847, the Shakespeare Trust purchased it. Visitors can explore the original house and garden.

The best way to get to Straford is by car, train, or guided tour. It’s less than an hour from Oxford.

This  guided day tour to Stratford-Upon-Avon from London  is led by a Shakespearean actor. Here is a  guided tour option that includes a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds .

3. Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is a stunning Baroque Palace in Woodstock, about 25 minutes from Oxford. It’s a UNESCO heritage site that was built between 1705-22.

The palace is the seat of the dukes of Marlborough. It’s also the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

You can admire the opulent interior, which is stuffed with tapestries, statues, and fine period furniture. You’ll can also enjoy displays on Winston Churchill and stroll in the superbly landscaped gardens.

Click here to book an entry ticket the the palace. If you’re staying in Oxford, you can book a guided tour of Blenheim Palace from Oxfor d .

If you’re staying in London, there are many permutations. You might consider:

• a 10 hour Blenheim + Cotswolds tour
• a 6 hour private tour from London
• a 10 hour tour with the palace and Downton Abbey filming locations

4. Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle  is the country house home of the Earl of Carnarvon. It’s most famous, though, as the filming location for  Downton Abbey , the hit British period TV series. 

The castle is open seasonally so check opening dates on the website before planning a visit.

The best way to get to the castle is by car or by joining a tour.

This guided tour option includes a  visit to Highclere Castle and other  Downton Abbey  filming locations . You can also book a guided tour that combines  Highclere and Stonehenge .

5. Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle is one of my favorite castles in England. It’s about 2 hours northwest of London. Once inside, grab a map because the castle grounds are vast.

The castle’s origins go back to William the Conqueror, the first king of England. But it was mostly built in the 13th and 14th centuries.

The castle was the seat of the dukes of Warwick. The castle’s most famous resident was Richard Neville , known as “the Kingmaker.” It featured in many battles in the historic War of the Roses, the clash between the Lancaster and York families.

The must see things to see inside are the Great Hall, the exhibit of the Weekend Party, and the Warwick the Kingmaker Exhibit. You can also stroll the medieval castle walls and climb several towers.

Click here to book an entrance ticket to Warwick Castle.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my one day in Oxford itinerary. You may enjoy these other London travel guides and resources:

• 3 Day Itinerary for London
• 5 Day Itinerary for London
• Best Museums in London
• Harry Potter Places in London
• Guide to the National Gallery of Art
• Guide to St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Guide to the Tate Britain
• Guide to Wesminster Abbey
• London Tourist Traps To Avoid
• Guide to the Tower of London
• Guide to the Churchill War Rooms

If you’d like to spend one day in Oxford, pin it for later.

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Last Updated on March 7, 2024 by Leslie Livingston

One Day in Oxford: the Ultimate Oxford Day Trip Itinerary

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Taking an Oxford day trip from London is one of the most popular things to do for visitors from abroad and from within the UK.

Not only is Oxford gorgeous, but it’s within easy reach of the capitol and has the perfect amount for a day trip.

The best day trip to Oxford includes some top notch sightseeing, including things to do in Oxford for free if you’re on a budget, as well as some wonderful dining options and cultural experiences like afternoon tea.

In this guide, let’s assume that you’ve got one day in Oxford for an Oxford day trip from London (or surrounding areas), and you want to make the most of it.

⭐️Editor’s choice!⭐️

The best thing to do in Oxford in one day is this alumni-led Oxford University and city walking tour . (4.8 out of 5 ⭐️, 1,400+ reviews)

>> Click here to book in advance (recommended)

To help you narrow down what to see in Oxford in a day, follow this list to build your itinerary.

Firstly, if you specifically want things to do in Oxford with kids , make sure to check out that resource before moving on.

Essentials for 24 Hours in Oxford

• Best tour to take with just one day in Oxford: Oxford City Sightseeing Tour
• Where to book Oxford train or bus tickets: Omio
• Best travel backpack for a day out in Oxford: this one

Hey! Want more honest UK tips and planning advice? Click here to join my London and UK Travel Tips Facebook group , where I can answer more of your questions!

Day Trip to Oxford: The Basics

Oxford is in the southeast of England, just about an hour from London.

While we spend a lot of time in places like the Lake District and Stratford-upon Avon, Oxford is one of my favorites.

The architecture is classically gorgeous, the food is quintessentially English, and the city is compact enough to walk most places.

What’s not to love?

The history of Oxford starts in the Saxon period, when it was a settlement on the River Cherwell.

It was in the late 12th century that the University of Oxford was founded and started encompassing the town.

Industrially, the city boomed in the 19th century with printing and car manufacturing.

These declined in the 1970s and 80s, but what remained was a city with a strong educational background and a lot more going on than just the university.

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How to Get to Oxford from London

If you’re traveling on your Oxford day trip from London, I’ve got a full guide on how to get to Oxford from London .

The basic options for one day in Oxford are taking the train or taking a bus, but I’ve compared both options for you in the guide on getting to Oxford so you have all of the information you need to make the right decision for you.

🛎 Still looking for somewhere to stay in Oxford?

My favorite hotel in Oxford for all visitors is the Randolph Hotel ( click here to check prices ).

What to Do on an Oxford Day Trip with 24 hours

Morning on a day in oxford: punting on the river.

If you’re looking for the most quintessential thing to do on an Oxford day trip, this first suggestion is for you.

No day out in Oxford is completely without some punting on the river.

Punting is basically rowing a canoe-looking contraption, except you’re standing up at the back desperately trying not to fall over and have people relying on you to not tip them head first into the water.

It sounds terrifying, which it is, but it’s also a perfect experience for a warm day.

You’d look a bit silly doing it on your own, so bring some friends and befriend some strangers who might like you to take them on a water tour of the sights!

I always use the Oxford Boathouse for punting.

The staff are super nice, very knowledgeable about punting, and there’s a little shop where you can buy snacks or gifts while waiting for your turn.

They’re located right off of Magdalen Bridge.

IMPORTANT: are you coming to the UK from abroad?

In case you’re reading this from outside the UK and will be a foreign visitor here, you need to know these 2 things to stay safe and save money.

• Travel insurance – you need it when going overseas! I use this site to get the best quotes and purchase my packages from. Do not skip this – having medical coverage abroad as well as other coverage in case of missed flights, lost luggage, etc is essential. As I said, I have never gone wrong using this site .
• International debit cards without fees – do not get stuck paying extortionate foreign fees when using your card abroad (and the UK is almost all card these days). I use the Wise debit and travel card which you can apply and learn more about here .

Late morning: taking a Harry Potter Tour

Want to know what to do in Oxford for a day?

Did you know that much of Harry Potter was either filmed in Oxford or used Oxford as an inspiration for the look of the movies?

There are some fantastic Harry Potter tours in Oxford that you could easily fit into an Oxford day trip, and I would highly recommend it.

My husband was actually an extra in the Harry Potter films, and he has fond memories of traveling to Oxford for filming days.

I really love this Harry Potter tour of Oxford , as it also includes the Bodleian Library which is another must-see that you can wrap all in one into the 2-hour tour.

Early afternoon: Have a Wander Down Side Streets

Oxford is just plain beautiful, so basically on your Oxford day trip itinerary you can walk almost anywhere in the city and be standing in front of amazing architecture or historical statues or these super cute colorful buildings.

Even if you’ve just got one day in Oxford, prepare to set off in a general direction, take a few turns to get yourself purposefully lost, and I guarantee you’ll find something to love.

New visitors may be surprised how many countryside-feeling walks there are not that far away, as Oxford has plenty of green space.

If you would prefer to take another form of transportation, Oxford has a big cycling culture so you can rent a bike and carry on your way.

The buses are also popular, as parking limitations and traffic make it less likely that people want to drive into the city.

Afternoon snack: Grab Food in the Covered Market

Before we go any further, I would just like to say that I am not in any way being paid to say this, but the best milkshake I’ve ever had in the world I had at “Moo’s” in Oxford’s covered markets, so if you value all that is good in the world, go there.

Also the covered markets have a lot of other fresh produce and cafes to take in, but I am always too invested in my milkshake to care, so please tell me how it is.

Afternoon: Walk on the Cobblestones in Radcliffe Square

To discover a quintessentially English square on your Oxford day trip and have some free things to do in Oxford , head to Radcliffe Square.

In the center is Radcliffe Camera (spoiler alert: it’s a building, not a camera), and surrounding is Brasenose College of the University of Oxford, as well as the University Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and All Souls College.

There aren’t places to sit down within the square, but Radcliffe Camera makes for great photos against a blue sky, and it is fully pedestrianized so you don’t have to worry about traffic or looking the wrong way.

If a University of Oxford graduation has just taken place, you may spot recent graduates donning their caps and gowns attempting to take photos in front of Radcliffe Camera.

I’ve seen this multiple times, but sadly a security guard usually comes along and asks them to leave if they have a tripod set up.

Late afternoon of 1 day in Oxford: Ashmolean Museum

One of the most famous museums in Oxford, the Ashmolean Museum was the first university museum and was opened in 1678 as a museum holding a “cabinet of curiosities.”

It grew and developed over the years, and most recently it was reopened in 2009 after a period of renovation to bring it up to modern day.

Ashmolean really stands out in its collections of archeological artifacts and art.

It’s got paintings, pottery, old coins, swords, books, letters and more.

In particular, it has drawings done by Leonardo da Vinci and a death mask of Oliver Cromwell, as well as Greek antiquities that give us insight into Greek society.

In the past, they’ve hosted exhibitions on Andy Warhol, Islamic Art, treasure from shipwrecks and more.

This is truly one of the best things to do in Oxford on a day trip if you want value for money (or no money, as it were – it’s totally free).

Other Oxford day trip options: Pitt Rivers Museum

Step into Pitt Rivers and you’ll soon see that this free museum in Oxford isn’t like the others – instead of its artifacts and collections being displayed by year or location, they’re displayed in collections of their “use,” in other words, objects of the same type are placed together no matter where in the world they came from.

This is due to the founder, Augustus Pitt Rivers, wanting to show both a cross-cultural understanding of the world as well as make it easier for visitors to more easily understand the progression in human development, tools, and society.

One of my favorite thing about the Pitt Rivers Museum is just how interesting its specimens are – you won’t walk in and feel like you’ve seen it all before.

From totem poles to shrunken heads, there’s just a bit of wonderful weirdness waiting around every corner.

The Pitt Rivers is free to visitors of all ages, and there are special guidebooks for the kids to help them explore the artifacts and understand them in a fun way.

Oxford Day Out: Take a City Sightseeing Tour

Much like London and other big cities around the world, Oxford has sightseeing bus tours that are a great way to make sure you’ve seen all the major landmarks on an Oxford day trip without having to navigate.

This is particular good if you have people on your Oxford day trip who have mobility issues and would prefer to sit rather than walk the whole town, as well as parents with kids.

I recommend this sightseeing Oxford bus tour for the best experience.

Evening in Oxford in one day: Seeing an Open-Air Theatre Show

If you thought London had the monopoly on great theatre, think again.

Oxford has some great indoor theatre venues.

But in the summer months, open-air theatre productions are popular and you can fit it in in the evening of your day trip to Oxford.

One summer, Creation Theatre did Hamlet in the park, and OH MY GOODNESS YES!

I’ve seen Hamlet with Jude Law, and I love me some Jude Law, but this version knocked it out of the park. (GET IT!?! Park!? Open-air theatre?! Sorry, couldn’t help myself).

The Creation Theatre often stages plays in venues such as Westgate Shopping Center and University Parks.

These plays typically involve a degree of audience participation as well, so if you’re an extrovert and the theatre is on your list of things to do in Oxford, make it a point to check out what the Creation Theatre is up to on your day trip to Oxford.

Where to Eat on an Oxford Day Trip

If you’ve only got one day in the Oxfordshire area, you’re not going to have time to try every pub or café that comes your way.

So I’ve listed my favorites to help you take your own culinary tour of the city without spending hours messing around on Trip Advisor as you’re standing in front of some historic landmarks (been there, done that).

Vaults and Garden for Breakfast

Start your day with an organic breakfast in a building dating back to 1320 for the true Oxford experience.

Vaults and Garden is located in the Old Congregation House and has both indoor and outdoor seating.

It’s been voted as the most sustainable restaurant in Oxfordshire, and they operate a seasonal menu so you’re always eating fresh.

In addition to breakfast staples like eggs and toast, they have vegan and vegetarian full breakfast plates, as well as salmon and breakfast soups.

The Bear Inn for Lunch or Dinner

Dating back to 1242, The Bear Inn is a fantastic choice for a pub dinner with classics such as fish and chips, as well as hamburgers, sausages and mash, and baked potatoes.

Walk around and you’ll see collections of ties, old university shirts and sports team paraphernalia.

If you’re visiting Oxford on a Sunday, be sure to stop by for a traditional Sunday roast.

You’ll be inundated with your choice of meat, usually roast vegetables like swede (if you don’t know what swede is, check out my post on British food versus American food ), yorkshire pudding (not actually pudding) and potatoes!

Afternoon Tea in Oxford on a Day Trip

A day trip wouldn’t be complete without some kind of afternoon tea in Oxford!

I recommend booking at the Macdonald Randolph Hotel .

This hotel is right in the heart of Oxford and is a 5-star luxury hotel that serves a great afternoon tea filled with wonderful sandwiches, delicious scones, and all the tea you desire.

The prices are cheaper than London afternoon tea prices, as well, at about £40 a person rather than the £60+ you would pay in London for some of London’s best afternoon teas.

Is Oxford Worth a Day Trip?

There are some places that are technically a “day trip” from London that aren’t worth going to at all, but Oxford is one of the must-do day trips from London.

No matter what you’re into, Oxford is absolutely worth it as a day trip.

You’ve got history, museums, beautiful architecture, great food, and some awesome Harry Potter sites.

In fact, I think it’s much more beautiful than London and more representative of what classic English cities look like, so you would be remiss to pass it up!

Is a Day Trip Long Enough in Oxford?

I would recommend either a day trip or a weekend trip to Oxford, though most people can feel like they’ve seen the city enough in a day trip.

You obviously won’t be able to spend hours at each museum or attraction, but you will be able to see enough to make it worth your trip out there.

What to Pack for a Day Trip to Oxford

Packing for an Oxford day trip doesn’t require too much, since you won’t be spending the night, but here are some key day trip essentials I highly recommend when in the UK.

Day bag or backpack

You’ll want to have some sort of day bag or backpack to carry things in, as usually I find a purse isn’t sufficient.

I like ones like these that are cute and comfortable , but you can also get more basic ones like these that can be passed around the family to take turns wearing it.

You don’t need a money belt when in Oxford or in the UK, so you can just make sure your wallet is in a safe place in your bag and that you keep an eye on it at all times.

Portable Phone Charger

I always carry a portable phone charger like this one out with me when I’m on a day trip, as if your phone loses battery, you may find that you’ve lost confirmation for activities, train tickets, or, perhaps more importantly, the ability to use a mapping app to find directions places.

If you’re super paranoid, you can also bring your actual charger with you that plugs into a wall in case of an emergency, but I find that my portable charger always works well.

Refillable Water Bottle

To avoid having to purchase water bottles all day, I like to bring a refillable water bottle like this one.

Not only is it way more eco-friendly, but it saves you money and allows you to make sure you always have a full bottle of water with you even if you end up in a park or field where there are no water bottles on sale around.

Lots of places in Oxford and across the UK now will have refillable water bottle stations near bathrooms or other public facilities, you just have to keep an eye out.

There’s nothing better than sitting on a train to Oxford, watching the world go by and listening to music.

Public transportation is such an integral part of life in the UK that I always carry headphones with me so I can listen to music while being whisked from place to place.

Okay, it’s not like you’re going somewhere without food on your day trip to Oxford, but having some fruit and other snacks packed is always super handy.

Maybe you need a snack while you’re on the bus and stuck in traffic.

Maybe someone is hungry earlier than you plan to eat the meal and is desperate for something to eat.

Maybe someone has a food allergy and you want to make sure there is something that they can have in a pinch.

Whatever the reason, coming prepared for your day trip to Oxford with some snacks has never been a bad idea!

You can purchase them at any supermarket, with plenty of options ranging from fruit to crisps (potato chips) to candy bars to healthier options like nuts and raisins.

UK Travel Planning Guide: the FAQs

🏥 Should I buy UK travel insurance?

Absolutely yes. Basic coverage is not expensive, and as a visitor you are NOT covered under the NHS. Compare policies and prices with Travel Insurance Master here , a big name in the travel insurance business, and cross that off your list.

🔌 Do I need travel adapters for the UK?

Yes, you do, otherwise you won’t be able to plug in your electronics/phone/lifelines. I recommend this one , which is all-in-one so you can use it in other countries.

🚗 What do I need to drive in the UK?

The first thing you need to check out if you’re planning on renting a car in the UK is this guide to driving in the UK for visitors – the roads, signs, and driving experience will likely not be what you’re used to and it’s essential to prepare yourself to stay safe and aware.

🛌 What’s the best way to book hotels in the UK?

For UK hotels, Booking is the best site as it offers free cancellation on many properties. If you want an apartment, I always recommend VRBO over AirBnb.

📳 Will my phone work in the UK?

Yes – if you set it up right. Check out my guide on making your foreign phone work in the UK to ensure that you get the type of service you need.

🚿 Can I drink the water in the UK?

Yes, UK water is great and perfectly safe. But drink out of taps in any kitchen or use water fountains. Double check before drinking out of the taps in hotel bathrooms, though, as they may be on a different system. London water is safe to drink .

Heading to London? Want the best tips?

Check out my Ultimate Guide to London for Visitors. Using text, images and video, this guide is packed full of tips, tricks, safety advice, knowledge on how to get around and what to do, and more!

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Oxford day trip: top things to do + travel tips.

Oxford really is the perfect day trip material… especially from London!

Chock full of historical sights, cultural gems, quaint watering holes and more than a snippet of quintessential English countryside, the compactness and cosyness of Oxford means you really can condense this all down into a day.

Indeed this city has more than enough going on to occupy you, but is also small enough to render seeing the best of it comfortable within 24 hours.

And given Oxford’s proximity to Bristol, Bath, Reading as well as London, it’s good to know that getting there is also quick and easy, only adding to the day trip dreaminess!

So if you’re considering a top UK excursion that packs in some of England’s best qualities, look no further than an Oxford day trip – here’s the only guide you’ll ever need, which includes the top things to do in the city!

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My walking tour in Oxford was sponsored by I Love Oxford Waking Tours but, as always, all views are my own.

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Why Enjoy an Oxford Day Trip?

I mean, the real question here is why not, because seriously Oxford might be small, but it crams a heck of a lot in!

First up, it’s a city, so you get to tick the Cathedral box. Plus there’s a castle and a heck of a lot of other churches to boot!

Next, this city is so jammed full of epic history that it’s really hard to top the UK over.

From classic colleges to the students that frequented them, Oxford connections lie so close to the heart of many of England’s greatest historical, scientific and political accounts and achievements, that it’s pretty impressive. And, of course, such connections continue to this day.

After all, this city is home to one of the country’s finest universities and some the world’s greatest minds have been educated here.

And this links nicely into the cultural aspect, especially the literary connections of Oxford, from C.S. Lewis to J.R.R. Tolkein, J.K Rowling to Lewis Carroll, means this city is home to some of the most iconic writers the UK can lay claim to.

And with all this history and culture scattered around the place, there’s also a heck of a lot of tours you can take, which make accessing the city’s best bits as part of a day trip incredibly easy.

Add in the great restaurants, pubs and cafes this city has, not to mention the wonderful bookstores and lively arts venues, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a good old day!

And that’s before you get the chance to lounge by the river, roll out a picnic mat on a college green or experience a famous Oxford river punt too.

I mean really, what isn’t to love about an Oxford day trip? Especially if you’re looking for something that screams classic oldy-worldly England!

How to Travel to Oxford?

Now that I’ve hopefully convinced you why you should make an Oxford day trip, the next thing to tell you about is how to do that.

I’m going to give these options from London, as I think that’s simply the place most people are looking to day trip from, but really the advice could apply to wherever in the UK you’re trying to get to Oxford from.

The first option is the train – usually the quickest, easiest, greenest and fastest route to Oxford from across the UK.

Ok, it’s not always the cheapest, but booked in advance you can certainly pick up some bargains.

Direct trains from London take just over an hour.

As always, I use Trainline to book all my train travel in the UK – they make comparing prices, times and schedules so easy, Plus I love how you can save all your eTickets in their handy app.

For those with smaller pockets, comme moi, it’s good to know that if you are booking last minute, there is a cheaper option than the train if you’re looking to enjoy an Oxford day trip.

A little bit longer than the rail option, but not by much, catching a bus to Oxford can be a great option for us budget travellers.

National Express (also bookable through Trainline) run direct services to Oxford from London, as well as various other cities across the UK and prices start from £9.

From London, National Express buses depart from Victoria Coach Station.

Otherwise, if you are in London, the Oxford Tube , a super regular and direct service, with prices that also start from £9, runs from London Victoria station too. This is a very efficient and cost-effective bus option as well.

Of course, you can also drive to Oxford for your day trip too of course.

If you don’t have your own vehicle, check out Discover Cars who I highly recommend.

Travelling by car to Oxford can be cost-effective if you’re travelling in a group, and is especially useful if you’re heading on after your Oxford day trip, perhaps to the Cotswolds or another more rural destination.

Just don’t forget you’ll need to pay for parking in Oxford too!

If you’re looking for the cheapest parking near the city, then your best bet is the Park and Ride scheme , which will cost you less than £5 for the parking space and the bus into the centre.

Best Time to Visit Oxford?

The better weather from June to August will allow you to explore the glorious streets and historic sights of this famous city to the max.

That said, Christmas is also a magical time to visit this atmospheric place.

How to Get Around Oxford?

As discussed, Oxford is super small for a city and the centre where most visitors tend to congregate is super compact.

Walking Around Oxford

As such, getting around using your own 2 feet is ideal.

You can use Google maps and easily navigate yourself around Oxford, but to be honest, I really recommend a good walking tour if you truly want to learn about the history of this city and to know more about all the small, quirky bits and pieces.

And I highly recommend Visit Oxford Tours , as I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon walking tour of the city I experienced with them.

Led by a former student, I learnt so much in these few hours and covered almost all the city, that I really felt it was the perfect way to enjoy an Oxford day trip to the max.

Cycling Around Oxford

The other main way to enjoy getting around Oxford is via 2 wheels.

Yes this the cycle capital of the UK and everywhere you go you will see people on bikes.

Bike hire is available across the city 24/7 care of Bainton Bikes , or you can even enjoy a cycling tour of the city too if you prefer.

Getting around a bit faster on 2 wheels will also give you the chance to get out of the city a little more and explore some of the countryside around if that’s what you’re into.

Thankfully, Oxfordshire is very flat!

Busing Around Oxford

You can also use the local bus service to scoot around Oxford.

Or there is an Oxford Bus Sightseeing Tour , care of a classic open-deck bus, you can try if you think you’re not up to the walking or cycling!

Top 15 Things to Do in Oxford

Well, where do I begin!

We’ve already talked about some of the things I suggest you do, namely experience a walking or cycling half day tour – both these are great ways to get acquainted and up to speed with the city if you only have a day there.

Honestly, you’ll learn and see so much during one of these that you’ll really feel you got your money’s worth!

After that, if you still have time, or if you’re the sort of person who isn’t into tours, you can explore the city independently!

Here’s my pick of the bunch….

#1 Hit up the Colleges

Hitting up some of the famous university colleges is definitely one of the best things to do in Oxford.

There’s so many pretty ones to choose and, from wandering the college greens to exploring the iconic rooms they have, you can easily spend an afternoon getting absorbed by them.

If you’re looking for some ideas about which Colleges to check out, then it pays to know Magdalen College is largely regarded as one of the oldest, largest and most beautiful colleges to visit in Oxford.

Christ Church is another prestigious college and is popular to visit thanks to its role in the Harry Potter films.

However, the Colleges can be pricey.

Indeed each college has its own entrance fee, and some of them can be quite hefty, so do your research if your budget is small!

In this vein, it’s good to know that Worcester College and Lincoln College are free to enter!

Christchurch Meadow is another great free college space to head for if you;’re on a budget day trip to Oxford. There’s plenty of duck to feed there too!

If you want to combine the colleges with some Harry Potter action, then this top Oxford tour , led by a student and lasting 1.5 hours, is packed full of HP info and even includes the chance to roam through the magical New College which inspired various scenes of the movie.

#2 Check out Radcliffe Camera

A great free thing to do on your Oxford day trip, the Radcliffe Camera is something of the heart of historic Oxford.

Essentially a historic library and archive, the recognisable architectural structure of this building, with its 360 degree properties, makes it hard to miss,

You can get some stunning snaps here (and of the colleges and the stunning Medieval buildings around) even if you’re not allowed in.

Also nearby is St Mary’s, the tower of which you can and should climb.

#3 Snap Bodleian Library

Another library that you can and should snap in Oxford to keep up with the classic historic vibes, is the Bodleian Library.

Something of an Oxford icon too, this place should not be missed on your day trip itinerary.

#4 Try Punting

An absolute Oxbridge classic, there’s no way you can come on an Oxford day trip and not experience a spot of punting!

Whether you choose to hire a boat and give it a go yourself (FYI, it’s not as easy as it looks), or pay for your own experienced punter, the choice is yours.

Alternatively, hiring a pedalo and cruising the river that way can be a good middle ground.

#5 Visit the Botanical Gardens

One of Oxford’s top sights, there’s no doubt a stroll through these beautiful gardens is well worth an hour of your day trip.

#6 Go in Oxford Castle

Ditto with Oxford Castle!

While this is a short walk out of the main centre of the College action, and certainly not as grand as some of England’s big old other castles, it’s still a must-see during your time here.

#7 Climb the Saxon Tower

And carrying on the historical vibes, another great landmark to check out during your time in Oxford is the area around the old North Gate to the city.

Here, along Ship Street, the original Medieval buildings are incredible.

Don’t miss a trip inside St Mary’s Church too (free and boasting some amazing stained glass windows), but best of all, is the climb up the Saxon Tower for a great lookout over this part of Oxford.

It’s over 1000 years old!

#8 Learn about the Bridge of Sighs

You don’t have to head to the iconic Bridge of Sighs to learn why a strange bridge came to be positioned over a street in Oxford.

The answer is because some College students who went to Venice loved it so much they wanted to replicate one of the bridges between 2 halves of their College back in Oxford.

The 2 halves just happened to have a road between them!

But besides the tale, you should go to the Bridge of Sighs anyway – it’s def worth a visit (and a snap!)!

#9 Enjoy the Ashmolean Museum

There a stack of museums to visit in Oxford and with all the colleges and libraries and churches too, you can quickly overdo it!

So why not just pick one?

I recommend the Ashmolean Museum – centrally located, it’s free to enter and has not only a historic backstory (it was founded in 1683) but contains some great art and archaeological collections.

#10 Peruse the Bookshops

And if you’re into museums, you can’t miss the bookshops too!

There’s so many in Oxford, especially independent ones which date back many years, that you could get lost in there for ages… or at least I could.

Founded in 1879, Blackwells of Oxford is the largest academic and specialist bookseller in the UK and is a must for book-lovers everywhere!

#11 Enjoy a Good Pint

And right next door to Blackwells (as the above photo testifies) is a pub.

In fact, this sentence could be translated to pretty much anywhere in Oxford.

There’s so many pubs in this city, you’re always pretty much next door to one!

As such, hitting up at least one of them is definitely one of the best things to do in Oxford.

My personal recommendation would be the Turf Tavern, with so many past famous punters, it’s hard to beat!

#12 Relax in a Cute Café

And while we’re on the food and drink combo, you’ve definitely got to try a few lovely cafes while you’re in Oxford too… they’re almost as plentiful as the pubs!

My favourite has to be Café in the Vaults – set in a historic building with a view of the Radcliffe Camera and offering oat-milk flat whites, it’s hard to beat!

#13 Eat at the Covered Market

Oxford’s Covered Market is another great spot to grab a bite – with lots of independent traders in a charming setting, it’s a great spot to enjoy Oxford’s ambience and local foodie scene.

#14 Explore Cowley Road

And yet another great spot to get food in Oxford, as well as pick up the younger, slightly more alternative vibes this city has to offer, is to head to the Cowley Road area.

Just slightly out of Oxford’s city centre, this place has a real local feel and a lot of fun shops and eateries to explore.

#15 Take a Stroll

And finally, one of the best things to do in Oxford, especially if you do plan to extend your time here beyond a day trip, is to enjoy a stroll in the gorgeous countryside surrounding the city.

But you don’t have to go far and can easily squeeze this into a day trip too if you have a full day too.

Top picks include the walk along the Thames Tow Path from Oxford to Abingdon (which is the setting for Wind in the Willows ) as well as the lovely stroll you can enjoy in Port Meadow.

With a bit longer, the nearby Chiltern Hills (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) means it’s very possible to enjoy a stretch of the Thames Path.

I can highly recommend the Goring to Pangbourne section which is near Oxford.

Otherwise, the area around the historic market town of Berkhamsted is also lovely with ancient castle ruins, great walks, a vibrant modern community and some lovely pubs set along the canal!

Alternatively, you can nip the other way into the Cotswolds (another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and check out the quaint villages of Chipping North, Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh as well as the walks around them too.

Get some great ideas in this ideal Cotswold itinerary I wrote.

What to Pack for an Oxford Day Trip?

A key part in any good day trip recipe is packing right, so here’s my list of the top 5 packing essentials you shouldn’t head to this city without.

#1 A Good Camera – No doubt you’re going to be snapping like crazy in this amazing city and need to ensure you have a good camera to do the place justice. I love my Sony A6000 , which is light, compact and great for travel.

#2 Decent Walking Shoes – No point coming this far and not being able to enjoy a walking or cycling around the lanes and colleges of Oxford. Get prepared therefore and ensure you have a decent pair of walking shoes – these cross trainers from New Balance are ideal (and totally stylish) for the job.

#3 Light Waterproof Jacket – Whatever the time of year, you have to remember this is England after all – a country in which the heavens can open at any point! Don’t get caught out therefore and ensure you have a good lightweight and waterproof jacket with you. This North Face one is perfect.

#4 Compact Hiking Day Pack – I never go on any day trip without a sturdy backpack to ensure I’ve got room to take everything I need and that the weight is equally distributed across my back and shoulders. This super featherweight one from Marmot is my go-to, because it folds down to nothing and is water-resistant.

#5 Picnic Rug – And finally, I would never head off on an Oxford day trip without a good picnic blanket! Perfect for spreading out across any College Green, or along the banks of the river, this one is great because it has a waterproof bottom and rolls up nicely so you can easily carry it.

Are Oxford Day Trips Expensive?

The main costs you have to factor into your Oxford day trip are:

• Price for return travel
• Costs of any tours
• Expense of any College entrance fees

Obviously all 5 of these variables will alter depending how you choose to structure your Oxford day trip and where you’re travelling from.

The last 3 will depend greatly on your much you want to indulgence!

As a budget travel baseline however, I’d allow for the following minimum costs:

• Return Bus Tickets from London = £18
• Half Day Walking Tour with I Love Oxford Walking Tour = £20
• Entrance to one Iconic College = £12
• Coffee & Cake = £5

The minimum total for a budget Oxford day trip is therefore around £55.

Not bad for a day in one of England’s most iconic cities!

You can obviously keep costs low by bringing your own snacks and by not taking a tour or paying to get into a single college. But in this instance, I’d question if you’re really going to get the value of a day trip at all!

Is One Day Enough for Oxford?

A day trip is a really good amount of time to enjoy in Oxford city centre, as it’s really not that big.

However I definitely recommend staying for 2-3 days in this city if you can as there’s so much to explore around, including my top pick Bleinham Palace.

Where to Stay in Oxford?

If you are extending your Oxford day trip, then rest assured there’s plenty of places to stay overnight in this city, whatever your budget.

Here’s my pick of the bunch…

Budget: Central Backpackers Oxford

Mid-Range: Royal Oxford Hotel

Luxury: The George Street Hotel

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So there you have it, the only Oxford day trip guide you’ll ever need!

Did I miss anything out?

Do let me know in the comments box below so we can help fellow Oxford day trippers out!

Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

2 thoughts on “ Oxford Day Trip: Top Things to Do + Travel Tips ”

This is so helpful. I’ve only been to Oxford once for a festival, and I didn’t get to explore at all. I only live in Bristol so it’s easy to get to but it’s just one of those places I’ve never been to! I’m definitely going to visit soon though.

Ha ha Becky, it was totally one of those places I shamefully hadn’t been to either – despite having spent many a year in London! Feels good to have ticked it off the list now! Hope you can get there soon, it really is a delightful day trip and so easy from Bristol as you know. Happy exploring, Steph 🙂

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Planning an Oxford Day Trip: A Guide to Visiting Oxford from London

Last updated: November 11, 2021 - Written by Jessica Norah 38 Comments

Oxford is a university city situated about 60 miles from London, making a Oxford day trip an ideal way to get out of the bustling capital for a day or weekend to explore this compact historical city. Nicknamed the City of Dreaming Spires, Oxford is best known as the home of England’s oldest university, the University of Oxford, which is still one of the most respected in the country.

A trip to Oxford wouldn’t be complete without touring a couple of university buildings, but Oxford has much else to offer. A visitor might go on a walking tour of the downtown, browse for souvenirs at the Covered Market, go punting on the River Cherwell, take a tour of a medieval castle, stroll in a pretty garden, enjoy a drink in a historical tavern, or even take a short drive to visit one of England’s most beautiful and famous country homes.

Laurence spent a lot of time in Oxford growing up and we’ve visited it a few times now over the past several years and really love this university city. We’ll share our advice and tips on planning a perfect Oxford day trip from London, and also offer plenty of things to do if you want to stay over and spend a few days in this history-filled city.

Table of Contents:

Basic Information about Oxford

Below we share all the planning information to help you get to Oxford from London, how to get around Oxford, where to stay if you decide to spend the night, and further travel resources.

Where is Oxford? 

Oxford is located within the county of Oxfordshire in southeast England. It is about 60 miles northwest of London and 73 miles east of Bristol. 

How to Get from London to Oxford?

You have a variety of options for getting to Oxford from London (or elsewhere in the UK), including by car, bus, or train. You can also visit Oxford via a guided tour or by booking a taxi or private transfer from London. 

Oxford by Car

If you have your own car, it is about a 1.5 hours drive from Oxford to central London. You can check and compare rental car prices across companies at Auto Europe  if interested in renting a car for the trip. We often find that Enterprise has the best car hire rates.

If you are driving, there  are a number of paid  public car parks in Oxford, just be sure to stay out of permit-only parking zones. 

Oxford by Bus

If you are interested in traveling by bus it is about a 1.5 journey and you can check prices at National Express as well as the Oxford Bus Company .

Oxford by Train

It is also convenient to get from London to Oxford by train and the journey takes about an hour, check National Rail for train schedules and prices. 

Oxford by Taxi

It is about a 1.5 hour taxi ride from London to Oxford. If you want to book a taxi during your time in the UK, we recommend comparing prices and booking via minicabit .

Taking a Guided Day Tour to Oxford from London

Another option if you don’t want to drive or take public transportation is to take a guided tour. These will include your transport to and from London, a guide, and many tour prices include some entrance fees.

Some day tours may also only go to Oxford, but most also include other attractions like Windsor Castle, the Cotswolds villages, Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehenge, Cambridge, and/or Blenheim Palace.

Here are some options:

• This full day tour from London visits Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and the Cotswolds.
• This tour includes Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Oxford.
• This guided tour visits both Oxford and Cambridge, England’s oldest and most prestigious university towns.
• This private tour by Oxford Alumni visits Oxford, Bath, and Stonehenge and allows you to customize the itinerary as you wish.

Getting around Oxford?

The best way to get around central Oxford is on foot as most attractions are centrally located. But you can also take a public bus , drive, or taxi to get around the town or explore the wider Oxfordshire area.

Staying in Oxford? 

If our articles temps you to decide to spend the night in Oxford rather than visiting as a day trip, there are a number of lodging option in and around Oxford, from luxury hotels to comfortable  bed-and-breakfasts to budget-friendly  hostels . You can compare all the lodging options here .

If you are visiting by train or bus, you’ll want to choose something in central Oxford and within easy walking distance of most of the city’s main attractions.

Here is a list of suggested options for those exploring on foot for all budgets (lowest to highest):

• Central Backpackers – This well-rated hostel offers dormitory style beds and lives up to its name with a central location in Oxford. Located near the train station and a 8 minute walk from the center of Oxford. A great option for those on a tight budget.
• The Richmond – A good value hotel that offers budget-friendly rooms, breakfast, and a restaurant. A 15 minute walk from the center of Oxford.
• Museum Hotel Oxford – This popular midrange hotel offers one of the best locations in  Oxford in a building dating back to the 16th century. Centrally located; a 2 minute walk from Carfax Tower.
• Macdonald Randolph Hotel   – A  5-star hotel within a landmark city building. It is located across from the Ashmolean Museum and offers a restaurant, bar, and popular spa.
• Old Parsonage Hotel – A 5-star luxury boutique hotel set in a historical 17th century house, offering a garden library, bar, and restaurant. It is located within a short walk of the city center.

Those with a car can also choose from lodging outside the city center which is often a bit less expensive. Here are a few more options further away from the town center:

• Green & White House – A well-rated good value B&B that offers free bike hire, on-site parking, and breakfast. Located a bit outside the center. A 4 minute drive or a 25 minute walk to the city center.
• Noa Residence – A well-rated self-catering apartment hotel that offer well-equipped kitchens, free parking, and daily cleaning services. Located 1 mile from the city center.
• Swinford Manor Farm B&B – A beautiful countryside B&B set in a historical manor farmhouse located along the River Thames. Offers a free breakfast, extensive woodland views, and free parking. A 12 minute drive from central Oxford.
• Hawkbill House – A 4-star hotel made up of two 19th century manor houses in the nearby village of Iffey. Hotel offers a restaurant, bar, 24-hour room service, and free parking.  A 7 minute drive from the town center.

Further Information on Oxford? 

The local tourism office offers a variety of information and can help you make any bookings as needed. While you are in the city, stop by the Oxford Visitor Information Centre (telephone: 01865 252200), located at 15-16 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AS in central Oxford for information, maps, public transit schedules, luggage storage, and tour bookings.

You can also visit the tourism website  Experience Oxfordshire  for planning your time in Oxford and the wider Oxfordshire area.

If you have the time, we’d also recommend staying over and spending a couples of days in the city and then exploring the area further afield. Oxford also makes a great jumping off point to continue your exploration of this part of England to visits places such as Stonehenge , Bath, and the Cotswolds villages.  You can read our  one-week UK itinerary  and 2 week UK itinerary for even more recommendations.

Planning your Oxford Day Trip from London

We’ll share a number of great things to do in Oxford so you can put together an itinerary for your own Oxford day trip from London no matter what your interests.

Take a Walking Tour

A walking tour is almost always a great way to get a good introduction to a new city. There are a number of walking tours, bike tours, and bus tours that you can take while in Oxford, including some that are free with a requested donation. 

We decided to take the 2-hour Oxford University and City Tour , which starts at the visitor center and is run by the tourism board . Another popular option is to take a tour of Oxford with a student , which will give you another perspective on living and learning in the city.

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and guided us through part of the historical downtown, The Covered Market, Radcliffe Square, and two of the university buildings, including an optional stop at the beautiful Divinity School. Our guide was great at pointing out shops, university buildings, and museums along the way that might be of interest for us to visit which helped us better plan the rest of our time in the city.

In addition to these more general city tours, there are also other Oxford tours focused on the town’s history,  Inspector Morse , literature,  Harry Potter , architecture, etc.

Get a Bird Eye’s View of Oxford

Getting a good view of a city is always a great way to gain a better sense of its layout and to get some great cityscape photos. Some of the best city vantage points can be found by visiting the iconic St. Martin’s Tower, known to most residents as Carfax Tower (the only remaining part of the 12th century St. Martin’s church), the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and St. Michael Northgate.

We enjoyed an excellent view from the top of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin , which is right next to the Radcliffe Camera. 

All of these vantage points charge small admission fees and require visitors to climb a number of stairs. There is also a decent city view from the tower during the Oxford Castle tour we did.

Feed Your Inner Scholar at the Museums

As you might suspect with a city best known for its university, there are a lot of museums to be found in the city, most associated with the university. They are numerous and range from the broad in focus to the very narrow, so you are sure to find at least one that is of interest. The best thing is that just about all the city’s museums offer free admission!

The Ashmolean Museum  was the first ever public university museum, starting as a small 17th century collection of curiosities and portraits and now containing a wide collection of paintings, coins, musical instruments, antiquities, and statues housed in a beautiful old building.

The  Museum of Oxford , located in the Town Hall, focuses on the history of Oxford and tells the story of the city’s development through a range of archaeological and social history objects. You can also book a tour of the Town Hall for a small fee. 

For modern art lovers there is the Modern Art Oxford museum and those who love drawings should check out the Christ Church Picture Gallery .  Oxford University Museum of Natural History includes the university’s collection of zoological, geological, entomological, paleontological, and mineralogical specimens and artifacts.

The  Pitt Rivers Museum , adjacent to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, is a museum devoted to ethnographic and archaeological objects from around the world.

Others include museums devoted to printing , musical instruments , and the history of science  ( housed in the original historical Ashmolean Museum building).

There are also regular exhibitions (often free and open to public) happening all over the city, both in and out of museums, so be sure to check to see what is on during your visit. T he Bodeleian Libraries in particular often seem to have public exhibitions, and while we were visiting one of the original Magna Carta copies (the library has 4!) and related objects were on display to commemorate the 800th anniversary of this important document. 

Get Locked up at Oxford Castle

On the western side of central Oxford, you’ll find the ruins of Oxford Castle dating back to the 2nd century. Much of the castle was destroyed during the 17th century English Civil War and in the 18th century, the building was turned into the city prison. It actually continued to serve as a prison until 1996!

Today, you can book guided tours of  Oxford Castle Unlocked of the remaining safe historical sections of the castle/prison, namely St. George’s Tower and the crypt. Costumed guides will take you around the castle and tell you about its history, with a focus on the castle’s role in two of England’s civil wars (The Anarchy and the Barons’ War) and you’ll hear tales about Empress Matilda, Robert D’Oyly the Younger, and King Stephen.

After the tour, you can explore the outdoor areas, mainly the Motte (a big earth mound), on your own. Even if you decide to forego the tour, the castle is worth a look from the outside if you are nearby.

Try Punting on the River Cherwell

Oxford sits at the confluence of two rivers, the mighty Thames and the Cherwell, and the city owes it early development to the presence of these two rivers. In the past, a male-only bathing spot (Parson’s Pleasure) and female-only nude bathing spot (Dame’s Delight) were to be found along the river although these have been closed in recent decades.

Today, visitors can still enjoy river boat trips as well as punting on the rivers. During our visit, Laurence decided to try to teach me about punting. We headed to the Cherwell Boathouse  to rent a punt, which looks a bit like a canoe except it is a flat-bottomed boat with a square-cut bow. One person sits down and the other stands on a section of the boat with a pole and pushes the pole against the river bed and sides with a pole. It turns out that a punt is more difficult to steer and navigate than a canoe, at least in our inexperienced cases!

A good thing about punting is that it is quite a slow-going process and you can easily stop off along the trip for a picnic, to take a walk, or to visit one of the local bars along the river. Just ask the boathouse for tips about where to go before you set off.  We had a female duck climbing in and out of our punt during part of the trip which kept me very amused while Laurence was doing the hard punting work!

Have a Drink

Like any university town, you won’t find a shortage of bars and pubs in Oxford. Laurence recommends The Eagle & Child (popular with Tolkien), The White Horse, the Lamb and Flag, and the King’s Arms (oldest pub in Oxford).

During my first trip to Oxford, we sought out The Turf Tavern   which is down a little alley called St Helen’s Passage (originally Hell’s passage), between Holywell Street and New College Lane, next to Oxford’s Bridge of Sighs. 

The Turf Tavern is one of the oldest pubs in Oxford, and has a lovely outdoor beer garden as well as plentiful indoor seating and a wide selection of beers as well as food. It is something of a pilgrimage site with university students, famous visitors, and us average tourists all venturing into this back alley haunt. One of the more famous visitors was Bill Clinton who was a Rhodes scholar at Oxford.

If you are looking for something less alcoholic and a bit more civilized, a you might want to have a traditional afternoon tea experience at the Macdonald Randolph Hotel  (reservations strongly recommended) or   The Grand Cafe (served all day). Or grab a Tawainese bubble tea from the  Formosan Tea Bar.

Go Shopping 

Oxford is also a great place for some retail therapy. Along Oxford’s High Street you’ll find a number of local and independent boutiques, gift shops, and handicrafts that are popular with both students and visitors. Book lovers will want to make a stop at the famous Blackwell’s book store which has been selling books and textbooks in Oxford since 1879.

Most people make their way at some point to Oxford’s Covered Market which has been around since 1774. You’ll find everything from butchers to fishmongers ready to serve up fresh food and produce and bakers and baristas serving ready-to-eat treats and coffee. In addition to food, you’ll also find shops selling clothing, flowers, toys, souvenirs, jewelry, and pet supplies.

For those seeking discounted luxury goods, you might head a bit out of town to Bicester Village  which boasts over 100 retail shops. You can get to the shopping village by public bus (about 35 minutes), taxi, or by car (about a 20 minute drive) from Oxford.

Visit Blenheim Palace 

The English countryside is full of beautiful historical country homes, and just outside of Oxford you’ll find one of the most famous English homes, Blenheim Palace . Blenheim Palace is the official residence of the Duke of Marlborough and is also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill .

This famous 18th century country house is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and stands in a romantic park created by the famous landscape gardener Lancelot “Capability'” Brown. Both self-guided and guided tours are available of different sections of the house.

There are also restaurants, cafés, a gift shop. There is a lot to see and do here so we’d recommend allotting at least a few hours for your visit. 

If Blenheim Place sounds interesting, you can read our separate post about our tips for visiting Blenheim Palace and on finding Winston Churchill’s grave located nearby.  

You can reach Blenheim Palace by car, public bus, or as part of  a guided tour from Oxford .

Explore the University Buildings

Although no one actually knows when the University of Oxford started, there is evidence of teaching here since 1096 and the university received an official charter in 1248. It is believed to be the oldest English-speaking university in the world and the second oldest university in the world still in operation!

The university buildings would give the city its nickname “City of Dreaming Spires” and the university still remains one of the most prominent features of the city.

Oxford University is made of thirty-eight colleges, each of which is independently governed, and a visit to at least one of the colleges is a must-do on a Oxford day trip. Many of the colleges allow visitors (usually for a small fee) to visit some of the buildings, such as the main square, gardens, chapel, and/or dining hall. But whether a college is admitting visitors depends a lot on the time of year and time of day and what is happening at the college at the time (e.g., exams, graduation, meals, summer break) and each college has its own schedule and policies.

During our time in Oxford, we specifically visited several colleges either as part of our city walking tour or later on our own including Wadham College, Jesus College, Exeter College, and Trinity College. We also visited the beautiful Divinity School which is a 15th century medieval building used for lectures and exams in theology, and today forms part of the Bodleian Libraries .

While the interior is normally closed to the public, visitors can get a good view of the interesting circular Radcliffe Camera (used as student library and reading rooms) from Radcliffe Square.

Harry Potter fans may be particularly interested in visiting both the Divinity School and Christ Church college which were both used as prominent film locations in the Harry Potter films. You can also book a specific Harry Potter walking tour of Oxford of course !

Before your visit, I would make a list of colleges you’d like to visit and then when in town you can stop at each college’s porter’s office (near the entrance of each college) and check to see if the college is allowing visits and check visiting hours.

You can also book a tour that includes university buildings on the tour as we did at the tourism office.

Note that you can even stay in one of the university residence halls which are rented out in some colleges during holiday and summer breaks – you can search for available rooms here .

Attend a Performance or Festival

There is almost always a play, concert, festival, recital, film, lecture, or art exhibition happening on any given day in Oxford. Many of those that are connected to the university are free or low-cost and make a perfect way to enhance an Oxford day trip. This is a great way to experience the wonderful cultural offerings of Oxford and see inside some of the lovely venues.

Going to the theater is a popular activity in Oxford, especially the outdoor performances of Shakespeare plays in the summer. You can check what is happening during your visit at the Oxfordshire Tourism Board and the Oxford City Guide websites or by stopping by the tourism board.

If you intend to see a show or performance while in town, you should check the listings at the individual theaters (such as the Oxford Playhouse and the Old Fire Station ) and buy your tickets in advance. 

Explore Oxford’s Gardens & Parks

Oxford has a number of lovely green spaces and gardens that can be explored when you need a break from museums, shopping, and the university buildings. For instance the 70-acre University Park offers a great place to walk and stretch your legs, watch a free cricket game, or spy on the ducks at the duck pond.

You’ll also find several other parks and meadows in the area, including the oldest botanical garden in England . The Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum was founded back in 1621!

We found some lovely flowers and views while walking along the River Cherwell and some of the University of Oxford colleges such as Trinity College have gardens that are open to the public. 

Which of these would be on your list if you were planning an Oxford day trip? Have you made an Oxford day trip from London? Do you have any recommendations for things to do in Oxford? As always, feel free to comment and we’re happy to answer any questions about Oxford day trip. 

Want to visit Oxford? PIN this article on Pinterest to read later:

**Disclosure: We’ve visited Oxford numerous times. On one of our trip to Oxford Visit Britain covered our accommodation, walking tour, punting trip, and Oxford Castle visit and Auto Europe provide a complimentary rental car during a separate visit to Oxford; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. You can read more in our Ethics Code about how we accept work.**

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shane sterling Post author

July 10, 2023 at 10:59 am

Hi what a great blog on a day trip from London to oxford. i am so glad you mentioned the covered market as so many people leave that hidden gem out. its a great place with some quirky shops. also the walking tours i have been on quite a few of the walking tours and thought they need something that bit extra.. i have come up with my own walking tour, oxford magic tours, which i am just launching. its a tour with live entertainment. if ever your back in oxford and would like to join the tour please let me know. it would be great if you could make it and maybe write about it. keep up the great work regards Shane

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

July 12, 2023 at 5:54 am

Yes, the covered market in oxford is definitely a place we recommend to those visiting Oxford. Glad you are starting your own tours company, we have done the Harry Potter magical tours, like this one , with Visit Oxford but haven’t done a live entertainment magic tour before so sounds like a new type of offering. Hope it goes well and we’ll definitely consider checking it out next time we are in Oxford.

Best, Jessica

Udita Post author

January 5, 2020 at 1:33 pm

Hi we would like to visit Oxford with our two kids aged 9 and 7 . James aged nine and a half is interested in the exploring the university so we would appreciate suggestions and will visit from London. We also need to decide if to do car or train as Stonehenge is also on the itinerary. Thanks Udita

January 6, 2020 at 1:46 pm

We’d recommend train as it is really easy to get from central London to Oxford by train and most things in Oxford can be reached on foot. If you are just going for a day trip, I’d definitely recommend train.

Some parts of the university are open to the public, those that are open often charge a fee for visitors to view a few of the public areas. It also depends on the academic year and school events if certain buildings are open to the public or not. So if there are specific colleges he is interested in seeing, you might want to check in advance if they allow visits and what you can see. But if you are just generally interested in the university, joining a walking tour is a great way to see some parts of the university and learn more about it and the city. We recommend 2 of them in the article above, both which are great for those specifically interested in the university. Or you can arrange a private tour if you want one that is just for your family and they can then adjust it to be a bit more kid friendly.

If there are a lot of things you want to do in Oxford, I’d recommend spending most of the day there as there is plenty to keep you busy for a day out. But if you are just interested in spending a few hours, then you can definitely combine it with a visit to Stonehenge on the same day if you want. Or you can do it on a separate day.

For Stonehenge, if you go by public transit, you can take the train from Oxford (or London) to Salisbury. Then there’s a shuttle bus that goes directly from Salisbury train station to Stonehenge, and it leaves about every 30 minutes. You can use it to just get to and from Stonehenge or you can buy a ticket that includes entry to Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral and can also stop at Old Sarum if you have more time. You can see the shuttle bus timetable here . For more tips, this article about visiting Stonehenge as part of a day trip might be useful to you as well.

When visiting Stonehenge just make sure that if you are doing it as part of a day trip and plan to also stop elsewhere that you keep the schedules in mind as you want to arrive with plenty of time to enjoy the visitor center and displays and the stones themselves. A lot of people end up rushing around.

Hope that helps and enjoy your trip to London! Jessica

Selina Post author

July 9, 2019 at 1:11 am

For a 1-day trip to Oxford, when do things generally close in Oxford? I’m trying to plan my return train trip. Would 8pm be too late?

July 9, 2019 at 10:42 pm

Hi Selina, It depends, but yes, most of the museums and tourist attractions close around 5pm or 6pm. But there will still be shops and other places open in Oxford and you can have a drink or dinner before heading back. So I think a 8pm train back would work fine if you want to spend the day in Oxford and end with a drink or meal. Otherwise, you could book your train a little earlier. Best, Jessica

Sophie Post author

September 22, 2018 at 8:10 am

Fantastic and informative post, guys – great work! I think some tourists who come to London have so many other things they want to see in the city that they might not get round to visiting Oxford. But Oxford is a fantastic place to visit! It’s so pretty and there’s so much history there. It’s a perfect place to go for a day trip if you’re an international student who is living in London, or someone who has come to stay in London for a few months rather than just a week! I’d definitely recommend to anyone if they have the time.

September 25, 2018 at 8:14 pm

Hi Sophie, Thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes, we really love Oxford as well. Laurence used to live and go to school nearby when he was younger and likes to return to visit. It makes a great day trip from London for those interested in seeing a historic university town in England. We need to return again soon ourselves 😉 Best, Jessica

Vandana Post author

May 23, 2017 at 4:43 am

Hello dear,

such a apt write up with lovely pictures.

Me and my husband are planning to be in London next month. We will be in London / or around London for a week and then will be moving to Scotland post that. we plan to visit Oxford or cambridge or both, Stonehedge and York… Could you please suggest which of these places I can visit as day trip from london (i ll be staying with friends in paddington , london) and where I need to spend time overnight. we are young couple interested in architecture, fun, music and pubs

Appreciate your help! Vandana

May 25, 2017 at 3:38 am

Hi Vandana, If you have a week in London, I would probably not want to do more than two day trips from London if you also want to explore London since there is already so much to do there. We’re recommend getting a London Pass which covers most of the London attractions you’ll likely want to see and then consider a couple of the places you listed as day trips.

For the day trips, you can either drive yourself, take a local bus or train, or book a tour. Oxford and Cambridge are both fairly easy day trips from London (about 45 minutes to 1 hour on the train). Stonehenge is also a fairly easy day trip from London and best if you either have a car or book a bus tour – many of the bus tours also stop in the town of Bath as well. York is further away and you’ll need to take the train (2 hours each way) or bus and won’t have a lot of time to explore if you have to return so I’d recommend you stay overnight if you want to visit York or skip it on this trip.

Hope this helps. Best, Jessica

Leah Post author

May 14, 2017 at 1:52 am

Dear Jessica,

This is an excellent post!! We are planning our visit according to it, looking forward to get to Oxford, finally! 🙂 Just one technical question please- there’s a link to Oxford Tourism Board that doesn’t work. I looked it up and came up with this one: http://www.experienceoxfordshire.org/ It matches pretty much everything you mention, Is it indeed the same one..? Also, you mentioned the walking tour you took costs £9, but here the only tours i see start with £16. Not trying to scrimp or anything, just trying to find the one you recommended on 🙂 Would appreciate your advice.

Thanks a bunch!

May 14, 2017 at 2:18 am

Yes, thanks for pointing that out. It appears that one of the websites for Oxford tourism is now gone and whomever took it down did not do any redirects (frustrating for those who have linked to anything on their site!). I will update my links!

So yes, the Experience Oxfordshire is probably the best website in terms of official tourism info as it covers the entire region and I could not find an official one for just Oxford. In terms of the walk, the one we did is this one: Oxford University and City Walking Tour and appears to have risen in price a bit (this one is £14 if booked online). This one is sort of the “official” one and leaves from the visitor center. There are other Oxford city walks through companies such as Footprints , which offer paid and free walking tours in the city but I can’t speak to the quality as we haven’t taken any of them.

Hope this helps you book your tour in Oxford and do let us know if you have any other questions!

Mr. Mahmud Post author

April 19, 2017 at 10:00 am

Thank you for this thorough list about places to see in Oxford England! I’m going to London for the first period next weekend break. With one totally free day I now have various choices to pick for my day journey from London.

April 20, 2017 at 7:24 am

Hi Mr. Mahmud, You’re very welcome. If you only have one day, I would probably spend it in London but if you are there for 6 days or more, I would venture out to do some day trips and Oxford is a really great choice! Best, Jessica

budget jan Post author

May 21, 2016 at 3:56 pm

I’d like Trinity College Gardens, punting and antique shopping. Lovely photos of course 🙂

travelcats Post author

May 22, 2016 at 10:53 am

Hi Jan, those are all great places to visit while in Oxford!

Zaria Post author

May 8, 2016 at 3:21 pm

Hi Jessica and Laurence,

What an amazing experience! I would love to take a tour at the castle, so enchanting! The antique shops along with the architecture are fantastic. I hope one day I will be able to visit Oxford. Great post, thank you!

May 12, 2016 at 12:39 pm

Hi Zaria! Thanks for taking the time to comment on our post. Yes, Oxford is a great place to do some shopping and has some great museums and architecture! I hope you have the opportunity to visit some day. Best, Jessica

Mathavan Post author

May 2, 2016 at 4:34 am

I am really like the London and its places for the architectural style and its heritage building. Your one day trip plan and advice is very useful for who planing to a visit to Oxford from London! Thanks!

May 3, 2016 at 6:46 am

Hello Mathavan, Glad you found our article helpful in helping you plan your time in London. If you have already enjoyed a lot of the attractions in London, then a day trip to Oxford is a perfect way to get out of the city and see something new! A great excursion for those who love history, literature, and architecture. ~ Jessica

eileen g Post author

April 21, 2016 at 6:42 am

A lot of these sites look familiar to me from watching Morse on the BBC. It seems the show made the most of its Oxford setting. It seems like a very charming small city to spend a day or two in!

April 21, 2016 at 12:41 pm

Hi Eileen, Yes, I bet you do. I have never seen Inspector Morse but a lot of the show takes place in Oxford and so you probably are familiar with many of the main sights from watching the show. You would probably enjoy some of the walking tours that are themed around Inspector Morse! Oxford is a great city to explore over a weekend! ~ Jessica

Marcia Post author

April 17, 2016 at 6:34 pm

I love the bird’s eye view of the city. Must have to do that next time. Oxford is such a beautiful city – there’s something to see and do around every corner.

April 18, 2016 at 2:50 am

Hi Marcia, Yes, climbing up towers and getting good views (and photos) is one of Laurence’s favorite things to do in a new place. Luckily, there are a few ways to get good city views in Oxford:) ~ Jessica

Ruth Post author

April 17, 2016 at 3:40 pm

I like all your suggestions. How many days did you spend on the city? I will like to try punting. Well, I will let somebody else do the “rowing” since I do not thing I will be able to maintain my balance ;0)

April 18, 2016 at 2:47 am

Hi Ruth, Laurence actually went to boarding school just outside Oxford so we have stayed in or near Oxford a few times. But in order to get a good overview of Oxford, I would recommend 2 full days or 3 nights. That would give you time to visit a few of the university buildings, climb a tower or two, go punting for a couple of hours, visit the castle if you wanted, see the Covered Market, and visit a couple of museums. Yes, I was nervous about punting as I was afraid of our punt would flip and get all our camera gear wet! But lucky we never tipped over:) ~ Jessica

Rob Post author

April 16, 2016 at 3:37 pm

Have not visited Oxford, but would love to! Particularly to see Trinity and Exeter Colleges. I did not know staying in one of the dorms was an option! That’s something we’ll definitely check into. Great photos – they are certainly adding to the wanderlust we’re feeling!

April 17, 2016 at 1:56 pm

Hi Rob, Yes, it is a great way to visit the city if you don’t mind staying in a dormitory style room (many don’t have kitchen facilities and have shared bathrooms down the hall) and a fairly well-priced option. We have never visited at the right times of year but we’d love to do this in the future as well! ~ Jessica

Jackie Post author

April 16, 2016 at 6:28 am

Thanks for this great post, I linked it up on my Facebook page. We haven’t been to Oxford since the 1990s and were just saying we need to go back.

April 17, 2016 at 1:54 pm

Hi Jackie, Thanks so much for sharing our article on your FB page! Yes, we keep returning to Oxford so I am sure you’d enjoy a return visit as well:) ~ Jessica

Lyn Post author

April 15, 2016 at 9:50 pm

I’ve never been to Oxford but after seeing this now want to go. I just love the photo inside the chapel. There looks like a lot to see and do in Oxford, sounds like maybe more than a daytrip if we want to see it at its best. Thank you for sharing with us!

April 17, 2016 at 1:53 pm

Hi Lyn, oh yes, the Exeter Chapel is fairly small but so beautiful! Many of the chapels, dining halls, and gardens of the university buildings are definitely worth exploring if they are open during a visit. It is amazing how old some of the university and museum buildings are in the city. Yes, I think many people visit Oxford as a day trip from London or elsewhere but I think you could easily spend 2-3 days exploring the city more in-depth. We’ve been a few times together and are planning to return again later this month actually to visit a couple more places. ~ Jessica

Kerri Post author

April 15, 2016 at 9:08 pm

A very comprehensive guide to all things Oxford. I would love to go punting. I’ve been to the UK many times now but have never managed to fit this in.

April 17, 2016 at 1:49 pm

Hi Kerri, Punting is a very good thing to do in the UK. Some of Laurence’s friends from Oxford are very skilled at it! We did OK but it definitely takes some getting used to the steering. I’d definitely advise trying it if you are in the Uk in the Spring or Summer and have a day of good weather – great way to see an area slowly and to spend the afternoon with a picnic. ~ Jessica

Michael Woods Post author

April 14, 2016 at 7:33 am

So jealous! I’ve wanted to tour around London for a looong time. Haven’t found the time yet though..

April 17, 2016 at 1:47 pm

Hi Michael, there are many great places around London that are wonderful places to go – we’ve done many day and weekend trips in the London area. Laurence spent a lot of time growing up around Oxford so we return to that area quite often. I hope you find the time to explore some of these places on future trips! ~ Jessica

Seana Turner Post author

April 13, 2016 at 5:39 am

I’ve never been to Oxford and would love to go. I need to stay long enough in London to allow for it. Such a beautiful city. I would try the punting just for the experience, but learning about the history of places is my favorite part. And climbing towers – I love a good view!

April 17, 2016 at 1:45 pm

Yes, there are so many things to do in London that a lot of people don’t leave the city, especially if time is short. But I think Oxford is a great city to explore if you have the time and want to see a great historical university city in the UK. Yes, there are a few places that you can get a great view of Oxford and some exercise climbing all those steps! 🙂

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A Day Trip to Oxford, England: the Perfect One Day Itinerary

• May 15, 2023
• 4 minute read

Oxford is most well known as a university city. And yes, with 38 colleges, it’s got an amazing academic community and many institutions designed around it (such as the bookshop, Blackwell’s). But there is so much to love about Oxford, and much more to explore than you’d think! And if you find yourself traveling to London, or anywhere in England, Oxford is a must-see (even if you’ve only got a day)!

Here is my itinerary to ensure your perfect day trip to Oxford, England!

Affiliate links are used in this post. for more about affiliate links, check out my disclaimer policy ..

• Transportation: Getting to Oxford

If you’re in London, or elsewhere, one of the easiest ways to travel around England is by train. Personally, when I spent 5 weeks in the UK, I used Omio to book all my trains and I absolutely loved it.

The train ride from London to Oxford is between 1 and 1.5 hours, and the train itself is very spacious and comfortable. Round trip prices tend to range anywhere from $40-80 USD depending on time and luxury of the seat/cabins chosen. I chose the cheapest of the options (while also picking the ideal times I wanted) and stayed in the 45-50 USD range, so super affordable!

Table of Contents

8am-9:30am: ride train to oxford & settle in, 10-11am: brunch at vaults & garden, 11:30-1:30pm: visit the ashmolean museum, 2-3pm: stroll through oxford botanic garden, 3:30-5pm: tour the bodleian library, 5:30-7: enjoy dinner at three goats heads, 7:30-end of day: optional nightlife exploration, and there’s your day trip to oxford.

Depending on your sleep preferences, you might adjust this time. But keep in mind: if you’re only going to spend one day in Oxford, you’ll need to make the most of your time there! (Especially daylight, because while the pub life is great here, most businesses close super early throughout the city)

Oh, my goodness! Believe me when I tell you Vaults & Garden has some of the best breakfast you’ll have in England! V&G is a cosy, yet bustling café nestled into the University Church. Though Vaults & Garden has indoor seating, you’ll definitely want to snag a table in the outside courtyard. This way, you’ll be front row to the beautiful view that is Radcliffe Camera and the Bodeliean Libraries!

Constructed in 1845, the Ashmolean Museum is one of the best museums outside London! There are so many amazing art galleries (featuring some Vincent Van Gogh, if you’re a fan) as well as collections of Greek, Roman, and Indian artifacts. My favorite part was the collection of ancient Egyptian mummies!

While this is a generous walk the opposite direction of the Ashmolean, it’s beauty is definitely something to behold. Oxford’s Botanic Garden is actually Britain’s oldest, founded in 1621!

Bonus : If you’re hungry and can’t wait until dinner, there’s the delicious G&D Bagels on the way from the Ashmolean to the botanic gardens! Stop by and grab yourself a bagel (I recommend the pizza bagel) or an ice cream cone; they sell both!

Not only is it incredibly cool (and incredibly old), but has an insanely large collection that you absolutely have to see! And if you’re a Harry Potter fan, even better! Boldeian tours can take you through parts of the library used for the “Restricted Section” in the Harry Potter films as well as the Divinity School (used for the Hogwarts infirmary and in various scenes throughout the Goblet of Fire)!

Three Goats Heads is a must-visit restaurant for your day trip to Oxford! This restaurant is quite literally a hole in the ground, but also offers cozy outdoor dining if you wish to bask in the weather (provided it decides not to rain that day). It’s absolutely delicious. (I got the grilled chicken sandwich, yum!)

At this point, your next steps really depend on if you booked a place for the night, or if you need to commute back to wherever you might have come from! If you’ve booked a train out, say your last goodbyes to this quaint, amazing city!

If you’re here for the night and leave in the morning, boy, there’s some great pubs to check out! I can’t even choose just one for you, because there are too many. You might just have to pub-hop to experience it all (it’s worth it, I promise!).

The Port Mahon: This Oxford pub is usually filled with locals. The Port Mahon features live music and cozy indoor and outdoor seating!

The King’s Arms : One of Oxford’s most popular pubs, especially among university students and alumni. This famous pub is the oldest in Oxford, built in 1607 and still standing in its original form!

White Horse: When in Oxford, chances are every pub is famous! This pub dates from the 16th century, and claims to be Oxford’s smallest pub. Famous for its role in the Morse series, it was also frequented by Winston Churchill and Bill Clinton.

Turf Tavern : Probably one of Oxford’s most popular pubs. Turf taern is located right in the center of the action, not too far from Radcliffe Camera. You have to take a narrow alleyway hidden into a break between buildings. Then walk a fairly long trail until it opens up to a large courtyard where the bar is hidden. Though you’re in the middle of Oxford, this pub delivers the unparalleled feeling of being in a completely different world. This being said, it’s no wonder why this is a hotspot for celebrities. And why this tavern was also frequented by the Harry Potter cast and staff throughout their time filming in Oxford!

Oxford might be branded as a university town but it is so much more. The city boasts incredible architecture, stunning natural beauty, delicious food, and several well-known Harry Potter filming locations. So if you’re trying to decide where to visit in England, or what’s worth the trip, Oxford belongs firmly at the top of your list!

But don’t let this guide fool you, one day is truly not enough time to experience everything the city has to offer. If you’re interested in finding out more, or in potentially lengthening your stay, check out my 3 Day Oxford itinerary !

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• Ericka Rheanne

Hi! I'm Rheanne, a travel addicted booklover from the midwestern US. So far, I've explored 49 U.S. states (only Hawaii left!), and a few other countries. One of my favorite parts about travel is the planning, but I know it's not for everyone! It can often be overwhelming and stressful. I aim to provide you with as much ready-to-use travel information and trip planning as possible to alleviate some of your worries!

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Things to do in Oxford: 24 Must-See Oxford Attractions

Insider Oxford is supported by readers like you. If you buy something through the links on the website, I may earn a small commission. Cheers! Learn More

The city of dreaming spires, Oxford is a beautiful city packed with places to see. Looking for the best things to do in Oxford? Here’s where to start.

We might be biased, but Oxford is one of our favourite places in the UK – not least because we spent three years at university there. 

Personal bias aside, there are few places in the UK or Europe that can rival the city’s beautiful architecture and important history.

Whether you are visiting Oxford for the first or fiftieth time, there’s always something new to discover – some secret spot to find.

Check out the best things to do in Oxford – well-known spots and hidden treasures. Ready to explore? Let’s go.

PS – Only in Oxford for a short time? Read my guide to 24 Hours in Oxford.

What Are The Best Things to do in Oxford? Our Top Five Picks

The bodleian library.

The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest and biggest libraries in Britain.

The library (which is actually a series of interconnected libraries dotted throughout Oxford that are collectively referred to as the Bodleian Libraries) has an impressive history – some of its buildings have been libraries since the Middle Ages.

All very well and good, but it’s the library’s architecture that is really going to blow you away. From the gorgeous domed Radcliffe Camera to the fortress-like Old Bodleian Library, the “Bod” boasts some of the most striking buildings in Oxford.

If you only have time to visit two, make them the Radcliffe Camera and the Old Library.

The Bod’s interiors are no less impressive – it’s a working library so large sections of the library are off-limits unless you book onto a tour , which we highly recommend.

Even if you don’t – pay to enter The Divinity School, not only is it one of the Bodleian’s most ornately-decorated rooms, it also pops up in the Harry Potter films.

🦉 Check out these guided tour of Harry Potter filming locations in Oxford or read my guide to self-guided tour of Harry Potter locations .

The Radcliffe Camera

The building that launched a million camera clicks. The Radcliffe Camera is an iconic piece of Oxford architecture and sits at the heart of the city of dreaming spires. Ask anyone for the top places to go in Oxford and it will be there, right at the top of the list.

The Rad Cam, as its fondly nicknamed, was built in the 18th century – so it’s actually pretty modern by Oxford standards. Today, it functions as one of the main reading rooms of the Bodleian Library as well as the home of several of the library’s collections.

As with other parts of the Bodleian, it’s a functional library and off-limits unless you book onto a tour.

Want to see the very best of Oxford’s landmarks? Book onto a walking tour like this one to ensure you don’t miss a spot.

The Ashmolean Museum

The Ashmolean is Oxford’s flagship museum and one of the top Oxford sights. Widely recognised as the first modern museum in the world, the Ashmolean has been the university’s historical and archaeological collections since 1683.

Though it’s no longer in its original building (it’s grown way too big for them), The Ashmolean remains a fascinating walk through the history of different cultures from around the world.

The eclectic collection spans a broad range of artefacts and exhibits. Want to see larger-than-life casts of Greek and Roman sculptures? They’ve got you covered. How about ceramics and textiles from the Middle East? Same.

The Ashmolean underwent a huge renovation in 2009. The tart-up did it a world of good – collections are thoughtfully and interestingly presented.

Allot at least a few hours to explore. Plus, when you’re finished, spend some time in their rooftop cafe – one of the best cafes in Oxford .

Read More: The Best Museums in Oxford

Punting on the Cherwell

Going punting, with a picnic in tow and perhaps a cheeky concoction of Pimms and Lemonade, is one of the best things to do in Oxford (during the summer months).

Two rivers run through Oxford – the Isis (Thames) and the Cherwell. You can go punting on both—punting is that slightly weird form of boating where you propel the boat with a metal pole—on both.

We recommend the Cherwell for several reasons. First of all, it’s way prettier than the Isis —and obviously, that’s a very important thing.

➥ Book this student-guided punting tour on the Cherwell .

Secondly, if you punt away from the city centre, you slowly leave the crowds behind until it’s just you, your crew and the (sometimes scary) swans that will happily steal your lunch.

Start at Magdalen Bridge, punt upriver to the Victoria Arms in Marston to disembark for a leisurely lunch before floating downstream to where you began. Perfection.

➥ If punting sounds too scary, hop on a sightseeing boat tour like this one to explore Oxford from the water. 

The Pitt Rivers Museum

The Pitt Rivers Museum is one of Oxford’s quirkier and most interesting museums.

Centred around the collection of Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt Rivers, the museum opened in 1887 to showcase its anthropological treasures from around the world.

The Pitt Rivers features over half a million artifacts, which together tell the story of the history of man.

Don’t judge a book by its cover – this really is one of the top things to do in Oxford. Walking around the well-presented exhibits, which are ordered by type and by date, is a peek into faraway cultures.

Admission is free but there is a suggested donation of £5.

Oxford Sightseeing Spots – Must-Visit Oxford University Colleges

Christ church college.

If you only have time to visit one of the University of Oxford’s 38 colleges while you are in town, add Christ Church to your Oxford to do list.

Christ Church’s important history and beautiful architecture make a visit hands down one of the best places to visit in Oxford.

The college was founded almost 500 years ago, by Cardinal Wolsey – until he fell from favour and the college was pinched by King Henry VIII (he of divorced, beheaded, died fame… ).

Over the years, this connection with the Royal family continued. Christ Church was even the seat of King Charles I’s royal parliament during the brief four year period when Oxford was England’s capital during the Civil War.

Fast forward to the present day and you’ll find one of Oxford’s most magnificent colleges and definitely the only one to have its own cathedral.

Start with the vast Tom Quad, flanked by the Christopher Wren-designed Tom Tower then make your way to the dining room – one of Oxford’s unforgettable Harry Potter filming locations.

➥ Take this tour of Oxford University with Christ Church option .

Magdalen College

There aren’t many Oxford colleges that can say they have their own deer park within their grounds… but then Magdalen isn’t like many other Oxford colleges.

First up, Magdalen (pronounced maudlin ) is one of the richest colleges within the university (perhaps that explains the deer park).

Secondly, it’s just so very beautiful that you shouldn’t miss it on your list of places to visit in Oxford.

Like many Oxford colleges, you have to pay to enter. Once you do, take a peek at the cloisters, chapel and hall and, of course, take a turn around the deer park. It would be rude not to.

Keble College

Find yourself getting a bit desensitised to all that handsome sandstone? It’s OK, we’ve all been there.

Enter the Victorian Gothic masterpiece that is Keble College.

We are flabbergasted that Keble doesn’t make it onto many lists of Oxford tourist attractions – there are several reasons why you should add it to your Oxford sightseeing itinerary.

Keble’s crazy architecture – largely redbrick with contrasting white, black and golden patterns – was always meant to make a statement. Think it’s safe to say the architect William Butterfield definitely succeeded in that mission.

What’s more, Keble has a chapel striking enough to stop you in your tracks. Once inside, don’t miss the world-famous Light of the World painting by Holman Hunt – it’s secreted in a small room to the side of the chapel.

As if that’s not enough, the college’s hall is the longest in Oxford – not to mention its most impressive – it makes Christ Church’s look teeny by comparison!

Cool Things to See in Oxford

Sheldonian theatre.

Situated next to the Old Bodleian Library, you’re bound to notice the Sheldonian Theatre – it’s the Neoclassical style D-shaped building that projects out onto Broad Street. Wondering what it is?

The Sheldonian is the official ceremonial hall of Oxford University. As the place where you matriculate (are formally enrolled at the university) and graduate, it holds a special place in students’ hearts.

The Sheldonian was the first significant architectural project of Christopher Wren (who then went on to design some of the most important landmarks in London after the Great Fire – including St Paul’s Cathedral).

If you have time, book a Sheldonian tour , which explores the University’s history and gives you a chance to see the theatre’s interior – dominated by the ceiling fresco “Truth descending on the arts and sciences to expel ignorance from the university”.

University Church of St Mary’s

St Mary’s Church forms one side of Radcliffe Square – clustered by All Soul’s College, Brasenose College, the Old Bodleian and the Radcliffe Camera – it’s one of the top places to see in Oxford.

While the church itself is worth a visit, we’ll let you in on a little secret – the tower should be on your itinerary of things to see in Oxford. For a small fee, you can climb to the top of St Mary’s Tower for the best views of the city.

Now, we won’t lie… climbing to the top of medieval churches strikes fear into our hearts, favourite thing to do and this one is no exception. The steep winding stairs that take you to the top of the tower are vaguely terrifying, particularly on the way down.

That said, the views are absolutely spectacular – you can walk around all four sides for four completely different but equally mesmerising panoramas.

Worth the terror and the sore legs? Totally.

The Bridge of Sighs

Another of Oxford’s sights, the Bridge of Sighs may look vaguely familiar. That’s because it supposedly looks a bit like the famous bridge of the same name in Venice.

The bridge connects two parts of Hertford College – but really much of its appeal is its quirky appearance.

PS, the entrance to the Turf Tavern – one of Oxford’s oldest and prettiest pubs – is tucked down the alley to the left of the bridge if you’re walking away from the Bodleian Library.

➥ Take this tour of that makes a stop at the Bridge of Sighs .

Oxford Castle & Prison

Had enough of historical sites yet? Tough luck if the answer’s yes.

The Oxford Castle & Prison is a medieval Norman castle that’s been transformed into a historical site, hotel and entertainment complex in one.

It’s not as bizarre as it sounds – the hotel (Malmaison) has pimped up the former cells into comfortable rooms, while the bars and eateries are worth a pit stop.

More interested in the actual castle than its contemporary fripperies? You can take a guided tour to learn about the history of the building – which includes a 900-year-old crypt.

Ignoring the fact that the tours are led by costumed characters (shudder) and it’s actually an interesting way to learn about a side of Oxford that has nothing to do with the university.

➥ Book a guided tour of Oxford Castle and Prison .

Cool Things to do in Oxford – Exploring Cultural Oxford

The oxford university museum of natural history.

Housed in the same building as the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Oxford Museum of Natural History is one of the more surprising things to do in Oxford.

The building is impressive enough – its light-filled interior is one of my favourites. Add to that a large collection of zoological and geological specimens and you’ve got an Oxford sightseeing must.

You can’t help but notice the huge dinosaur skeletons that dominate the museum’s collection. Fossils and replicas give you an up-close-and-personal look at the different species on display.

Other highlights include the Oxford Dodo – one of the few of its kind in the world and said to be the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s character in Alice in Wonderland.

Modern Art Oxford

We’ll level with you – we personally think the exhibitions in Modern Art Oxford can be a bit hit and miss. But that’s standard for small galleries who show innovative exhibitions.

Don’t let it put you off. This small gallery is one of the more unusual things to do in Oxford but is well worth a visit.

Where else can you see exhibitions that aren’t afraid to challenge you or question the status quo – and for free too? When it’s good, it’s really good.

Hunt Out Oxford’s Harry Potter Filming Locations

Harry Potter geeks (us included) will want to check out the famous filming locations dotted across Oxford.

Even if you’re a little more lukewarm about Harry Potter (we’re not sure – can we even be friends?), visiting the filming locations is still an interesting way of seeing different parts of Oxford you might have found otherwise.

The atmospheric New College Cloisters are the perfect example – most people have no reason to hunt them out.

However, when we did (they double up as the spot where Mad Eye Moody turns Draco into a ferret), we found one of Oxford’s hidden treasures and a new favourite spot.

🦉 Check out these highly recommended tours of Harry Potter locations .

Discover Literary Oxford

Given its strong literary heritage, it’s perhaps no surprise that Oxford has more than its fair share of literary spots. Book-lovers can lose themselves in a world of finding the real life inspirations and locations from their favourite books.

Take Alice in Wonderland for example – Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Dodgson) was a scholar at Christ Church. Influences as diverse as the Dodo in the Oxford Museum of Natural History and the door into Christ Church’s cathedral garden find their way into the famous books.

Not forgetting the fantastical Narnia series, written by the well-known Fellow of Magdalen College, C.S Lewis.

Although there are traces of Narnia throughout Oxford, the best-known is the wooden door in the alley that runs down the side of St Mary’s Church.

Look closely and you’ll see that the door is flanked by two fauns, and has a lion on its centrepiece. It’s said to be the wardrobe door the book’s characters step through to reach Narnia…

📚 Take a this private C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien walking tour of Oxford .

Unusual things to do in Oxford

Visit the story museum.

When it comes to quirky Oxford things to do, The Story Museum is an often overlooked spot. This family-friendly spot celebrates the art of stories and story-telling, and the positive effects this has on people’s lives.

Head through the Whispering Wood and the Enchanted Library as stories from the city are told in an immersive and engaging way.

You can also hop onto the magical Story Craft, which allows you to fly through thousands of years of Oxford history – delving deeper into ancient myths and famous literature.

Take a Spooky Ghost Tour

Ready to get spooked? Maybe it’s just us, but we think that one of the best ways to explore a city is to take a creepy ghost tour at night – this one is led by author of Haunted Oxford , Rob Walters.

You’ll begin your journey on the corner of Turl Street – a spot that was once the city ditch and witness to terrible murders and persecution. But that’s only the beginning of your ghost-chasing evening.

From there, your guide will lead you through the creepiest parts of the city, passing sites such as the University and Bridge of Sighs as you go.

👻 Book the official “Haunted Oxford” ghost tour .

Best Things to do in Oxford – Food & Drink

Afternoon tea at the grand cafe.

Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British pastime – one that Oxford happens to do very well. The Grand Cafe is the place for afternoon tea in Oxford.

It stands on the site of England’s oldest coffee house – times and tastes may have changed but The Grand will always dish up fluffy, hot scones, huge slabs of cake and the requisite teas and coffees.

A cream tea, with two (very large) scones, accompanied by lashings of jam and clotted cream (which should be applied to the scone in that order) and a hot beverage of your choice is £10.95. 

An afternoon tea, which features the above, with an additional selection of finger sandwiches and petit fours is just under £20. Go hungry.

Read More: Unmissable Afternoon Teas in Oxford

Explore Oxford’s Cool Cocktail Bars

It would be a huge mistake to visit the city and not spend some time in Oxford’s brilliant cocktail bars .

In particular, Jericho , in the north of the city is a good place to find a cocktail bar or two.

Raoul’s has a reputation for serving up the best. Nearby, The Duke of Cambridge is a brilliant choice (they also just so happen to have a brilliant happy hour).

Freud’s boasts the most impressive setting – it’s located in an old Neoclassical-style church, but cocktails are a bit lacklustre compared to its nearby competitors.

When it comes to cocktails with a view, it should come as no surprise that Oxford has a few contenders – The Varsity Club looks straight out over central Oxford, while The Alchemist offers a different view from atop the Westgate Centre.

Still not enough? Strike out along Cowley Road for more options.

Read more: The Best Cocktail Bars in Oxford

The Eagle & Child

Any Tolkien or C.S Lewis fans in the house? You’ll want to add The Eagle & Child to your things to see and do in the Oxford itinerary.

What may look like a relatively standard pub at first glance has an intriguing history.

It’s best known as the former meeting place of “The Inklings”, a group of writers that included –  you guessed it – Tolkien and Lewis.

The group met here on a weekly basis to discuss and critique each other’s work – maybe if you sit in the same spot, a little of their literary genius will rub off on you…

Oxford Historic Pub Crawl

Whether tucked away on hidden alleys or sat in plain view – Oxford has more than its fair share of historic pubs . We’re yet to find another British city with so many gorgeous old boozers and a mini pub crawl between them is a fun thing to do in Oxford (for adults).

Start with one of the oldest – The Bear Inn. Hidden in the maze of streets between Christchurch and the High Street, there’s been a pub in this spot since 1242 – though its current incarnation dates from the 17th century.

Move on to our favourite, The Turf Tavern, thought to have opened in the 15th century. It’s a bit hard to find, but when you do, you will find a quaint old building that’s straight out of the history books and some of Oxford’s best pints.

From there, it’s a short hop to The Lamb & Flag. Perched across the road from The Eagle & Child, the Inklings also used The Lamb & Flag as one of their meeting spots.

It’s also rumoured that Thomas Hardy wrote much of Jude the Obscure sitting in the pub. Cheers to that.

Read More: Historic Pubs and Cool Drinking Dens in Oxford

The Covered Market

The 18th-century Covered Market sits in the heart of Oxford. Over 40 traders have stalls and shops within the market – pop in for a browse and you’re never sure what you’ll come out with.

The best way to explore is to just have a wander around, but there are a couple of places you shouldn’t miss while you’re there.

Coffee lovers should make a beeline for Colombia Coffee Roasters, an independent coffee shop who sources their beans from their own family farm in Colombia.

Hop into Ben’s Cookies next door for one (or three) of their indulgently gooey and delicious cookies or iScream for a tasty gelato.

Read More: The Best Cafes in Oxford

Best Places to Visit in Oxford – Parks and Green Spaces

Christ church meadow.

Those wondering what to see in Oxford will be delighted to find out that the city has a surprising number of green spaces – including Christ Church Meadow.

Sandwiched between the River Isis (the stretch of the river Thames that runs through Oxford), the river Cherwell and Christ Church College, the Meadow is one of the best places to visit in Oxford on a warm summer’s day.

Rowers heave boats onto the river from the boat houses that line the Isis – plump yourself down on the grass and watch as they skull their way along the river, or have a picnic under the shade of a tree – just watch out for the cows.

Port Meadow (and a Few Gorgeous Pubs)

Much beloved by locals but largely overlooked by tourists, Port Meadow is an extensive meadow in the north of Oxford, above the Jericho area of town.

The meadow is part of an ancient patch of grazing land that dates back over 4,000 years. You’ll still find cows and horses roaming free on the meadow today.

While it’s nice enough for a stroll or a picnic on the banks of the Thames, it doesn’t hurt that the meadow leads to two of Oxford’s prettiest pubs – The Perch and The Trout.

The Perch – a 17th-century country inn – is closer and a lovely spot for a quiet drink or two.

It’s a bit of a walk to The Trout but the walk takes you through bucolic scenes that have remained largely unchanged for millennia.

What’s more, the pub serves great food AND has peacocks roaming freely in its gardens.

Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum

Oxford’s Botanic Gardens is the oldest botanic garden in the UK and one of the oldest in the world. They’re the peaceful escape in the heart of the city – bursting with over 6,000 plant species that are organised into a series of collections.

It’s educational, but the real joy is simply appreciating the dramatic plantings, which somehow look good at any time of the year.

The glasshouses are our favourite part of the garden – a stroll through them transports you to different parts of the world, where tropical palms grow taller than houses, or where desert cacti burst into rare blooms.

Any fans of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy should also keep an eye out for a bench overlooking the Isis, which is said to be the place where the main characters Lyra and Will return year after year in their respective worlds.

Fans have etched tribute messages into the bench – you will know it when you see it.  

There we are – the top things to do in Oxford. Are you ready to explore?

Things to do in Oxford: Tips for Planning Your Trip

• Oxford makes the perfect day trip from London – but we always advise to spend more time there if you can. We suggest three days to explore the city at a leisurely pace.
• Don’t bother with the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus. The city centre is surprisingly small and very walkable. So many of the best things to do in Oxford are clustered in a small area that taking the bus just isn’t worth it.
• There are millions of tours of Oxford and not all of them are created equal. We’ve used GetYourGuide for tours in the past as they are very reliable. The tours offered by the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian and The Ashmolean are all very interesting.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes. We mean it. Those cobbles will destroy your feet if you venture out in heels.
• We’ve only covered central Oxford as this is what most visitors focus on – but there’s a lot more to discover down the Cowley and Iffley Roads if you have a little more time.

Oxford Attractions: Map

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Home » Europe » England » Oxford Day Trip: A One Day Itinerary in the City of Dreaming Spires

Oxford Day Trip: A One Day Itinerary in the City of Dreaming Spires

By Author Laura Longwell

Posted on Last updated: May 20, 2021

Oxford, England, is a stunning city packed with history, castle-like buildings, fun pubs, and lots of unique things to see. The city’s core is compact and highly walkable, making it easy to cover a lot of ground quickly, so it’s ideal for a brief visit. An Oxford day trip is just enough time to get a taste of all there is to do in this lively city.

I first fell in love with Oxford when I spent a month living at one of the colleges as a high school student. Since then, I haven’t been able to stay away and have spent lots of time exploring its top attractions and lesser-known sites . Based on all my visits, I’ve put together my top recommendations for what to see on a day trip to Oxford.  

Breakfast at George Street Social

Centrally located, George Street Social is an ideal place to stop for breakfast before you start your sightseeing adventures. The menu features reasonably priced dishes ranging from yogurt with granola to eggs Benedict. If you’re visiting on the weekend, you can even try their bottomless Prosecco brunch.

The fun café—it features books, board games, and even Legos— also has a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan options.

See the view from St. Mary’s

Seeing the city from above is one of the best ways to get the lay of the land and to kick of your day out in Oxford. The place to do it is the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin.

Climb the 127 steps up the tower at St. Mary’s for spectacular views of Radcliffe Square. Directly ahead is the circular Radcliffe Camera, and the sides of the square include the Bodleian Library and the 15th-century All Souls College. In the distance, you can see the city’s colorful skyline and many of Oxford’s famous “dreaming spires.”

Stop in to see the church’s interior while you’re there. The medieval structure was the first building of Oxford University and the site of many of the school’s earliest important meetings and events. The arches, carvings, and stained-glass windows are worth the time to peruse.

Tour the Bodleian Library

Just a few steps away is the Bodleian Library. A tour of the majestic building is a highlight of any day trip, especially for lovers of history or Harry Potter buffs.

There are several tour options that highlight different parts of the library. You can marvel at the carvings in the stunning 15 th -century Divinity School and see the Chancellor’s Court and Convocation House, which housed members of Parliament in the 1600s. Upstairs, Duke Humfrey’s Library, is the oldest reading room in the University and served as Hogwarts Library in the Harry Potter movies. Other tickets let visitors inside the reading rooms of the remarkable Radcliffe Camera.

Regardless of which tour you’re interested in, try to book two weeks ahead of time, if you can. The tours are quite popular.

Have lunch at the Covered Market

The Covered Market is a fun place to browse and the ideal spot for a quick lunch in the center of town. Opened in 1774, it is home to a wide variety of vibrant shops, produce stands, and cafes.

Two of our top options for lunch are Sasi’s Thai and Pieminister. Whether you opt for a flavorful Tom Yum soup or a British beef steak and craft ale pie, you’ll walk away full, but don’t miss stopping by Ben’s Cookies for a triple chocolate chunk on your way out.

Visit Christ Church

One of Oxford’s most well-known colleges, Christ Church was founded in 1546. Over its long history, it has educated 13 prime ministers as well as famous thinkers and authors like Lewis Carroll, who later wrote his tales of Alice in Wonderland when he was a professor there following his graduation.

A tour of Christ Church tells visitors the stories behind its famous buildings like its recognizable Tom Tower and its chapel, which is also the Cathedral of Oxford. You can see more filming locations from the Harry Potter movies and see inside the college’s dining hall. The hall is lined with portraits of famous former students and professors and was the inspiration of the Hogwarts dining hall.

After visiting the college’s quads and buildings, you can wander through the Christ Church Memorial Gardens or head a few steps away to Christ Church Meadow, a popular spot for picnicking, walking, and relaxing.

As with the Bodleian Library tour, a tour of Christ Church is one of the top stops for visitors spending a day in Oxford, so make sure to book the experience as far in advance as possible.

Go punting on the river

If the weather is nice, punting along the river is one of the best ways to spend a couple of hours. Cruising down the river in a flat-bottomed boat using only a wooden pole can take a bit of getting used to, but your ride can take you to the University Parks or even to a riverside pub for a pint and some people watching.

If you only want to dedicate a little bit of time to the activity or you prefer to have someone else do the heavy lifting, it is possible to hire an expert punter to chauffeur you along part the charming scenery.

Have dinner at Turf Tavern

Like any good university town (and especially one in the UK), Oxford is full of welcoming pubs where you can pull up a chair and get a perfect pint. In this city, many of them also have intriguing histories filled with stories about the famous figures that have passed through their doors. Our favorite of the storied pubs is Turf Tavern .

Well-hidden down a lane in the city center, this 400-year-old pub fills with locals, students, and visitors every night of the week. Signs outside have notes about visits from Tony Blair and Bill Clinton in their student days and other anecdotes about celebrities and notable figures who have spent time here.

You can grab a pint at the bar and order fish and chips or opt for a gin and tonic and spicy grilled halloumi under the umbrellas outside. If it’s your first time here, don’t miss seeing the central bar where the room looks centuries old.

Head to Jericho for a night out

A short walk from the center is the Jericho neighborhood. Known for its cool restaurants, cafes, and independent businesses, it’s a great place to come for craft cocktails and a fun night out.

Head to Jericho Tavern to hang out in the beer garden, check out the mixologists’ creations at Angels Cocktail Bar , or visit our favorite spot Raoul’s for its classic cocktails and signature creations.

How to get to Oxford from London

There are lots of options for traveling from London to Oxford, so moving between the two cities is easy. While the drive is only about 60 miles, most people will find public transportation to be the easiest option because parking can be a challenge. Oxford is served by several buses and train options.

Train: Every half hour, trains leave from London Paddington to Oxford. The walk from the train station to the center of Oxford is about 10 minutes.

Bus: The Oxford Tube bus from London to Oxford leaves from London’s Victoria Station approximately every half-hour. On its way out of town, it stops at Marble Arch, Notting Hill Gate, Shepherd’s Bush, and a few other stops. Depending on when you leave, the bus trip takes between 1 hour 40 minutes and 2 hours. The Gloucester Green Bus Station (last stop) is a 5-minute walk from the city center.

The Oxford Bus Company operates lines from Heathrow, Gatwick, and other London city locations.

Car : Driving from London should take approximately 75-90 minutes, depending on traffic on the M40. Parking is easiest at Park & Ride locations just outside the city center.

Laura Longwell is an award-winning travel blogger and photographer. Since founding Travel Addicts in 2008, she has written hundreds of articles that help over 3 million people a year get the most out of their travel. In that time, she has visited nearly 60 countries on 5 continents, often returning to favorite destinations over and over again. She has a deep love of history, uncovering unexpected attractions, and trying all the good food a place has to offer.

In addition to Travel Addicts, Laura runs a site about her hometown of Philadelphia—Guide to Philly—which chronicles unique things to do and places to see around southeastern Pennsylvania. Her travel tips and advice appear across the web.

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A Day Trip To Oxford

From exploring the city’s history, to great shopping and restaurants, this travel guide will help you plan your day trip to Oxford.

There are lots of great cities to explore in the UK, but one of my favourite is Oxford. I grew up around 40-minutes away so it’s a city I’m familiar with. The architecture of the city is simply amazing, with historic college buildings, churches and old shops giving so much character.

It’s a very walkable city and the roads can get busy. If you’re visiting I’d recommend taking public transport if possible. My trip was in collaboration with Omio , a travel booking site which allows you to book planes, trains and buses all through one platform. Most of the tickets are e-tickets, so you don’t have to worry about printing in advance, and it’s super simple to use. 

I booked a National Express coach and had an easy journey from High Wycombe to Oxford, enjoying beautiful views of historic West Wycombe and the impressive Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire countryside. 

Rather than continue to Oxford’s bus terminal at Gloucester Green I decided to disembark on the High Street where some of the historic college buildings had already caught my eye. If, like me, you’re visiting Oxford for a day, you’ll be keen to pack in as much as possible. 

So with only 24 hours in Oxford, and lots of sightseeing to pack in, what activities would I recommend?

Explore The University Of Oxford And The City’s Architecture

38 colleges make up the historic University of Oxford – the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It’s incredible when you think that teaching started in the 11 th and 12 th centuries! The centre of the city is saturated with stunning architecture, and you really do feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you wander the streets past Baliol College, Jesus, Brasenose and more. I love how you don’t need to plan your sightseeing in Oxford… you can just wander the streets and see what you discover!

For me, the most beautiful part was walking through Radcliffe Square, home to the impressive circular Radcliffe Camera. I also loved passing the Bridge of Sighs and the 17 th Century Sheldonian Theatre, designed by Sir Christopher Wren – a former student at the university. 

While I didn’t explore inside any of the universities on this visit, many are open to the public. For a small fee (between £2 and £7) you can wander the grounds and explore some of the most ancient colleges and beautiful chapels. 

If you’re looking for the top things to do in Oxford, I’d highly recommend walking down to Christ Church – often named as one Oxford’s most beautiful colleges and famed for its impressive cathedral.  

Go On Your Very Own Adventure In Wonderland

Lewis Caroll (known as Charles Dodgson) studied maths at Christ Church, Oxford, and it’s in this city that Alice’s adventures in wonderland began. There are plenty of spots in the city that bring the magic to life.

On St. Aldates is Alice’s Shop – the very shop where Alice Liddell (Lewis Caroll’s muse) loved to buy her sweets. Inside the store today you’ll find hundreds of items of memorabilia, from Mad Hatter tea party crockery, to artwork, and even Alice fancy dress outfits! Don’t miss the White Rabbit staring anxiously at his pocket-watch at the door!

Stepping inside Christ Church may be a must for Harry Potter fans… but once inside its majestic Great Hall there’s also a famous stained glass window to Alice. 

And just a stone’s throw away is Cafe Loco – a themed café with Alice in Wonderland artworks on the walls and a Mad Hatter Tea Party menu! 

Climb The Tower At St Mary The Virgin

One of the top Oxford tourist attractions also offers the BEST views of the city!

Climb the church tower of St Mary The Virgin and you’ll be rewarded with views of the beautiful colleges, church spires and greens that make up Oxford city centre. It only costs £4, so is perfect if you’re on a budget.

The 62m tower dates from the 13th century and while the stairs up are narrow and steep, it’s definitely worth the effort! It’ll help you get your bearings of where the key sights are located, and help you plan what else to do on your London to Oxford day trip.

Take A Break At England’s Oldest Cafe

An Oxford institution, The Grand Café sits on the site of the oldest coffee house in England according to Samuel Pepys’ Diary of 1650.

The luxurious room with sweeping bar and huge mirror is a lovely place to enjoy a break from sightseeing.

I tucked into a delicious chocolate brownie, which was warm, indulgent and gooey in the middle!

Shop At Oxford Covered Market  

A maze of over 40 boutiques and foodie spots, Oxford Covered Market is a wonderful place to meander around. Dating back to the 1770s, it’s worth a visit for the architecture alone.

On your Oxford trip, be sure to check out The Oxford Cheese Shop (which sells lots of great locally made cheeses), The Cake Shop (where you can watch the experts creating incredible cakes right in the window) and cute boutique Fresh Clothing.

Challenge Your Friends At Thirsty Meeples Board Games Café

What an amazing place to visit on your Oxford day tour! Thirsty Meeples is home to a treasure trove of over 2000 board games. When I visited almost every table was taken, with people enjoying a good game, a drink and a chat. In a time where everyone seems to be glued to phones and laptops, it was really refreshing!

Don’t expect to turn up and play monopoly or scrabble – there are so many games you’ve never heard of, you should definitely try something new.

They charge a small fee per person for use of the table and game for three hours (£5 for adults / £3.50 for children) and while there you can choose from a menu of snacks, sandwiches, coffee, craft beer or cocktails (depending on how much you want to concentrate!)

Enjoy Oxford’s Quirky Shopping Scene

Queen Street and the High Street are home to chain stores including Marks and Spencer, French Connection, Primark and Topshop. But why go all the way to Oxford for a standard shopping experience?

If you’re visiting oxford for the day and fancy a rummage, check out Unicorn vintage store on Ship Street. Jam-packed with items, it was tricky to even open the door! Once inside wade through mountains of fur coats, retro dresses and costume jewellery – you might find a real gem!

For something more up to date, head to Fresh Clothing in Oxford Covered Market. I loved the bright coloured dresses and quirky shoes. There were also some lovely floral accessories!

Babylon, a gift and homeware store on the High Street also caught my eye with its fun window displays featuring flamingos and colourful cushions.

While I didn’t have the chance to go in (yes I was racing to the bus station!) I snapped a quick photo of Arcadia – an eye-catching shop selling second-hand books and vintage items. It looked perfect for gifts so I’ll be sure to squeeze a visit in next time I’m enjoying a day trip to Oxford.

Venture Into Oxford Castle Quarter

Just before catching my National Express coach home, I walked to Oxford Castle Quarter . With 1000 years of history, it’s worth checking out the beautiful exterior and 11th-century Motte and Bailey Castle, even if you don’t fancy venturing inside.

The area is also home to a Pizza Express, Prezzo, a coffee shop and even a Malmaison Hotel – with the rooms located in a converted Victorian prison! In the past people were dying to leave that building… and now people are paying to stay there…!

Is Oxford worth visiting?

100% – I love the city and I think this day trip to Oxford from London is one of my favourite day trips you can take from the capital. 

People sometimes ask me how long they should spend in Oxford, and while there’s plenty to keep you busy for several days (including some lovely things to do in Oxford at night which I haven’t mentioned in this post), I think a one day trip to Oxford from London gives an amazing flavour of the city, before you start planning return visits to go into more detail. 

Book your day trip to Oxford with National Express  via Omio now and find out more about what there is to do in the city at experienceoxfordshire.org .

Enjoyed this post about amazing things to see in Oxford? Pin it for later…

Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

7 thoughts on “A Day Trip To Oxford”

If I ever get back to London, I will make sure to visit Oxford aswell. Looks like a cute, english town . x

I hope you get the chance to visit. It’s so pretty! I really love it there.

I do so adore the city of dreaming spires!

I love that name for it! You really feel it when you’re up the tower looking out too…

I love Oxford! All of the Harry Potter locations and University colleges are so much fun to explore. Maybe you can try and convince Oxford to let you into All Souls College next time? 😀

Hey Alice – glad you love it too!! I would love to visit All Souls next time – fingers crossed for an invite!!

Tks for the article! I’m going to Oxford and I find it very useful. 🙂

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12 Things To Do On A Day Trip To Oxford From London! By Train or Bus!

Categories England , London , U.K

Oxford is a great city to spend the day in and due to the short journey time, it’s very possible to do a day trip to Oxford from London getting there by Bus or by Train.

There are so many things to do in Oxford in one day so in this list I have included things to see in Oxford like famous historical buildings that are must-visits in Oxford, especially if you are visiting for the first time!

But, I have also given you a few  different and unique Oxford Day Trip things to do that you can’t miss and that will make you feel like a local in Oxford!

Day Trip To Oxford From London

How to get to Oxford from London.

London to oxford by train., london to oxford by bus..

It’s possible to get a bus from London to Oxford too. It takes slightly longer at about 2 hours but it will more often than not be cheaper than the train with prices starting from £5.00 each way through The Train Line too .

I would definitely check both train and bus options though as the bus may actually be more expensive if you are looking to go within the next few days!

Oxford Day Tours From London.

If you’re short on time, you want to visit more than just Oxford in one day, or you want things organised for you, a  day tour from London to Oxford is a good idea:

This tour combines Oxford and the Harry Potter Studio!

This tour combines Oxford with the nearby Cotswolds from London ,

This tour visits Oxford and Cambridge in one day from London.

Oxford Day Trip Things To Do!

1. visit oxford castle first.

Oxford Castle is well located right next to Oxford Train Station, therefore if you want to visit, it’s a good idea to go when you get off the train to save you time because you only have one day in Oxford.

Oxford Castle is number one on my list of things to do in Oxford on a day trip to Oxford from London because if you start off here, you’ll get to witness some of Oxford’s oldest (and scariest) history!

2. Brunch at The Handle Bar Cafe & Kitchen

After getting to Oxford by bus or train if you’re like me you’ll be very hungry, especially if you did visit Oxford Castle first, and it will be the perfect time for brunch or lunch, and The Handle Bar Cafe is a great place to head to.

Oxford train station is right in the centre of the city which is another reason why it’s easy to do a day trip to Oxford from London!

The Handle Bar Cafe is a 10-minute walk into the centre . It’s very deceiving as the downstairs entry is a bike shop, however upstairs is a beautifully decorated, light, quaint but modern cafe with a bike theme.

Their menu is amazing for brunch and lunch options. I had the Vegan Avocado on Toast but I did get food envy over the pancakes.

This is a great way to start your oxford day trip and get planning your route around Oxford.

3. Snap the Colourful Houses on Holywell Street

For one of the unique things to do in Oxford on your day trip from London, head Holywell Street which has a beautiful row of pastel-coloured terrace buildings.

It’s also home to many more beautiful houses and what I loved perhaps more, is that this street was so quiet compared to the busy main streets on a Saturday afternoon. Definitely visit Holywell Street if you need some colour and calm!

4. Visit the Famous Colleges and Universities

Oxford is known for its beautiful buildings and especially those of its colleges and universities!

Merton College is in the centre of Oxford which makes it easy to visit on a day trip to Oxford from London, it’s one of the oldest college’s in Oxford and is only £3.00 to enter!

Christ Church College is where you should head if you are a Harry Potter fan as it was used as a filming location!

Magdalen College is another beautiful building and college right in the centre of Oxford. It’s right near the river too which makes it a great place to go punting from. Keep reading for more information on that!

5. Check out a View of Oxford from the University Church of St Mary’s

I love visiting a viewpoint in a new city for a viewpoint in Oxford, going up the spire of the University Church of St Mary’s seems like the best way to see Oxford.

It’s right in the centre, opposite the very iconic and beautiful Radcliffe Camera (my next point) and best of all its pretty inexpensive at £4.00 , which is great considering Oxford is a popular city for tourists!

• More Day Trip from London Ideas:
• 25 Day Trip From London By Train Ideas!
• 10 Things To Do in Brighton on a Day Trip from London!
• 10 Things To Do in Bath on a Day Trip from London!
• Visiting the Seven Sisters Cliffs on a Day Trip from London!
• Visiting the White Cliffs of Dover on a Day Trip from London!
• A Day Trip to Stonehenge & Bath from London!

6. Marvel at the Radcliffe Camera

Ok, this is a famous historic building in Oxford, not a hidden gem, but it has to be on my list of things to do in Oxford on a day trip, you can’t go on a day trip to Oxford from London and not see it!

I think the Radcliffe Camera is the most iconic building in Oxford and it’s not hard to see why as it’s really beautiful! It’s part of the University and was built in 1737–49 to house the Radcliffe Science Library.

It’s not possible to go inside but the outside makes up for it I think!

7. Explore the Historic Covered Markets

Oxford is all about the big beautiful buildings so I was surprised to come across the historic covered market full of indie shops and small alleys. It’s another nice break from the busy main streets and tourist attractions of Oxford.

For more ways to see Oxford, have a look at these walking tours, bus tours and boat tours which you can book online in advance so your day is planned out for you!

8. Drink on the Rooftop of The Varsity Club like a Local!

The Varsity Club is right next to the covered market so if you go to one, you should go to both!

It’s a buzzing bar and beautifully decorated but the real selling point, in my opinion, is the rooftop! Whether you’re in need of an alcoholic drink or not I would try to get up there for some kind of drink during your day trip to Oxford from London!

I went on a Saturday in Spring and the streets were busy however we got a table on the rooftop within 10 minutes at lunchtime and I would say it’s because The Varsity Club is more popular with locals rather than tourists so it’s perfect for your day in Oxford and one of the best things to do in Oxford on a day trip!

Once you get to Oxford, if you want a guide to show you around so you can learn more about the city, these would be really great tours to go on:

9. Afternoon Tea at Vaults and Garden Cafe

This is Oxford’s most unusual Cafe as it’s based inside the University’s Old Congregation House from 1320 amongst gravestones, and right opposite the Radcliffe Camera! Vaults and Garden Cafe offer’s breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea using local and fresh products.

We had the afternoon tea which was really yummy and they were able to accommodate me with vegan alternatives. You do have to pre-book the afternoon tea but you can just turn up for breakfast or lunch. If the sun is shining try to sit outside too!

If you’d rather have Afternoon Tea on a Sightseeing River Cruise, you can book that here!

10. See an Alternative side of Oxford on Cowley Road

Cowley Roadmile-longe long street which runs South-East from Oxford’s Magdalene Bridge.

It’s gone from being a very poor area of the city to a very bohemian area of Oxford thanks to its young, international influence, and many international bars and restaurants.

I didn’t get to visit when I was there but I would try to if I was you as it sounds very interesting and it’s home to a lot of history, but in different ways than the rest of the city. It seems like the perfect place for dinner before heading back home and to London.

11. Get Green in the Botanical Gardens

The University of Oxford Botanical Gardens is the oldest Botanical Garden in England and it’s located right in the city centre so if you’re over the architecture and need some greenery then head here.

It costs £4.50 to enter and there are free tours available too. All of the plants are named so you know what you’re looking at. I didn’t go but after reading this post on the gardens I wish I had so add this to your Oxford day trip things to do.

12. Punting, because you’re in Oxford!

I couldn’t leave punting off of the list of things to do in Oxford on a day trip could I!

We didn’t go punting on my day trip to Oxford from London and I wouldn’t think it’s much fun if you’re on your own but if you’re in a group and it’s not too much of a wait for the boats (we saw some big queues) then its worth going as it is very English and very Oxford!

FAQ About Day Trips to Oxford from London

How do i spend a day in oxford.

There are so many things to do in Oxford for one day including visiting Oxford castle, visiting famous collages and universities, going punting on the river, visiting the markets and shops in Oxford and enjoying the good cafes and restaurants.

What is the best way to get from London to Oxford?

The best way to get from London to Oxford is via train as there is a quick and easy train route and Oxford train station is in the centre of the city. There is also a bus that runs from London to Oxford, or you can drive.

How much does it cost to travel from London to Oxford?

The bus from London to Oxford starts at £5.00 each way and train tickets start at £13.00 off peak.

Is Oxford worth visiting?

Yes! Oxford is one of the most famous cities in the UK so whether you live in the UK or you are visiting from abroad it is worth visiting this beautiful and charming city to see the famous sights and things to do in Oxford.

Is Oxford worth visiting for one day?

Yes! Oxford is a vert walkable city therefore it is possible to see a lot of Oxford in just one day. If you arrive to Oxford by train the train station is in the centre so it is easy to walk from the train station around the rest of the city and back again in one day.

I hope you’ve found this list useful and it gives you some ideas on what to do in Oxford!

To book your train ticket to Oxford check out The Train Line here.

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Tilly Jaye Horseman

Friday 15th of February 2019

Found your post on Pinterest when looking for things to do in Oxford - I'm going tomorrow. Not been to Oxford since 2011 so looking forward to it! Think I may head to the Handle Bar Cafe for breakfast - sounds like a great place to start. And would love to go up the church tower for the views! Fingers crossed the weather will be clear enough to make it worthwhile!

TheWanderingQuinn

Saturday 16th of February 2019

Hello Tilly, so glad you found my post, thank you for letting me know! That sounds like the perfect way to start the day! They do a great brunch! And I hope the weather does clear for you!! Enjoy it :)

Margie Miklas

Sunday 9th of September 2018

Love your posts, Ellie. So glad I came across your blog I'm hoping to visit the UK and Oxford soon

Ah thank you so much Margie. I’m so glad you came across my blog and I hope you get to the U.K. soon! :) If you have any other questions just let me know :)

Wednesday 20th of June 2018

I've never been to Oxford before but would love to visit. The coloured houses and stunning architecture are a big draw for me!

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How To Spend A Perfect Weekend In Oxford – 2 Day Itinerary

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

UK resident looking for a mini-break? Overseas visitor searching for a handy Oxford itinerary? Either way, you’ve found my blog and you’re about to have a great time during your weekend in Oxford. Oxford may not always be my hometown since I’m frequently travelling elsewhere, but it’s my much-loved base to return to. I grew up in a small town near Oxford and have worked in the city for two of the past five years. After close to three decades living here, it’s safe to say I know Oxford pretty well.

There are a few things that tourists come for so I’ll delve into these so you can tick off those must-sees, but I’ll also share my favourite quirky corners and lesser-known attractions. I’m going to share my 2 day Oxford itinerary to help you plan the perfect trip.

Read next: cheap travel and budget tips for UK travel

OXFORD ESSENTIALS Oxford & Cotswolds Pocket Lonely Planet guidebook Hotels: Booking.com Activities: GetYourGuide Getting there: Trainline / Busbud

How to spend a weekend in Oxford

As a small city, Oxford isn’t short on activities, history or entertainment; quite the opposite. Whatever you’re into, there are things to do in Oxford for all ages and interests. Many of the buildings date back 600 years or more which means it’s a great place for history buffs and architecture fans.

Plenty of travellers visit to see the Harry Potter locations in Oxford as some of the movies used the colleges as their filming locations. There are beautiful botanical gardens and the chance to go punting along the river. Then, there are plenty of independent shops and businesses, as well as excellent Oxford restaurants , markets, cafes and coffee shops to enjoy during your weekend in Oxford.

Just have one day in Oxford? Check out my Oxford day trip itinerary here.

Where is Oxford?

Oxford is in southern England, north-west of London. It only takes an hour to reach from London (depending on your mode of transport) and it’s nearby to other southern cities including Bath , Bristol and Cheltenham. If you have spare time while visiting Oxford, there are plenty of lovely places to visit in the Cotswolds just a short drive away.

Getting to Oxford

By train: The quickest way to reach Oxford is by train which takes as little as 58 minutes from London Paddington or London Marylebone. The train arrives into Oxford railway station which is a short walk into the centre of Oxford. Book in advance at the Trainline . By bus – the Oxford Tube coach takes 90 mins to and from Shepherd’s Bush and slightly longer to Victoria. At £18 for an anytime return, it’s a cheap and convenient option (no pre-booking required and coaches run up to every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day). To check there aren’t better deals for your dates, use Busbud which is a UK bus comparison tool and booking website.

By car – if you are arriving by car, there are several places to park in Oxford including three Park & Rides. These bus services allow you to park on the outskirts of Oxford reducing congestion and catch a quick bus into the centre of town. Parking is only £2 which is much cheaper than the city centre car parks. I’ve used Pear Tree Park & Ride in the past.

Where to stay during an Oxford weekend break

There are plenty of places to stay in Oxford for all budgets. Browse best Oxford accommodation here . Luxury option: Once a jail, the Malmaison is now a hotel with rave reviews. You’ll be staying in the old cells which have been refurbished into luxurious rooms and suites.  Check availability from £130 per night . Mid-range option: George Street Hotel is located in the heart of town with most attractions on your doorstep.  Check availability from £97pn .

Top activities in Oxford

• 2 hour Harry Potter walking tour inc Bodleian Libraries (£20)
• Afternoon tea river cruise (£39)
• Sunset boat cruise & 3 course meal with Prosecco (£60)
• City and University tour with alumni (£20)
• Oxford off the beaten track river cruise (£29)

Oxford itinerary

With 2 days in Oxford, you won’t feel rushed. Many people visit Oxford as a day trip from London which, when you include travel time, gives you time to see the highlights, if not do Oxford justice. This weekend Oxford itinerary will allow enough time for sightseeing, as well as more mealtimes … The most important time of day! There’s loads of good food in Oxford so this is an excuse to eat as much of it as possible.

Oxford itinerary – Saturday morning

So, how to spend a perfect weekend in Oxford? Let’s get stuck into my 2 day Oxford itinerary…

Check out Oxford’s iconic buildings

A must for any Oxford weekend is get immersed in the historical city centre. The Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre and the Bridge of Sighs are great places to begin and sit within a few moments walk of each other. Tolkien, Lewis Carrol and C.S Lewis wrote Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland and the Narnia series whilst surrounded by these buildings. Can you tell they were feeling inspired? The Radcliffe Camera: This iconic building in the centre of Oxford is the city’s most photographed building, often used to as an emblem of the city. It was built to house the University’s Science Library and still acts as a library today. Visitors can’t wander inside freely which is okay because the outside is the highlight. However, you can book an interior tour on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays on an extended Bodleian Library tour .

Sheldonian Theatre: Another impressive visit to add to your Oxford itinerary is this performance venue mainly used these days for Oxford University events. However, it’s a must to swing by and admire from the outside especially to see the Sheldonian Heads, a set of thirteen characterful statues guarding the outside.

To see these sights with an Oxford alumni, take this city and University tour .

The Bridge of Sighs: This elegant bridge is another iconic place to photograph during a weekend in Oxford. The skywalk hangs over New College Lane connecting parts of New College. You can’t walk across it but you can walk underneath it and snap some photos.

Read next: 32 free things to do in Oxford

Bodleian Library

Nearby to Radcliffe Square, the Bodleian dates back to the 1400s, making it the oldest purpose-built Oxford University building. The oldest reading room within the library is Duke Humfrey’s Library. If the medieval maps and manuscripts don’t excite you, maybe the fact it was used as a Hogwarts filming scene in the Harry Potter movies. You can only visit the Bodleian as part of a tour. Book Bodleian tours in advance .

Divinity School: The Bodleian Library is attached to the Divinity School which is another of Oxford’s key sights. Once a lecture theatre, it was recently used in Harry Potter filming as the Great Hall during a Hogwart’s ball. The intricate ceiling of this building is well worth seeing during your Oxford weekend. For just £2.50 you can enter the Divinity School without pre-booking. Alternatively, visit the Bodleian as part of a Harry Potter filming tour .

Climb a tower

For the best view in Oxford, head up the University Church of St Mary the Virgin on High Street. You’ll pay £4 but it’s well worth it. Following a steep climb up a very windy staircase, you’ll look out for miles around and get great shots of All Souls College (below) and the Rad Cam.

St Michael’s Saxon Tower – another lovely panoramic view in Oxford can be seen from this ancient tower on the corner of Turl Street and Cornmarket. The views must have changed considerably since the tower was built 1,000 years ago! It’s £4 to climb to the top and is open from 10.30am until 5pm.

Saturday lunch

Wander through the lovely Oxford Covered Market where you’ll find a host of shops and stalls from Indian jewellers to Korean canteens. This cosy indoor market with lots of independent Oxford businesses if one of my favourite places in the whole city. There are a couple of delicious lunch spots.  Georgina’s colourful cafe is great for veggie-friendly Greek mezze. If you fancy a cheap and healthy lunch, brave the queue for Alpha Bar , one of the best salad bars I’ve been to with lots of luxe ingredients. Sasi’s serve some of the best Thai food in town, and Brown’s do a mean fry up!

Read next: The best markets in Oxford

If you fancy a decadent weekend treat, I’d recommend The Grand Cafe or The Rose on the High Street for a traditional English afternoon tea. Sandwiches, cakes and tea will set you back around £15pp. Other places for lunch during a leisurely Oxford weekend away include Vaults & Garden for tasty soups, sandwiches and cakes with a view of the Radcliffe Camera, and Queen’s Lane Coffee House , a cosy English and Turkish cafe serving food and coffee since 1654. In good weather, why not take an afternoon tea river cruise (£39) ?

Explore a college

No weekend in Oxford would be complete without going inside a college. There are 45 colleges dotted around Oxford, hidden away down alleyways and back streets. These walled colleges were founded many centuries ago to protect the students who were persecuted by the local townsfolk. Today, they provide the charm that tourists from all over the globe come to Oxford to seek.

Read next: A visitor’s guide to the Oxford colleges

Christ Church

Christ Church is most famous and touristic Oxford college largely due to its many Harry Potter filming locations inside. As one of Oxford’s key touristic attractions, I’d say include it in your Oxford itinerary if you have the budget but don’t obsess over it. Christ Church is busy and expensive at £16pp so you could consider exploring a cheaper college (which includes all the others). If you do choose to visit, you can wander independently and spy the staircase and dining hall used in Harry Potter filming, take a guided tour and go inside Christ Church Cathedral. Afterwards, relax in spacious Christ Church Meadow (no ticket required).

Balliol College

This pretty college right in the city centre has all the charm you’d expect from an Oxford college but none of the tourist footfall. Admire wisteria growing over old golden stone in the spring months and wander the quad to see students go about their day. Entry is just £3 from 10am to 5pm.

Magdalen College

Located a little out of town just before Magdalen Bridge, this larger Oxford college has large grounds, a herd of deer and an Instagrammable red phone box with flowers growing inside. Entrance is £8, June-September 1pm-7pm, rest of the year until 6pm.

New College

Another of my favourite Oxford colleges is New College because you can wander through the attractive cloisters (hallways with large open windows to the grounds). If they look like scenes from Harry Potter, well that’s because they are! Entrance is free from 2pm-4pm in the winter months (October to March) if you enter via Holywell Entrance. It’s £8 the rest of the year via the Queen’s Lane entrance.

Head through Holywell Street

Once you’ve soaked up the inside of a golden college, pass through Holywell Street for all that’s bright and beautiful. It’s one of my favourite streets in the city and I especially love these colourful houses. Insider tip: there’s a really authentic, reasonably priced Japanese restaurant here called Edamame should you want Japanese food during your Oxford weekend.

Visit Oxford Castle & Prison

If you have a full 2 days in Oxford, you’ll definitely have time to explore Oxford Castle, a medieval castle just five minutes’ walk from the city centre. The Castle was restored in the 12th century which means today you can still view its original features like its moat and walled courtyard. The Prison is now a boutique hotel, Malmaison , which you can opt to stay inside. If you have limited time, admire the castle mound and wander around the Castle Quarter which is now home to cafes and shops. For full access to the interior, old prison, learning centre and gift shop, book a ticket including a guided tour for £15. With more time on your hands, you can the Jailbreak Escape Room, take a Bill Spectors Ghost Tour or even a murder mystery evening.

S aturday dinner

To liven up your weekend in Oxford, h ead to quirky neighbourhood , Jericho, which is just a 10-minute walk from the train station. Check out my guide to visiting Jericho Oxford . These are the top places I would recommend eating in Jericho: The Old Bookbinders  – this quirky pub serves French food mussels with garlic butter, sirloin steak, charcuterie boards and crepes in all every flavour under the sun. You can try the house ales, lagers, ciders, wines and spirits.

Read next: The best restaurants in Jericho, Oxford

The Rickety Press – for stonebaked pizzas and craft beers, you can’t beat this cosy pub on Cranham Street. The pizzas are really excellent with options including chorizo, chilli, basil, truffle oil and basil. I also like the burgers with beef, chicken and pulled jackfruit options. Prices are reasonable with pizzas from £6 and burgers from £7. Don’t miss the truffle parmesan fries!

Oxford itinerary – Saturday night drinks

Oxford isn’t the best city in the UK for nightlife but there are a few options, especially if you fancy a few rounds of cocktails. These include: Oxford Wine Cafe (Jericho) – this bright, spacious bar is open all day serving white, red and sparkling wines from around the world as well as tapas dishes to line the stomach. I love the relaxed interior of this cafe with rustic wood tables and long windows. Raoul’s Bar and Liquor Store (Jericho) – I love this dimly-lit cosy bar on Walton Street with a huge cocktail menu. The mango and lychee collins and bourbon brûlée can’t be missed. You can order sour cocktails, tiki drinks, English-themed cocktails and teapot sharers. Seriously the best cocktails in Oxford. Turf Taven – you’ll find this pub nestled down the tiniest of alleyways and it’s sure to take you back to the 13th century when it was built. Although not enormous, it’s one of my favourite Oxford pubs with gardens . As well as Bill Clinton allegedly smoking a spliff there and the Harry Potter film cast using it as their local, there’s apparently a friendly ghost named Rosie.

Eagle & Child – this traditional British pub serves standard drinks and pub grub but you’ll probably want to visit for its history: C.S Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien wrote their famous novels there. The Varsity Club  – find this gorgeous rooftop bar above Oxford Covered Market. The cocktails are decent but the highlight is the views out across Oxford’s dreaming spires. If a party’s on the agenda, you’ve got a choice of clubs for later like Atik and Purple Turtle.

Oxford itinerary – Sunday

Let’s continue this 2 day Oxford itinerary in the best possible way: brunch! If you’re up for a full-blown breakfast and don’t mind a bit of a walk, I love Cafe Coco on the Cowley Road. For a traditional English breakfast in the city centre, try the Handle Bar Cafe & Kitchen on St. Michael’s Street.

Read next:  Where to find the best brunch in Oxford

George Street Social offer a boozy brunch available from 12-4 on weekends costing £25 for a brunch dish and prosecco. They serve classic brunch dishes including eggs and avo.

Sunday sightseeing for sunny weather

For your second day in Oxford, you can move past the must-see attractions of the city centre and explore a few other parts of Oxford. Of course, the weather in Oxford can make or break even the best-laid plans. I’ll start with some summer activities for good weather and move on to some inside activities after, If the sun’s out, check out the following things to do in Oxford:

This is undeniably an iconic addition to your Oxford weekend. The only UK cities to offer this are Oxford and Cambridge so if you’re visiting between February and November, why not grab a picnic or bottle of Prosecco (there’s a Sainsburys a few minutes walk away at the end of Magdalen Bridge) and head your way down the river?

Punt hire is £25 an hour and you can fit five in a boat. You can also hire a chauffeur for an extra £10 (slightly more on weekends and public holidays) if you don’t fancy doing the arm work yourself. Alternatively, opt to row or pedalo instead of punting.

The Botanical Gardens

Another activity for a sunny 2 day Oxford itinerary is strolling around the beautiful Oxford Botanical Gardens, the oldest of their kind in Britain. It started life as an Oxford University project growing plants for medicinal purposes and has become one of Oxford’s best-loved gardens with more than 5,000 species of plants. The wildflower meadows in the summer are an idyllic place to escape the busy city. Entrance is £6.30

Christ Church Meadows & circular walk

Whether or not you venture inside Christ Church College, you can access Christ Church Meadows for free. This is a lovely place to go for a walk in Oxford or a picnic as it runs along the Thames river banks. Once you’ve eaten or relaxed under a tree, follow Broad Walk through the shady woodland, coming out at the back of the Botanical Gardens. Take a left along Deadman’s Walk then squeeze through the tiny gate connecting to Merton Grove, arriving on Merton Street. From here, you’re back in the city centre.

Read next: the best walks near Oxford

For culture or rainy days

If you’re interested in history or want to learn more about Oxford in days gone by, there are plenty of places to do this. The Oxford museums are some of the oldest and most famous museums in the world so I feel lucky to have them on my doorstep. If you only have a weekend in Oxford, I would suggest picking one or two and seeing them properly. Top Oxford museums: The Ashmolean – housing everything from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art, this is one of the best museums in Oxford as well as the first university museum in the world. Don’t miss the rooftop restaurant for cityscape views afterwards. You can eat lunch or dinner here, enjoy a full afternoon tea or simply have a cocktail or coffee while enjoying the views. Entrance is free and the museum is open from 10am to 5pm seven days a week.

Natural History Museum  – away from the city on Parks Road (about a 15-minute walk from the city centre), this enormous gothic building is home to two of Oxford’s best museums. The Natural History Museum holds Oxford’s University’s impressive specimens including dodo and dinosaur remains. In the same building, the Pitt Rivers Museum boasts impressive anthropological and archaeological artifacts. Entrance is free and you can wander between both museums at your leisure which could easily keep you busy for half a day. There’s a cafe onsite if you plan to spend a long time there and get peckish.

Discover Oxford’s literary history

Oxford makes no secret of the fact that Charles Dodgson, pen name Lewis Carroll, wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass while based in Oxford. It’s also a known fact that C.S Lewis wrote The Chronicles of Narnia after his time here. If you read these stories growing up, you might like to tour their histories’ in Oxford. Narnia locations in Oxford: The animal carvings at Magdalen College are thought to have inspired the frozen creatures that Aslan breathed life into. But my favourite Narnia location in Oxford is the doorway along St. Mary’s Passage, an otherwise unremarkable street connecting Radcliffe Square with High Street. Keep an eye out for a golden create with horns and a pointy chin thought to be the inspiration for fawn, Mr Tumnas.

Alice in Wonderland locations in Oxford: These include the dodo remains in the Natural History Museum that was said to inspire the dodo character in the books, as well as a hidden stained glass window in Christ Church College paying homage to Alice. This was the college where Lewis Caroll studied before meeting a young Alice Liddell and her stories which she begged him to write down. The rest is history! Alice’s Shop: Along St Aldates, fans of Alice in Wonderland can seek out this charming shop entirely dedicated to Alice in Wonderland in Oxford . Alice’s Shop was once a sweet shop where the real Alice Liddell would purchase her favourite treats. Today, you can purchase all kinds of Alice in Wonderland memorabilia in her memory. The quirky store in a 15th-century Grade II listed building is open daily between 10am and 5pm. Book a 2 hour C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien walking history tour of Oxford (£20).

Oxford itinerary – Sunday afternoon

Finish your 2 days in Oxford with coffee in one of the city’s many roasteries before you head home. As a coffee addict, this is one of my favourite things to do in Oxford. Read my full Oxford cafe guide or follow my recommendations below.

Read next: The best Oxford cafes

Missing Bean – this lovely cosy hangout serves excellent coffee, cakes and brunch but the highlight might be the people-watching opportunities. You can perch at the window bar and watch as locals whiz by on bicycles and students meander out of the Oxford college opposite. Just the views alone of bicycles resting again Turl Street ‘s Instagrammable doorways are worth admiring over a cup of coffee. Order a flat white and blondie (white chocolate brownie). Colombia Coffee Roasters – inside the Covered Market, this cosy coffee shops serves hot and cold coffees, all freshly-roasted onsite. On weekends, this cafe is a busy and atmospheric place to meet friends. In the week, it’s much quieter, hence I curled up with an iced cappuccino and lemon muffin and had a read of a Colombia coffee book I found in the corner. Sadly they still serve plastic straws during my last visit but I’ll update if this changes.

GAIL’s Bakery – this gorgeous cafe on Little Clarendon Street near Jericho is known for its decadent cake table. You’ll be hard pushed to just order a drink because the freshly-made baked goods stretch as far as the eyes can see. Luckily the coffee is just as good, plus they also do an excellent smoked salmon brunch.

Day trips from Oxford

Aside from the very obvious one of London, there are some gorgeous day trips you can take from Oxford if you have time. These include: The Cotswolds – this area of natural beauty was a Downtown Abbey filming location and is the perfect place to explore the English countryside. Tour villages including Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford whilst filling up on pub lunches and cream teas. Use my guide to plan a weekend in the Cotswolds or, if you don’t have a car, take a Cotswolds tour from Oxford . Blenheim Palace – this stately home and its grounds just 10 miles from Oxford make for a great day out. Grab a picnic and check out my guide to visiting Blenheim Palace and the free entry gates.

Burford: One of my favourite Cotswolds villages is Burford, a charming settlement on a hill with lots of cosy pubs and delis. You can spend a half-day exploring the town and visiting St John The Baptist Church where Cromwell’s army were once imprisoned. Read my guide to the best things to do in Burford .

Alternative Oxford: the Cowley Road

The Cowley Road isn’t what tourists typically come to Oxford for but it’s a favourite hang out of mine, a multicultural street home to plenty of street art and almost every cuisine under the sun.

Cowley was once a run-down area but these days, Cowley Road is the Brixton of Oxford! You won’t see the historic buildings that come to mind when someone says ‘Oxford’ but it’s a great place to support independent businesses and indulge in the fantastic Cowley Road food scene! Getting to Cowley Road: It takes about 20 minutes on foot to reach Cowley Road from the city centre or you can hop on any bus bound to Cowley and pay with cash or contactless bank card. There aren’t many ‘things to do’ on the Cowley Road but it’s a great place for food and nightlife if you have time during your Oxford itinerary.

Cowley Road restaurants

Spiced Roots – Oxford has a large Caribbean population and this is the best place to try delicious Caribbean cuisine and has even been voted the UK’s number 1 Caribbean restaurant. I can personally vouch for the jerk chicken and I’d love to go back and try the curry king prawn roti. They also have a rum bar with some seriously good cocktails.

Big Society  – run by the same team as Raoul’s Bar and Liquor Store in Jericho, you can expect amazing cocktails here. This spacious pub with a ping pong table has a hipster feel, serving their drinks in jam jars, as well as hot wings, fried chicken and burgers. Basically nothing healthy but it’s a cool spot with an outdoor garden area to drink in summer.

The Ultimate Picture Palace – this retro cinema shows alternative films and holds special events and screenings. It’s a lovely independent Oxford venue to support during your Oxford weekend away!

My other Oxford travel blogs

I have a few more specific blogs on Oxford travel guides covering food, coffee and photographic spots. To have an even better weekend in Oxford, check out:

• A self-guided Harry Potter Oxford tour
• The best walks in Oxfordshire
• Where to eat in Oxford
• Best outside restaurants and bars in Oxford
• Cafes and coffee in Oxford
• Where to find the best brunch in Oxford
• A guide to Oxford food markets
• Best restaurants in Jericho, Oxford
• Best places for Asian food in Oxford
• Top 20 Instagrammable spots in Oxford

Visiting the UK?  Guidebooks – LP always get my seal of approval. Use the latest copy of Lonely Planet England . Getting around by air – I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going. Car hire – use Rentalcars.com to compare car rentals in the UK (and all around the world). For UK trains , I use Trainline . The search feature allows you to compare prices, and they show live departure times on the website. For buses , I use Busbud . It’s the only site that compares UK coaches and buses. Find London to Manchester journeys for £1!  Use Omio to compare trains and buses in one search. It’s so handy. For hotels and self-catering apartments, I use Booking.com . You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld.com . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. I use GetYourGuide for tours & activities when I don’t want to travel solo. The guides are knowledgeable and you can’t beat the prices. I also check Viator as they often have fun and unique offerings. Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and budget tips from my 10+ years on the road!

Thanks for reading my Oxford weekend guide!

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See you next time for more adventures,

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Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

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13 BEST Day Trips from Oxford, England

From the stunning blenheim palace to visiting bath & london, these are the best day trips from oxford to keep anyone entertained..

From its world-class university to gorgeous riverside walks to amazing independent restaurants and pubs, it’s no secret that Oxford is one of the best places to visit in England.

Personally, I love it for its architecture and old-world vibe. Just walking around here feels like you’re stepping back in time. It really is one of those cities that you can feel the history just from walking around.

However, if you’re looking to mix it up, there are tons of day trips from Oxford that’ll make your city break even better. 

Whether you’re looking to experience magic and wonder at the Harry Potter Studio Tour, want to hit up the beach at Bournemouth, or spend the day hiking in the Cotswolds , these Oxford days trips offer up plenty of variety. 

There’s a little something for everyone in this part of the country, and the train connections mean that you can actually get pretty far in under two hours! If not, I’ve included a couple of tours for you too.

So, what kind of amazing day trips from Oxford can you look forward to? I’ve collated some of my favourites to help inspire your next Oxford itinerary. Let’s dive in and find out more!

If you’re looking for somewhere to base yourself while in the city, then check out our guide to the best boutique hotels in Oxford !

Day trips from Oxford

Explore the grandeur of blenheim palace.

With a history spanning over 300 years and being the birthplace of legendary UK Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace attracts visitors from all around the world.

Join a guided tour around the stately home and the impressive grounds to get the most out of your trip. Located just 40 minutes away from Oxford and surrounded by acres of lush countryside, Blenheim is often the perfect tonic to the city. 

Every time I’ve been to Blenheim Palace (I’ve clocked up a few visits now!), I’m always taken aback at how big the place is. You could easily spend a whole day here and still not see everything.

Enjoy the beauty of the Cotswolds

If you’re looking for a day out in the quintessential English countryside, there is no better place than the Cotswolds and its outstanding natural beauty. Spread across 800 miles of gorgeous landscape, the Cotswolds are filled with picture-perfect villages.

I love wandering around the Cotswolds and and seeing all the cute villages. One of the best things is that you can be there in around 30 minutes from Oxford. It’s the perfect short day trip out, and a great way to see and experience rural England.

If you’re a fan of countryside walks that wind between old-world pubs, where you can imagine you’re the only one in the world, you’ll feel right at home in the Cotswolds.

If you’re short on time and don’t have your own transport, then check out this amazing full-day tour of the Cotswolds from Oxford. On this tour everything is taken care of for you, so you can just have a good time.

Taste history and delicious chocolate at Cadbury World

I don’t know about you, but I am a chocolate fiend. Just outside Birmingham to the north of Oxford lies Bourneville, the home of Cadbury’s chocolate. Now a tourist attraction that’s half museum half factory tour, Cadbury World is a smash hit with visitors of all ages. 

Bring your appetite for the free samples, learn about the Aztec roots of chocolate, and have tons of fun in the interactive zone. There’s even a short ride where you sit in a cartoon cocoa bean, complete with a commemorative photo! It’s a perfect full day out, especially if the English weather isn’t cooperating…

Stare in awe at the Living Rainforest

Now, I wouldn’t expect to find a rainforest in England, but that’s precisely what the Living Rainforest is! Here you can unleash your inner Attenborough at this favourite Oxford day trip.

At the Living Rainforest you’ll find a series of extravagant glass houses where you can spot iguanas, lizards, sloths, toads, and more. It’s a haven for conservationists, as the Living Rainforest is actively protecting endangered wildlife and plant life. Again, this is perfect for the little ones and they’ll learn loads about wildlife too.

Get your fill of magic at the Harry Potter Studio Tour

Oxford is pretty great for Harry Potter fans, with some of the interior Hogwarts scenes being filmed at some of the University of Oxford colleges, but you can find even more magic close by.

Nestled in Watford, just outside London, you’ll find the Harry Potter Studio Tour . Filled with props, costumes, sets, and facts about the beloved film series, it’s a must for any Potterhead.

Don’t forget to leave plenty of time for the gift shop – it’s huge and the choices can keep you there for hours on end!

Embrace the hustle and bustle of London

What can I say about London that hasn’t already been said? You can take a day trip to the iconic capital from Oxford in around an hour on a direct train.

Take in the sights of the London Eye, the Thames River, Hyde Park, and more. Honestly, you could spend your whole trip here and not see everything there is to see.

If you’ve got time, join a group tour around the spooky side of London on a Jack the Ripper tour , or go on a river cruise with afternoon tea for a calmer vibe. Of course, another great London evening excursion is to hit the West End. Head to the Leicester Square box office to see what shows are available!

Hit the beach in Bournemouth

Who doesn’t love a day out at the beach? Although the old architecture of Oxford might seem a million miles away from the British coast, you can actually reach Bournemouth in around two hours on the train.

Enjoy a full day out, filled with sun, sea, and sand. Bournemouth’s sandy beaches are massively popular with visitors of all ages. Bring your bucket and spade, grab an ice cream from one of the many shops on the promenade, or take a dip in the sea – the perfect day!

Feel regal at Highclere Castle

We all have our guilty pleasures, and for many of us, it’s Downton Abbey. Head to the real-life Grantham Estate by visiting the gorgeous Highclere Castle. For me, this is definitely one of the best day trips from Oxford.

Spread across five stunning acres, you can reach Highclere Castle in just over an hour from Oxford, making it a great option for getting out of the city. Jump on a guided tour of the house and learn all about the regal history of this amazing stately home.

Check out the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath

From one cultured city to another, enjoy a full-day trip from Oxford by jumping on the train to the Roman city of Bath. Known for its Roman spa, it’s Georgian architecture, and amazing independents, Bath is a charming city to spend your time in.

Whether you’re visiting the Jane Austen Centre, walking along the Royal Mile, or joining a tour of the Roman history and architecture of the city, you’re guaranteed to have an amazing time.

Get cultured in Stratford-Upon-Avon

Fans of the Bard, this Oxford day trip is for you! Located just under an hour and a half away from Oxford, you’ll find Stratford-Upon-Avon, home of the legendary playwright, William Shakespeare.

Jump on the sightseeing bus to get a general overview, or check the schedule at the Royal Shakespeare Company to see what plays are on while you’re there. It’s really common for some big names to be taking on iconic roles here, and often for a fraction of the cost of the London theatres.

You can also check out the birthplace of Shakespeare too if you’re feeling inspired!

Marvel at the majesty of Stonehenge

There are so many iconic sights in the UK, but Stonehenge is one of the big ones. The instantly recognisable stone circle has posed questions for centuries. How did they get here? Why are they here? Who did it?

Journey across from Oxford for the day and take in these majestic stones for yourself. I’d recommend trying to go on one of the Solstice days for an extra magical excursion.

Failing that, visiting at either sunrise or sunset provides unforgettable views!

Shop till you drop at Bicester Village

I love a bargain as much as the next person, so one of the best places to go on an Oxford day trip if you love shopping is Bicester Village . This designer shopping outlet is a bargain-hunters playground.

With amazing designer brands like Burberry, McQueen, Dior, and more for up to 60% off, you can look the part without spending a fortune. It’s so popular that small group tours go straight from London airports to the shopping village and back again!

Discover the Jane Austen Centre

Located in the stunning Roman city of Bath, the Jane Austen Centre pays tribute to one of Britain’s best and most famous writers. Wander around at your own pace or join a private tour with an Austen expert. 

Learn all about Austen’s life, works, and legacy in this world-class museum. Once you’ve had your fill, head to the Regency-era tearoom that’s attached to the museum and pretend you’re a character in an Austen novel.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the gift shop either! There are plenty of beautiful editions of Austen’s works and lo

So there you have it, the best day trips from Oxford! I told you there was something for everyone here. Which excursion is your favourite from the list?

Maybe you have alternatives that you love and want to share. Let me know in the comments below and I’ll add them to my next itinerary!

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Cyclists visit 100 pubs in and around Oxford

A team of cyclists visited about 100 pubs in and around Oxford in one day.

Ash Stally-Chudasama and his friends decided it would be fun to visit as many pubs as possible in the area, and completed the journey on Saturday.

They started out at the Marsh Harrier in Cowley and finished at the City Arms in Cowley Road.

READ MORE: Des Buckingham returns to former primary school 

We completed the cycle. It was fantastic - a sunny day, and the city was a flood of yellow as Oxford Utd won the play-off too, and there were plenty of scarves and flags at pubs out in support of the team.

Mr Stally-Chudasama said: "In the end we visited all 103 pubs within the ring road.

READ MORE: Second World War pilot is honoured with blue plaque 

"We started at 11.30am and finished at 9pm - including stops for lunch and dinner, as well as a couple of punctures that needed repairing.

"We started at the Marsh Harrier, as 4 cyclists, and ended at the City Arms, as three cyclists.

"We covered 36.3 miles, and once you take out all the stops it was about 4.5 hours of cycling."

Mr Stally-Chudasama, 33, went on the ride with Ivan Uribe Sosa, 32, from Wolvercote Green, and Matt Ischt-Barnard, 34, from Eastbourne.

The idea for the tour was prompted by Mr Stally Chudasama's love for local pubs.

"We're really spoilt for choice, not just in terms of drinks and decor, but history too - from famous writers to politician shenanigans. I've got my own spreadsheet of my Oxford pub rankings as a result, and a favourite pub for each season!

"I wanted to visit every pub in the ring road as there's lots I've not been to. I thought it would be a fun challenge to visit all in one day, and have a drink in each. As I started mapping them all out I quickly realised that would be impossible - there are roughly 100 pubs and bars!"

The cyclists particularly enjoyed their pubs ride as Oxford United fans were out in force to cheer their team on for the play-off final against Bolton Wanderers at Wembley.

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Where would be the best place to hire a car and to stay when not in Bath? Which would be the best order to visit?

I was thinking of getting the train from Ashford to Gatwick to pick up a car then drive down to somewhere near Portsmouth for 1 or 2 nights so we can explore the area and Jurassic Coast. The drive to Bath for 4 nights then maybe Stonehenge and Avebury on the way to Salisbury for the night so we can get to Gatwick in plenty of time for our flight . Does this make sense? Any advice is appreciated.

(NB we need the car for mobility issues, convenience and flexibility to explore at our own pace)

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Get ready, fliers: Memorial Day weekend will kick off a humming summer at LAX

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Los Angeles International Airport is preparing for a busy Memorial Day weekend, marking the start of what promises to be a hectic summer travel season for fliers, officials said.

Airport officials expect an increase in daily passengers at LAX until the end of the month, with more more than a million total passengers between Thursday and Monday. Friday is expected to be the holiday weekend’s busiest day, with about 235,000 travelers, followed by Thursday with 232,000. Saturday is expected to see the fewest travelers of the weekend, with roughly 197,000.

Vehicle traffic is also expected to increase at the airport over the holiday weekend, with about 90,000 to 96,000 vehicles on each of the busiest days.

Traveling for Memorial Day? Expect 3 million on the road and gas over $5 a gallon

Gas prices are high, but that isn’t stopping Southern Californians from hitting the road Memorial Day weekend. Here’s what you can do to save money at the pump.

May 23, 2024

“With school breaks, relaxed workdays and a strong demand for travel to and from Los Angeles, we expect a busy summer,” interim Chief Operations and Maintenance Officer Doug Webster said in a statement. “Our airport staff and airline partners are aware of the projected wave of travelers to the region, and are ready and well-equipped.”

The following weekend is also expected to see hundreds of thousands of people, with an anticipated peak off 235,000 travelers on June 2, a Sunday.

Officials recommend the following tips for the upcoming hectic summer weekends:

• Get to the airport at least two hours before departure.
• Pre-book parking, because LAX lots are expected to reach capacity.
• Use the cellphone parking lots at 96th Street and Alverstone Avenue and 96th and Vicksburg Avenue when waiting to pick up arriving travelers; the designated areas help reduce traffic at LAX.

LAX People Mover gets $200 million more to resolve claims between contractor and airport

The money will be used to settle claims between the Automated People Mover contractor and Los Angeles International Airport.

May 3, 2024

LAX is the world’s fifth-busiest airport. Last year, more than 75 million people flew through the airport. Although that total represents a steady increase since 2020, it falls short of pre-pandemic numbers. In 2019, for example, nearly 88.1 million passengers traveled through LAX, averaging 241,000 a day.

Airport officials have said that widespread shifts to remote work reduced interstate air travel, but that LAX is once again seeing hundreds of thousands of travelers each week.

More to Read

LAX plans to update terminal and gate numbers ahead of Olympics

April 26, 2024

LAX’s already-miserable traffic is expected to get a lot worse this week. Here’s what to know

April 9, 2024

Letters to the Editor: The LAX ‘horseshoe’ is a cluster. Try these solutions before the People Mover opens

April 3, 2024

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Colleen Shalby is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She has covered education, the pandemic, the vaccine rollout and breaking news throughout California. She was part of the team that was a 2020 Pulitzer Prize finalist for coverage of a dive-boat fire off the Santa Barbara coast. Shalby grew up in Southern California and graduated from George Washington University. She previously worked for PBS NewsHour and joined The Times in 2015.

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Memorial Day weekend 2024 could break travel records. Here's what to know.

By Emily Mae Czachor

May 20, 2024 / 5:04 PM EDT / CBS News

Despite another month of spring technically still ahead, travelers often view Memorial Day weekend  as an unofficial kickoff to the summer season — and traffic notoriously reflects that . Based on current forecasts, travel around the upcoming 2024 holiday next Monday, May 27, is not expected to relieve Memorial Day of its bad reputation for drivers and airline passengers. They may actually find themselves on some of the busiest highways and flights they've seen in decades.

The American Automobile Association, or AAA, warned of potentially unprecedented congestion on roads this weekend, along with airports that could be even more crowded than in years past. The organization, which looks at various economic factors and partners with other groups to project travel conditions, announced earlier this month that an estimated 43.8 million people across the United States would likely travel at least 50 miles from Thursday to Monday. That would mark a 4% increase in overall travel compared with 2023, according to AAA. It would also come close to the busiest Memorial Day weekend on record, which happened in 2005 when 44 million people left home for the holiday.

"We haven't seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years," said Paula Twidale, the senior vice president of the travel division at AAA, in a statement. "We're projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we're exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead."  

For those planning to hit the road or board a plane this weekend, here's what to know.

Prepare to hit traffic

Memorial Day weekend in 2024 is expected to set a new record for road trips, according to AAA. The organization has estimated that 38.4 million people will travel in cars over the course of the weekend, which would be the biggest number recorded around this particular holiday since the group first started keeping track of Memorial Day travel patterns in 2000. 

Car rental company Hertz told AAA that demand for rentals this year will be highest in Atlanta, Boston, Las Vegas and Orlando, with most renters scheduled to pick up their cars on Thursday and Friday.

In general, drivers hoping to beat the traffic, or at least face less of it, should avoid the roads during afternoon hours on any day of the long weekend. Citing transit data from INRIX , AAA said the worst times to travel by car , in any U.S. time zone, are between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, and between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday. 

The best times to drive will be before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on Thursday, before 11 a.m. or after 8 p.m. on Friday, before 1 p.m. or after 6 p.m. on Saturday, before 1 p.m. on Sunday, and after 7 p.m. on Monday.

Airports will be crowded

Airports across the country are bracing for another spike in travelers, following an upward trend in flights booked around Memorial Day since last year's air travel numbers exceeded pre-pandemic levels. An estimated 3.51 million people are projected to fly this weekend, according to AAA, which is up from 3.35 million who traveled on planes to their destinations last year. If as many people fly as expected, this will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005, when AAA said 3.64 million people caught flights for the holiday.

United Airlines said more than 500,000 people are expected to fly each day from Thursday to Tuesday, which would be the airline's busiest Memorial Day weekend on record. Delta said 3 million people are expected to fly on its planes over that six-day period and American Airlines said it expects 3.9 million people to fly over the weekend.

Public transportation tips

Any of the projected 1.9 million people who use public transit systems to get to where they're going this weekend can plan ahead, too. INRIX projections show metro riders will face a degree of congestion in major cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, D.C. Congestion on metros is expected to peak in those places in the late afternoon, early evening and mid-morning each day between Thursday and Monday. 

Forecasts suggest D.C., Los Angeles, Houston and Tampa will see the largest jumps in metro crowding compared with their respective norms. The worst is projected for one route from Gainesville to Tampa, where INRIX said metro congestion on Sunday at 9 a.m. local time could be 88% higher than usual.

Kris Van Cleave contributed reporting.

• Memorial Day

Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She covers breaking news, often focusing on crime and extreme weather. Emily Mae has previously written for outlets including the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.

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• Transportation

Record 2.5M Floridians will travel for Memorial Day weekend, AAA predicts

• Patrick Connolly Orlando Sentinel (TNS)

MIAMI — A record-setting 2.5 million Floridians plan to hit the road or airport for the long holiday weekend, according to a  travel forecast from AAA .

That’s 126,500 more holiday travelers than the previous record set last year. The club projects 2.3 million Florida travelers will journey 50 miles or more in a car, while more than 224,000 will take an air-based voyage.

Nationally, AAA anticipates the second-highest-traveled Memorial Day weekend on record, with nearly 43.8 million Americans venturing more than 50 miles, just shy of 2005′s high of 44 million.

“Memorial Day will be the start to a very busy summer of travel,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA, in a news release. “American travelers are forecast to surpass pre-pandemic levels, making this the busiest Memorial Day holiday weekend in nearly two decades.”

Even as gas prices have inched upward,  averaging $3.55 per gallon in Florida  on Thursday compared with $3.41 at this time last year, road trips are expected to set a record in the Sunshine State and nationwide with nearly 38.4 million Americans on the road, 1.5 million more than last year. In addition, this will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005.

During a rush of spring break travelers earlier this year, Orlando International Airport  saw its busiest day in history  with more than 200,000 travelers passing through TSA checkpoints on March 16.

While Floridians may be driving or jetting off to other parts of the state and country, Orlando tops the list of domestic travel locations for tourists this weekend, according to AAA booking data. New York, Las Vegas, Miami, Denver, Anchorage and Southern California are also in the top 10 destinations.

Average airfare and gas prices are both slightly higher in 2024 than in 2023, but hotel prices are 5% cheaper this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year. Domestic car rentals are also less expensive by about 17% year over year, with an average total cost of $439 (typically for a few days).

Using data from  Inrix , AAA suggests drivers leaving Thursday or Friday should hit the road early, before 11 a.m., to avoid the worst traffic. Those coming home on Saturday or Sunday will find the best travel time before 1 p.m. On Monday, it’s advised to drive after 7 p.m. for the best chance of avoiding congestion. On all travel days, evenings should also prove less busy for road trippers.

This weekend, AAA is activating its  “Tow to Go” program in Florida  and other select states to help keep impaired drivers off the road. Tow trucks will be available to AAA members and nonmembers from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Tuesday to transport vehicles and owners to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. Floridians can call 855-2-TOW-2-GO or 855-286-9246 for a safe ride.

As travelers plan for this summer and beyond, AAA has pinpointed bucket lists, milestones, solo trips, luxury vacations, trains, adventures in nature and Asia trips as the primary trends behind booking upcoming getaways.

©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit at orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

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Michigan gas prices drop ahead of Memorial Day weekend travel

There’s some good news for Michigan’s nearly 1.2 million motorists who are forecasted to be on the road Memorial Day weekend: Gas prices in the state, on average, are down 9 cents a gallon from a week ago, according to AAA.

But they probably won't stay there.

Some analysts are predicting that by Memorial Day, drivers will be paying more. That means if you want to take advantage of the lower prices before your trip, you may want to fill up at a gas station sooner, rather than later.

By AAA's calculation, the average price per gallon in early Monday was $3.55, 7 cents less than a month ago, and 2 cents less than a year ago. In other words, if you wanted to fill up a 15-gallon tank, that would work out to about $53.

"While gas prices in Michigan are down to start the week, this trend will probably reverse," said Adrienne Woodland, a spokeswoman for AAA. "With an increase in demand from the rush of drivers filling up for Memorial Day, pump prices will likely increase ahead of the holiday weekend."

Gas demand rose from 8.79 million barrels a day to 8.87 million barrels a day, according to the Energy Information Administration. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased slightly from 228 million to 227.8 million barrels.

West Texas Intermediate, a grade of crude oil, increased by 61 cents to settle at $78.87 a barrel. Prices rose as crude oil inventories decreased by 2.5 million barrels from last week. At 457 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year, AAA noted.

Most expensive gas price averages in Michigan

• Jackson: $3.66
• Ann Arbor: $3.62
• Metro Detroit: $3.58

Least expensive gas price averages in Michigan

• Benton Harbor: $3.44
• Grand Rapids: $3.49
• Flint: $3.52

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or [email protected].