Oxford isn’t just famous for its prestigious university; it’s also a perfect destination for a day trip from London. Plus, getting to Oxford is a breeze, with convenient coach and train connections, and most of the city’s main attractions are concentrated in the town center. In this blog post, we’ll show what to do in Oxford in a day and how to make the most of your time. You don’t miss any of the unique experiences, such as punting or visiting the inspiration for the Hogwarts’ library!
Now, let’s dive into the exciting itinerary for your day in Oxford! Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a literature lover, or simply seeking a charming escape, Oxford has something special to offer. Let’s make your day in this captivating city one to remember!
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5 fun facts about Oxford
- The University of Oxford, established nearly 927 years ago, is the second oldest university globally, only trailing behind the University of Bologna, which is approximately 935 years old.
- Keep an eye out for the Museum of Natural History in Oxford; it houses the world’s only surviving remains of dodo soft tissue.
- You might find it interesting to know that the Oxford Dictionary has its roots in this very city. The documentation of the English language began in 1857 and was so comprehensive that it took a whole four years to reach from “A” to “Ant.”
- Remarkably, Oxford’s city center remained untouched during the bombing of World War II. Though the reason for this remains uncertain, there’s a theory that Hitler planned to use Oxford as England’s capital, but there is no real evidence supporting this theory.
- The world-famous children’s book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll was written in Oxford. Carroll, whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was a mathematics professor at Christ Church College, one of Oxford University’s constituent colleges.
First things first: Breakfast
If you’re looking for a great place to start your day with a delicious breakfast or brunch, the Handlebar is the perfect spot. It’s a cozy restaurant and café tucked away above a bicycle shop in central Oxford. Their menu features a wide selection of locally sourced products from independent suppliers in Oxford, including hearty vegan and gluten-free breakfast options, as well as delightful homemade cakes. It can get pretty busy, so even though they say booking isn’t required, we were glad we called ahead and reserved a table.
Covered Market
From the Handlebar, it’s just a short walk to the Covered Market. This historic market dates back to the 1770s and originally served as a hub for meat, fish, and vegetables. It was designed to ease the congestion on the bustling streets of Fish Street (now St Aldate’s) and Butchers Row (now Queen Street). Nowadays, the market is home to 60 independent traders, each offering their own unique variety of goods. Take your time to explore the market stalls and find that perfect Oxford souvenir.
Opening times:
Monday – Wednesday: 8 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday – Saturday: 8 am – 11 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm
Bank Holiday Hours: 10 am – 4 pm
Bodleian Library and the „Divinity School”
No blog post about what to do in Oxford in a day would be complete without mentioning the Bodleian Library and Divinity School. The Divinity School, built between 1427 and 1483, served as a theology lecture hall and hosted many important trials and royal visits. As for the Bodleian Library, it’s one of the oldest libraries in Europe and boasts three historic reading rooms: the Lower Reading Room, the Upper Reading Room, and Duke Humfrey’s Library. Fun fact: both places were used for several scenes in the first four Harry Potter movies, so it’s a great excuse for a Harry Potter movie marathon this weekend, to be well prepared 😉
Please note that access to the library is only granted with a guided tour. They offer tours of 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 90 minutes. It’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance, but if online tickets are sold out, you can try asking at the reception in person. We were fortunate to get some of the last tickets for the 60-minute tour.
Ticket prices:
30-minute tour: £ 10 per person
60-minute tour: £ 15 per person
90-minute tour: £ 20 per person
For all you Harry Potter fans out there, there are themed guided tours through the city that you might want to check out:
Harry Potter Tour with GetYourGuide*
Harry Potter Tour with Viator*
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What else to do in Oxford in a day: Radcliffe Camera & Hertford Brigde
If you’re visiting Oxford, make sure not to miss the Radcliffe Camera. It’s one of the city’s most photographed buildings and a prime example of an early round library in England. Originally funded by Dr. John Radcliffe, an English physician, academic, and politician, it now serves as the main reading room of the Bodleian Library. To get inside and explore, remember to book the 90-minute library tour, which is available on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Right around the corner from the Radcliffe Camera, you will find the Hertford Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Sighs. People call it that because they think it’s a copy of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. But, actually, if you look at photos of both bridges, you’ll see it resembles the Rialto Bridge in Venice instead. Regardless, it’s a super cool spot for snapping some stunning pics in Oxford.
Tower of University Church of Saint Mary the Virgin
Whenever we’re out exploring a new destination, we always seek out the best views. Well, for a breathtaking panoramic view of Oxford, make your way up the tower of the University Church. In case you’re traveling with kids, note that you have to be at least 8 years old to go up to the Tower.
Opening times:
Monday – Saturday: 9.30 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 12 – 6 pm
Ticket price: £5.00 per person
It’s time for your afternoon tea
In our opinion, you just can’t miss having afternoon tea when you’re in England. We’ve got a fantastic recommendation for you: The Rose Oxford*. It’s a charming little tea room, just a few minutes away from the center, and it’s got this cozy yet modern vibe that you’ll absolutely love.
For a rainy day or when traveling with kids: Museum of Natural History
If you’re into visiting museums, you might want to check out the University Museum of Natural History. We personally enjoyed their extensive collection of dodo specimens, which is one of the most complete in the world. The dodo, a flightless bird that sadly went extinct in the 17th century, has its mummified skull and bones from the foot and leg on display. However, to be honest, we might not have visited if the entry hadn’t been free, as we believe there are better ways to spend a sunny day in Oxford. Nevertheless, on a rainy day or when traveling with kids, it’s a great choice as it offers lots of engaging activities.
Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Punting: The most unique experience in Oxford
Punting means boating in a long boat with a flat bottom (a punt) and pushing the boat along the river with a long pole. If you’re not comfortable trying it on your own, you can hire a chauffeur. These chauffeurs make punting look super easy, but don’t be fooled—we saw plenty of people struggling. With all our camera gear, we didn’t want to take any chances and opted to explore the river Cherwell with a pedal boat instead.
You can hire a punt (or a pedal boat) at Magdalen Bridge Boathouse. While advance booking isn’t necessary, it’s recommended on sunny weekends.
Opening times: 7 days a week from 9.30 am – 9 pm (or 1 hour before sunset)
Prices for one punt for 5 people max: £ 30 per hour
Punt with a chauffeur £ 40 per half an hour
What to do in Oxford in one day: End your day with a lovely dinner
Have you heard of The Ivy*? It’s a restaurant chain you might be familiar with from other cities. It was our first time dining at an Ivy restaurant. We noticed they have some mixed reviews on TripAdvisor, but honestly, the food was good, although not quite excellent. However, the service was really nice, and the ambiance had this unique charm to it. That’s why, despite some mixed reviews, we still recommend giving it a try to wrap up your day in Oxford.
- Other options for dinner in Oxford with great reviews: *
How to get to Oxford:
By car
If you’re coming to Oxford by car, we suggest picking a hotel with included car parking and situated within walking distance from the city center, like the Galaxie*. However, if you’re not planning to stay overnight in Oxford, you can consider parking at the Westgate shoping mall underground parking (6 to 10 hours cost £22.00) or the Hinksey Park car park (5 to 24 hours cost £15.10). Both options are relatively close to the city center, about a 15-20 minute walk, and offer reasonable pricing (which is a plus since Oxford can be quite expensive).
By plane
Here you can book your flight to Oxford *
How to get to Oxford from London
By train
There is a direct train to Oxford from London Paddington. The total journey time is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and costs around £40 one way. You can book your ticket online.
By bus
To get to Oxford by bus from London, you have several options with different bus operators:
- National Express: They offer direct coach services from various locations in London, including Victoria Coach Station and Marble Arch, to Gloucester Green Bus Station in Oxford. The journey time is approximately 2 hours and costs around £12 one way.
- The Oxford Tube: The Oxford Tube service also departs from Victoria Coach Station and goes to various stops in Oxford, including Gloucester Green Bus Station and St. Aldate’s. Buses run 24/7 with frequent departures, and the journey time is similar, around 2 hours and costs £13 one way.
- Megabus: They offer budget-friendly services from London Victoria Coach Station to various stops in Oxford. Journey times can vary, but it’s usually around 2 hours and costs £13 one way
Where to stay in Oxford
We have put together a selection of hotels in Oxford for you here. By clicking on each hotel, you will be directed to booking.com*:
When is the best time to travel to Oxford?
The best time to travel to Oxford is during spring and summer when you can experience mild and pleasant weather:May, June, July, August, and September. We traveled to Oxford in April and was pleasantly surprised by the weather; we had no rain at all, only sunshine and agreeable temperatures.
Oxford offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and picturesque streets that make it a truly unique destination. We hope you will enjoy your day trip to Oxford as much as we did.
But our journey doesn’t end here! If you’ve enjoyed this blog post and want to discover more exciting travel tips for England, make sure to check out the 9 Most Important Travel Tips to Know Before Traveling to England for the First Time. VERLINKEN
Happy travels, wanderers!
