One Day in Oxford: The Ultimate Day Trip Itinerary
Oxford is sooooo charming, even though we ran into some hiccups here (looking at you, unexpected Open Day 😭).
But honestly? Just strolling around this city was dreamy enough to make up for it. Cobblestone streets, honey-colored buildings, and that old-world academic magic — you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a period drama.
Oh, and I may or may not have had Murder on the Dancefloor stuck in my head the entire time we were walking around. If you know, you know.
✨ Before You Go: What to Know About This Itinerary
Walkable Town: Oxford is super walkable, but there’s also a hop-on/hop-off bus if you want someone else to do the legwork.
Getting Here: Fly into London Heathrow, then take a direct train to Oxford (about an hour) or rent a car if you plan on exploring the countryside too. Be sure to also spend some time in London if you can! We went to London first, then Oxford. You can read about my London itinerary here!
Harry Potter Tours: They have Harry Potter tours that can take you to all of these spots. That was what we had planned, but were told the day before we couldn’t do it due to Open Day (would’ve been nice to know days in advance or I don’t know… when we booked it, but more on this below)
Open Day Warning: Check the university calendar before you go! On Open Days, many of the colleges are closed to tourists, meaning you’ll miss some of the biggest attractions which is also like all of them. Learn from my mistake. 🥲
Vegan Options: Listed at the end of this itinerary!
Overview of Itinerary:
Kebel College
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
New College
University of Oxford
Radcliffe Camera
University Church of St Mary the Virgin
Bodleian Library
Magdalen College
Oxford Castle & Prison
Punting on the River Cherwell
Walking Around Oxford
Keble College
🕐 Estimated Time: 30–45 minutes
One of Oxford’s more unique-looking colleges thanks to its striking red brick and patterned design (a rarity among Oxford’s stone-heavy architecture). The quad here is gorgeous and peaceful — perfect for a quiet wander before the crowds set in.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
🕐 Estimated Time: 1–1.5 hours
Step into this stunning glass-roofed Victorian building filled with dinosaur skeletons, gemstones, and zoological specimens. It’s free to enter and also houses the Pitt Rivers Museum in the back, which is packed with fascinating anthropological collections.
The Sheldonian Theatre
🕐 Estimated Time: 20–30 minutes
Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, this beautiful 17th-century building is still used for Oxford University ceremonies. You can pop inside for a quick look, but the real gem is climbing to the top for panoramic views of the city — it’s like a 360° Oxford postcard.
📝Personal Note: I unfortunately did not realize you could go up here for views of the city or else I would have — I am a sucker for viewpoints.
Bridge of Sighs
🕐 Estimated Time: 5–10 minutes (photo stop)
This little gem connects two parts of Hertford College and gets its nickname from its resemblance to the famous bridge in Venice. Unlike the Venetian version, no one’s sighing here — unless it’s over how pretty it is. You’ll find it near the Bodleian Library, so it’s an easy photo stop while you’re in the area, but there are always lots of people here taking pictures.
New College
🕐 Estimated Time: 45 minutes–1 hour
Despite its name, New College is old — dating back to the 14th century. The cloisters and gardens here are beautiful, but Harry Potter fans will recognize it from Goblet of Fire (yes, the “Potter Stinks” scene, the Malfoy ferret moment, and the famous courtyard tree are all here).
University of Oxford
🕐 Estimated Time: 30 minutes–1 hour (depending on your tour)
Oxford isn’t just one building — it’s a collection of independent colleges. You can join a guided walking tour to learn about its history, alumni (hi, J.R.R. Tolkien), and traditions, or explore a few of the open colleges on your own.
Radcliffe Camera
🕐 Estimated Time: 15 minutes (outside only unless on a tour)
This stunning round library is one of Oxford’s most photographed spots. You can’t just walk in unless you’re on a guided tour or have a Bodleian Library ticket, but it’s worth admiring from the outside.
University Church of St Mary the Virgin
🕐 Estimated Time: 30 minutes
A gorgeous church in its own right, but the real reason to visit is to climb the tower for one of the best views in Oxford. Totally worth the leg burn.
Bodleian Library
🕐 Estimated Time: 1 hour (tour required)
One of the oldest libraries in Europe, the Bodleian is a dream for book lovers. Harry Potter fans will instantly recognize Duke Humfrey’s Library from Sorcerer’s Stone — aka the Restricted Section where Harry snoops under his invisibility cloak.
🎟 Tours sell out, so book ahead!
Magdalen College
🕐 Estimated Time: 45 minutes–1 hour
A college with serious fairytale vibes. Stroll through the cloisters, wander in the deer park (yes, they have their own deer), and enjoy views over the River Cherwell.
Oxford Castle & Prison
🕐 Estimated Time: 1–1.5 hours
A mix of medieval history and true crime intrigue. You’ll get to climb the Saxon St George’s Tower for panoramic views and explore the 900-year-old crypt.
🎟 Book tickets in advance.
Punting on the River Cherwell
🕐 Estimated Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Yeah… I didn’t know what punting was either until I got here. Picture a long, flat boat that you push along the river with a big pole (kind of like a Venetian gondola’s British cousin) . It’s a super popular Oxford tradition and you can either hire someone to do the work for you (hello, relaxing ride) or try it yourself for a bit of a laugh.
📝Personal Note: We didn’t get to do it this trip, but if I go back (and I hope I do🤞) this will be high on my list.
Walking Around Oxford
🕐 Estimated Time: As long as your feet will allow!
If all else fails (like it did for us), simply wandering Oxford is worth the trip. The mix of historic college buildings, winding cobblestone lanes, and charming shopfronts is pure magic. Some of my favorite moments were just turning a corner and stumbling into a postcard-perfect view.
🌱 Vegan Options in Oxford:
CHICK PEA
The Gardeners Arms
Banana Tree Oxford
Cafe Coco
Colombia Coffee Roasters
Doughnut Time
Oxford Blue
Green Routes Cafe – A little further out from the city center, but 100% vegan.
And just like that, our magical day in Oxford came to an end. From dreamy college quads to secret Harry Potter filming spots, this city feels like stepping into another world — one you won’t want to leave. But adventures don’t stop here!
From here, there is so much more of the English countryside to experience or you can follow our lead and hop on a train and head north to Edinburgh!
Regardless, whether you’re ending your trip here or continuing on like we did, Oxford is one of those places that will stick in your memory long after you’ve left.