Thinking about an Oxford day trip? The UK has so many fascinating places to visit that it can make it hard to decide on what or where to start first as a first-time traveler in England. My expat bucket list is extensive for Europe but our UK one alone is even larger. With Halloween in the air and fall colors to remind me of New England, it seemed only natural to find a place to enjoy a day with kids to take in the colourful season. So with Halloween and Autumn at peak, an Oxford day trip checks off many things to do with or without kids: Harry Potter, castles, cool quirky restaurants, and shopping, too!
Table of Contents
Things To Do In Oxford: A 1-Day Itinerary
For a day trip to Oxford use this guide for getting there and discovering what to do in Oxford.
Before Visiting Oxford, Did You Know?
Oxford is known for its world-renown university. It’s the 2nd oldest in the world and blessed the universe with the Oxford English dictionary. But did you also know that Oxford is famous for?
- JR Tolkien, the author of Lord Of The Things.
- Bill Clinton was a student here.
- Several movie filming locations, such as Harry Potter, The Italian Job, and even the 102 Dalmations.
- Blackwells Bookshop. It’s the largest in the world!
- Alice In Wonderland was birthed here.
- The first cups of coffee served in England took place at The Grand Cafe.
Getting To Oxford From London
What I love about England is that so many famous destinations, like Oxford, are within a 1-2 hour drive or train ride from London. This makes it not only easy to consider Oxford for a day trip but also a relatively palatable one when traveling with children. Since Oxford has been one of my must-see bucket list cities, it was the perfect city to kick-off the weekend with kids.
1-Day Itinerary Oxford
This 1-day itinerary in Oxford is broken into morning and afternoon activities, with food stops in between to keep the kiddos happy and moving. Oxford involves a lot of walking so popping in and out of cafes is a great way to refuel and an excellent excuse to take in the Oxford food scene.
Morning Oxford Sight-Seeing
Climb The Mind At Oxford Castle & Prison
We started at Oxford Castle & Prison with a quick trip up the mound to take in 360° views before joining a potion making class in the depths of old prison cells. The Castle schedules events year-round so check before you go. The mound cost £1 per person to climb but if you participate in a castle activity, the cashier will give you the code for free.
Oxford Castle & Prison
Have Tea At Castleyard Cafe
After the mound, warm up with tea and chocolate croissant at the Castleyard Cafe. This particular Friday morning was rather windy and cold so we took a coffee break to warm up before continuing our Oxford Castle & Prison potion-making.
Castleyard Cafe
Join An Event At Oxford Castle & Prison
If you want to see and experience more of Oxford Castle & Prison, check out their events page. They host a ton of events throughout the year and the fall is no exception. The potion-making in the Prison is an Oxford event for any wizard wanna-be!
Potion making at Oxford Castle & Prison
Watch A Street Performer On The High Street
Once our wizardry time came to an end in the Prison, we walked through the Oxford City Center where we listened to an amazing Josh Groban-ish street performer and took in the livelihood of this university town.
Though the weather was typically British with spotty rain and chilly, the streets were packed with students and other tourists abound. I had not expected it to be quite so busy!
Oxford High Street
Play A Board Game At George Street Social
We ducked out of the rain and grabbed lunch at George Street Social. Located diagonally from Thaikhun, it’s a quirky cafe with couples, moms with babies, and students focused on their MacBooks.
George Street Social stocks loads of games for kids to play or books to select from to pass the rain or afternoon away. The menu offers something simple for everyone: burgers, linguini dishes, or salad. They had me at spicy bean burger with avocado.
Lunch spot in Oxford: George Street Social
Afternoon Oxford Sight-Seeing
Take A Walk Down Broad Street Oxford
Reenergized from food, we started our Oxford University walk down Broad Street. First passing Trinity College, where buildings beautifully covered in deep red fall colors align the street.
Trinity College Oxford
Many tours originate from Trinity College, including ghost ones, and run nearly every hour. Despite really, really, really wanting to take the kids on a Trinity ghost tour, we continued our walk.
Visit The Weston Library
If you’re a massive Hobbit fan, then you’ll want to visit The Weston Library. There is access to a shop that sells all things Tolkien.
Find The Lightning Bolt Etched Outside Sheldonian Theatre
A favorite family thing to do was looking for the lightning bolts etched into the stones surrounding the Sheldonian Theatre. It’s amazing to imagine J.K. Rowling standing here so many years ago feeling inspired by that lightning bolt that would become the insignia of one of the best characters of all time.
I love that we get to experience and witness all things Harry Potter throughout the country. And our day one day in Oxford did not disappoint! ⚡️
Look for the lightning bolt outside Sheldonian Theatre
See the Bridge Of Sighs (The Oxford One)
From Sheldonian, we walked to the Hertford Bridge or also called the Bridge of Sighs. It’s famous due to its similarity, or replica nature, to the famous Venice Bridge of Sighs.
Oxford’s Bridge of Sighs
Visit The Bodleian Library
Though Bodleian Library requires payment to enter, the architecture of the building was enough to satisfy bookworms of any age. Even my 6-year-old daughter wanted to go inside. With the need to be silent, we continued our walk to Radcliffe Camera. 🤫
Bodleian Library
Find The Perfect Picture Spot At Radcliffe Camera
Ironically, there is no camera! Camera means ‘chamber’ in Latin so if you’re looking for a camera, look none other than your own to take a picture. 📸
Students were enjoying lunch on the Radcliffe Camera steps making me wonder if they appreciate how fortunate they are to experience such a university. And also how surprising it was to imagine that students are even allowed to linger on such beauty. I was finally able to get a picture later in the day.
Oxford day trip highlight: Radcliffe Camera
Take A Picturesque Alley To Christ Church Meadow
We took the alley across from the University Church of St Mary to Christ Church Meadow. We followed the road straight and then to the right where Christ Church College resides. As we came upon it the beauty of fall or perhaps just the feeling that we were part of a Harry Potter set captivated all of us.
Christ Church Meadows in Oxford is like a Hogwarts scene
Top Up At Paul’s Cafe
Back on the High Street, we popped into Paul’s for a coffee and a macaroon and found the best seat in the house on the 2nd floor. It was the perfect window spot to chat about the sights we saw with the kids and warm up before a little Oxford shopping.
The Grapes Pub, Oxford
Walk Through The Oxford Covered Market
A day trip to Oxford wouldn’t be complete without a walk through the Covered Market. Along with all the name brands you can find in a typical big England city, like Gap, H&M, and Reiss, find something truly unique and different within the Covered Market.
Ben’s Cookies (I recommend the milk chocolate one) can be found in other UK cities, but Oxford is where Ben’s cookies all began. Moo-Moos, a family-run Oxford business, is excellent too. They offer 100s of shake flavors to select from are perfect treats after a long walking day before returning home. Just plan on waiting in a queue. They are delicious!
Find this mural in the Covered Market in Oxford
Final Tips For 1 Day In Oxford
Our Oxford day trip exceeded our expectations. The architecture was stunning, scenes reminisce of Harry Potter complete, and the overall university vibe of one we hope the kids remember forever.
And with Oxford being less than 2 hours from London, it’ll be a city to return to another time for a cup of coffee at The Grand Cafe, England’s first coffee house, and shopping at Alice’s, The Original Alice In Wonderland Shop.
If you have more time and looking to add another day trip to your visit in Oxford, Bibury is less than an hour away.
Till then!
