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|Updated on November,11,2024|

If you are planning to spend a day in Oxford, I will provide you with a great Oxford itinerary that will make your trip worthy and memorable. If you are expecting fun and enthusiastic about viewing the best of Oxford in one day, then this Perfect Guide for a Day Trip to Oxford post is for you! 

 

There is a manifestation of a variety of top-rated options from which you can choose according to your preferences, choices, and of course, geographical/travel ease. You can plan your day from these high-rated/ recommended choices that will make your day trip to Oxford even better and more memorable. Read further my Perfect Guide for a Day Trip to Oxford post to learn more.

The Perfect Guide for a Day Trip to Oxford

1. What to Know About Oxford

Oxford is a distinct and historic city which is located in the west of London and can be easily accessible by car, bus, or train. Oxford, UK is an interesting destination to choose for a day trip from London or any other nearest cities. It is a very walkable city, so you do not have to worry about how to navigate there if you came by public transport.

 

Did you know that Harry Potter was filmed in Oxford? I am sure you did. I even had a chance to be at that location and look around, but was not able to get in as there was a private event going on there on that day. Also, it is not a surprise that Oxford is famous for its University as it is the most prestigious one thus the city also being ranked amongst the top ten safest student cities by the Complete University Guide.

 

You will never get bored in Oxford at all no matter how much time you spend there. Oxford’s deep history has elevated its status for arts, science, spectacular architecture, technology, and innovation. There are so many meadows, gardens, and parks which are surrounded by countryside spaces and miles of scenic waterways. There are mind-blowing shopping malls like Westgate Oxford, cute little cafes and restaurants, unique libraries with amazing collections of books, and more. If you happen to be in London for at least 2-3 days, I recommend you have a day trip plan to Oxford on your list of places to visit.

 

2. How to Get to Oxford From London

Getting to Oxford from London is very easy as it’s just 60 miles from London and has numerous options for how to get there. Mostly preferred and most convenient way is to go by train.

 

• Traveling to Oxford by train is the most convenient option

 

You will need to go to Paddington station and take a train from there, which will take about 1h 25 min.

 

NOTE. Trains to Oxford can be canceled and or replaced. If replaced, you will have to switch. Here is a route you can take.

 

Train from Paddington to Reedley and from Reedley to Oxford. So make sure there are more trains after yours in case of cancellation you can always hop on to another one. If you buy return tickets right away, It will be cheaper. I paid 32.90 pounds for a round trip which is a very good price.

Oxford is a very walkable city which you can explore on your own or take a free walking tour. If you do not know where to go, just follow the crowd. It’s easy as there are lots of tourists and you can make sure you won’t get lost.

 

When I planned my trip to Oxford I was going to take a FREE walking tour, but I arrived way earlier, so I decided to explore on my own. It was not hard as everything was located close to each other and I just walked everywhere.

 

• Traveling to Oxford by bus takes almost the same time as your own vehicle

 

If you are planning to take a bus from London, it’s almost a 1.5-hour journey from London. You can check ticket prices from London to Oxford by bus here. If you are a solo traveler then the bus can be a very good option to have an enjoyable journey.

 

• Traveling to Oxford by taxi can be a bit expensive, but if you are in a hurry, this might be your best choice.

 

The travel duration is the same as the bus or your own car e.g. 1.5 hours. You can always check for cheaper options for taxi booking from Minicabit.

 

• Traveling to Oxford at your conveyance

 

If you travel by car, it will be more fun and convenient as you can stop at any place you wish to stay in between. But if you are driving on your own, you need to be sure about permitted parking zones, so it can be a hassle to park your car everywhere you wish to stop.

 

3. Best Things to Do in Oxford

The top sightseeing in Oxford from which you can start your day trip (depending on your preferences) are as follows:

 

• Ashmolean Museum. A place rich in history; Britain’s first public museum with a collection ranging from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art. There is a rooftop restaurant which is a fashionable spot serving modern European dishes and this should not be missed if you want to add some royalty to your trip! Enjoy FREE admission.

 

• Christ Church College. Most famous and admired location by Harry Potter lovers who wish to explore the Harry Potter movie location spots, the entrance fee is around £14, but make sure the main dining hall is open for you to visit Harry Potter sights. Ticket prices start from £20.

 

• Oxford Castle & Prison. This is a top sight where you can go 1000 years back in history and step inside a padded jail only for £15 pounds!
  

 

• Bridge of Sighs. Built in 1914, it has become one of Oxford’s most iconic landmarks, known for its beautiful architecture and photogenic appeal. It’s a popular spot for visitors to capture the essence of Oxford’s historic charm.

 

• Modern Art Oxford. It is an extraordinary art gallery where you can be astonished by the amazing modern ideas and creativity and there is also a ‘Brick’ café which can elevate your experience here. Admission is free in this art space but remember it’s closed on Mondays.

• FREE Oxford walking tour which starts at 11 am (this is the earliest time) and lasts for 2 hours. Oxford students run this tour and you will see the most famous sights of Oxford and hear some stories from them. This tour is recognized among the top 10 experiences in the world, so this is recommended to start a fantastic day trip in Oxford. You can get more details about these student-led tours here.

Fun Oxford Activities

Fun Oxford activities that are mostly desired by tourists, especially when you are a solo female traveler, you may not want to miss any of these; you have lots of options here in Oxford that will make your day trip extraordinary like:

 

• Escape Hunt Oxford. Let the adrenaline flow in this escape room of Oxford. It is definitely an activity that is packed with excitement and thrill.

 

• Oxford Ice Rink. It is an indoor ice-skating facility with a cozy café.

 

• High Ropes Oxford. It’s the biggest tree-top adventure course in Oxford and is best if you are a forest adventurer.

 

 

You can plan most of these Oxford activities together which are geographically closer to each other because all these activities in Oxford are not more than 1-2 hours on average and before having lunch or dinner you can definitely exhaust yourself through these amusements!

 

 

After spending almost half of the day in Oxford now you can have lunch in one of the cool cozy cafes or restaurants in Oxford and get yourself prepared for further exploring this exotic city. Keep in mind if you are here on the weekend, most of the places will be very busy.

 

Check this article to learn about the best places locals like to eat in Oxford. 

 

After you are done with your lunch and have a while spent resting, now is the time to spend a beautiful evening exploring the natural scenic beauty of Oxford. Following are some famous Parks and Gardens which attract millions of tourists.

 

Parks and Nature Attractions in Oxford

• Oxford Botanic Garden. Britain’s oldest and top-choice garden which is easily accessible is a part of the University of Oxford. If you are a nature lover so 5000 species of plants might amaze you while you walk through it. The day ticket price for adults is £7.20.

 

• The Grove. You can have a grasp on this park as well as it is just in the same area as Oxford Botanic Garden.

 

• Port Meadow. It is a good place to walk and see wildlife beside the river Thames. So if you like bird watching or kayaking, definitely check this out.

 

It is a perfect spot for Punting also, usually, the single punt takes up to 5 people and costs around £30. If you go punting at this point you can have another 30–40-minute unforgettable experience from this one-day trip to Oxford.

Hopping onto the next and probably the final stage of your marvelous day trip in Oxford will be looking for some of the markets that are for shopaholics and for those who want to take home back lots of stuff that reminds them of their great trip to Oxford. And obviously for the shop of gifts for their family.

Oxford Shopping Centers and Markets

• The Covered Market. A famous historic market with permanent small shops in central Oxford. It’s a unique showcase of products under one roof which all tourists like to experience.

 

• Oxford Outdoor Market. This outdoor market is famous for a variety of foods with decent prices while you walk exploring it.

 

• Gloucester Green Market. Street food is famous here and the variety of stalls gets you a good bargain. And again a lovely place for a walk, and to take back home some UK souvenirs.

 

Apart from markets shopping malls should be next on your list to find some good brands and valuable goods or services. The top choices of malls from which you can visit any time during your day visit to Oxford are as follows:

 

• Westgate Oxford. You can visit this one from Oxford Castle as it is just 4 4-minute walk. You can find prestigious brands, leisure, electrical cafes, rooftop bars, and dining.

 

• Golden Cross Shopping Centre. If you choose this you can easily access it by walking from ‘The covered market’ and this is also a mesmerizing and huge shopping arcade.

 

• Clarendon Centre Oxford. It is located in central Oxford so it can be a choice for many tourists passing by from other locations.

 

• Templars Square. It is located between Town Road and Cowley so the tourist can add to his list if he chooses other locations nearby before planning a day trip to Oxford. This shopping center does have some good budget shops as well.

 

In the same mall or market where you wish to end your day trip, you can find numerous choices of food according to your taste like Indian, Thai, Chinese, or any other cuisine which you will surely prefer for your dinner choice.

 

With the help of this complete one-day trip to Oxford itinerary, you will surely have a day trip that you will always remember and feel nostalgic about later!

 

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4. Things to Know About Oxford While Planning a Day Trip

 

• Unpredictable Weather

 

Always check the weather before planning your day trip as you have just got one day which needs to be productive not restrictive in terms of weather. In Oxford, there can be a lot of rain even in the driest month, so you need to remain updated about weather conditions.

 

• Which type of transport to use to get to Oxford

 

Before heading to Oxford, it’s a good idea to plan how you’ll get there—especially if you’re coming from London. Oxford is usually a quick day trip, so having your travel sorted out in advance saves you from scrambling around and lets you enjoy your day without the hassle of figuring things out last minute.

 

• How to get around the city

Oxford is a walkable city and most of the tourist famous sights are centrally located. In case, you want to go outside of that area, you might need to get an Uber, rent a car, or take a bus.

• Choose the best day and time for your one-day trip plan in Oxford 

 

If you want to avoid visiting Oxford Street during the chaotic periods then just try going in the morning after shops open at 9 am. 11 am-1 pm and 6 pm-7 pm are also the busiest slots on the famous streets and places. Saturday tends to be the busiest day and Sunday is the quietest. You can expect a lot of tourists in summer and places can be too crowded.

 

 

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a picturesque and historic visit to the UK, then a day trip to Oxford will be the best choice. This amazing city is the center of one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, as well as a wealth of museums, gardens, and worthy sightseeing.

 

I suggest you go by train and explore Oxford on foot. Don’t miss seeing Harry Potter sites, Christ Church College, the Ashmolean Museum, the Botanic Garden, and Go Punting!

 

I hope my Oxford itinerary helped you to plan your perfect journey from London to Oxford. Thank you for stopping by.

 

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