The Best 4 Day Trips from Oxford: A Local’s Guide

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The university city of Oxford is famous around the world for its iconic skyline, cobblestone alleyways and gorgeous gardens – all of which have shaped some of the greatest minds in history. Having lived in Oxford for the last few years, I’ve been fortunate to have the time to get to know the city a little deeper. Beyond the landmarks, you’ll find hidden neighborhood gems, including both historic and innovative pubs, literary cafes and an extremely vibrant multicultural dining scene.

However, it’s no secret that Oxford can sometimes be a ‘bubble’. And there’s nothing I enjoy more than spending a weekend searching for the best day trips from Oxford. In fact, I’d go so far as saying that Oxford is one of the best bases from which to explore both the beauty and history for which England is known worldwide.

Whether you’re on the hunt for the best town in the Cotswolds, or keen to learn more about British aristocratic heritage or Roman history, Oxford is the ideal starting point for many of the UK’s most charming day trips. As an Oxford local myself, you won’t find a better guide for the 4 best day trips from Oxford.

Getting around Oxfordshire

You can reach many of the best Oxford day trips in this article by regular and easy public transport from Oxford city centre. However, many of the buses and trains in this article will only operate once or twice an hour. It goes without saying your life is much easier with your own set of wheels.

If you’re coming to Oxford from one of London’s airports (more on Oxford’s airports here), you can easily collect a rental car there. Otherwise, many rental car companies have pick-up options in Oxford city itself.

Ultimately, you can’t really go wrong. No matter how you decide to get around, keep in mind that on weekends many of Oxfordshire main attractions and tourist-friendly towns are extremely busy. It’s quite a sight to see the tiny country roads clogged with traffic.

Best day trips from Oxford

1. Blenheim Palace and Woodstock

Visiting Blenheim Palace and Woodstock is the easiest of our Oxford day trips. Depending what time you start or finish your day trip from Oxford, you’ll want to carve out some time in the cute little village of Woodstock. Full of stone brick buildings from who-knows-when, historic pubs, independent bookshops and delis, Woodstock is the perfect introduction to a Cotswolds village .

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is often considered one of the most regal and beautiful of the UK’s palaces. Built in the early 18th century as a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, out of appreciation for his victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim. If that family name looks familiar, that’s because it is – Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace on 30 November 1874.

Today, Blenheim Palace is one of the most visited spots in Oxfordshire and regularly hosts major events, including political forums and music festivals.

Even if you’re not the British palace type (I must admit, I’m not), I think it’s still worth visiting Blenheim Palace for its magnificent gardens. Even after countless visits, I still don’t feel like I’ve conquered them with countless little hills, and so many hidden spots for picnics. If I’m feeling lazy, these gardens are the ideal spot to just take a book and read.

If you’ve started your day in Woodstock, there’s a secret back door to the Blenheim Palace gardens, which you can access here. This allows for free entry into the Palace gardens (don’t worry, this is a local secret).

Eating out in Woodstock

Given its proximity to Oxford, I’ll often come up to Woodstock for a meal. If you’re coming here as one of your day trips from Oxford, I’d definitely schedule some time to eat in Woodstock.

If you’re after a quick lunch or a cup of coffee, I always recommend the Woodstock Coffee Shop. You’ll often find me sitting in the corner here with a book and perhaps a fresh vegetable pie. I also love Hampers (just across the road). At Hampers, you can choose from a large selection of sausage rolls, chutneys and other freshly baked sweets for the perfect picnic in Blenheim Palace gardens.

Woodstock is also home to a number of historic pubs, including the Kings Arms (established in 1565) and The Punchbowl. Both are a sure bet for hearty British pub food and a pint.

Getting to Woodstock and Blenheim Palace from Oxford

By public transport

From Oxford there are usually around one or two buses (the S3 or S7) an hour heading towards Woodstock. They claim the S3 is marginally faster (I don’t know about that…). Some buses continues towards Chipping Norton, a popular entry point to the Cotswolds.

Presuming there’s no traffic, you can often get from Oxford to Woodstock in just over 30 minutes. This means Blenheim Palace and Woodstock could even be a half-day trip from Oxford. In fact, I’ll often just come up here for a lazy afternoon.

By tour

It goes without saying: a guided tour of Blenheim Palace will offer you a much deeper experience. If you’re interested in British history or European aristocracy more broadly, I really think you’d love this tour.

2. Bath

After years traveling the length and breadth of the UK, I’m of the opinion that Bath (alongside Edinburgh and Cambridge) is one of the UK’s most beautiful cities. Luckily for Oxford folks, Bath is one of the easiest (and closest) day trips from Oxford.

Bath just oozes royal vibes. From the moment you step off the train, you’re immersed in some of the UK’s grandest Georgian architecture. There’s more than enough to fill one day in Bath and I usually recommend staying overnight (if you have the time). But if you are on a day trip from Oxford, you absolutely shouldn’t miss the Royal Crescent and Roman Baths.

Bath’s name comes from the Roman-era springs and baths which literally put Bath on the map. You can still visit the Roman baths here. I’m a big fan of this heritage site because it really doesn’t feel like your typical “stare-at-some-ruins” and take a photo attraction. Rather, the historic pools are full of water, and if you’re there at the right time, you’ll see actors dressed up as Romans with candles flickering away.

If, like me, you’re fascinated by the breadth of Bath’s history, I strongly recommend hopping on this short walking tour. You’ll learn everything from Roman to Georgian history and truly appreciate the gorgeous city of Bath.

Getting to Bath from Oxford

By public transport

You’ll find a handful of direct trains running from Oxford to Bath Spa station in just under an hour. If the timings don’t work, it’s also very easy to take a train with a short transfer at Didcot. Even with the transfer, the trip rarely takes longer than one hour and fifteen minutes. As always, make sure you book your tickets in advance for the cheapest fares.

If you’re considering other bases for day trips, Bath also makes a great option and can equally be visited from nearby Bristol.

By tour

I realize many travelers use Oxford as a base for visiting Southeast England. If that’s the case, I recommend joining this Bath and Stonehenge tour. On this tour, you’ll cover two of the most prominent tourist attractions in England with all the historic details necessary. It’s worth noting that Stonehenge is notoriously difficult to reach by public transport (especially from Oxford!).

3. The Cotswolds

In my opinion, Oxford is the best base from which to visit the Cotswolds and it’s no surprise that the small towns of the Cotswolds are among the best day trips from Oxford.

From Oxford, there are public transport links to Chipping Norton, Burford, Minster Lovell, Northleach and more. In case it isn’t yet clear, the options for day trips to the Cotswolds are endless. If you are visiting with your own car – I’d simply head toward one of these small towns and stop en route at little hamlets and pubs.

However, if you are planning to visit the Cotswolds without a car, I’d recommend heading towards Moreton-in-Marsh, which is the most easily accessible town from Oxford by public transport. Otherwise, if you’re seeking a more comprehensive, multi-town tour of the Cotswolds, I’d recommend joining this small-group tour from Oxford.

Moreton-in-Marsh

You won’t run out of things to do in Moreton-in-Marsh. With countless cafes, pubs and local produce stores you could spend hours sifting through treasures here.

Local tip: Every Tuesday, Moreton-in-Marsh hosts the largest market fair in the Cotswold – with over 200+ stalls selling fresh produce from across the region.

In my opinion, Moreton-in-Marsh offers the quintessential Cotswold day out. First, a hearty brunch of fresh sourdough at Otis and Belle, before you spend some time sifting through treasures at the antique stores on high street. In the afternoon, head for a walk through the fields towards the Batsford Arboretum – where you can indulge in a tea and scone on the terrace. As the sun begins to sit, what better way to end a day in the Cotswolds than with a hearty pub dinner at the Redesdale Inn.

For more ideas on how to spend a day in Moreton-in-Marsh, don’t miss our ultimate guide to the best things to do in Moreton-in-Marsh.

Getting to Moreton-in-Marsh from Oxford

Perhaps the most accessible of Oxford day trips to the Cotswolds, Moreton-in-Marsh is only 25 minutes by train from Oxford (make sure to book in advance).

4. Stratford-upon-Avon

More commonly associated with Birmingham day trips, people are often shocked when I share that Stratford-upon-Avon is one the easiest day trips from Oxford.

You won’t run out of things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon. From Shakespeare’s birthplace to the Tudor-era schoolhouse the bard attended, a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon is a deep dive into the world of Shakespeare.

Beyond literary history, I personally find Stratford-upon-Avon to feel like a Tudor time capsule. The charming streets are lined with the iconic black and white striped buildings, while small boats and swans negotiate for space on the Avon River.

For the ultimate Shakespeare experience, make sure to book tickets to a Royal Shakespeare Company show in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Luckily for you, we’ve prepared the ultimate guide to planning a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon. Our guide includes a step-by-step guide to planning your day, as well as the best restaurants and historic pubs.

Getting to Stratford-upon-Avon from Oxford

From Oxford, there are regular trains to Stratford-upon-Avon which take just over 1.5 hours. You’ll usually have a short transfer at Leamington Spa. This makes Stratford-upon-Avon one of our favorite Oxford day trips.

A note on London

It goes without saying, you could easily visit London on a day trip from Oxford. If it’s your first time in the UK, you’re probably keen to visit the big ticket items like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. However, if you are an Oxford local, you’ll likely be heading to London in search of more unusual experiences.

You really can’t go wrong with a day trip from Oxford to London. You’ll often find me darting across to East London in search of the latest speakeasy bars or expanding my culinary horizons in London’s elaborate food markets (or simply searching for the latest delicious baked goods). Whatever brings you to London, make sure you explore our dedicated London tips before your next trip over to London.

Getting from Oxford to London

You’ll find regular trains from Oxford to London Paddington (55 minutes) or London Marylebone (1.5 hours). If you’re traveling on a budget, the London Marylebone trains tend to be a fair bit cheaper. However, regardless of which station you need, I’d always recommend booking your train tickets as far in advance as possible for the cheapest fares.

The local bus service, the Oxford Tube, offers 24 hour service connecting Oxford to London by bus. Depending on traffic, the trip to West London can often take under 2 hours.

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