Oxford Day Trip - One-Day Itinerary (+ Map & Tips)

Seeping with history and energized by a student buzz, Oxford has the finest medieval buildings in England. Our well-paced and detailed Oxford day trip itinerary covers all the highlights from an ex-student.

When King Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris in 1167, they made the journey to a sleepy town surrounded by green meadows to complete their education.

His successor, King Henry III granted the university a royal charter in 1248 and Oxford hasn’t looked back.

Today you can admire gothic chapels, medieval dining halls and exquisitely decorated libraries. Soak up the student buzz in cool cafes and historic colleges.

I went to Oxford to study Mathematics and I continue to go back regularly. This guide covers the highlights we think you really shouldn’t miss on a day trip, plus some hidden gems in the city.

We consider Oxford an essential stop on your England itinerary. Here’s how to see the best of it in one day including which colleges to visit and what to book in advance.

THINGS NOT TO BE MISSED IN OXFORD

Paul and I recently went back to Oxford and refined this itinerary to cover the highlights of the city. They can all be covered in a day without rushing around too much, so you can enjoy them properly.

Here are the things we think you really shouldn’t miss.

1. CHRIST CHURCH COLLEGE

Christ Church is the wealthiest and grandest college in Oxford and the top sight in the city. It was an inspiration for the Harry Potter movies with its atmospheric dining hall, sweeping staircase and imposing quad.

The chapel doubles as the cathedral of Oxford and has several fascinating details. It’s very popular, so you need to book in advance. More details about this are below.

2. RADCLIFFE SQUARE

Radcliffe Square is one of the most beautiful squares in England. Surrounding the square are two imposing colleges, soaring spires and the world-class Bodleian Library. But the highlight is the stunning circular Radcliffe Camera

The best views are from the University Church tower, or from the wall in Exeter College. More about this below.  

3. BODLEIAN LIBRARY TOUR

The only way to see the inside of the Bodleian Library is on a tour but it’s one of the best things to do on your day trip. The highlight is the Duke Humfrey’s library, the oldest reading room in Europe.

Moody and dark with wood-panelled bookcases stacked with leather-bound books, it’s a journey back to medieval times. It was used as the Hogwarts library in the Harry Potter films.

4. NEW COLLEGE

New College is tucked down a quiet lane right in the centre of Oxford and it’s often missed by visitors. It has moody cloisters surrounding a huge oak tree that featured in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The chapel with towering altar is, in our opinion, the most impressive in Oxford. and the oldest dining hall in the university.

New College is not that new. The city walls that make up its edge are from the 13^th century, and it has the oldest dining hall in the university.

WHAT TO BOOK IN ADVANCE?

There are two sights that you should book in advance for this itinerary. While it’s possible to get tickets on the day, it will mean queuing up and you run the risk of missing out.

• Bodleian Library – For this itinerary, we suggest booking the Bodleian Library for a late morning time slot. Tickets go on sale one month in advance.
• Christ Church College – We highly recommend booking Christ Church tickets in advance for a late afternoon time slot. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10am for the following week.

MAP / OXFORD DAY TRIP ITINERARY

Below is a map of our suggested Oxford day trip itinerary including the major attractions; train and bus stations; cafes and restaurants.

Oxford is a city, but the centre is compact making it easy to walk around. The red walking route on the map covers all the attractions in this guide in the right order, taking into account opening times.  

GETTING TO OXFORD

Oxford is very accessible, particularly from London, making it a great day trip destination. Here’s how to get to Oxford.

TRAIN

Oxford has a good mainline train station which is particularly convenient and quick from London. Regular services run from London Paddington (50 minutes) and London Marylebone (1 hour). Check thetrainline.com for services.

Note – The train station is just a 10-minute walk from the centre of town.

BUS

The Oxford Tube bus service leaves from London’s Victoria Station every 20 minutes and collects passengers at Marble Arch, Notting Hill Gate, and Shepherd’s Bush underground stations.

The trip takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes. The bus station is a 2-minute walk to the centre of town.

DRIVE

There are numerous car parks in the city centre, although parking for the entire day can be costly. There are five Park & Ride locations on the edge of the city. Parking and the bus ride for one person is £4 return; for two people it’s £5 return.

ORGANISED TOUR

To take the hassle away from using public transport and get the benefit of a guide showing you the city. This day trip visits Oxford and the Cotswolds and includes pick-up and drop-off in central London.

For Harry Potter fans, you can also combine a day trip to Oxford with the magical Warner Bros tour ‘The Making of Harry Potter’.

COFFEE & BREAKFAST

If you’ve had an early start you might want to grab breakfast at The Handle Bar Café. It’s located above a bike shop with cycle-inspired decor and an interesting brunch menu.

Their coffee is pretty good, but our favourite coffee in town is Society Cafe, just down the road.

BROAD STREET

Next, make your way to Broad Street. This wide lane has several colleges and some interesting stores.

Balliol – The first college on your left, Balliol is one of the oldest in Oxford. It costs £5 to look around, but in our opinion, there are better colleges to explore.

Trinity – The next is Trinity College. It’s a little set back from the road and its currently undergoing works so you can only see it on a pre-booked tour.

Blackwells – This bookstore is an Oxford institution. In my student days, I got lost looking around this massive store many a time.

Sheldonian Theatre – This architectural jewel by Sir Christopher Wren, houses the graduation ceremonies. It’s £4.75 to enter, but we suggest saving it for your second Oxford visit.   

Weston Library, which is part of the Bodleian Library, is at the end of Broad Street. If you don’t already have tickets for the Bodleian tour, you can pick them up from the Weston Library on the day.

BODLEIAN LIBRARY

After breakfast and a quick stroll down Broad Street, head to the Bodleian Library. You can explore the outside of the building for free, but the only way to see inside is on a tour and we highly recommend you join one.

Most tours visit both the Divinity School and the Duke Humfrey’s Library. Both are excellent but the Duke Humfrey’s Library is one of the highlights of Oxford, so try not to miss it.

Tours can be booked online. They go on sale one month in advance but often book out very quickly. However, more spots are released on the day.

You can only buy them at the ticket office in the Weston Library on the day itself. So, make your way there as soon as you can. In peak summer months they often sell out by midday.

Tours last 30 minutes (£10), 1 hour (£15), or 90 minutes (£20) and all make a stop at the Duke Humfrey’s Library (where photos are not allowed).

NEW COLLEGE

After touring the Bodleian, make a short detour under the Bridge of Sighs and down New College Lane to the entrance to New College.

Parts of this college date back to the 14^th century and the city walls that border one edge began life in the 13^th century.

This is one of the best colleges to explore with a few fantastic sights and it’s often relatively quiet.

• The beautiful dining hall is the oldest in Oxford.
• The chapel contains an El Greco and the large altarpiece is remarkable.
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was filmed in the Cloisters and under the huge oak tree in the middle.
• The old city wall and mound rise above beautiful gardens.

It costs £8 per person, which you can pay at the door.

RADCLIFFE SQUARE

Head back down New College Lane and into Radcliffe Square. This cobblestone square is one of the finest anywhere in the world. At its centre is the circular Radcliffe Camera, one of the Bodleian Libraries reading rooms.

Around Radcliffe Square you’ll find Brasenose College, All Soul’s College, the University Church of St Mary the Virgin and the main section of the Bodleian Library.

Get a great perspective of the square from the bell tower of St Mary’s Church. It costs £6 and it’s a steep windy staircase up to the viewing platform.

Another good (and secret spot) to see the square is from the wall in Exeter College. See below.

LUNCH AT THE COVERED MARKET

By now, it should be about time for lunch.

We loved the lunch at No.1 Ship Street which offers great value food right next to some of the oldest houses in Oxford.

For something less formal grab a quick bite or snack from the Covered Market.

The Covered Market dates to 1770. Today, it’s mostly edible goodies plus a few interesting retail spaces including a barber, a cobbler as well as quirky gifts, souvenirs and clothing.

There are plenty of great options for lunch with a wide selection of street-food style eateries.

We always make a pitstop at the market to savour the goodness of a salted caramel brownie from Columbia Coffee Roasters.

EXETER COLLEGE

In the afternoon some of the smaller colleges open their doors to the public, and a couple are worth checking out.

Exeter College is open from 2 pm to 5 pm (term time) and 1 pm to 5 pm (outside term time). It has a towering chapel, a good dining hall and a little secret.

Head through the Rector’s Garden (12 pm to 5 pm) and climb the staircase to the walls of the college. Up on the walls, you’ll find a little bench with great views of the Radcliffe Camera.

It’s a good alternative if you decide not to climb up the church tower. 

LINCOLN COLLEGE

I am biased because I went to Lincoln College, but the main quad is beautiful. Just poke your head through the door and admire the pristine lawn. If you are here in autumn the ivy turns a glorious red.

HIGH STREET & MAGDALEN

Next, head east along the High Street where you’ll pass Queens and University Colleges and the imposing Oxford Examination Schools.

Magdalen College is just before the bridge.

Second only to Christ Church in wealth and fame, Magdalen sits on a wonderful spot along the river. There’s a pretty chapel with unusual sepia stained-glass windows, a lovely quad surrounded by hydrangeas and some nice gardens.

It costs £8.50 to look around. It’s not an essential stop (like New College & Christ Church College), but it’s worth going in if you have the time.

Another option is to go to Magdalen Evensong – which usually begins about 6 pm and is a free and inspiring way to see the college. Please note, Evensong is only during term time.

MERTON STREET

Next make your way down cobbled Merton Street. Often very quiet this tiny little lane can be very atmospheric.

Merton College and Corpus Christi College are along Merton Street and they are usually open in the afternoon. If you have time before your Christ Church tour, it’s worth popping in, if not, head directly over to Christ Church.

CHRIST CHURCH

No day trip to Oxford is complete without visiting Christ Church College – the grandest of them all.

Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, Christ Church has educated 13 prime ministers and a host of other well-known personalities including Lewis Carroll.

The college chapel doubles as the Cathedral of Oxford and the dining hall was the seat of parliament during the English Civil War. More recently it was the inspiration for the Harry Potter films, of which numerous scenes were filmed around Christ Church. 

With so many tourists wanting to visit we highly recommend booking tickets in advance.

Tickets go on sale on Friday 10am for the following week. Be prepared as they can sell out quickly. If you plan to follow this itinerary, we suggest booking a slot in the late afternoon.

You can choose between a multi-media guide where you explore on your own or a guided tour. Allow about 1 hour to visit.

If you can’t get a ticket online, head to the Christ Church ticket office when you arrive in Oxford and try and book a slot. The late afternoon tours often have a few openings.

Harry Potter Tour // Christ Church is a must for any Harry Potter fan with many scenes being filmed here. Combine visiting Christ Church with a Harry Potter walking tour and no Harry Potter fan will leave disappointed.

EVENING

After visiting Christ Church College you’ll be ready to start winding down your day in Oxford. Here are some suggestions from me and Paul:

Drinks // Have a pint in the Turf Tavern, one of the most atmospheric old English pubs in Oxford. It’s a low-beamed, crowded pub bursting with stories. Famous patrons have included Elizabeth Taylor, Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher.

Evensong // Even if you are not religious, attending Evensong in a college is a wonderful experience. It usually starts around 6 pm and lasts 40 minutes. It’s free and we recommend Christ Church, Magdalen, or New College.

Dinner // For dinner, you could try the Angel and Greyhound. It’s near Magdalen and has some of the best pub food in Oxford. Alternatively, we like Arbequina for their excellent tapas dishes.

Cocktails // Try the expertly crafted cocktails at Raoul’s Bar & Liquor Store in Jericho – one of Oxford’s trendy student neighbourhoods.

EXTENDING YOUR STAY

While Oxford is easily visited as a day trip, it can be worth staying a little longer. There are a couple of reasons for this.

Firstly, the town is bigger and there are more sights to see that we haven’t had time for in this itinerary. These include the excellent Ashmolean Museum, the very quirky Pitt Rivers Museum and the Botanical Gardens.

Secondly, it is on the edge of the Cotswolds villages and it’s a great base for exploring them. Here’s how you could see the Cotswolds from Oxford:

• Get the bus to Blenheim Palace, one of the great stately homes of England. Winston Churchill was born here, and its landscaped grounds and grand rooms are exceptional. The bus takes 30 minutes from Oxford.
• Join a tour and visit some of the villages. This well-rated tour visits a lot of our favourites in one day and ends with a photo stop at Blenheim Palace.

We think Oxford and the Cotswolds are such important destinations in the country, we spend 3 nights here on our 7-day England itinerary.

WHERE TO STAY

If you fancy turning your day trip to Oxford into a longer stay, here are a few recommendations for where to lay your head.

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BEST TIME TO VISIT OXFORD

Oxford is a year-round destination, however May, when the gardens are in full bloom and the students in full celebratory mode, is our favourite time to visit.

Peak Season is April to August. Within that window, students start to disappear around June when they are replaced by tourists.

Most colleges remain open throughout the year and their opening times generally remain the same. However, most colleges close at sunset which is early in winter.

Some events, like Evensong, only take place during term time.

OXFORD TERM DATES

TERM	TERM START	TERM FINISH
Michaelmas	13 Oct 2024	7 Dec 2024
Hilary	19 Jan 2025	15 Mar 2025
Trinity	27 Apr 2025	21 Jun 2025

MORE DAY TRIPS

• Pick from one of our 20 curated day trips from London.
• See the achievable highlights on our 1-day Cambridge itinerary.
• Enjoy a medieval weekend break with our Rye day trip.
• Hit the beach on a relaxing day out in Brighton.
• Explore the rich history on our Canterbury day trip from London.
• Scoff the freshest oysters with our Whitstable day trip.
• Enjoy the regal side of life with our Bath day trip itinerary.
• Pick from one of our 10 Cotswolds day trip ideas.
• Hike the white cliffs on our Seven Sisters day trip.