How to Experience Oxford in a Day or Even Longer?

Last updated: 17 July 2023

With its proximity to the English capital, Oxford makes for a popular destination from London, whether that’s on a day trip, weekend break, and short holiday. Less than an hour on GWR’s fast train from central London, or a mere two-hour drive, it’s easy enough to visit Oxford in a day. If you’re looking to find out what you can do during your visit to Oxford then that’s exactly what we’re going to cover in this post.

As a historic student city, Oxford is compact, walkable, and easy to get around, so you’ll be able to experience many of the highlights over the course of a short break or even if you’re exploring Oxford in a day.

Oxford is home to one of the most famous and prestigious universities in the world, and is set amongst inspiring landscapes, gardens, and cultural centres. Combine the cultural and historical landmarks of Oxford with the vibrant Covered Market and thriving restaurants, and what you have is the ideal destination for a short break from London to Oxford.

Things to do in Oxford

There is a considerable list of things to do in Oxford and whether you’re visiting Oxford in a day or a weekend trip from London you’ll need to think about which things you really want to do and see and how to maximise the time you have in Oxford city.

One of the best things to do in Oxford is to book yourself a tour to see as much of this beautiful city as possible. Tours are a fantastic way to discover the highlights of Oxford, learn about its rich and fascinating history, and pinpoint locations that you want to visit later for a more in-depth look.

The question you might find yourself asking is, do I book a bus tour or a walking tour? The answer to that is simple, why not choose both?

City Sightseeing Oxford Tour

The City Sightseeing Oxford Bus Tours are instantly recognisable with their bright red open-top tour buses navigating Oxford’s historic streets and a fantastic way to start exploring Oxford in a day.

Visitors can experience Oxford’s wonderful city highlights on a 60-minute hop-on hop-off bus tour complete with audio tour (or live tour depending on departure), which is available in 14 languages, using the free pair of sealed headphones. The buses operate on a 20-stop loop covering the city highlights providing visitors with a great snapshot of the city and plenty of photo opportunities. We think the best way to experience this tour is by grabbing a seat upstairs in the open-top area for fresh air and unobstructed views.

The first City Sightseeing Oxford bus tour departs from Oxford train station at 9:30am. The benefit of taking the first tour of the day is that it will be less crowded, and you’ll have your pick of seats on board. Following that, the bus tours then run every 15 minutes and the tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours depending on the ticket purchased.

We think that the award-winning City Sightseeing Oxford bus tours provide one of the best value tour tickets in Oxford due to the inclusion of a standalone 45-minute walking tour which is available across all ticket tiers – bronze, silver, and gold. There are various walking tours available and will depend on the type of ticket purchased.

The audio guide helps visitors understand the history of Oxford from an early settlement with the world’s oldest English-speaking university through to its vital role in the development of various medicines. If you’re not familiar with Oxford’s wonderful connection with Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and the Wind in the Willows then prepare yourself for some fascinating insights!

The Essentials

• Operating Hours: Tours depart daily Oxford Railway Station from 9.30am. You can get on and off at any of the 20 stops on the tour route
• Price: from £17
• Postcode: View the map for more details on where the stops are located
• Notes: Ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours from first use
• More info/Tickets: Website

Carfax Tower

A visit to Carfax Tower is a must when visiting Oxford in a day because not only is it a historic 13th century tower but it’s also the home of one of the best viewpoints in all of Oxford.

Carfax Tower stands 74 feet high (230 metres) and was once a part of St Martin’s Church, the city church of Oxford which was originally founded in 1032 CE. Carfax Tower was added to the church approx. 200 years later in the 13th century.

The name Carfax comes from the Latin term Quadrifurcus which refers to the four streets that converge in front of Carfax Tower. It was a bustling city centre and was once home to the city markets until the arrival of Oxford’s Covered Market (more on that later).

St Martin’s Church was declared unsafe in 1818 and approval was granted to demolish it, however Carfax Tower was saved. A new church was built in its place which incorporated the 13th century tower. The newly constructed church only stood for 46 years before the church was once again demolished in 1896, all except Carfax Tower, to provide more space for the increasing traffic in Oxford. Today, Carfax Tower is all that remains of St Martin’s Church and its (almost) 1000-year history in Oxford.

On your visit to Carfax Tower, you should climb the 99 steps to the viewing platform for spectacular views across Oxford. The entry fee is reasonable and definitely worth the climb for these views.

When you’re standing atop Carfax Tower enjoying the beautiful panoramic view, it’s worth noting that there’s a regulation that stipulates that no building in Oxford city is allowed to be taller than the tower.

And finally, before you finish your visit at Carfax Tower, make sure to look up at the entrance on the east side of the tower to see the Quarterboys who strike the bell at every quarter of an hour. You might be interested to know that these are replica Quarterboys as the clock is now electric, it was changed in 1938-39, and the original Quarterboys can be seen today in the Museum of Oxford

If you’re planning on visiting Carfax Tower as a stop along the City Sightseeing Oxford bus tour, then keep an eye open for stop number 7 or 8 for easy access.

The Essentials

• Operating Hours: Open from 10am. Closing time varies from 3pm-5pm depending on the time of year
• Price: £3 (adults), £2 (children)
• Postcode: OX1 1ET
• Notes: This attraction is not suitable for children under 5
• More info/Tickets: Website

Oxford Official Walking Tour

We love taking a walking tour and it tends to be one of the first things that we do whenever we visit a new city. It’s not only a great way to familiarise yourself with the surroundings, but also the best way to identify places that you want to revisit after the tour – such as great places for food, a pint, and photo spots!

The Oxford Official Walking Tours are led by experienced and friendly guides from Experience Oxfordshire and are an excellent way to discover some of Oxford’s most famous buildings and discover their rich and fascinating history. During the tour you’ll be able to see some of the most important university buildings and the hidden alleyways that connect them.

The walking tours are capped at a maximum of 20 people per tour and the meeting point is outside the Cool Britannia gift shop entrance. Usually, you can see inside one of the University Colleges but on the day of our tour, the Colleges were closed to visitors due to a clean-up following Open Day.

Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library is a sight to behold, not only is it one of the oldest libraries in Europe, but in terms of size it’s the second largest with 13 million items, only behind the British Library. Named for Thomas Bodley, who undertook significant restoration works in the early 17th century.

Did you know: the Bodleian Library has been a legal deposit library for 400 years which means that every publisher must provide a copy of every book published in the UK. There are six legal deposit libraries in the UK and the Bodleian Library is one of them.

Radcliffe Camera – Centre of Radcliffe Square

One of the most beautiful and photogenic spots in all of Oxford, and an absolute must when exploring Oxford in a day, Radcliffe Square is like stepping back in time and we were thrilled that the Oxford Official University & City Walking Tour included a visit. Dominating the centre of Radcliffe Square is Radcliffe Camera, one of the most photographed buildings in all of Oxford. Named for John Radcliffe, who was once a student who then went on to become the King’s doctor and ended up leaving quite a generous donation to Oxford University.

Sheldonian Theatre

You may be familiar with the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral in London, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, but did you know that he also designed the amazing Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford? Constructed over a 5-year period from 1664 to 1669 and named for Gilbert Sheldon, the chancellor of the University.

Did you know: the Sheldonian Theatre was built to be the home of graduations and today is the scene of music recitals, graduations, and lectures.

J.R.R Tolkien

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, better known as J.R.R. Tolkien, famed author of high fantasy works such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings was educated at Exeter College in Oxford.

Did you know: Tolkien originally read Classics at Oxford before switching to English language and literature?

Our guide told a great anecdote about Tolkien, and his lesser-known work Letters from Father Christmas, which are a collection of letters written by Tolkien for his children. The letters were written over a period of over 20 years to entertain Tolkien’s children each Christmas with tales of Santa and his helpers including a mischievous polar bear who manages to get into trouble on more than one occasion.

The Essentials

• Operating Hours: Tours run 7 days/week, 10:30am and 1pm
• Price: £20 (adults), £12 (children 6-17)
• Meeting point: OX1 3AX
• Notes: Distance covered is 1.5 – 2 miles (2.4 – 3.2km), comfortable walking shoes and all-weather clothing is advisable.
• More info/Tickets: Website

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

For some, a visit to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History might be the perfect rainy-day activity, but honestly, a visit should be made whatever the weather because it’s utterly fascinating!

From the moment that you first walk through the entry doors and step foot into the grand hall, you begin to understand that you could spend many happy hours here exploring the history of the natural world.

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History was established in 1860 and is the home of 7 million exhibits (5 million insects, half a million fossils, and half a million zoological specimens) and archival materials including from Charles Darwin. Designed to bring together various scientific studies from across the University of Oxford, today the museum continues to play an important role in scientific research, various events & exhibitions, activities for the public, and welcomes school children of all ages.

There are some truly amazing exhibits on display, some highlights include – Out of the Deep, a permanent display featuring the skeletons of two plesiosaurs which are considered to be the reptiles of the Jurassic seas. Or the Trilobite Wall, the opportunity to gaze upon a slab of sandstone from the Tinghir Province of Morocco which contains 450 million year old creatures which used to live on the ocean floor. And the Skeleton Parade, a collection of various animal skeletons including a Bison, Polar Bear, Red Deer, Giraffe, and many more. It’s certainly an intriguing opportunity to compare the skeletal structure of some animals that we all know so well and some we’ve never seen in person before.

When visiting the Oxford University Museum of Natural History we suggest familiarising yourself with what is currently on display in the museum on their website, so that you can maximise your time otherwise there’s a good chance you’ll get caught up in the wonderful exhibits on display and spend the whole day there!

The Essentials

• Operating Hours: Open daily 10am-5pm
• Price: Free entry (donations welcome)
• Directions: Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PW
• More info: Website

Pitt Rivers Museum

The Pitt Rivers Museum is easily one of the most unique museums we’ve ever visited and will require subsequent visits to fully appreciate all the exhibits on display – the sheer volume of over 700,000 items over multiple floors makes for a unique experience.

The eclectic museum was first founded in 1884, when General Pitt-Rivers donated his collection to the University of Oxford. Today the museum displays over half a million objects including artefacts, photos, and manuscripts from across the globe. Home to a collection of contrasting and at times confronting exhibits, the many challenging exhibits force the visitor to confront the past and initiate conversations that last long after the visit has finished.

Upon entering the museum you’ll likely notice that the exhibits aren’t arranged in the expected chronological display, instead of a timeline the items are displayed into a “democracy of things” and, as mentioned on the Pitt Rivers Museum website;

This reveals fascinating distinctions and parallels across cultures, and encourages questions about the ways in which humanity tackles problems, and creates, understands and embraces life across the world. – Pitt Rivers Museum

It’s fascinating to learn that despite the museum’s founding over 130 years ago, none of the original displays remain. Unlike other museums which take pride in the longevity of their displays, the Pitt Rivers Museum revels in its unique and changing approach to its displays to ensure a relevant experience that will captivate visitors and ensure that they have an experience that encourages conversations, stretches imaginations, and encourage visitors to step out of their comfort zones.

Create Your Own Tour
One thing that will be helpful for your visit is that the museum has its own app and a webpage which visitors can refer to in order to obtain more information about the objects on display.

Many of the display cases are crowded with objects, some with the original handwritten museum labels, and there are so many objects on display that as soon as you begin your visit you’re already convinced that you’re going to need to return on another day to continue your exploration of all the various objects showcased at the Pitt Rivers Museum. We take comfort in the fact that Oxford is only a short trip from London because we will be back for another trip very soon.

The Essentials

• Operating Hours: Mon 12pm-5pm, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm
• Price: Free entry (donations are welcome)
• Directions: The Pitt Rivers Museum can be accessed from inside the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, from the main entrance just walk straight down to the back left corner and you will find the wooden entry doors under a stone arch doorway.
• More info: Website

Oxford River Cruises

One of the best ways to experience a unique perspective of Oxford is by exploring it from the canals and that’s exactly what we did when we spent some time with Oxford River Cruises for a relaxing 50 min cruise down the River Thames or River Isis (more on that below).

Oxford River Cruises offers a variety of cruises to visitors wishing to explore Oxford from a unique perspective, including a 30 min Cocktail Cruise where your cocktail of choice awaits you onboard for a gentle cruise along the river at golden hour in the evening, a 3 hour Oxford Picnic Cruise where you can gaze upon Oxford landmarks and discover the ancient Port Meadow whilst dining from your very own picnic hamper, and the 90 min Oxford Afternoon Tea River Cruise where you can indulge in a classic British afternoon tea, whilst experiencing a relaxing and comfortable cruise along the Oxford Regatta course taking in the many beautiful sights.

We opted for the classic Oxford Experience Cruise, a 50 min sightseeing cruise which provided a unique experience to cruise along the river and learn about the Oxford Regatta course, Folly Bridge, and taking in the views along the waterway.

The boat we sailed in was Little Ox, an electric boat that is fitted for 12 passengers. We had 8 on our cruise and it was a comfortable journey. One of the most surprising things about our cruise was just how quiet Little Ox was! We didn’t expect to be able to hear the sounds of the river so clearly during our cruise which added to the overall tranquillity of the cruise, we both felt quite relaxed at the end of the journey.

Our guide, Henry, shared local insights about the history of the area and the rules of the river when cruising along one of the busiest stretches of the River Thames, or known locally as The Isis.

What’s in a Name?
When looking at a map you may notice that the River Thames flows through Oxford but you won’t hear that name mentioned during your one day in Oxford, the river is referred to as “The Isis” or “River Isis”, the name for the Thames River within the boundaries of the city. If you’d like to know the reason why it was changed, you’ll have to take the tour to find out.

The Essentials

• Operating Hours: Cruises run throughout the day and evening (depending on cruise option)
• Price: From £16
• Directions: Check in at the main office which is located here to collect your tickets before heading down into the river.
• More info/Tickets: Website

Places to EAT at in Oxford

North Parade Avenue

If you’re seeking a more independent vibe during your short break in Oxford, then make sure you head over to North Parade Avenue (usually referred to as just North Parade) and browse through the collection of small independent and locally-owned businesses.

The street is known for its community feel which creates a fun and relaxing atmosphere and is ideal for a visit at any time – whether that’s starting your day at the Barefoot Bakery for a coffee and a CRUFFIN (that’s half croissant and half muffin and it was delicious!) or stopping by for a spot of lunch and then finishing with an afternoon pint. Stop by and visit the small collection of independent shops, cafes, and pubs. Ideal for your one day in Oxford.

The Essentials

• Operating Hours: Check individual businesses for their opening times
• Directions: Cnr Banbury Road & North Parade Ave OX2 6L

The Covered Market

Oxford’s Covered Market was officially opened in 1774 which makes it almost 250 years old and is a veritable treasure trove of over 50 independent specialist traders. A maze of small alleys, and independent retailers makes it a perfect spot for exploring somewhere with a unique atmosphere.

If you’re looking to support local and independent businesses providing an assortment of goods such as fresh fruit, coffee, baked goods, meats, cheeses, flowers, leather goods, and so much more then Oxford’s Covered Market is the perfect place to visit. It’s also an ideal spot for lunch following a busy morning of sightseeing on your day trip to Oxford.

Here’s our self-curated picnic-style lunch. It may not look like much but it sure was delicious!

For an immersive experience, discover The Un-Covered Market. An audio tour that’s part informative and part poetic wandering. The 15 minute tour leads you around the market allowing you to stop and notice things you may have overlooked and giving you permission to discover new things about this well-known, well-loved building.

The Essentials

• Operating Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-5.30pm, Sun & Bank Holidays 10am-4pm
• Postcode: OX1 3DY
• More info: Website

Victors Oxford

Situated on the rooftop of the Westgate Oxford shopping centre is Victors, a Hamptons inspired restaurant & bar.

Wisteria hysteria is the focal point in this oh-so-Instagrammable restaurant with the open-plan room filled with natural light, neutral palette furniture, exposed oak beams and white-washed walls, all this really makes the wisteria pop, making Victors a popular choice for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Offering diners all-weather alfresco dining options with views over the Dreaming Spires of Oxford, Victors has an eclectic modern-American menu of small and larger plates with sharing in mind.

The menu is complimented by an extensive drinks menu including an impressive cocktail menu from which I can confidently recommend the Raspberry Beret. – Made with red berry vodka, and Chambord, with hints of vanilla, lemon, cranberry, apple, and topped with prosecco.

We opted for a selection of small plates to share, and of course some of their signature cocktails

Highlights of which include the seared scallops served with a very moreish pancetta jam; the yuzu and handpicked Devon crab tacos, served in charcoal shells with a subtle wasabi mayonnaise, and avocado; and the tomato salad which tastes like summer with its refreshing watermelon, dragon fruit, and beetroot pearls.

The standout on the dessert menu is the Raspberry Baked Alaska with a rich creamy vanilla ice cream encased in Italian meringue and topped with a raspberry coulis. It’s a large portion, enough to share between two, or more.

Dessert wines and even some dessert cocktails are available however I opted for the Lemon Sherbet Royale which was refreshingly zesty with a Tosolini limoncello base, featuring notes of yuzu, elderflower, and lemon, topped with Veuve Clicquot NV Yellow Label Champagne.

The Essentials

• Operating Hours: Open 7 days, from 9am til late
• Postcode: Rooftop, The Westgate, OX1 1PG
• More info: Website

Getting to Oxford from London

Driving | Park & Ride

Oxford is located an easily commutable 2-hour drive from London and with the availability of various Park & Ride locations, this means that once you arrive in Oxford you don’t need to worry about searching for a parking space in the city centre.

There are Oxford Park & Ride locations available at the outskirts of Oxford city which makes them all easily accessible and a good option for quick commute into the city centre. All Park & Ride locations are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week which makes them an ideal option for a day trip from London.

The Park & Ride ticket prices are reasonable and considering that they save you the stress of driving into the city centre and hunting for a parking space, especially on a weekend, we think they’re a great option.

Park & Ride Prices

There are separate prices for parking and the bus trip journey into Oxford so if you’re visiting from Oxford on a day trip then purchasing a combined Family ticket will likely be your best option.

• £3.00 – Same Day Return
• £5.00 – 2-To-Go (Same day return for 2 adults travelling together)
• £6.80 – Family ticket

We found the Family ticket to be the best value as it covers 1 car (£2.00) and 2 adults (£4.80) for £6.80, individually this would cost £8.00. This ticket also covers 3 kids (under 16) travelling FREE. This is the best value ticket for couples travelling with or without children.

You can pay for your parking with coins or cards but bear in mind that the machines don’t give change so you’ll need to have the exact amount required. We found that paying by card is the simplest option. There is also the option of paying via RingGo as well.

There is no need to display your ticket on the windshield as the Park & Ride operate an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system. You will need to know your car registration when purchasing a ticket though so if you’re renting a car for your short break to Oxford you may want to take a photo of your number plate to remember the details.

We used the Park & Ride at Pear Tree and found the experience to be a quick, easy, and comfortable way to get into the centre of Oxford. There were plenty of spaces available in Pear Tree and it was only a 10 min bus journey into the city. The bus itself was large with plenty of seats, with in-seat USB power, and even tables upstairs.

We will quite happily use the Park & Ride again for our next day trip to Oxford from London.

Train

Not driving? No problem! Getting to Oxford from London is very easy as it’s served by several buses and direct trains from both London Paddington and London Marylebone multiple times an hour. If you’re spending just one day in Oxford, aim for one of Great Western Railway (GWR) fast trains that drop the journey time to under an hour or Chiltern Railways.

Trains in the UK can be very expensive, especially when booked last minute. We recommend booking your tickets in advance to save money. The Trainline is a good choice for booking advance tickets. Do ensure you check the duration and number of changes as some of the local trains are slower and stop more frequently making it a slow journey.

Bus and Coach

Always book train tickets in advance of your travel for the best prices in the UK. Added bonus is that you can now opt for e-tickets rather than having to print the cumbersome physical tickets at the station before departing.

There are multiple bus and coach options available between Oxford and London.

• National Express: Prices fluctuate, but still likely to be cheaper than a train ticket
• Megabus: Generally the cheapest option for coach travel
• Oxford Tube: This is a dedicated bus between Oxford & London known as the Oxford Tube which runs every 10-20 mins (varies by day & time of travel) for a fixed price. (£12 o/way adult)

For more information about planning your trip to Oxford and the various transport options then click here for more detail.

Final Thoughts

There are many reasons why Oxford is the ideal short break destination from London, it doesn’t matter if you’re visiting Oxford in a day, a short break, or even a long holiday there is something for everyone to enjoy. Not only is Oxford easy to travel to and from, but there are so many things to do and places to eat at! For Fresh Air & Freedom, Arts and Culture and Time Together itineraries and bookable experiences, visit Escape to Oxford.

We hope that this post has been able to help you with building your Oxford short break itinerary and we look forward to hearing how your day trip to Oxford was! For further travel information on what to do, where to stay, shop, and eat in Oxford and much more, visit experienceoxfordshire.org

Just let us know in the comments below.

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Disclaimer: This post is the product of a collaboration between Roaming Required and Experience Oxfordshire where all experiences were gifted, and we retained creative control for the blog post and all content created. All opinions expressed in the post remain our own.