Looking for the best day trips from Oxford, England? Well, you’re in luck as there are tons of incredible places nearby that you should visit! Oxford’s proximity to so many amazing cities, country houses, and historical sites means you are really spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding where to go for the day.
Many of the day trips on this list are easily accessible by train or by coach, with the exception of a few that are best accessed by car or by joining a group tour. But all of these locations are amazing and are perfect for exploring when you only have time for a one day trip from Oxford to somewhere new!
1. Blenheim Palace
When you’re looking for day trips near Oxford, Blenheim Palace should be at the top of your list! This incredible country house in Woodstock, Oxfordshire is just 40 minutes from Oxford by bus, so it is an easy day trip to make.
There are so many reasons to visit Blenheim, whether you are interested in the history attached to this gorgeous place (it is Sir Winston Churchill’s ancestral home!) or if you are simply interested in experiencing the opulence of both the house itself and the grounds at this English country house.
On a visit here, you can explore the lavish interior and the well-manicured gardens and grounds while learning about the history of the family all the way back to the first Duke of Marlborough who began the construction of Blenheim. There are also some fascinating exhibits about Winston Churchill’s life, and you can learn about the American Vanderbilt family’s connection to this elaborate estate.
To make your visit easy, you can purchase Blenheim Palace tickets ahead of time, or if you plan to take the S3 bus from Oxford to Blenheim Palace then you can wait and get 30% off your admission cost when you show your bus receipt. If you have a car, you can also drive to Blenheim (which will take between 20-30 minutes as opposed to the bus’s 40 minutes).
If you would rather take an even easier route to Blenheim, then consider Blenheim palace tours from Oxford such as this half-day Blenheim Palace tour. Taking a tour like this one is great for those who don’t want to figure out transportation on their own and who would like to visit with a private tour guide who will share the exciting stories of Blenheim Palace in the past and present.
Whether you visit on your own or with a tour, this is definitely one of the Oxford excursions you will never forget! It’s such an incredible place filled with fascinating history and stories that everyone will enjoy.
2. Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is a popular day trip destination from Oxford and a must-see for any literary fans! It’s the birthplace of William Shakespeare, so that in itself makes it a worthy destination…but it is also just a cute little town and the perfect place to spend some time wandering and soaking up the atmosphere.
You’ll find adorable Tudor houses here, some fun history and Shakespeare exhibits, plus of course some fantastic Shakespeare plays performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. While there’s lots to see, one stop you won’t want to miss is the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust shop where you’ll find a range of wonderful and hilarious Shakespeare merchandise.
If you’re interested in visiting all the Shakespeare sights around Stratford-upon-Avon, be sure to purchase a combined birthplace and family homes ticket as it is the most cost-effective option to experience all the places Shakespeare and his family members lived. You’ll also likely want to stop by the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried!
When thinking of taking a day trip from Oxford to Stratford-upon-Avon, you can plan it independently by taking a day trip from Oxford by train (it’s around 1.5 hours each way). But this is also an easy spot to get to by coach trips from Oxford if that is your preferred method of travel. However, there are also plenty of day tours from Oxford, UK that will take you to Stratford-upon-Avon and nearby sites hassle-free, such as this tour of Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon that allows you to see one of the best castles in England on your way to Shakespeare’s birthplace!
Whichever travel method you choose, visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon from Oxford is an excellent choice. This city may be a little bit touristy on the whole, but it’s 100% fun and is one of the best Oxford trips for literary lovers!
3. The Kilns
If you’re looking for day trips around Oxford, then going to The Kilns in the village of Risinghurst is the perfect choice! This spot isn’t far from the city center of Oxford, but as the famous home of C.S. Lewis (of Narnia fame) it holds plenty of interest for Narnia lovers and literary enthusiasts alike!
A trip to the Kilns won’t take a whole day as it is so close to Oxford, but it is perfect to combine with a tour of other Lewis locations in Oxford such as on this The Inklings Writers Tour. The Kilns itself is only available to visit by prior arrangement, so be sure to reach out to them and book a tour before you go. And while you’re in Risinghurst, be sure to also check out the nearby church where you can sit in Lewis’ church pew as well as visiting his grave in the church’s graveyard!
If you love the stories and essays of C.S. Lewis, this is one of the best places to visit near Oxford. It is so much fun to get to see what his life was like when he lived here, as well as discovering all the other famous places in Oxford associated with him!
4. London
Any Oxford day trips list wouldn’t be complete without including one of the most popular places to visit in England—London! Many people choose to stay in London as their base while in England, but (while I may be a bit biased as I lived in Oxford) I personally prefer to stay in Oxford as it is a little less busy than London but still within within easy distance to visit London on day trips from Oxford by coach or train.
London is filled with all sorts of amazing things to do, including some popular tourist sights like Big Ben, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and more. If you haven’t been to London before, there are a lot of things you will want to do and see and I recommend spending 2 days in London at the minimum. But if you have been before or only have one day to spend in London, then a day trip from Oxford is still a great idea!
One of the things I love most about London is that there are all sorts of free museums to visit. The V&A and the Natural History Museum are a few of my favorites, but the options are nearly endless. I also highly recommend booking free tickets to go up to the Sky Garden while you’re here for excellent views over London!
But if you’re going to visit the popular touristy spots in London, then it’s likely that buying a London Pass will help you save big on your sightseeing costs during your day trip. Looking for more tips to help you save money on travel in London and across the UK? Check out my best tips for saving on UK travel to learn more!
At only about an hour away by train and under two hours when taking coach day trips from Oxford, London is the perfect distance away to enjoy a full day sightseeing in this capital city! A day trip here will be an experience you will remember forever.
5. Bath
When you’re considering day trips from Oxford, UK, the city of Bath definitely deserves a place on your list! This city is a delightful place in England and a must-see, especially for fans of Jane Austen or those who love history and architecture.
Some of the highlights you’ll discover in Bath include visiting the Jane Austen Centre, going to the fascinating Roman Baths on your own or with a guided tour, exploring the decadent Assembly Rooms, and of course eating some famous Bath Buns! If you want an overview of the city, taking the Hop On Hop Off Bus can be an excellent way to hear the tales and history of Bath (this is one of the things I like to do when I first visit a new city).
But beyond the attractions of Bath, this is also just a lovely place to wander and enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful architecture around. You could even go shopping in the city center. But if you’re looking for something a little more special and exciting, taking a hot air balloon ride over Bath is an unforgettable experience! The beautiful architecture and layout of Bath is a treat to see from above.
Taking the train from Oxford to Bath Spa is an easy journey at under 1.5 hours, or you can take a 1.5-2 hour journey from Oxford to Bath by car. But if you prefer the completely hassle-free method of visiting Bath on a day trip then you could always book a guided tour of Bath from Oxford. I personally prefer visiting Bath independently as this is one of the easiest day trips from Oxford by train and then you can visit any attractions you want on your own schedule…but I know some people prefer going with a tour group, so that is a perfectly viable option too! Either way, you will certainly enjoy your time in this beautiful English city.
6. Stonehenge
Any list of Oxford day tours wouldn’t be complete without including Stonehenge, which is perhaps the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. This ring of stones has fascinated generations upon generations of people and it is only a short distance from Oxford, which makes this one of the places to visit around Oxford that you won’t want to miss!
On a visit to Stonehenge, you’ll learn more about the current beliefs regarding this prehistoric monument and what we know about its construction and use, including its features during the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age and beyond. Stopping by the visitor center exhibition also allows you to see nearly 300 artifacts and archaeological treasures found here at the site!
It is best to visit Stonehenge either by car or by tour, as the train adds a lot of unnecessary travel time to the journey from Oxford. If you visit on your own, you can pre-book your admission ticket to ensure you can visit on the day and at the time you want (note: family groups may find it cheaper to purchase a family admission ticket that provides entrance for up to two adults and three children).
If you decide to visit by tour, you’ll find that most Stonehenge tour options combine a visit to this prehistoric monument with visits to other nearby locations, such as this day trip from Oxford to Bath and Stonehenge. You can search through all the possible tour options to find one that works best for you.
However you decide to visit, going to Stonehenge is something you should do at least once in your life as this truly is a popular and interesting place in England to see in person. This is certainly one of the most iconic places to visit near Oxfordshire and Oxford, so be sure to add it to your list!
7. Ewelme
Of all the best places to visit in Oxfordshire, Ewelme is a more unusual destination but no less worthy of exploring on a day trip from Oxford. This village is one of many adorable towns to visit near Oxford, but it has a few special features that make it worth a visit.
The village of Ewelme is primarily known for its past production of watercress, but it is also known for being the home of Geoffrey Chaucer‘s son Thomas and his granddaughter Alice. To give you a little history into these descendants of Chaucer, Alice married William de la Pole, the first Duke of Suffolk, and both she and her dad Thomas lived at the manor house known as Ewelme Palace (which is now mostly demolished).
While their house is no longer intact, you can still see the tombs of Alice and Thomas in St. Mary’s Church. And in fact, Alice’s tomb is one of the coolest things to see in the village as it is unusual in containing two layers—an upper section with a conventional tomb chest and an effigy of the duchess, plus a lower section showing another portrait of her as a desiccated corpse. It’s a little gruesome, perhaps, but fascinating to see as it is such an unusual form of a tomb.
All in all, Ewelme is an especially great place to visit for those interested in literary figures like Chaucer or for those who like exploring cemeteries and unusual graves…but it is also simply a delightful and attractive village for a laid-back day trip from Oxford.
8. Highclere Castle
Of all the day trips Oxford has to offer, a visit to Highclere Castle is one of the best for those who love British TV series! Why? Well, you may recognize it as the main filming location from Downton Abbey!
For fans of this series or those who love beautiful English country houses, Highclere is definitely somewhere to add to your day trips in England list! While visiting, you can explore both the ornate interior and the impressive grounds and gardens…besides taking behind the scenes tours into the real history of the estate and learning fun tidbits like the fact that the 5th Earl of Carnarvon was the financial backer for Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamen’s Tomb!
Today, Highclere is still the private family home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, so access to the estate is limited to specific dates and times throughout the year. If you hope to make this day trip from Oxford, then be sure to check the public opening times before you plan your trip!
To get to Highclere Castle, your journey is under an hour by car and you should book your tickets in advance as they sell out quickly. It’s not very easy to visit by public transportation from Oxford, so if you do not have a car then you should head to London to take the train from there or join a tour heading to the estate. But if you’re a big fan of Downton Abbey, taking a tour of Highclere plus other filming locations is one of the best options for you. This will definitely be a day trip to remember!
9. The Cotswolds
If you love more rural English villages, then a Cotswolds day trip from Oxford is a must. The Cotswolds are a region in south central England and a range of hills, where you’ll find outstanding natural beauty and the cutest villages around!
Because this is a region instead of just one location, you have a lot of choices between different villages for your Oxford Cotswold tour. Some of the most popular options are Bibury, Upper and Lower Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Blockley (where Father Brown was filmed).
If you have your own car, you can choose a specific village or two you would like to visit on your Cotswolds day tour from Oxford. This is a fun way to explore the area, as you can visit each place for as long as you like and then move on when you are finished (instead of being forced to go sightseeing at a specific pace like when you take Cotswold coach tours from Oxford).
However, it’s also an excellent option to take guided Cotswolds tours from Oxford as they will take you to specific villages and show you the best scenery and features of each, rather than you having to figure it out as you go. Going on an Oxford to Cotswolds tour this way means you don’t have to drive or plan your day trip yourself and can instead sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery. This full day Cotswolds tour is probably the best Cotswold tour from Oxford, while this tour of the Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace is an excellent option for private tours from Oxford.
But whatever method you choose for your Cotswolds tour from Oxford, this is one of the best places to see some of the most attractive scenery and villages in England so I highly recommend you take the time to explore here while you are nearby!
10. Canterbury
Another great day trip Oxford has to offer is a trip to Canterbury, a city most famous perhaps for being a pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages. If you’re looking to make your own pilgrimage to this fun medieval city, you’ll be relieved to learn it’s a fairly easy day trip from Oxford (although a little bit longer to reach than some places, with a train travel time of 2.5 hours).
Your visit to Canterbury should include some of the top things to see in the city, including visiting the Canterbury Cathedral. If it’s your first time in the city you might find it beneficial to take a guided walking tour to discover more about the history of this city and some of its most famous features.
And do you remember that book called The Canterbury Tales from your literature classes? Well, this is that Canterbury…so obviously you’ll need to do some Chaucer related activities while you’re here. Definitely stop by the statue of Chaucer in the middle of the city, and if you feel like it you can also stop by The Canterbury Tales Experience. This “museum” tries to introduce you to the sights, sounds, and smells of medieval times with a tour of the scenes from Chaucer’s famous tales. It’s a little bit hokey, but at the same time a little bit fun for Chaucer fans.
Of all the day trips England boasts, this is one location that people have been traveling to for hundreds and hundreds of years. So go ahead and throw your lot in with all the travelers of the past and experience this gorgeous medieval city for yourself!
11. Brighton
If you don’t mind a slightly longer day trip from Oxford at 2-2.5 hours of travel time, Brighton is a fantastic place to go for the day and is certainly worth the longer transportation time to get to experience the English seaside and this resort city!
During your time in Brighton you’ll definitely want to stop by the Brighton Pier, which today contains various entertainments along the lines of amusement parks and fairground rides. This is a fun stop for both kids and adults! Another fun and popular tourist attraction is the British Airways i360 Tower, which is a 530-foot tall observation tower overlooking the beach and ocean. Going up this tower gives you stunning 360° views across Brighton and the English Channel, so even though this is a bit touristy it is definitely exciting!
Other things you may enjoy include taking a biking tour of the city as a fun way to learn your way around and a great way to learn a little about Brighton’s history, or exploring inside the Royal Pavilion—an incredible former royal residence built in a style reminiscent of India with a Chinese-inspired interior!
As you can see, there are plenty of exciting things to keep you occupied during your day trip to Brighton from Oxford. The seaside here is a fun place to visit and this resort town will definitely capture your heart!
12. Dover
Dover has the honor of being the longest day trip from Oxford on this list with a travel time of 2.5-3.5 hours no matter whether you take the train or drive. However, this coastal town is an incredible place filled with history on every corner…so if you only have one day to explore, then this should definitely still be one of the contenders for your Oxford day trip!
Dover is a major port for ferries to France, and its proximity to the English Channel caused the creation of one of the best features here for visitors to see—Dover Castle! This castle was built to keep out invasions from across the channel and has been around since the 12th century, so it is a pretty impressive place!
There is also a strong tie with World War I and II here at Dover Castle and in Dover in general, and while you’re here you can explore the extensive secret wartime tunnels beneath the castle as well. And of course, no visit to Dover would be complete without visiting the well-known and iconic White Cliffs of Dover!
While this is a farther trip from Oxford than many others on this list, the sheer amount of history in this place makes it worth the travel time. Be sure to get an early start so you have as much of the day as possible to explore once you arrive!
13. Cambridge
Now for those in the know this next day trip from Oxford recommendation may seem a bit odd, but Cambridge is a fun place to visit and isn’t too far from Oxford so it deserves a place on this list. Oxford and Cambridge have a rivalry going back centuries, and as an Oxford woman myself I have to say that Oxford is the better of the two cities and the better of the two universities 😉 But a centuries-old rivalry shouldn’t stop you from exploring all that Cambridge has to offer as well!
Cambridge is a gorgeous city with many stunning university colleges to explore, excellent museums to enjoy, and more! When you first arrive, one of the best ways to get to know the area from a local’s perspective is to take a walking tour of the city with a graduate from the university. You’ll learn all about the different colleges, including King’s and Corpus Christi, as well as hearing stories about the city and various famous alumni.
Another essential activity while you’re here is to go punting on the River Cam. Punting is one of my favorite activities, and here in Cambridge you can go on a chauffeured punting trip and relax as you enjoy the scenery and learn more about sights like the Bridge of Sighs and the Mathematical Bridge.
There are plenty of activities here to keep you occupied for days, so you’ll have to decide exactly what you want to see during your one day trip to Cambridge from Oxford. And despite the rivalry between these two universities, you are sure to enjoy every moment of your day trip here!
14. Cardiff
Your next possible day trip from Oxford is to Cardiff, which is the only place on this list that is outside of England. Cardiff is the capital of Wales but sits at around 2 hours from Oxford by train, so it is still an easy day trip to take.
If you’re looking for an overview of the city when you arrive, the Hop On Hop Off Bus is a good option here just like it is in other major cities. But some of the most popular things to do here include visiting Cardiff Castle, exploring Cardiff’s National Museum, and seeing the impressive Millennium Centre.
For some visitors, Cardiff is most well-known for its connection to Doctor Who. Super-fans of this show will be thrilled by this tour of Doctor Who filming locations that takes you across the city as well as to Amy Pond’s village of Leadworth (which in real life is called Lllandaff). But if this is a little more than you’re looking for, then taking a Doctor Who walking tour of Cardiff could be the perfect way to follow in the footsteps of the Doctor!
If you want to see some of the city but are more interested in nature areas nearby, then you could always take a partial day excursion to Brecon Beacons National Park. This 6 hour tour of Brecon Beacons leaves early in the morning and then returns you to Cardiff in the afternoon, so you’ll still have a few hours left to experience any sights in the city that you would like.
So whether you’re a Doctor Who fan or are simply interested in seeing the capital of Wales or the nearby gorgeous national park, a day trip to Cardiff from Oxford will be a special memory for many years to come!
15. Winchester
The last Oxford day trip on our list is Winchester, a lovely English city with some pretty cool things to do! This is an especially great place to visit for anyone who loves cathedrals and architecture or literature.
If you only do one thing while you’re here, that one thing would have to be visiting the magnificent Winchester Cathedral. I had the pleasure of singing in Winchester Cathedral while studying at the University of Oxford, and I have to say that the interior is truly stunning. It definitely lives up to its reputation as being one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Europe!
And if you’re a literary fan, then visiting Winchester and Winchester Cathedral should definitely be on your list as this is the city where Jane Austen spent her final days. You can even find and visit her grave inside the cathedral if you so choose!
Beyond the cathedral, there are plenty of other interesting things to see in the area including museums and galleries, seeing theater productions, and simply walking along the beautiful trails in the city and nearby. No matter how you spend your day here, this is a delightful city in England to visit and a perfect 1 hour day trip from Oxford.
Read next: 23 Free Things to Do in Oxford
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