There’s something magical about Oxford. That mix of grand old buildings, cobbled lanes, and the faint smell of history (or maybe just strong coffee and damp leaves). It’s a city that never tries too hard to impress, because it knows it doesn’t have to.

Last Sunday, I took my dad, who’s nearly 80, but still more energetic than most people half his age, on a gentle day trip to Oxford, along with Piotr and T. We wanted something slow, scenic, and full of character. No rushing, no ticking off lists, just an easy day surrounded by spires, scholars, and the occasional cyclist ringing a bell at you for existing.

Getting to Oxford – Easy Trips from London or Wales

Oxford sits right in the heart of England, about halfway between London and the Cotswolds. It’s part of Oxfordshire, surrounded by rolling countryside, ancient villages, and far too many sheep to count. Despite its historic look, it’s surprisingly easy to reach, which makes it a brilliant choice for a spontaneous day trip or weekend getaway.

We drove from Newport, South Wales, and it took just under two hours, a smooth and scenic route (with the usual motorway coffee stops, of course). Parking in central Oxford can be tricky, but we are lucky and secured our spot at St Clement’s Car Park, 103 St Clement’s St, Oxford OX4 1AR.

If you’re coming from London, you’ve got plenty of options:

• 🚆 By train: Direct services run from London Paddington or London Marylebone to Oxford in about one hour, with trains leaving roughly every 15–30 minutes.
• 🚌 By coach: The Oxford Tube and X90 are popular budget options, taking around 1 hour 40 minutes depending on traffic.
• 🚗 By car: It’s about 60 miles (96 km) via the M40 motorway. Just remember: Oxford’s centre is pedestrian-friendly, so park on the edge and enjoy the walk in.

Once you arrive, you really don’t need a car, everything in Oxford is compact and walkable. The city was made for slow wandering, not rushing, and half the charm comes from getting a little lost among its colleges, courtyards, and cobbled lanes.

Morning Magic at Radcliffe Square

We arrived in Oxford around half ten, which is the perfect time if you want to pretend you’re an early riser but still value your Sunday morning lie-in. Our first stop was Radcliffe Square, and honestly, it did not disappoint.

The Radcliffe Camera, with its honey-coloured stone and graceful dome, stood like the city’s crown jewel. It’s one of those places that instantly makes you whisper “wow” or, in my case, reach for the camera before even thinking about what to say. Around it, the Bodleian Library, University Church of St Mary the Virgin, and cobbled streets framed the scene perfectly.

We strolled slowly, taking it all in. My dad paused now and then, not because he was tired but because he actually notices details, the carvings, the symmetry, the little coats of arms above the doors. It’s something I love about travelling with him: he sees beauty where most people just see bricks.

The square buzzed gently with students, tourists, and a few locals weaving between them with that practiced Oxford patience. For a moment, it felt like stepping into a film seT, the kind where everyone’s dressed in scarves, carrying old books, and speaking in witty one-liners.

Climbing the Tower at St Mary’s Church – 127 Steps to Oxford’s Skyline

Before leaving Radcliffe Square, we decided to climb the tower of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, a proper little workout at 127 narrow steps. The spiral staircase felt like something straight out of a medieval movie: stone walls, tight corners, and the occasional nervous laugh echoing behind us.

When we finally emerged at the top, any complaints instantly vanished. The view over Oxford was breathtaking. A sea of golden rooftops, spires, and college quads stretching in every direction. From up there, the Radcliffe Camera looked even more majestic, perfectly framed by the Bodleian Library and the city’s skyline beyond.

It’s one of those rare places where you can see almost every major landmark in one glance, and where the effort of climbing those steps feels more than worth it. Dad took his time soaking in the view while I tried (and failed) not to take another hundred photos.

If you visit Oxford, I’d say this climb is an absolute must. Just wear comfy shoes!

Exploring at Our Own Pace

One thing we agreed on early: we wanted to enjoy Oxford at our own pace. No rushing between landmarks, no strict schedule, just time to stop wherever something caught our eye. It turned out to be the best decision. Oxford is a city that rewards slow wandering.

That said, if you prefer a bit more structure, there are plenty of walking tours available. Everything from Harry Potter filming locations to university history tours, often led by students who know all the hidden details and college gossip. They’re a great option if it’s your first visit or if you like hearing stories behind the buildings. Check GetYourGuide and explore all the possibilities. But there is also another option, service for self-guided audio tours with attraction tickets, featuring AI-powered tours personalised to travellers’ preferences. It is called WeGoTrip, I highly believe it is worth it to give it a go.

A small tip though: book tickets in advance for popular attractions. We had our hearts set on visiting the Bodleian Library, but by the time we tried to book, all the slots were already sold out. Lesson learned!!! Oxford may feel calm, but its best experiences are in high demand, especially on weekends.

Go City is offering a multi-attraction passes for the top tourist destinations worldwide for up to 65% off the cost. Worth to check it out.

So if you’ve got a few must-sees on your list (like the Bodleian or a college tour), it’s worth securing them a few days ahead. Otherwise, just let the city unfold every corner has something beautiful to discover.

The Sheldonian Theatre

Just around the corner stands the Sheldonian Theatre, one of Sir Christopher Wren’s early works. Yes, the same Wren who later built St Paul’s Cathedral. You can see the resemblance if you squint and imagine a dome with a London postcode.

We didn’t go inside this time, but from the outside, it’s an architectural show-off: perfectly balanced, beautifully carved, and proudly flying its flag. I snapped a few photos while Dad admired the structure and Piotr compared it to something from an old European university. The atmosphere was lively, tourists posing, guides waving umbrellas like wands, and the occasional student zipping by on a bicycle that had seen better days.

It’s moments like this that remind you Oxford isn’t a museum, it’s a living, breathing place that just happens to look like a painting.

Einstein’s Blackboard at the History of Science Museum

Next on our list was the History of Science Museum, just across from Broad Street. It’s easy to miss, tucked inside a building that looks far too elegant to contain dusty microscopes, but it’s a gem.

Inside, time slows down. The rooms are filled with antique instruments: globes, telescopes, compasses, and other beautiful objects that once helped people measure the world before Google Maps existed. But the highlight, without question, is Einstein’s blackboard.

In 1931, Albert Einstein gave a lecture in Oxford, and the university preserved the blackboard he wrote on, chalk equations and all. Standing in front of it feels strangely intimate, like stepping into the exact moment a genius was mid-thought. The writing is faint but still visible, frozen in time. My dad found it fascinating, he leaned in close, nodding quietly, while T joked that it looked just like his old school maths lessons, minus the brilliance.

It’s a small museum, but it leaves a big impression, and the best part? It’s free, warm, and full of stories.

Lunch at The King’s Arms – Historic and Hectic

By early afternoon, our stomachs were louder than the tour groups, so we made our way to The King’s Arms, one of Oxford’s oldest pubs. It’s been serving pints and pies since the 1600s, which means they’ve had plenty of time to perfect the art of looking perpetually busy.

The place was heaving. Every table was full, and the staff were moving so fast they probably qualified as Olympic athletes. The smiles were scarce, but to be fair, it looked like they were surviving a Sunday lunch rush of epic proportions.

We eventually squeezed into a table, ordered our food, and waited. And waited. But when it arrived, fish, burgers, and a mountain of chips that could feed a small village, it hit the spot. Comfort food at its finest. We laughed, shared bites, and people-watched as new customers squeezed through the door looking increasingly hopeless.

I wouldn’t call it the most peaceful meal I’ve ever had, but it was very Oxford: a mix of history, hustle, and hearty portions.

The Castle Mound – A £2 Lesson in Expectations

After lunch, we decided to walk off our chips by heading towards Oxford Castle & Prison. The castle itself had already closed for the day, but there was a small sign promising “panoramic views” from the Castle Mound for just £2 per person.

We paid our coins, climbed the short but steep hill… and well, let’s just say “panoramic” might have been optimistic. From the top, we could see rooftops, a car park, and a few confused pigeons. Dad burst out laughing, which made it worth every penny.

Sometimes travel is like that, you climb for the view, but the real reward is the moment you share when you realise it wasn’t about the view at all.

Cinnamon Rolls – The Sweetest Goodbye

On the way back to the car, we wandered down the High Street, where the soft glow from High Street Café caught my eye. Through the window, I spotted trays of pastries, including something I can never resist: cinnamon rolls.

I popped in, bought one for each of us, and stepped back into the cool evening air with a paper bag full of joy. They were sticky and perfect, sweet enough to cancel out any lingering disappointment from the castle mound.

We stood there, the four of us, eating cinnamon rolls on a busy Oxford street, laughing about our day. It was the simplest, most human moment, and maybe my favourite part.

Staying Overnight in Oxford – Make It a Weekend

If you’ve got more time than we did, staying overnight in Oxford is absolutely worth it. The city takes on a whole new charm once the day-trippers leave, the streets get quieter, the colleges glow under the street lamps, and you can wander without the crowds.

There’s accommodation for every kind of traveller:

• 🏨 Boutique hotels & guesthouses: Try Old Parsonage Hotel or Vanbrugh House Hotel for elegant stays in the heart of the city. They’re close to everything yet peaceful once you’re inside.
• 🏡 University rooms: During term breaks, some colleges rent out student rooms, a unique way to experience Oxford life from the inside (and usually a good deal cheaper than hotels).
• 🚲 Budget options: If you’re after something simple, Hostelworld  is a hostel-booking platform which can help you to find right accomodation. There are also cosy Airbnbs dotted around Jericho and Summertown.

There’s nothing quite like an evening stroll along the river or through the University Parks, peaceful, romantic, and beautifully lit.

If we’d stayed overnight, I’d have loved to explore a few more spots the next morning, or even a coffee crawl through Oxford’s many independent cafés.

So if you can stretch your visit to two days, do it. Oxford rewards those who linger. One day gives you a taste, but a weekend lets you truly soak it in.

Reflections on a Day Well Spent

Our Oxford adventure didn’t include everything the guidebooks suggest no punting on the river, no college tours, no stress. But that’s exactly what made it perfect.

The beauty of a day trip to Oxford is that you don’t need to see it all. The city rewards curiosity and patience. Even just walking between Radcliffe Square, Broad Street, and the Castle gives you centuries of history in a few easy steps.

Watching my dad enjoy it at his own pace, stopping to look, to comment, to smile, reminded me that travel isn’t about collecting places. It’s about collecting moments.

Would I climb that £2 castle hill again? Not a chance.
Would I eat another cinnamon roll from High Street Café? Absolutely!! Maybe even two.
Would I return to Oxford next month? Without hesitation.

It was a day of laughter, learning, and slightly grumpy pub staff. The perfect combination for a Sunday in Britain.