If you are looking for a lovely autumn trip – Oxford is the right place for you! This great university city has plenty to offer. Spend one or a few days here and you will be charmed by the architecture, culture and history of Oxford.
Keep reading if you want to know more about:
- Getting to Oxford
- Things to see and places to visit
- Colleges in Oxford
Getting to Oxford
Getting to Oxford from London is very easy, which makes it so great for a day trip. That is one of the many reasons why you should chose to visit this beautiful city. There are options to travel by train from London Marylebone station or London Paddington Station. The train journey takes approximately 1,5 hours and the cost is about 28 pounds for one way ticket. For timetable and online tickets purchase click here: https://www.gwr.com/plan-journey/stations-and-routes/london-to-oxford. More affordable option is the Oxford Tube. It is a frequent coach running between London and Oxford. It costs 15 pounds for a return ticket and will bring you straight to the central part of the city in less than 2 hours. More information you can find here: https://www.oxfordtube.com/
Things to see and places to visit
Almost every small street in Oxford will reveal a unique architecture and style of the buildings. Just having a nice walk around the city would be a pleasure for everyone.
There are so many things to see in Oxford. Let’s start with the most famous and in my opinion quite impressive building – the Radcliffe Camera. The architecture of this library is so amazing, that often crowds of tourists are rushing to take photos. The Radcliffe Camera is designed by James Gibbs. Many visitors admire his work every day.
Another spectacular building is again a library – the Bodleian Library. It is the second largest library in Britain. The first place is for the British Library. Currently it is the main research library of the University of Oxford. If you have time and want to know more, please check the guided tours available inside: https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/plan-your-visit.
The Bridge of Sights is probably one of the most famous things to see in Oxford. It is a small bridge which connects the two building of Hertford College over New College Lane.
Plan a visit to the Botanic Garden in Oxford. It is amazing to see different plants and flowers, especially in Autumn. There is a very affordable entry fee, which gives the chance to more people to enjoy its beauty. Their website you can check here: https://www.obga.ox.ac.uk/visit-garden
Another recommendation is the Oxford Castle & Prison. It is a medieval castle, perfect for family visits. The St George’s Tower, part of the castle will show you a mesmerizing views from the top. There is also a crypt, prison cells and a tall hill, which you can climb and enjoy a view again. More information, please find here: https://www.oxfordcastleandprison.co.uk/your-visit/.
If you are looking into some free activities, why don’t you spend some time in the University Parks? This is a great option for families with children. The huge green space offers peace and relaxing atmosphere. There is a lovely lake in the middle. Prepare some food and drinks and enjoy a picnic if the weather allows it. The quiet little paths will reveal beautiful views. Take a look at the plants, there are signs giving information about the species.
Colleges in Oxford
Oxford is famous for its colleges. It is a university city and many famous people graduated here – Bill Clinton, Stephen Hawking, Nick Robinson and many more.
Today Oxford is considered as one of the most prestigious places to graduate and it’s name is famous in the whole world. This is the main reason so many students from around the world to try their best every year to become students in one of Oxford’s colleges. It is not easy to start your studies here, but the most difficult part is being able to complete your education. Students who are accepted here have to be smart, prosperous and dedicated.
There are several colleges that you have to see in Oxford. First is Trinity College. It is one of the largest colleges here and is located in the middle of the city. Then take a look at the Balliol College. It is one of the best ones here. The well known prime-minister Boris Johnson studied in this exact college. Third on our list would be the New College. It has a beautiful buildings, but also a remarkable garden. It is famous for the Choral music. Next is Christ Church College. Its building is probably the one that people remember the most. Some scenes of the popular Harry Potter movies have been filmed inside.
Each of the colleges has a separate entry fee, so you can choose what you want to visit and see. Please be advised that due to the current Covid-19 situation you might need to book a time slot in advance.