Oxford, England: The Perfect Day Trip from London
Oxford is one of our favorite places in England, and at just about an hour from London by train, it's the perfect day trip. Famous for its historic university, incredible architecture, and beautiful gardens, Oxford is one of those places where you can spend an entire day just walking around and admiring the buildings.
Why We LOVE Oxford
Oxford holds a special place in our hearts at R&M. We spent time here during a study abroad program, and it's somewhere we love coming back to whenever we're in England.
If you love history and architecture, you're going to LOVE Oxford. The University of Oxford is one of the oldest universities in the world, made up of roughly 40 colleges, each with its own history, personality, and architectural style. Depending on the time of year, many of the colleges open their doors to visitors, giving you a chance to explore some truly spectacular buildings.
We've mapped out some of our favorite sights and shops in an interactive walking guide to help you make the most of your visit. The city center is incredibly walkable, so you can easily spend a full day exploring without needing public transportation.
What We LOVE to Do
Keble College & the Museum of Natural History
For your day in Oxford, we recommend starting on the north side of town at Keble College.
FINE, we're a little biased toward Keble. This was our college during our study abroad program! However, its location makes it a great starting point for exploring the city.
Founded in 1870, Keble is one of Oxford's newer colleges and has a very different look from many of its neighbors. While most of Oxford is famous for its honey-colored limestone buildings, Keble is known for its striking red, cream, and blue brickwork. The architecture is incredible, and the college's main quadrangle is one of our favorite spaces in town.
Just around the corner, you'll find the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Even if you're not a museum person, the building alone is worth a visit. Opened in 1860, the museum features a spectacular Gothic Revival interior with a soaring glass-and-iron roof. The main exhibition hall is filled with dinosaur skeletons, geological specimens, and other natural history collections. Best of all, admission is free!
The Heart of Oxford
From Keble, make your way down Parks Road toward the historic center of town.
Along the way, you'll pass Trinity College, where we recommend stopping to admire the gardens through the entrance gates. This is one of our favorite views in Oxford, with beautifully maintained lawns surrounded by historic college buildings.
Continue toward Broad Street, where you'll find yourself surrounded by some of the oldest and grandest buildings in the city.
First up is the Sheldonian Theatre, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the 1660s. The building is used for university ceremonies, concerts, and special events, and its distinctive architecture makes it one of Oxford's most recognizable landmarks.
Next door is the Clarendon Building, another beautiful example of Oxford's historic architecture. Originally built to house the university's printing operations, the building now forms part of the Bodleian Libraries.
Just around the corner, don't miss Hertford Bridge, better known as the Bridge of Sighs. Completed in 1914, this enclosed bridge connects two sections of Hertford College and is one of the most photographed spots in Oxford. It's often compared to the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice, although the two look quite different!
Bodleian Library & Radcliffe Camera
One of our absolute favorite places in Oxford is the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe and a must-visit.
Step into the historic courtyard, surrounded by beautiful stone buildings, intricate architectural details, and centuries of university history. Even if you don't take a tour, the courtyard alone is worth stopping for.
The Bodleian offers guided tours of several historic spaces, including the magnificent Duke Humfrey's Library and the Divinity School. The latter is famous for its elaborate vaulted ceiling and appearances in the Harry Potter films.
And don't forget to stop by the gift shop! They have a great selection of books, stationery, and Oxford-themed souvenirs.
On the other side of the Bodleian is the Radcliffe Camera, arguably Oxford's most iconic building. Completed in 1749, this circular neoclassical building is part of the Bodleian Libraries and is still used by students today.
For one of the best views in Oxford, head next door to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, where you can climb the tower for an incredible panoramic view of the Radcliffe Camera and surrounding colleges.
If you're looking for something with fewer steps, we'll share another viewpoint at the Westgate shopping center later in the guide.
Christ Church College & Meadow
From the Radcliffe Camera, continue through the historic streets toward Christ Church, arguably Oxford's most famous college.
Founded by Cardinal Wolsey in 1525 and later refounded by Henry VIII, Christ Church is one of the university's largest and grandest colleges. The college has some spectacular architecture, including Tom Tower, designed by Christopher Wren, and the famous Great Hall.
If you're a Harry Potter fan, you'll recognize several locations around the college. The staircase leading to the Great Hall appeared in the films, while the hall itself helped inspire the design of Hogwarts' Great Hall.
Christ Church is also home to Christ Church Cathedral, which serves as both the college chapel and the cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford. It's a fascinating combination and another reason this college is worth visiting.
We recommend booking a tour in advance if you want to explore the interiors, as visitor access can be limited during university activities.
After your visit, take a walk through Christ Church Meadow, a beautiful green space surrounding the college. You'll find walking paths along the River Cherwell and the River Thames, known locally as the Isis. It's one of the best places to admire Oxford's historic skyline away from the busy streets.
Nearby is Merton College, one of Oxford's oldest colleges, founded in 1264. Its medieval buildings, chapel, and gardens are another highlight if you're interested in exploring more of the university.
High Street & the Botanic Garden
From Christ Church, make your way toward Oxford High Street, one of the most beautiful streets in the city.
Lined with historic colleges, churches, and university buildings, the High Street offers some incredible architecture at nearly every turn. Don't be surprised if you find yourself stopping every few minutes to take another picture.
At the eastern end of the street, near Magdalen Bridge, you'll find the Oxford Botanic Garden. Founded in 1621, it's the oldest botanic garden in Britain and home to thousands of plants from around the world.
If the weather is nice and you have some extra time, it's a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy the gardens along the River Cherwell.
Where We LOVE to Shop
We can't visit a city without checking out the shopping, and Oxford has a great mix of independent shops, bookstores, and familiar British high-street brands.
Blackwell's Bookshop
If you only visit one shop in Oxford, make it Blackwell's on Broad Street.
Founded in 1879, Blackwell's is one of Britain's most famous independent bookshops. What looks like a relatively modest storefront opens into an enormous bookstore, including the underground Norrington Room, which stretches beneath Trinity College.
You'll find everything from fiction and history to academic books, stationery, and gifts. Even if you're not planning to buy anything, it's worth going inside just to see the store.
Oxford Covered Market
Located just off High Street, the Oxford Covered Market is another favorite stop.
Established in 1774, this historic indoor market is filled with independent retailers selling everything from fresh produce and baked goods to gifts, flowers, and handmade products.
It's a great place to browse for souvenirs or grab a quick snack without committing to a full sit-down lunch. We love markets like this because they offer something a little different from the typical high street.
Cornmarket Street
Cornmarket Street is one of Oxford's main pedestrian shopping streets, lined with familiar British retailers, cafés, and restaurants.
While the shopping itself isn't necessarily unique to Oxford, it's worth walking through as you explore the center of town. You'll also find several historic buildings tucked among the modern storefronts.
Westgate Oxford
For a more modern shopping experience, head to Westgate Oxford, a large shopping center featuring a mix of high-street brands, designer retailers, and restaurants.
One of our favorite features is the rooftop terrace, which offers beautiful views over Oxford's rooftops and historic skyline. It's a great place to stop for a break, especially if you've spent most of the day walking.
A Few More Places Worth Visiting
If you have extra time, there are a few more places we'd recommend adding to your itinerary.
The Ashmolean Museum is the University of Oxford's museum of art and archaeology and one of the oldest public museums in the world. Its extensive collections include everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to European paintings and decorative arts. General admission is free.
University Parks, just north of the city center, is a beautiful green space with wide lawns, walking paths, and gardens. It's a great place to spend some time outside, especially during the warmer months.
The Eagle and Child on St Giles' is a historic pub famous for its association with J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and their literary group, the Inklings. It's a fun stop for literary history fans, although you'll want to check its reopening status before planning a visit.
How to Get to Oxford from London
One of the best things about Oxford is how easy it is to visit from London.
The most convenient option is to take the train from London Paddington to Oxford, with direct services typically taking around an hour. You can also travel from London Marylebone to Oxford via Bicester Village, although this route generally takes a little longer.
Once you arrive at Oxford station, it's about a 10–15 minute walk to the historic city center.
We recommend arriving in the morning to give yourself plenty of time to explore the colleges, shops, and gardens. While you could easily spend a weekend here, a full day is enough to see many of the highlights.
Where to Stay
While Oxford is an easy day trip from London, there's certainly enough to see and do to justify staying overnight.
If you decide to spend the night, we'd recommend staying near the historic city center so you can explore most of Oxford on foot.
The Randolph Hotel, located across from the Ashmolean Museum, is one of the city's most recognizable hotels, with its grand Gothic Revival architecture.
Another interesting option is Malmaison Oxford, housed in a converted Victorian prison at Oxford Castle. The former prison cells have been transformed into guest rooms, making for a pretty unique hotel experience.
Whether you're visiting for a few hours or an entire weekend, Oxford is one of those places we never get tired of exploring. Between the architecture, university history, beautiful gardens, and independent shops, there's something to discover around almost every corner.
Enjoy!
