12 essentials: what to see and do in Oxford in 1 day

Once you have had the opportunity to make a first visit to London, for later trips it is advisable to make a excursion to some of the towns that are located around the British capital.

And one of the first candidates for said excursion, without a doubt, has to be the historic university town of Oxford. one of the most famous in United Kingdom.

There are many people who agree that the Great Britain's biggest tourist attraction It is found in its small cities and towns, where due to its monuments and architecture you can easily travel back several centuries.

That is my case, and after having had the opportunity to travel through that country several times, I can assure you that Oxford is one of the best examples.

A few years ago, after carrying out a trip through the south of england with rental car, I ended up visiting Oxford for half a day, before taking the flight back to Madrid on the Luton airport.

On a splendid sunny day I was able to have my first glimpse of Oxford and, above all, I visited the most important of the colleges university, Christ Church, also famous for being the setting for the films of Harry Potter.

But it's really been on me last trip to oxford when I discovered its enormous appeal, much greater than I remembered.

This is undoubtedly due to the opportunity to visit it in depth for three days guided by a resident of the city, my daughter, who at that time was working as a nurse in its main hospital.

On this occasion I have been able to visit not only the main monuments, but also discover corners not usually known to tourists and, above all, experience the atmosphere of a historic university town.

How to get to Oxford from London

Based on this experience, here are some tips for your visit to Oxford.

How to get to Oxford from London by train

For get to Oxford from London, you have a train leaving the station Paddington with a frequency of every 10-15 minutes, and which takes about an hour.

If you return on the same day, the price of the round trip ticket is 23,50 pounds, that is, not including the transfer during peak hours when the fare is higher.

How to get to Oxford from London by bus

Another slightly cheaper option is go to Oxford by bus.

The bus Oxford Tube get out of Victoria Station with a frequency of between 10 and 20 minutes and takes one hour and 40 minutes, and a little more at peak times.

The price of a return ticket starts at £18 for adults.

If, as was my case, you fly in a line low cost as EasyJet, and you want to go directly to Oxford without passing through London, it is best to fly to Luton airport.

From there you will take the direct bus National Express which will take you in two hours and 20 minutes to the university city (27 pounds return).

Due to the distance, the Gatwick airports y Stansted, while from Heathrow the bus takes 90 minutes.

I tell you that he historic center of oxford, that is, the area where almost all of the visits to be made are concentrated, is really small and, therefore, very manageable.

Therefore, with one full day you have enough to see the essentials in Oxford in a tourism visit.

If you choose to go by train, in 7-8 minutes you will walk to the center, and if you go by bus, the station is located in the center.

The best things to see and do in Oxford in one day

Oxford It is a small city located between two rivers, one of them the Thames, although there it is known as Isis.

Its long university tradition dates back to the 12th century, with the educational activity of the monasteries of Augustinian monks.

Which colleges to visit in Oxford

The first colleges oxford They were founded in the 13th century, and today there are 38 colleges, which have become the city's great tourist attraction since a good part of them can be visited.

Christ Church College in Oxford

It is really impressive to be able to visit these student residences, from one of the oldest, the Balliol College, even the largest, the Christ Church College, with its buildings that ooze history.

There you will find large chapels that are almost churches (you will even have the opportunity to see the smallest cathedral in the UK), to charming dining rooms.

Monuments in Oxford

The highlights of these colleges is that all of them are full of life thanks to the presence of the students throughout the year.

Radcliffe Camera in Oxford

The Oxford's most notable monuments They are concentrated around the large building of the historic Bodleian Library, being known as Radcliffe Camera, from 1749, considered the monumental icon of the city.

Next to this majestic circular building is the main temple of the city, the church of the Virgin Mary, whose tower you can climb to see the best panoramic views of Oxford.

Bridge of Sighs in Oxford

In that area there is also the historic Sheldonian Theater and the so-called Bridge of Sighs, which in a similar way to the famous Venice bridge with the same name, joins two buildings of the Hertford College.

Bill Clinton's Tavern in Oxford

Among the corners not so well known by tourists who visit Oxford, I will highlight the very hidden Bill Clinton Tavern, which the former president of the United States frequented when he was a student in the 60s.

Wave Blackwell Bookstore, the one with the most kilometers of shelves in the United Kingdom.

Cornmarket and High Street in Oxford

The axes of historic center of oxford are the pedestrian street Cornmarket, commercial center of the city, and High Street, on whose sides the main colleges.

En Cormarket and surrounding areas you will be able to see some beautiful buildings from the medieval period, some of which are now occupied by commercial establishments.

Covered Market in Oxford

In a block located behind the aforementioned pedestrian street you should not miss visiting the Covered Market, a charming market that will remind you of other famous markets in large European cities.

Oxford It is a city where all the shops, restaurants and cafes have great charm. In addition to a characteristic University environment.

Of course, it is an expensive city, with prices almost similar to those of London.

Cowley Road in Oxford

If you move a little away from the historical and commercial center, you will find other environments, such as the neighborhood area of Jericho with a central street along which several charming restaurants follow one another.

But, on the other hand, if you go for Cowley Road, the street that extends east after crossing the Cherwell River, you find a very popular neighborhood.

There you will see a large number of multiracial establishments and restaurants (walking down that street was the first time I have been in a nepali restaurant).

In sum, Oxford It is a historic city that should be a must-visit if you are looking to make a excursion from London.

Tours in Spanish to visit Oxford

If instead of going on your own to this university city you prefer to sign up for a Spanish tour to Oxford, you have several options.

For example, a Tour to Oxford and Cambridge in which you will learn the main things about the two historic university cities with the company of a guide in spanish, which will take you 10 hours.

You also have the option of a Tour to Stratford and Oxford, a nine-hour excursion in which, in addition to Oxford, you will visit the town where Oxford was born. Shakespeare.

You can also sign up for a Tour to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford during which in a 10-hour day you will visit these three corners of the surroundings of London,