Oxford, Cambridge and London

Where

London, Oxford, Cambridge

Pace

Steady. Colleges and museums are walkable; the trips between the cities are the longer part of each day.

Best season

Term time gives the liveliest streets, but some colleges close to visitors for exams or events, so check each college.

Suits

Students and book lovers, Families with older children, First-time visitors

• Step-free access reported at 3 of 21 stops
• 1 of 21 stops marked family-friendly in our guides

Step-free and family flags come only from data we hold (OpenStreetMap contributors or the venue's own access page) and are not a full access check. Contact each venue before you go.

1. Day 1 · London

   London: museums

   Overnight: London

   1. 1

      British Museum

      Museum · Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia

      Usually free; check the official site for timed entry.

      Show on map
   2. 2

      Charles Dickens Museum

      Museum · Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia

      A literary stop in Bloomsbury.

      Show on map Our guide to Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia
   3. 3

      Victoria and Albert Museum

      Museum · Chelsea

      Check the official site for entry details.

      Show on map Our guide to Chelsea

2. Day 2 · Oxford

   Oxford: colleges and libraries

   Overnight: Oxford

   Getting from London to Oxford. By train: under an hour. Chiltern Railways says services from London Marylebone take under an hour. Other routes and operators exist: check National Rail. Source: Chiltern Railways, Oxford destination page (opens in new tab).

   1. 4

      Radcliffe Camera

      Landmark · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      

      Landmark in the centre of the old town.

      Show on map Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles
   2. 5

      Bodleian Library

      Library · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      

      Book a tour in advance.

      Show on map Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles
   3. 6

      Sheldonian Theatre

      Historic building · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      

      A short walk away.

      Show on map Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles
   4. 7

      Bridge of Sighs

      Landmark · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      

      Photograph it from the street.

      Show on map Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles
   5. 8

      Turf Tavern

      Pub · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      

      A pub on Bath Place.

      Show on map Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

3. Day 3 · Oxford

   Oxford: museums and the river

   Overnight: Oxford

   1. 9

      Ashmolean Museum

      Museum · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      

      Usually free; check the official site.

      Show on map Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles
   2. 10

      Pitt Rivers Museum

      Museum · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      

      Next to the natural history museum.

      Show on map Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles
   3. 11

      Oxford University Museum of Natural History

      Museum · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      

      Usually free; check the official site.

      Show on map Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles
   4. 12

      Christ Church

      College · Christ Church, St Aldate's and Folly Bridge

      

      Check opening hours before you go.

      Show on map Our guide to Christ Church, St Aldate's and Folly Bridge
   5. 13

      University of Oxford Botanic Garden

      Garden · High Street, Magdalen and East Oxford

      

      By the river.

      Show on map Our guide to High Street, Magdalen and East Oxford

4. Day 4 · Cambridge

   Cambridge: the colleges

   Overnight: Cambridge

   Getting from Oxford to Cambridge. By train. There is no simple direct link: plan the journey and any changes on National Rail. Check National Rail (opens in new tab) for times and changes.

   1. 14

      King's College Chapel

      Chapel · Colleges and the Backs

      

      Check visitor hours; the chapel closes for services.

      Show on map Our guide to Colleges and the Backs
   2. 15

      Trinity College

      College · Colleges and the Backs

      

      Home of the Wren Library.

      Show on map Our guide to Colleges and the Backs
   3. 16

      St John's College

      College · Colleges and the Backs

      

      Leads to the Bridge of Sighs.

      Show on map Our guide to Colleges and the Backs
   4. 17

      Bridge of Sighs

      Bridge · Colleges and the Backs

      

      View it from the river or the neighbouring bridge.

      Show on map Our guide to Colleges and the Backs

5. Day 5 · Cambridge

   Cambridge: museums and meadows

   Overnight: Cambridge

   1. 18

      Fitzwilliam Museum

      Museum · Museums, Botanic Garden and the South

      

      Usually free; check the official site.

      Show on map Our guide to Museums, Botanic Garden and the South
   2. 19

      Cambridge University Botanic Garden

      Garden · Museums, Botanic Garden and the South

      

      A garden walk.

      Show on map Our guide to Museums, Botanic Garden and the South
   3. 20

      The Backs

      Riverside · Colleges and the Backs

      

      The college gardens beside the river.

      Show on map Our guide to Colleges and the Backs
   4. 21

      The Eagle

      Pub · King's Parade and Market Square

      

      A pub at 8 Bene't Street.

      Show on map Our guide to King's Parade and Market Square

Rail times vary by day and operator, so only times from an official page are shown. Opening hours, prices and tickets change: check each official site. This route is independent and unofficial.