Oxford — the city that defined education
Oxford is where the English-speaking world's greatest university has stood for over 900 years. Where Tolkien and C.S. Lewis argued over literature. Where Stephen Hawking studied. Where 30 British Prime Ministers studied. And where, somehow, the streets and courtyards and quadrangles look exactly as they have for centuries — while modern Oxford buzzes with cafes, restaurants, markets and bookshops.
The dreaming spires of Oxford, seen from Christ Church Meadow
🚕 Taxi: Heathrow Airport → Oxford
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Oxford's best colleges
Christ Church
Oxford's grandest college — founded by Cardinal Wolsey in 1525. Its Great Hall was used as the model for Hogwarts Hall in the Harry Potter films. The Picture Gallery houses one of Britain's best small art collections. The Cathedral within the college is the smallest cathedral in England.
Bodleian Library
One of the oldest libraries in Europe, founded in 1602. Holds a copy of every book published in Britain. The Divinity School (1488) is the oldest purpose-built university building in Oxford and a favourite filming location. Tours run daily.
Magdalen College
Widely considered Oxford's most beautiful college. Its meadow, deer park, cloisters and tower make it extraordinary. The bell tower is where choristers sing at dawn on 1 May — one of England's greatest annual events.
Ashmolean Museum
Britain's oldest public museum (1683) and one of the world's greatest university museums. Free entry. Egyptian mummies, Alfred the Great's jewel, Stradivarius violins and Pre-Raphaelite paintings fill seven floors.
Oxford day trips & connections
- Blenheim Palace — Churchill's birthplace — 8 miles north — taxi from Oxford from
- Cotswolds — Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water — 20 miles west — taxi from
- Woodstock — charming market town adjacent to Blenheim — taxi from
- Henley-on-Thames — Royal Regatta town on the Thames — 25 miles SE — taxi from
- Bath — 65 miles SW via A34 — taxi from Oxford from
Getting to Oxford from London and airports
Chiltern Railways runs from London Marylebone to Oxford in 60 min. The X90 Oxford Tube coach service runs 24/7 from London Victoria in 90 min. A pre-booked private taxi from London starts from .
🚕 Taxi: London Gatwick → Oxford
Fixed fare From . TfL licensed. Meet & greet. 24/7.
Frequently asked questions
Oxford is approximately 40 miles from Heathrow via the A34/M40. A direct taxi from Heathrow to Oxford takes approximately 35–55 minutes and starts from .
Absolutely. Trains from Marylebone take 60 minutes. With an early start you can visit Christ Church, Bodleian, the Ashmolean and punting on the Cherwell all in one day.
Bodleian Library Divinity School (Hogwarts Hospital Wing), Christ Church Great Hall (Hogwarts Hall), New College Cloisters (Hogwarts corridors) and Duke Humfrey's Library (Hogwarts Library). A dedicated tour is worth booking.
An impossible question! Oxford is larger, has a livelier city centre and is closer to London. Cambridge has the Backs, punting and perhaps the more intimate college experience. Both deserve their own visit.