Before you go

Your trip to Oxford.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Oxford – Inglaterra Destination Oxford and the Cotswolds about 95 km from Londres

How to get there

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Londres · 75 km
Oxford railway station 1 km
Gloucester Green Bus Station 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before you buy. From London, the train departs from Paddington or Marylebone and reaches Oxford in about 1 hour; the Oxford Tube and X90 buses leave from central London. From Heathrow airport, the bus The Airline goes directly to Oxford. The station is a 10‑minute walk from the centre.

How many days

A full day is enough for Christ Church, the Bodleiana, the Radcliffe Camera and the Ashmolean. With one night you’ll have the following morning for Blenheim or to start the Cotswolds route.

When to go

From May to September the days are long and the rivers are full of punts. From April to June exams and graduation ceremonies can close some colleges on certain days. In winter it’s cold and it gets dark early, but the city is quieter.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

You don’t need a car for the city: the centre is small and almost entirely walkable, and car traffic is restricted. A car helps for the Cotswolds. If you hire one, remember you drive on the left, and use the park and ride car parks at the city entrances.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Oxford

Morning
Christ Church
Start at Christ Church, with the Tom Quad, the Great Hall and the cathedral, before the dining hall closes for lunch.
Afternoon
Bodleiana and Radcliffe
Guided tour of the Bodleiana, Radcliffe Square and the climb up the tower of St Mary’s church for the view from above.
Late afternoon
Ashmolean or river
The Ashmolean, if it’s open, or a punt trip on the Cherwell from Magdalen Bridge.
Evening
Historic pub
Dine in an old pub, such as the Turf Tavern, hidden down an alley near the Ponte dos Suspiros.

2 days in Oxford

Day 1

Morning
Christ Church and Meadow
Christ Church and a walk through Christ Church Meadow down to the river.
Afternoon
University centre
Bodleiana, Radcliffe Camera, Sheldonian Theatre and the Ponte dos Suspiros.
Late afternoon
Ashmolean
Ashmolean and the top‑floor terrace.
Evening
Jericho
Dinner in the Jericho neighbourhood, northwest of the centre.

Day 2

Morning
Blenheim
Bus S3 to Woodstock and a morning at the Palácio de Blenheim and its gardens.
Afternoon
Park and Woodstock
Walk to the Grand Bridge and lunch in the village of Woodstock.
Late afternoon
Return to the river
Back in Oxford, take a punt or walk along the Tâmisa.
Evening
Covered Market and centre
Last night in the centre; during the day the Covered Market has cafés and shops.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Does Oxford have a campus?

No. The 36 colleges are scattered around the centre, each with its own quad, chapel and dining hall. The whole city functions as a campus.

Which colleges are worth visiting?

Christ Church, for the Great Hall and the cathedral; Magdalen, with its deer park and cloister; New College, with a cloister and medieval wall; and Merton, one of the oldest. Check opening times on each college’s website.

What is a punt?

A flat‑bottomed boat propelled with a long pole that rests on the riverbed. In summer they are hired on the Cherwell, near Magdalen Bridge, with or without a coxwain.

Can you see Oxford on foot?

Yes. The centre is small and the main sights are less than 15 minutes’ walk from each other.

Back to Oxford