Sure to satisfy any wanderer, whether they’re looking for a stroll around a quaint village or are itching to explore some of the UK’s finest stately homes and cathedrals; there’s so much to discover just under two hours from London.

Note: For many of these we have full guides which we’ve linked to under the posts.

Day Trips from London for History Buffs and Bookworms

Each of these places is charming in its own way and you’re guaranteed to leave will leave with wonderful memories.

Many of these places were also featured in our Literary Cities Guide if you want to find out more about a particular city.

1) Lavenham (Godric’s Hollow)

Escape to Suffolk and visit one of the UK’s best-preserved Medieval villages, with more than 350 listed buildings to admire as well as a 15th Century church. It’s also one of the best and easiest day trips from London.

There’s plenty to do in this historic town but it has garnered a lot of attention with Harry Potter fans in recent years.

Lavenham’s stunning De Vere House was used as the filming location for Harry’s childhood home and Ambus Dumbledore’s former home in Godric’s Hollow.

Since then, the house has become available for guests on Airbnb. Whether you want to stay there or not (costs are approximately £254 for two nights, including cleaning) simply taking a look at this marvellous property is enough to warrant the trip.

Similarly, make sure to pay a visit to 4th Century Hall House on the main square which mirrors the history of Lavenham over the centuries. 

The village also has a delightful selection of independent shops, restaurants, and bakeries to enjoy with some highlights including the family-run artisan bakery Sparling and Faiers, award-winning ice cream at Hadley’s, and the unique gallery space Posy.

If you’re considering staying overnight (and aren’t going for De Vere House) then we recommend the fifteenth-century Swan at Lavenham.

Lavenham offers some amazing guided walks for visitors which we highly recommend checking out to get the most out of this, one of the most historic day trips from London.

How to get to Lavenham from London

Accessible by train from Liverpool Street Station, you’ll be changing at Colchester and heading towards The Swan station in Lavenham.

The journey will take around two and a half to three hours so best set out early. It’s also an easy drive to Lavenham along the M11 which will also take two and a half hours.

2) Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)

If you love Downton Abbey or simply enjoy exploring stately homes, then head over to Highclere Castle. The Grade I listed country house, built in 1679, is where the entire Downton Abbey series was filmed.

It’s one of the easiest day trips from London and very much worth the time and money to get there. You can also explore the nearby ‘Downton Village’, the Church, and Yew Tree Farm.

When the castle is open (during the summer months and for holidays, as well tours throughout the year) you can explore the state rooms inside the castle, the Egyptian exhibition, and explore the extensive ground and gardens.

Today, the house is occupied by the current Earl’s family, who have been living on the estate since 1679.

How to get to Highclere Castle from London

Here’s an easy Downton Abbey Tour to get you there. As you will also see Downton Village, the Church, and Yew Tree Farm, places which are difficult to access via public transport, this tour is definitely worth it if you want the full experience.

If you do have a car then you’ll be driving for an hour and forty-five minutes from London to Highclere Castle via the M25 and the M4.

To get there by public transport, you’ll need to take the train to Newbury (48 minutes directly from Paddington Station). By train, this is one of the easiest day trips from London.

From there, there is a very limited local bus service between Newbury and the village of Highclere, then a very long walk. Most people will take a taxi from Newbury Station taxi rank to the castle.

Read More: Find out more books like Downton Abbey in our list of Books for Downton Abbey Lovers

3) Hampton Court Palace

Whether you’re interested in learning more about the life of Henry VIII and his wife and children, or you simply want to experience the grand baroque palace built for William III and Mary II, Hampton Court is one of the best day trips from London.

There’s so much to see at Hampton Court Palace, with sixty acres of gardens and grounds to cover, making it one of the best historical day trips from London.

Then there’s the spectacular interior, including the State Rooms.

These include the infamous haunted gallery, the Tudor Kitchens, and Henry’s Great Hall — complete with a timber roof that features Anne Boelyn’s coat of arms and tapestries, hung in 1546, which depict Abraham’s life from the Book of Genesis.

If you arrive in the winter season then you’ll even be able to enjoy the ice rink which feels like a wonderfully traditional way to spend a crisp winter day. You can book tickets through the Hampton Court website and find out the latest opening times.

How to get to Hampton Court Palace from London

To get there by public transport, you’ll need to get the train from Waterloo Station straight to Hampton Court Station and walk for twelve minutes.

This should take around fifty minutes making it one of the quickest day trips from London. You can also drive there in fifty minutes via the A4. 

4) Stratford-upon-Avon

Birthplace of the world’s greatest poet and playwright, William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is a well-maintained medieval market town full of historic pubs and shops.

It’s so wonderfully fitting that the town where Shakespeare was born is one that has remained looking so Shakespearean at its heart.

One of the most ideal day trips from London for theatre lovers, this is also the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), so when you visit Stratford make sure to check what’s on and go see a play. While you’re there, you can also visit Shakespeare’s family home and birthplace. 

Aside from the great playwright, there’s plenty to see in Stratford-Upon-Avon and a variety of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants lining the quaint side streets.

To carry on the Shakespeare theme, make sure to visit the adorable vintage tea room Shakespaw Cat Cafe which serves a fabulous breakfast, lunch, and dinner while surrounded by adorable rescue cats.

Make sure to reserve your slot before you go. If you’re thinking of extending your trip then we recommend the Mercure, The Shakespeare hotel.

How to get to Stratford-upon-Avon from London

You can reach Stratford-upon-Avon by train in two to two and a half hours leaving from a number of London stations (Marlybone being the best choice) or drive there in two hours via the M40.

If you’re driving, this is one of the smoothest day trips from London.

5) Bath

One of the easiest and most rewarding day trips from London, you can learn all about Jane Austen and do some of the best book shopping outside London. We listed all the great Independent Bookshops in Bath to help you on your way.

Jane Austen lived in Bath for a while so you can see (and even stay in) Jane Austen’s house and visit the Jane Austen Museum which has a wonderful gift shop inside and find all those places mentioned in the novels.

Bath is also known for its fantastic vintage shopping and cute cafes but the historic city also boasts a thriving dining scene, complete with Michelin star restaurants and trendy cocktail bars.

Bath really is a city that has it all while also being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Every building is a marvel, made with uniform Bath Stone which is most masterfully seen at The Royal Crescent and the Circus which also houses a museum where you can wander a Georgian home.

You can also visit the oldest house in Bath at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House where you can try their famous buns. Make sure to catch a show at the Theatre Royal Bath or live music, comedy, and cinema at Komedia Bath.

Famous for the Roman Baths themselves, Bath is also one of the centres for relaxation in the UK with spa treatments, healing steam rooms, and incredible 360-degree views of Bath from the rooftop pool.

It’s one of our favourite cities in the UK and favourite day trips from London. It’s somewhere we visit over and over and honestly a day won’t be enough.

Read More: A Perfect Bath Day Trip for Culture Lovers

How to get to Bath from London

The train is the easiest way to reach Bath, it’s direct from London Paddington and gets there in just over an hour. You can also drive there in two hours and twenty via the M4.

You can also get the National Express Coach directly from Victoria Coach Station if you’d like to save money.

Tip: You can easily extend your trip with a visit to neighbouring Bristol which has a lot to offer if you like live music, street art, amazing vegan food, and international restaurants. Bath is also a great base for exploring Lacock and the mysterious Stonehenge.

Read More: A Complete Jane Austen Tour of England — Eleven Places to Visit

7) Oxford

Oxford is so much closer to London than most people would expect. The city makes for a perfect day trip and offers so much in terms of culture, literary history, and special architecture.

Home to the world’s most famous and beloved university, Oxford is a historic town of gorgeous stone buildings and welcoming locals.

Oxford also has ties to so many of our most treasured writers, most famously Philip Pullman and J.R.R. Tolkein. Exploring the university buildings and going book shopping for a day in Oxford is truly one of life’s great pleasures.

We have a perfect one day itinerary in Oxford and a guide to the most beautiful colleges in Oxford which should help you have the perfect day in the city of spires.

If you’re thinking of spending the night then we’d recommend the Museum Hotel, a historic Oxford hotel in a building dating from 1594.

How to get to Oxford from London

You can enjoy one of the simplest day trips from London by taking the train from Paddington Station to Oxford in around fifty minutes. You can also drive in an hour and fifteen minutes via the M40 or take the coach from Victoria Station.

Tip: Extend your trip with a visit to Blenheim Palace and Woodstock – If you’re a big fan of period homes and quaint villages then you can hop on the bus to Blenheim Palace in Oxford which is another beautiful day out!

One of the trees on the ground was even used in the filming of Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix.

8) Cambridge

Cambridge is often jilted as a London day trip in favour of Oxford but, truthfully, it’s just as fast to get to Cambridge from London and just as rewarding.

Generally, people either prefer Oxford or Cambridge and hold some pretty strong views but I personally think they’re both vibrant, beautiful cities with a lot to offer.

Two of the things which Cambridge is most famously associated with, aside from the university, are punting and romantic river walks.

Punting is an old tradition in Cambridge, in which you go for a boat ride along the River Cambs, past the beautiful town centre, the extensive green space in the city, and the Cambridge University college buildings. 

A visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum is a must and there is endless book shopping to do in Cambridge with some notable spots being Heffers Bookshop and Sarah Key: The Haunted Bookshop.

No trip to Cambridge would be complete without stopping at Fitzbillies, a hundred-year-old cafe (and now a restaurant) famous for its fluffy Chelsea Buns.

Independent shops, cafes, and restaurants waiting for you on the side streets which all seem to culminate at the market square where you’ll be delighted with street food, fresh produce, bubble tea, and more. If you’d like to stay overnight in Cambridge, we’d recommend the Hotel du Vin & Bistro.

How to get to Cambridge from London

Very easily accessed by train, the Thames Link from King Cross Station will take you straight there in under an hour.

You can also drive there in just under an hour and a half via the M11 or take the National Express from Victoria Coach Station.

Tip: There are lots of charming villages near Cambridge so there are plenty of places if you want to extend your trip. We’d recommend a visit to Ely which boasts a stunning cathedral, Oliver Cromwell’s house, a sake brewery, and one of our favourite book shops Topping & Co.

Read More: A Perfect Day trip to Cambridge for Culture Lovers

9) Canterbury

A city strongly associated with The Canterbury Tales and its magnificent cathedral, Canterbury has a lot to offer for a London day trip. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a coastal escape with trails to follow that can be tackled by foot or on a bike.

Cambridge isn’t the only place you can go punting, with Canterbury also offering its own 45-minute tour along the river where you learn stories about Canterbury’s medieval past or even take a haunted trip at night.

For more history, you can also visit the Canterbury Roman Museum where you can see a beautifully preserved Roman floor mosaic.

Canterbury has some great bookshops with one of the most famous being The Chaucer Bookshop, found in an eighteenth-century building and specialising in second-hand and antiquarian books.

For food and drink, Canterbury doesn’t disappoint with highlights like Tiny Tim’s Tearoom which is in a 1920s style and offers fantastic afternoon tea, and Houdini’s Magic Bar where you can catch live magic shows and fabulous cocktails.

If you’d like to stay overnight in Canterbury, we recommend the fifteenth-century Cathedral Gate Hotel found in the heart of the city.

How to get to Canterbury from London

You can reach Canterbury in fifty minutes from London on the train from St Pancras Intl. Or you can drive there in an hour and a half via the M2.

10) Chawton

Chawton in Hampshire is where Jane Austen called home for the last eight years of her life, this is one of the most perfect day trips from London for Jane Austen fans aside from Bath. Here you can visit Jane Austen’s home where she wrote and revised her novels.

Visitors can also take the Jane Austen 4.8 mile circular walk which will take you from her house through the village of Farringdon and beautiful countryside, and visit Chawton House Library where her brother Edward Knight lived.

Nearby Alton is also worth visiting as this is where Jane used to go shopping. For places to eat and drink at while walking you’ll pass Cassandra’s Cup which is a tea room named after Austen’s sister, The Greyfriar, The Rose and Crown at Upper Farringdon and can take a short detour to The Golden Pheasant at Lower Farringdon.

Likewise, nearby Winchester is where you can see Jane Austen’s grave and some other places she used to frequent.

Tip: Check out our Instagram reel for a snapshot of our day in Chawton.

How to get to Chawton from London

Take the train from London to Alton Station and then take a bus or taxi to Jane Austen’s house or you can drive. There’s ample parking in the area.

Read More: A Perfect Day Trip to Jane Austen’s House & Chawton

11) York

You’d think York was a long way to go for a London day trip but, if travelling by train, you can actually be there within two hours directly so it’s definitely worth it.

There are so many unique things to do in York you will be spoiled for choice.

Famous for the seventh century York Minster which is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, York is endlessly majestic.

York is a UNESCO City of Media Arts and a book lover’s haven with several book shops to explore as well as The Shambles, a street of independent shops that inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.

Also, did you know York is the most haunted city in Europe? It’s often known as the ‘city of a thousand ghosts’.

If you love chocolate, York has a long history associated with the stuff giving it the name the UK’s home of chocolate.

You can find out everything, including the 300-year history behind chocolate, at York’s Chocolate Story Museum and even stay in a chocolate themed hotel at Hotel Indigo. Make sure to visit York Cocoa House to treat yourself before you leave.

For more history, the award-winning York Castle Museum is not to be missed with recreated Jacobean dining rooms and infamous Victorian criminals. There really is an endless amount of things to do in York so you’ll have trouble prioritizing.

How to get to York from London

The train is the absolute best way to get to York from London, just take the train towards Edinburgh to York from King’s Cross Station.

Extend your trip: If you’d like to extend your trip then I’d recommend visiting Haworth, a charming village where the Bronte family grew up. Or discover some of your favourite things to do in Yorkshire.

12) Hampstead Heath

This is technically a day trip in London if you’re pushed for time and want to experience somewhere very different to the bustling city but still with ample literary history and culture.

Hampstead Village honestly doesn’t feel like the rest of London. Much like Richmond, there’s a sense of peace and tranquillity and you can easily get lost in the narrow streets and historical buildings. 

Wander along the pretty eighteenth-century promenade Church Row for literary history and Flask Walk: a tiny cobbled street with restaurants, antiques, a secondhand bookshop, and florists.

There’s a wealth of literary history to explore in Hampstead. You can pay a visit to the romantic poet Keats’ house, go plaque hunting for the many famous writers who’ve lived there

You can find Daphne Du Maurier, who lived there for two years (her father and grandfather are buried in the local churchyard), George Orwell, and Aldous Huxley. Plaques for history’s other greats like Anna and Sigmund Freud can also be tracked down.

Hampstead was even featured in novels like Dracula:

“Lucy lies in the tomb of her kin, a lordly death house in a lonely churchyard, away from teeming London, where the air is fresh, and the sun rises over Hampstead Hill, and where wild flowers grow of their own accord.”

Hampstead also has a number of London bookshops, charity shops like the Oxfam Bookshop, vintage stores, handmade craft spots, cafes, and is a hub for antique shopping.

Plus, if you want a beautiful walk and one of the best views over London, stroll up Hampstead Heath, 790 acres of park, fields, and woodland.

How to get to Hampstead from London

Hampstead Station is on the northern line towards Edgware, zone 2.

While these are just some of the amazing day trips from London on offer, these are some of the very best for culture lovers. We hope you enjoy exploring some of the best of England within easy reach of the capital.

13) Brighton

An easy day trip from London at just one hour on the train. Brighton is one of the UK’s art and culture hubs with a thriving LGBTQ+ community — it also has a fine collection of independent bookshops mostly to be found in The Lanes which is Brighton’s famous and colourful shopping streets.

One of the must-visit bookshops includes the crowdfunded The Feminist Bookshop which features books about and written by women and also provides a vegan cafe and reading room to relax in. Brighton itself has also appeared as a setting in so many books with one of the most notable being Brighton Rock. Pick up a book and take it to the seaside for a truly bookish Brighton experience.

The market town of Lewes, which is just fifteen minutes away by train from Brighton also offers some fantastic book shopping which must include a visit to the historic Fifteenth Century Bookshop.

How to Get to Brighton from London

There are 500+ direct trains from London to Brighton every day so you won’t need to be careful with regards to timing. You’ll need the Thameslink train which goes between Cambridge and Brighton, passing through several stations in London including London St Pancras.

Read More: How to Spend a Perfect Day in Brighton, UK

14) Audley End Estate and Gardens

Escape to this beautiful stately home and gardens within an hour of London for a change of scenery and quite frankly, just a lovely day out. One of the finest Jacobean homes in England, it’s also one of the most popular stately homes to visit in the UK.

The house has a number of royal connections and an interesting history Audley End is built on the foundations of a 12th-century Benedictine monastery after Henry VIII’s reformation led to him handing the site to his chancellor Thomas Audley in 1538. 

Not only the house to explore, enjoy beautiful flower gardens, an organic kitchen garden, the stables, and a nearby miniature railway.

Read More: Read about our day at Audley End, what to see there, and see lots of pictures.

How to Get to Audley End from London

You can catch the train from London direct to Audley End Station from London Liverpool Street and it takes just over an hour. It’s then a short walk from the station.

15) Strawberry Hill House

Still standing two hundred years after Horace Walpole’s death, the gothic castle that the wildly eccentric author originally converted from two cottages stands to welcome guests to this day.

A pastiche of Walpole’s absurd imagination and the gothic places he visited on his grand tour of Europe, Strawberry Hill House is a surprise and an eccentric gothic experience, comprised of themed rooms and careful fostering of artful, campy tones

Anyone who enjoys gothic literature will have heard of Horace Walpole and The Castle of Otranto, widely considered to be the first ever supernatural and gothic novel.

Read More: Read about our day at Strawberry Hill House, what to see there, and see lots of pictures.

How to Get to Strawberry Hill House from London

Strawberry Hill House can be easily accessed by train which runs on a circular route from London Waterloo to Strawberry Hill. You can also take the District Line westbound to Richmond. From there you can catch the R68 from bus stop Z towards Hampton Court and alight at Michelham Gardens.

Looking to go further afield? Try these literary places in Cornwall and Devon.

Oxford is of course home to the University of Oxford, one of the oldest and most beautiful universities in the world. From the Bodleian Library, with its medieval rooms and graceful, stone courtyards, to the famous Bridge of Sighs, Oxford University boasts stunning architecture from all ages, and the city is worth visiting for that reason alone.

Oxford is also a book lover’s haven. Blackwell’s bookshop is a true treasure trove, and one of Oxford’s rarest gems. With over three miles of bookshelf space, it is officially the biggest bookselling room on the planet. You’ll never be short of a good meal in Oxford – the city has a fantastic food culture, with its restaurants and markets selling delicious delicacies from all over the world.

It’s also an easy day trip from London making it very accessible for anyone on a tight schedule.

Things to Do In Oxford that You May Not Have Thought Of

Let’s dive into the details, and explore the special things you can only do in this beautiful and historic city.

Punting

Punting is a quintessential Oxford experience, and one of the best ways to experience this beautiful city and its iconic architecture and countryside. The easiest place to rent a punt is from Magdalen Bridge Boathouse. It costs £22 per hour to hire a punt during the week and £24 per hour on the weekend.

You’ll enjoy a relaxing route, as you drift past Oxford’s breathtaking Botanic Gardens and Christ Church College meadows, where Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland. You can then either choose the route past St Hilda’s College and the rose gardens of Magdalen School.

Alternatively, you can punt north along the grounds of Magdalen College. This is well worth doing as Magdalen college has some of the most staggering architecture in the whole of Oxford. Lying back in a punt and gazing on the soaring spires of Magdalen Tower, perhaps with a drink in your hand, is a truly unique experience.

Read More: Visit Blenheim Palace and Woodstock from Oxford

Oxford Royale Academy

Did you know that you can live and study at the University of Oxford, even if you didn’t get in or haven’t applied yet? Imagine spending two weeks in dining halls and libraries that tourists can only dream of entering.

Oxford Royale Academy, a UK summer schools provider, offers a truly authentic experience of life in the University of Oxford for students ages 12-19+.

Oxford Royale Academy offers a variety of Oxford University colleges as accommodation for its summer courses. You could be sleeping and dining in University College, potentially the oldest college in Oxford. You might dine every night in the grand dining hall of Balliol College, with its vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows.

You could be sleeping in dormitories at The Queen’s College, and walking daily across its quad, which a famous architectural historian famously described as, “the grandest piece of classical architecture in Oxford”. You’ll live, sleep and dine in your college, following in the footsteps of the most brilliant minds in history.

Oxford Royale Academy offers a wide range of exciting and innovative courses, from Archaeology to iOS app development. You’ll study subjects you’ll never come across at school, and enjoy Oxford’s most exclusive locations, such as the Examination Halls, which ordinary visitors are barred from.

If you’re aged 16-19, you’ll attend a Great Debate in Oxford’s famous Sheldonian Theatre. This extraordinary building, creating in the neo-classical style, is where Oxford University students matriculate and graduate. You’ll end your course with an opulent, black-tie ball. The ball includes a delicious, three-course dinner, which reflects Oxford’s tradition of Formal Hall, where grace is said in Latin. Truly a unique experience in Oxford.

Read More: A Day in Oxford for Culture Lovers

Zheng Restaurant Oxford

The food at Zheng is as famous as it is delicious. Giles Coren, prestigious food critic for The Times called it “possibly the best authentic Chinese / Malaysian restaurant in the country. Zheng boasts everything from dim sum and succulent appetisers, to Malaysian, Singaporean, Szechuan, Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisine.

Step into its smoothly panelled, cavernous interior and enjoy crunchy salt and pepper squid, Cantonese roast duck, which Coren describes in his review as “lukewarm, sweet, and melting gently”, and a gorgeous chicken rendang.

Zheng has some of the most delicious dim sum in the UK, with perfect har gao and siew mai (prawn and pork dumplings), and pork char siu buns that are out of this world. Zheng is, incidentally, a great environment for kids. They have cute, child-size red arm chairs in their entrance, a tank full of beautiful fish that will distract many a bored child and free lollipops (they’re also kind enough to ask the parents before offering the kids any!)

The Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library makes Oxford truly unique. The library has existed since the 15th Century and now holds over 13 million printed items. Since the 15th Century, the library has developed from small, abandoned medieval room to an institution which now holds over 13 million printed items, including a copy of every book ever published in England!

One tradition, fiercely guarded, is that no books in the Bodleian Library are to be lent to readers. Even King Charles I was refused to borrow a book in 1645! The Bodleian Library has a collection of books and manuscripts from all over the globe. This collection attracts scholars from every corner of the world.

The Bodleian Libraries’ Special Collections (at the Weston Library) holds the second largest collection of manuscripts and archives in Britain, with items ranging as far back as papyri of the 3rd Century B.C.

For anyone who visits Oxford, a tour of the Bodleian Library is an absolute must. The Bodleian Libraries offer an exclusive, Covid-safe guided tour which will introduce you to the most extraordinary and beautiful features of the Bodleian Library.

You’ll enter in through the Quadrangle, and straight into the impressive Divinity School. This medieval room with its exquisitely vaulted ceilings is the oldest teaching and examination room in the University of Oxford.

You can also enjoy a 30-minute guided tour of the Duke Humfrey’s Library, which is the oldest reading room in the Bodleian Library. Gaze down its walls lined with oak bookshelves and its ceiling painted with the arms of the university.

Take in the stunning architecture from different eras from its original medieval section (built in 1487), to its Selden End (built in 1637).

The Radcliffe Camera is also one of Oxford’s most unique landmarks. Built by James Gibbs in the neo-classical style, it is a working library for Oxford University students. From its soaring dome roof, to the archways gracing its base, it is a proud representation of Oxford’s breathtaking architecture.

Although you can’t get access inside, you can find some walking tours where an expert student guide will show you the building and give you inside knowledge on it.

Oxford University’s Colleges

It’s worth visiting Oxford just for a glimpse of the famous colleges of Oxford University, and their stunning array of architecture, from the medieval to the modern.

Footsprints Tours offers a two hour free walking tour of Oxford colleges including Christ Church College, alma mater of 13 British prime ministers, the mysterious All Souls College, which is nearly impossible to get a place at, and Hertford College. You’ll also see the Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera, two of Oxford University’s most iconic buildings.

At Christ Church College, where many of the most famous scenes of Harry Potter, you’ll see the renowned Tudor Great Dining Hall (which was used to create the Hogwarts dining hall in Harry Potter, with its famous feasts and self-clearing magical plates.

You’ll also see the famous Bodley staircase in Christ Church. You’ll get to see the splendid cloisters and courtyard of New College, and Hertford College, with its iconic Bridge of Sighs, linking the Old Quad to the New Quad.

Read More: Discover Oxford’s Most Beautiful Colleges

Oxford Castle and Prison

Visit Oxford imposing castle and prison Castle and Prison, and discover 1,000 years of Oxford’s history. Climb to the top of St George’s tower (one of Oxford’s most ancient pieces of architecture, built in 1020 AD), and enjoy a panoramic view over the whole of Oxford, taking in the extraordinary sights of the city and university.

You can then descend underground into the candle-lit crypt of the castle’s prison. You’ll get the shivers as you step inside 18th Century prison cells, and hear the stories of some of Oxford Castle’s most infamous prisoners, such as Empress Matilda.

An outside tour of the castle will take you up its famous mound, where you’ll see how it turned from the original Motte and Bailey castle, to the grand and defensive structure it is today. Oxford Castle and Prison also has a gift shop which sells historically inspired gifts, including mock weaponry and cuddly dragons.

After soaking up the fascinating stories of Oxford Castle and Prison, you can also research your own family history in the gift shop. Oxford Castle and Prison have a Hall of Names system, where they can search for your surname history in an extensive database of records. Printed in just 5 minutes, you can also take your history home with you.

Read More: Oxford Itinerary: 3 Days in the City of Dreaming Spires

Bookshops

Oxford is a book-lovers paradise. Blackwell’s bookshop in Oxford is one of Oxford’s rarest treasures. Situated on Oxford’s stately Broad Street, its famed Norrington Room holds one of the richest collections of books for sale in the world.

With over three miles of book shelf space, it is officially the biggest bookselling room on the planet.

The Last Bookshop, folded into the Jericho area of Oxford, is a fantastic discount bookshop, offering both new and second hand volumes. There’s also a tiny cafe, where you can sit and look at your new purchases.

The shop also sells vinyl records, so if you’re a fan of vintage-style music, this is the place for you.

Arcadia bookshop is a very special treasure trove, situated on St Michael’s street in Oxford. It’s a tiny shop selling a range of gifts, but specialises in rare and vintage books. There are rumours that the shop is run by fairies, as the items it sells are so delicate and adorable. You can find anything from antique maps to rare, Penguin classics, all perfectly packaged in cellophane.

Gloucester Green market

Visit Gloucester Green Market in Oxford, and taste food from Tibet, Japan, India, and any other far-flung corner of the earth. This open air market includes delicious street food from more than 20 countries, and features vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.

In one corner of the market, you could be tucking into a rich Spanish paella with succulent king prawns and deliciously spiced falafel in another.

Gloucester Green market also offers a compelling range of general produce, from fresh fruit and vegetables, fabrics and stunning jewellery, to haberdashery, watches and clothing. There’s so much to do and see in this vibrant and bustling market, you could easily spend hours gazing at every stall and still not feel ready to leave.

Museums

Oxford has some of the world’s most famous museums and collections of artefacts, and visiting them is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone. Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum is truly unique, and houses over 500,000 objects, photographs and manuscripts from all over the world, and from all eras in human existence.

The museum’s extraordinary collection of artefacts ranges from brass mermaid dishes from Nigeria, to axe heads from the Archaic period (8,000 BC to 1,000 BC). It’s one of our favourite things to do in Oxford as it’s impossible not to be amazed by the quirky collection.

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is one of the most extraordinary museums of art and archaeology in the world. It has some of the richest and rarest collections, from Egyptian mummies and royal relics such as the Alfred Jewel, to Guy Fawkes’ lantern and the mantle of Powhatan (Pocahontas’ father).

If you enjoyed this guide to the unique things to do in oxford, make sure to pay a visit to Cambridge too.

Of course, in an ideal world, you’d be able to visit them all, but realistically most visitors only have time to see a handful of them. When choosing which Oxford colleges to visit, you’ll need to keep a few different factors in mind. These include the entry price, how beautiful it is, how busy it gets and whether or not the college will be open to visitors when you plan to visit.

I spent a full week at Oxford when I applied for an undergraduate palace there, and my best friend also attended Oxford for four years. Needless to say, I’ve visited a respectable amount of the colleges and know which ones are the best to visit! Not all Oxford colleges are created equally, and I’m here to help you with your search for the ones that you can’t miss out on.

What are the Oxford Colleges?

The University of Oxford, unlike most universities in the UK, has no central campus. Instead, numerous colleges collectively form the university. On being accepted at the university, a student is assigned a college. It is here that they will live, socialise and usually take the majority of their classes.

Each college usually has its own dining hall, a common room and of course, student accommodation. Some colleges are more exclusive than others (there’s a big debate around certain Oxford colleges which accept almost exclusively privately-schooled students), and some colleges are for graduate students only.

How to get to Oxford from London

Presumably, you’ll be visiting Oxford from London, which is a really easy day trip! On any given weekday, there are around 118 trains from either London Marylebone or London Paddington train station to Oxford.

The journey takes around 1 hour, and return tickets purchased on the day cost £28.10. If you book in advance, you can score return tickets for as little as £10! From the train station, all the colleges in Oxford are within walking distance. If you’re in a rush, use the City Sightseeing bus to get around the top tourist sights.

Phew! Now that that’s out of the way, here are the prettiest colleges in Oxford which you absolutely need to visit!

1) Magdalen College

Founded in 1458, Magdalen is one of the wealthiest colleges in Oxford. This isn’t surprising when you first see its immaculately kept lawns and gorgeous grounds. For literary fanatics, Magdalen was the college of such icons as J.R.R. Tolkien, Oscar Wilde and C.S. Lewis!

Entrance to the college costs £7, but you can easily spend ages exploring its gorgeous grounds and taking in its breathtaking architecture, so the entry price is well worth it. The large Magdalen Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in Oxford, and is an essential photo stop!

Once you’ve admired the buildings of Magdalen, take a stroll along Addison’s Walk, a tranquil footpath along the river inside the college grounds.

Magdalen’s position opposite the river offers an amazing opportunity to sit on the grass and watch the world go by. Magdalen also has its very own Deer Park! The deer have been roaming this area for over 300 years, but you have the best chance of seeing them in summer when they tend to hang out in the riverside meadows.

Don’t be caught out – you should (confusingly) pronounce Magdalen as Mawd-lin. Mispronouncing it is the easiest way to reveal yourself to be a tourist! It is open from 10 am to 7 pm or dusk, whichever is earliest.

2) Balliol College

My personal favourite of all the colleges, Balliol is one of the oldest and most centrally located colleges in Oxford. Its ancient charm is nothing but alluring! Stepping through the gates of the college, it’s hard to imagine all the hustle and bustle happening on the other side of the walls in Oxford city centre. The grounds of Balliol feel like their own peaceful world!

The college was founded in 1263 and has produced many UK Prime Ministers, including Harold MacMillan, Edward Heath and Boris Johnson. Literature fans will want to know this college was also home to authors Aldous Huxley and Graham Greene, and the poets Matthew Arnold and Gerard Manley Hopkins.

Balliol is imposing, impressive, and (thankfully) less crowded than traditional favourites such as Christ Church college. Another perk of visiting Balliol college is that entrance costs only £3. This is a veritable bargain in comparison to the more popular colleges! Entry is from 10 am to 5 pm or dusk, whichever is earliest. Here’s a great walking tour of the Oxford Colleges with a guide.

3) Christ Church College

Undoubtedly the most iconic college, Christ Church is THE Oxford college to visit if you only have time for one. It’s gorgeous, it’s impressive, and it’s huge! That being said, given its popularity you’ll probably have to compete with hundreds of other tourists to get those sought-after perfect photos!

There’s a chance you might find Christ Church familiar, and that will be because it was used as a filming location for the Harry Potter movies. The most popular place to visit for Potter fans is the dining hall, which inspired the Hogwarts dining hall.

You’ll also recognise the steps up to the dining hall, which is where Professor McGonagall welcomed the new first years when Harry arrived at Hogwarts. Harry Potter aside, Christ Church is also home to the iconic Tom Tower, an Oxford landmark designed by world-renowned architect Christopher Wren (who also designed St Paul’s Cathedral).

Of course, everywhere you go in Christ Church will blow your mind with its staggering beauty, so you should plan to spend an hour here at the very least! To explore in full, you’ll have to pay to enter the college, which costs between £7-9 (depending on what time of year you visit).

Opening times can often change at short notice, so it’s best to check their website for up-to-date information. You can also take a Harry Potter walking tour of the colleges and city which also includes a visit to the Bodleian Library.

Since the college is so popular with visitors, there’s an option to buy your tickets online in advance. I highly recommend doing this as the ticket queue, especially in summer, can be intense. Besides, if you’re only visiting Oxford for one day you don’t have time to lose!

4) Worcester College

To get off the beaten path in Oxford, take the stroll out to Worcester College. As it’s not as centrally located, you’ll escape the manic tourist crowds at the more popular Oxford colleges. That isn’t to say Worcester College doesn’t have just as much to offer visitors!

It’s another one of the larger Oxford colleges, boasting 26 acres of grounds. The college’s gardens have also frequently won the Oxford in Bloom competition. What’s more, entry to Worcester College is completely free, and visitors are welcome between 2-4pm daily. 

The main quad of the college is next to a set of medieval cottages which are the remnants of Gloucester College, which was active between the 13th and 16th centuries. Further into Worcester, you’ll find a lake where students gather around to study, catch up with friends or just get away from the pressure of their studies for a while.  Again with the weird pronunciation, pronounce Worcester as Wuss-ter.

5) All Souls College

The most mysterious and most exclusive of Oxford colleges, All Souls is also one of the wealthiest of Oxford colleges. Taking no undergraduates, and granting all accepted applicants with instant fellowship, getting a place at All Souls is like finding a golden ticket.

The gruelling admissions process is regularly referred to as “the hardest exam in the world”! It’s no surprise so many people want a coveted place in All Souls though – the college is drop-dead gorgeous!

Luckily, visitors to the college can easily side-step that admission ordeal by simply turning up to the college between 2-4pm on weekdays, or anytime on Sunday. Surprisingly, entry is free! Many visitors are intimidated by the exclusivity of All Souls, but there’s a certain thrill about exploring such a greatly revered college!

Fans of the beloved All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness will probably realise that the trilogy is named after this college, which is where one of the main characters, Matthew de Clairmont, is a fellow.

Read More: Amazing Cambridge Bookshops and Cafes

6) New College

New College is another Harry Potter filming location, which draws a decent amount of visitors, but it’s also much more than that! Despite its name, the college was actually founded in 1379, making it a piece of living history. Just don’t be surprised if you see visitors wearing the iconic red and yellow Harry Potter scarves!

Like a lot of Oxford colleges, New College looks pretty small and unassuming from the outside. It’s only when you enter that you get an idea of its sheer size and grandeur! For Insta-worthy settings from start to finish, you don’t need to look any further than New College. Entry is £5, and entry to the college chapel is free.

The college chapel has exceptionally lavish interiors, and countless statues! It’s definitely worth stopping by before you pay your entry fee. Inside, the gates welcoming you to the college gardens were inspired by Paris’ Gates of Versailles! The college is open to visitors from 10.30 am-5 pm Easter-October, and 2-4 pm in winter.

Of course, as you may have noticed by now, Oxford has a lot of beautiful colleges. What makes New College unique, though, are the stretches of the old town wall which run through the grounds. For another unique experience, you can even stay overnight in the college when the university is on a break!

There are so many beautiful colleges which didn’t make this list but are definitely worth your time. Merton, Brasenose and Jesus colleges, to name just a few, are also especially gorgeous. This means that you really can’t go wrong when choosing which college to visit.

No matter where you go, I’m sure you’ll be blown away by how beautiful Oxford colleges are (St Catherine’s college aside). You’ll also come away trying to imagine what it must be like studying there. I bet it’s a lot more enjoyable exploring the colleges with no essay deadlines, though!

I hope you enjoyed this list of prettiest Oxford colleges, if you enjoyed it then please consider sharing.

Indulging in the local culture is something you will cherish. Oxford is one such town in the UK and is mostly famous for its university colleges and all the architecture they offer. An Oxford day trip gives you time enough to see it all. Oxford is also a very popular tourist spot among foreign travellers beyond what the university colleges can offer.

There are plenty of unique museums, eateries, and libraries dotted over the city of Oxford, which makes it a popular destination for any traveller, regardless what they’re into when they travel.

In addition to all this, just roaming around in the cobbled streets of Oxford is also endless fun, taking you back in time to medieval, Tudor, and Victorian England. We also have an Oxford weekend itinerary if you’d like to extend your trip.

An Oxford Day Trip: Summary

If you are traveling from London, you can start your Oxford day trip by catching a train to Oxford from Paddington Station and it will take you around an hour from there to reach Oxford. To see the city, you can either simply opt to walk around or, alternatively, take a hop-on-hop-off bus.

Oxford is a surprisingly small and condensed city and it really is easy enough to see all of what Oxford city centre has to offer on-foot, even if you’re only taking a day trip to Oxford. However, the Oxford buses are very convenient, simple to navigate, and they even have free WiFi which makes it impossible to get lost or feel disconnected.

You can split your Oxford day trip like so, in order to visit & experience all of these must-see places:

1. Start with Oxford university tour
2. Visit divinity school
3. Go to Oxford Castle
4. Admire top view from the church of St. Mary the virgin
5. Pay a visit to Bridges of sighs
6. Take a boat ride in the Thames
7. Chill at recommended pubs & restaurants

One Day in Oxford: Full Itinerary

Here’s the itinerary for your Oxford day trip in detail. Don’t worry, it’s not a lot. Certainly not more than you can handle in a single day trip to Oxford The attractions are all in very close proximity to each other. 

Start with Oxford University tour

The best way to start your Oxford day trip is by exploring the rich academic history and local culture. What better way to do that than visiting the Oxford University campus. This is one of the finest universities in the world and receives a plethora of international students. 

It has a lot of affiliated colleges all around the area and together they form one of the biggest collections of top tier colleges. The architecture of the buildings here follows a similar style to the palaces in the UK. Symmetrical shapes and designs along with domes and sharp towers can be seen all around. The following are some of the popular spots on campus that you must visit.

• Bodleian Library – It is the main research library of Oxford University and is also one of the oldest ones in Europe. This is also one of the most beautiful libraries you will ever come across. It is situated in Radcliffe Square and is an iconic tourist attraction or landmark of the city. The beautiful hall in the library was the inspiration for designing the main hall in the Harry Potter franchise.

• Botanic Garden – University of Oxford Botanic Garden was founded back in 1621. It is a heaven for people who like greenery and love to explore the versatile flora that nature has provided us. There are numerous species of trees and plants from all around the world to explore. You can also visit one of the numerous glasshouses to see some of the most exciting species of plants and learn about them.

• Museum of Natural History – This museum at Oxford University is dedicated to the natural history of the earth. Remains of extinct animals like dinosaurs, dodoes, etc. are present. Anyone interested in natural history will be blown away by the well-preserved fossils and remains that you can see in the museum.

• Keble College – Due to its red brick construction and neo-gothic style of architecture, this college is instantly recognizable. It is a great place for you to experience student life. The best thing here is that you can pay and stay in one of the hostel dorms and eat the mess food for a wholesome experience.

• Ashmolean Museum – Filled with half a million years of archaeological findings and arts on all 5 floors, this is a museum that is worth exploring. You can find Egyptian mummies, rarest paintings, and some of the most bizarre and unique findings that archaeologists have come across all these years.

Visit Divinity School

If you are a Harry Potter fan, make sure you visit the Divinity School during your Oxford day trip. It was used for shooting a lot of scenes from the Harry Potter series.

You will feel the connection instantly after seeing the architecture. The Divinity School is a medieval building and is also the only surviving purpose-built structure in Oxford. It is still used for lectures, theology discussions, and oral exams to this day.

Read More: The Most Beautiful Oxford Colleges You Have to Visit

Go to Oxford Castle

After exploring the Divinity School, you can get a guided tour of Oxford Castle and prison as the next part of your Oxford day trip. This is a Norman medieval castle that had high strategic importance. Taking up a guided tour is the best as the guide will provide you with insights and facts. On your tour, you will meet characters that will be dressed in the clothes of the historical time of Anarchy.

These characters will also inform you about the rich history of the city. In the end, go to the top of the St. George Tower and get a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

Admire top view from the church of St. Mary the Virgin

The St. Mary the Virgin church is another major attraction in the city that you shouldn’t miss. This intriguing church boasts a beautiful architecture and a well-decorated spire. It is the primary church of the University as well. This church used to be present in the location ever since the Anglo-Saxon times. It was the first building of the university as well.

St. Mary the Virgin has got a high tower that was built around the 13th century. Climb the tower to see the unbeatable 360-degree view of the whole city.

Pay a visit to the Bridge of Sighs

Next up on the list of attractions is the Bridges of Sighs. The official name for the bridge is Hertford Bridge. The name Bridge Of Sighs comes from a similar bridge that is present in Paris. Now, it is a very popular tourist attraction for the people who visit Oxford and is a very popular selfie spot as well. The bridge is beautifully decorated with glass and intricate sculpting.

Take a stroll along the River Thames

By now, your day must be near its end, and you’ve spent it seeing some of the most beautiful architecture Oxford city has to offer. So, now you can enjoy the evening, taking walks with your travel companions on the banks of the River Thames.

This is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the beautiful sunset, cleansing yourself of all the excitement and tension you’ve built up on your packed day of exploring Oxford. You can also take boat rides on the river. If not, you can just sit by the river bank and admire the orange hues taking over the sky at the time of sunset. 

Visit pubs and restaurants to experience the local cuisine

Now, that you will be tired and hungry due to all the exploration you have done, getting some drinks and some food will be a great idea. Oxford is filled with bars, pubs, fine dines restaurants, and cafes which serve quality local cuisine as well as other cuisines. 

Some of the recommended pubs are The Plough, the jam factory, Terruno, The old bookbinders, Turf Tavern. All of them are great places and some have even been present in the same location since even before the 18th century. As far as restaurants go, the best recommendations would be Spiced Roots, Edamame, Turl Street Kitchen, Oli Thai, and Magdalen Arms. 

If you are looking for food recommendations and where to find them, some of the best are:

• From Jill’s Café get their homemade oxford sausages
• Have a sip of All the Fondue from Pierre Victoire
• Big Society’s Pulled Pork Bun
• Cookies from Ben’s cookies
• Pieminister’s Pie mash mushy peas

Where to Stay in Oxford

You can take the train back to London from Oxford after having a good time in Oxford. But, if not, you can also consider staying in Oxford itself. 

There are a lot of high class as well as affordable yet comfortable hotels in Oxford. If you are looking for a luxury stay, it can cost you an average of £130 per night. Some popular choices for luxury stays include:

• Cotswold Lodge Hotel – A peaceful, elegant hotel with a country-manor style that’s just a 10-minute walk from Oxford city centre.
• Malmaison Hotel – This converted Victorian prison is now a stunning boutique hotel offering unique luxury accommodation in historic Oxford.
• Museum Hotel – Accommodation in historic Oxford in a building dating from 1594.

If you’d prefer a budget stay in Oxford, night at a budget hotel or guesthouses will average at around £50 per night and the best options for this include:

• St. Margaret’s Hotel – St Margaret’s Hotel offers high-quality accommodation just 5 minutes’ drive from the historic centre of Oxford.
• YHA Oxford – Brilliantly located beside Oxford railway station, YHA Oxford is a purpose built youth hostel that suits the needs of a range of travellers and visitors.
• The Galaxie – The Galaxie is a family-run bed and breakfast accommodation situated in a leafy residential area offering individually styled, modern bedrooms.

About the authour: Umang is a travel blogger based in India. Since 2013, Umang has blogged extensively about his travels in India & 12 other countries on travelmax.in. Along with sharing his travel experiences, Umang also compiles travel tips, itineraries and more.

It will charm you with hundreds of years of history and conquer your heart with its modern and funky bars, pubs, and mouth-watering restaurants. So, ready to walk the same streets as Albert Einstein, Oscar Wilde, and J.R.R. Tolkien?! Here is your 3-day Oxford itinerary.

Arriving in Oxford

Oxford is located in the South-East of England, about 96km away from London, and 106km away from Birmingham. Its proximity to these two major cities makes it easily accessible both via plane and land.

Read More: Five Literary Cities in the UK

London to Oxford by Plane

If you’re traveling to the UK by plane, I suggest you land at Gatwick or Heathrow. These two airports are well-served by direct buses to Oxford. The cheapest and fastest bus company is Oxford Airline.  You can either buy your tickets in advance or get them on the coach. The price for a return ticket varies from £20-32, depending on the airport you are traveling from. 

Alternatively, if you’re landing at Luton or Stansted airports, you can buy your bus tickets through the National Express website. Unfortunately, these airports are quite far off and you’ll spend a minimum of 2.5 hours on the bus to get in town. 

You could also decide to land at Birmingham International Airport and catch a train from there. That will take you about an hour, but flights here are usually a tad more expensive. Once you’ve arrived, you can begin your Oxford itinerary.

London to Oxford by Land

Are you already in the country and would like to reach Oxford? No sweat! There are multiple ways to do it. First, you could jump on a train from either Marylebone or Paddington Station. These two train stations in London are the only ones that offer direct services to the city. 

Otherwise, if you’re on a budget, you can catch the Oxford Tube from Victoria Station instead. This is a fantastic service that runs 24/7. A return ticket is £15. I highly recommend it. From there, your Oxford itinerary begins.

To Oxford from Other UK Cities

The UK is well-served in terms of public transportation, so you won’t have any issues reaching the city of dreaming spires from anywhere in the country. I suggest checking the National Rail website or the National Express search engine to look for the most affordable and quickest options for your location.

Read More: Four Day London Itinerary for Book Lovers

When is the best time to visit Oxford?

If I were you, I would visit Oxford during the summer months. This will guarantee the best Oxford itinerary. June is probably best as there are fewer tourists than in the following two months. Unfortunately, we can’t always do what we want, so here’s an outline of Oxford’s climate and what you could encounter when.

November to March: The climate in the UK is renowned for being very rainy. However, to my own surprise, Oxford isn’t THAT rainy. During the winter it is undoubtedly cold, sometimes temperatures go below zero, but it doesn’t rain as often as in other parts of the country.

If you’re planning on coming between November and March, buckle up because it is very chilly. And don’t forget your umbrella, you never know!

May to September: End of Spring and Summer in Oxford are lovely. The parks are green and filled with families and groups of friends having barbecues and swimming in the river. Cherry trees are blossoming and the sun shines over the usually gloomy colleges.

October and April: These are the middle months. You could be extremely lucky and have a warm day, go for a stroll in the park, and have a punt in the river while enjoying the sunshine. Or you could be extremely unlucky and witness the storm of the century.

I must admit, no matter the month you visit, Oxford is always incredibly beautiful and won’t disappoint you.

3-Day Oxford Itinerary

With the question of when to visit Oxford out of the way, let’s dive into a complete Oxford itinerary that’s perfect for spending three days in the most historic of English cities.

Day 1: Morning

Arrive in Oxford and settle in. Drop your luggage at the accommodation and start heading towards the city centre. Let the Oxford itinerary properly begin!

Your first stop is going to be the Botanical Garden. The price to get in is £6, but you can stay inside as much as you like. If it is a nice day, I suggest you grab a book or a pair of headphones before leaving the hotel and chill for a while after the end of your self-guided tour.

The garden is huge and filled with a variety of plants, including carnivore ones! It’s the perfect location to relax a little after a long journey.  For lunch, head to the colourful Holywell Street and inside the Turf Tavern. An iconic pub hidden behind the traditional British houses. Sit outside and enjoy an avo-burger with skin-on fries. Delish!

Day 1: Afternoon

Next on your Oxford itinerary is the Radcliffe Camera, followed by the Bridge of Sighs and the Bodleian Library. These are three of the main top attractions in the city, with reason.

A few minutes’ walk away from each other, these magnificent buildings are the heart of Oxford’s ancient city centre.Take some snaps and admire their iconic architecture. You might even encounter some Oxford students in their gowns, and there is nothing more Oxfordian than this.

To keep up the academic theme, head to Blackwell’s in Broad Street. This huge bookshop is the ideal place to spend all your money. Given where you are, you might want to buy the Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and Alice in Wonderland.

Oxford has greatly inspired the authors of these three masterpieces, and, who knows, the next big author might be you!

After filling your backpack with knowledge, go grab a pint at the White Horse, the oldest (and probably tiniest) pub in town, and finish your day at the Westgate rooftop. Have dinner at Victor’s and then move to the Alchemist for some smoky cocktails. 

Read More: Oxford’s Most Beautiful Colleges You Have to Visit

Day 2: Morning

For day 2 of your Oxford itinerary, stretch your muscles and get ready for a brand-new day in the city of dreaming spires. Go to town and head to Bill’s for an out-of-this-world breakfast. I suggest getting the fruit pancakes as they are incredible.

Once you’re done tasting these heavenly foods, start your University of Oxford tour. Head to Christ Church, the most famous and most renowned of all colleges. Multimedia tours cost £15 for adults and £14 for seniors, students, and children (5-17 years old). Here you will encounter hundreds of Harry Potter fans.

That’s right! Christ Church was used to film a few scenes of the worldwide acclaimed Harry Potter movies, and its dining hall inspired the one of Hogwarts. You might want to (re)watch the movies before you arrive!

As soon as the tour is over, walk up to the Christ Church meadows and walk along the river. Other great colleges to visit are Magdalen College, New College, All Souls, and Corpus Christi. Oxford Walking Tours, in Broad Street, do guided tours multiple times a day and will take you to the most famous colleges in town.

As a free option, check Oxford Foot Prints, these guys are Oxford University students and can give you an insider’s perspective of what it’s like to study at the number one university in the whole world. They’ll also have some interesting stories about college rivalries! So, if you’re feeling inspired and want to learn more about these historic buildings, tag along!

Day 2: Afternoon

Order a lush burger at the Head of the River pub, enjoy the views of the river and the exceptional live music. Pay the bill and get ready for some fun! Right by the pub, Salter’s Steamers has a boat hire pontoon.

This is where you’re going to have the first punting experience of your Oxford itinerary! Get on the punt and start gliding along the river. One hour will cost you £20, unless you want a chauffeur, in that case, it will be £60. Try not to get stuck in between rocks or fall in the water! It’s cold!

At the end of the hour, use your Mobike App to unlock a public bicycle and head towards Cowley Road. Take a seat at Kazbar or Café Tarifa and enjoy a few Estrella Galicia.

Just before you’re too tipsy to move, walk to Antep Kitchen and have the best Turkish food in town. I recommend the Chicken Shish, but it is my favourite dish so I might be a little biased.  Finally, if you’re not too tired, there’s some feisty tequila shots waiting for you at Café Baba.

Read More: Amazing Cambridge Bookshops and Cafes

Day 3: Morning

It’s time to shine. Begin day 3 of your Oxford itinerary by having a proper Colombian coffee at Coffee Roasters in the Covered Market and grab a pastry to get you started for the day. While you savour your pain au chocolate, walk to the Ashmolean Museum.

This is one of Oxford’s most important museums, it holds a collection of thousands of years of artifacts, traditions, and history. But most importantly, entry is free! Before you leave, don’t forget to hit the rooftop bar for a fancy glass of prosecco. 

Next on your Oxford itinerary, is Port Meadow. Just a short walk away from the Ashmolean, and close to the beautiful residential neighbourhood of Jericho, is one of Oxford’s most incredible parks. Ruled by the most elegant and free wild horses, Port Meadow is a must-see. Take some snacks and a beach towel with you, relax, get tanned and maybe go for a swim in the river. 

Day 3: Afternoon

Oxford is the city of knowledge, so we can’t only visit one museum! In the afternoon of your last day head to the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford’s Natural History Museum. You will be surrounded by hundreds of glass cabinets filled up with extraordinary remains. There’s SO much to see, by the end of the tour you will be hungry.

End your three-day escape in Oxford with style. Book a table at Gee’s and have a delicious Italian dinner in the most romantic restaurant in town. Follow up with a fancy cocktail at the Varsity Club Rooftop bar and enjoy Oxford’s incredible skyline. 

Where to Stay in Oxford?

There is plenty of choice in Oxford when it comes to accommodation. So, you get to pick depending on the type of traveller you are.

On a budget: There are three hostels in Oxford: YHA, Backpackers Central, and Oxford Backpackers. All three are located very close to the train station and are in an optimal area for going out and exploring the city. 

Mid-range: If you’re on a mid-range budget, I suggest checking the Oxford Townhouse and Oxford Cherwell B&B. Both have lovely rooms at ideal locations in town. Easy to reach and very well-served by buses. 

High range: Big dollars in your pocket? Great stuff. Oxford offers some incredible options in terms of hotels. The most recommended ones would be Malmaison Hotel, The Old Bank, and The Randolph Hotel. All located in the city centre and within walking distance to all Oxford’s main landmarks. 

Read More: 18 Unique Places to Stay in the UK

How to get around Oxford?

Oxford is tiny, so you can pretty much walk anywhere. On top of that, there are buses and taxis, available to you at all times. However, the best way to visit the city is by bike.

Shared bicycles are scattered all over the city and can be accessed via the Mobike app. The most incredible things to see and do in town are close to the city centre, and it usually never takes longer than 20 minutes to reach it if you’re staying nearby. 

Best Hidden Paths for Bicycle Rides

On top of being the fastest mean of transport available in Oxford, with a bike you can truly explore the countryside and the local natural paths. Here’s my top 3 hidden paths for bicycle rides:

Iffley Lock: Get on your bike and ride along the river all the way to Iffley Lock. The scenery is incredible here and you will be in awe the whole time. Maybe stop at the ISIS Farm for a cheeky pint too!

Sandford-On-Thames: Head towards Abingdon and stop at Sandford. This is a beautiful little village by the river. It is as pretty as you’d see it in a postcard. If you feel like it, keep going until you reach Abingdon city centre and explore this historic town. 

Blenheim Palace: This ride is a little longer than the other two but totally worth it. Make sure you get the path that goes via the countryside rather than the ring road. It will take you to Blenheim Palace, a Royal building where dukes and duchesses currently live. Entry is quite expensive, but the gardens are free and incredibly beautiful. I highly recommend it!

Read More: How to Spend a Perfect Day at Blenheim Palace and Woodstock

Why Visit Oxford

As one of the prettiest cities in England, Oxford stands out for its architectural beauty and surprising natural surroundings. As it is located close to London and to the larger airports, it is easily accessible via plane and the biggest nearby cities.

With plenty of things to do and see, Oxford is definitely one to add to your bucket list. I hope you enjoy your stay there and this three-day itinerary. 

About the author: Marta is a part-time traveller based in Oxford, UK. While she’s not dreaming of where to go next, she builds bridges between cultures and people at EF Education First. Follow her blog, Temporal Globe, to learn more about her and her South American travels. You can also find her on Instagram.

Built in the extremely rare English baroque style of architecture, this exquisite and gallant structure hosts some amazing seasonal events.

Blenheim Palace events include autumn walks through Blenheim gardens (of which you’ll see a few photos below), as well as plenty of Blenheim palace Christmas events. Christmas at Blenheim is romantic and beyond picturesque, what with the Blenheim Palace lights transforming the place into a winter wonderland.

Beyond the majesty of the building itself, as well as all the Blenheim Palace events, there’s also the town of Woodstock UK (I clarify UK since its US counterpart is equally famous, and among one of our favourite towns in the US northeast, as we’ve mentioned before).

Woodstock UK – specifically Woodstock Oxfordshire – is the quintessential English town. Stone houses, quiet streets, old English pubs and hotels with sweet names like The Feathers, a delightful bookshop, and of course Blenheim Palace itself.

All of these things make Woodstock UK one of the finest English towns to explore. Let’s dive into what makes visiting Blenheim Palace and Woodstock Oxfordshire such a perfect English day trip!

Read More: Visit Hay-on-Wye – Britain’s Book Town

Blenheim Palace: What to See and Do

Before we get to all the Blenheim Palace events, like the autumn walks, Christmas at Blenheim, the Blenheim lights, and so on, let’s take a look at what to expect on a normal day trip to Blenheim Palace: the building, the grounds, and the Great Lake.

First, a history less: Blenheim Palace was constructed in 1722 and is the ancestral home of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, built by his ancestor John Churchill, 1^st Earl of Marlborough.

Winston Churchill was born, married, and buried in Blenheim Palace, and a lot of anecdotes about his childhood can be learned from the staff at the palace as you explore (I’m certainly not the biggest Churchill fan in the world, but the info is welcome and enlightening nonetheless!)

Blenheim Palace being one of the largest stately homes in the UK, it’s got enough rooms and acreage to fill up a full day of exploring. And everything has remained untouched and as pristine as when the palace was first built 300 years ago.

Blenheim Palace Building

When you first arrive up the long driveway to Blenheim Palace, pay for your tickets (prices below), you’ll arrive in an open quad in front of the palace proper. This will be your first big photo opportunity, with the palace on one side and the grounds spread out across the other three. It’s a thrilling sight.

From there, you enter the palace building and will be given a free audio guide. While Blenheim Palace tours are available to book, making your own way around with an audio guide to lead the way is also a perfect experience.

A journey around the house visiting the gilded State Rooms including the chapel and the library (Churchill’s favourite room), will take you a minimum of 45 minutes, but we recommend you really take your time and soak it all up.

Photography and filming/vlogging is fine; just be polite about it. These State Rooms are filled with priceless portraits and heirlooms depicting British royalty, dukes, and duchesses from the past 300 years, as well as antique tapestries and furniture to marvel at.

Blenheim Palace also has the Churchill Exhibition, a special Blenheim Palace tour which shines a light on the life of Winston Churchill, even down to the very room he was born in, back in 1874.

Beyond touring the palace, you can also visit the gift shop (officially called the East Courtyard Shop): a delightful space filled with Churchill-themed books, trinkets, and memorabilia, as well as British souvenirs and even some very fancy Barbour clothing (woollen scarves, hats, jackets etc). On top of that, Blenheim Palace also boasts more than one café for you to relax in and soak up the atmosphere.

The Orangery Restaurant, with views of the ornate Italian Gardens, is open from 11:00am to 5:30pm. And the Water Terrace Café (our favourite) has outdoor seating that spills out onto the incredible Water Terraces; and this café serves quintessential English tea and cakes.

Blenheim Palace Grounds

The grounds of Blenheim Palace actually stretch on for 2000 acres of parkland, but for a single day at the palace there’s more than enough natural beauty to behold in the Formal Gardens, which you’ll find out the back of the palace once you’ve finished your Blenheim Palace tour.

The Formal Gardens are made up of the following: The Water Terraces, Rose Garden, Churchill Memorial Garden, and Temple of Diana. There’s also the Great Lake, which we’ll come to in a moment. The Water Terraces will be the first thing you find when you leave the house. And the best way is through the Water Terrace Café.

There, you’ll find an enormous fountain cornered by Greek statues and with wings of the palace on either side. Take a quick stroll around the Water Terraces and then you’ll see the lake stretching out into the distance beyond. The walk we recommend takes you along the lakeside and then away from it in a small circle, passing by the other features of the Formal Gardens: the Churchill Memorial Garden and the Rose Garden.

So, once you’re done taking photos and taking in the Water Terraces, stroll on down to the left side (not sure which actual compass direction it is so just go left when facing the lake). There, the lake will be on your right and you’ll begin an hour-long stroll through the rest of the Formal Gardens. Peaceful wandering with the sound of birds and flowing water.

You’ll eventually reach a small but stunning waterfall, and the path will veer on to the left and then back on itself, returning you to the palace via the Rose Garden (which you can enter and is at peak beauty in the summer months) and the Churchill Memorial Garden, which features a lifelike (and thus terrifying) bust of the man himself.

Beside the bust is also the Temple of Diana, a tiny but majestic Greek-style temple built fifty years after the palace itself. This is the site where Winston Churchill famously proposed to his wife.

Blenheim Palace Prices and Opening Times

Adult (palace, park, and gardens): £27
Adult (park and gardens only): £17
Child (palace, park, and gardens): £16
Child (park and gardens only): £7.60
Blenheim Palace opening times: 10:30 – 17:30
Park opening times: 9:00 – 18:00
Formal Gardens opening times: 10:00 – 18:00

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Blenheim Palace Events

Blenheim Palace plays host to an extraordinary number of events all year round. Many of these are once-off events such as art exhibitions.

For example, during our own visit, one of the Blenheim Palace events was an exhibition of the modern art of Maurizio Cattelan, an Italian modern artist known for dark and satirical art installations with a wink at the dark side of modern society.

His artwork was placed strategically around the palace’s State Rooms and features such installations as a hanging man, several pieces of taxidermy (including the world’s oldest taxidermized animal: a 400 year old Spanish crocodile, suspended from the ceiling), a representation of the Pope crushed by a boulder, and even a dead Pinocchio floating out in the Water Terraces.

So, depending on the month or season of your visit, the Blenheim Palace events available may differ. There may be history tours, art installations, Shakespeare performances, seasonal experiences such as Halloween and autumn walks, literature festivals, and even more besides!

Keep up to date by visiting the Blenheim Palace website. But below is the very biggest and best of the seasonal Blenheim Palace events which might interest you when you visit Blenheim Palace.

Christmas at Blenheim

While the dates may differ slightly, the Blenheim Palace Christmas event is a staple of the palace, and usually takes place between late November and early January (before the twelfth day of Christmas). Christmas at Blenheim involves several exciting events and activities, including a Christmas market and an illuminated light trail.

The Blenheim Palace Christmas lights have to be seen to be believed. The entire palace home, as well as the Blenheim gardens nearby, are illuminated by magical Christmas lights in a symmetrical, mesmerising fashion. Christmas at Blenheim is the best way to experience a traditional English Christmas in a kind of regal, Victorian, baroque, effervescent, traditional, exciting, magical (I could go on) way.

Needless to say, seeing the Blenheim palace lights and experiencing a Blenheim Palace Christmas is one of the absolute best ways to experience Christmas in England, and one of the very best Blenheim Palace events.

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Woodstock UK: What to See and Do

Woodstock Oxfordshire is, as we’ve said, one of the most downright delightful little English towns. If you’ve ever visited Oxford or Bath and marvelled at the stone buildings and elegant, regal architecture, then you’ll be fascinated by the way that all of that royal and baroque beauty has been captured in this singular little village town of Woodstock Oxfordshire.

So, once you’ve finished visiting the palace itself, the Blenheim gardens, or taken part in one of the Blenheim Palace events (such as Christmas at Blenheim), what’s there to do in the town of Woodstock? Well, here are a few suggestions.

Woodstock Bookshop

Given that we always search for the nearest bookshop of whatever town we find ourselves in, we were elated to find such a quaint and sweet bookshop in this quiet English town.

Woodstock Bookshop is a darling little local independent bookshop that stocks all the latest releases in both fiction and non-fiction, as well as a wide selection of classics and bestsellers. It’s remarkable, honestly, how much variety of stock can be found in this tiny little (but bright and charming) booksellers.

The best bit, for us at least, was the section near the back which organises some of its literature by continent. So that, if you’re so inclined, you can specifically search for Chinese or Japanese literature, or Latin American, or Russian literature if that’s what you want (and it is what we want).

Woodstock Bookshop is one of the very best bookshops we’ve come across in the UK, and it’s a must-visit stop on your tour of Woodstock UK – almost as impressive as any of the major Blenheim Palace events!

Woodstock Coffee Shop

This little café is a fantastic place to relax after a day of exploring the palace grounds or attending one of the Blenheim Palace events. It’s a traditional English café with a focus on providing delicious cakes and pastries to have with your tea or coffee.

You can enjoy freshly made Danish pastries and French croissants of all kinds, as well as English cakes and deserts or American cookies. If it’s sweet and soft and fresh, they have it. And, of course, the coffee is excellent to boot!

All the Good Pubs!

This being a traditional English town, Woodstock Oxfordshire has no shortage of good pubs, all of which can be found in old 17^th or 18th-century buildings, adding to that warm and rugged atmosphere. Working fireplaces, exposed stone walls, creaky wood flooring, low beams, the smell of ale, and the sound of blustering laughter.

Every pub in Woodstock is a charming place to visit, have a pint or a glass of wine, some quality English food, and possibly find a bed for the night. When we visited, we perused them all end settled on The Star Inn, one of the options for accommodation near Blenheim Palace.

The food (ham, eggs, and chips for Jess and a veggie burger with fries for myself) was excellent, and the ale was very reasonably priced and refreshing after a few Blenheim Palace tours!

Hotels Near Blenheim Palace

If you’re planning to spend a full day enjoying some Blenheim Palace tours or enjoying any of the numerous exciting Blenheim Palace events, as well as enjoying a stroll through Woodstock UK, then you might want to consider spending a night at one of the Blenheim Palace hotels.

Woodstock offers a wealth of accommodation near Blenheim Palace for you to choose from, and here are a few suggestions, all rustic and charming and reasonably priced!

The Star Inn

We’ve already mentioned how much we loved the food and the beers at The Star Inn, but this inn is also one of the most perfectly located hotels near Blenheim Palace.

A five minute walk from the palace grounds, and down a quiet street off the main Oxford Road, this is an ideal choice of inn where you can get a great evening meal with a drink (which we can attest to) as well as a room with breakfast included! A fantastic choice of accommodation near Blenheim Palace and a local favourite pub!

Macdonald Bear Hotel

For an ever so slightly more upmarket (but still affordable) option when looking for Blenheim Palace hotels, Macdonald Bear Hotel offers large rooms, a gorgeous and spacious dining hall, a modern décor that retains a bit of rustic charm, and a menu of traditional British foods made with local seasonal ingredients. For around £100 per night, you can’t go wrong with this choice of accommodation near Blenheim Palace.

The Crown

Going upmarket a little bit more again, one of the fanciest hotels near Blenheim Palace is The Crown. Another rustic and traditional English inn-style hotel that features those cool bathtubs with feet (I love those tubs), The Crown is the perfect place to stay if you want to splash out to around £150 per night.

Definitely ideal for couples, this is the most splendid of Blenheim Palace hotels, and given how close it is, it definitely makes for the most ideal accommodation near Blenheim Palace.