OXFORD DAY TRIPS
Blenheim Palace // Bath // Londons // Windsor Castle // Cotswolds // Stonehenge // Cambridge // Cardiff, Wales // Portsmouth
Blenheim Palace
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Nestled on a sprawling 2000-acre estate belonging to the Duke of Marlborough, this gorgeous property is a haven for history enthusiasts and nature admirers alike. Blenheim Palace offers ample opportunities for students to delve into the history of one of the UK's most well-known prime ministers, Winston Churchill, by exploring the very estate where he was born and spent his childhood.
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Guided tours of the palace rooms
Hike around the grounds on its numerous trail systems
Explore the formal gardens
See the butterfly gardens
Get lost in the Marlborough maze
Ride the miniature train
Attend an organ recital
Visit during the holidays to see renowned lights and the Christmas market.
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Students will be given a pass to go to Blenheim Palace as many times as they like. Most Oxford groups will go to Blenheim on an academic excursion at least once.
The whomping willow featured in the Harry Potter films resides at this location! -
This location is incredibly close to Oxford, which allows for many spontaneous adventures with friends or relaxing afternoons by yourself.
Bath
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Bath was founded by the Romans in the 1st century and used the natural hot springs as thermal baths. In the 18th century, Bath became an important city for the wool industry.
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Tour the famous Roman Baths
Sit and enjoy the scenic Royal Crescent park area
See the cathedral of Bath Abbey
Stroll through the Parade Gardens
Tour the Jane Austen museum
Explore the shopping area by Pulteney Bridge
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Back in 2011, Bath used to have its own currency, “The Oliver”, named after Physician Dr. William Olivers (inventor of the Bath Oliver biscuit). However, the currency has since gone out of circulation due to it proving unsuccessful in the long run.
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Take the opportunity to see hot springs dating back to the Roman empire. Or, if you’re not much of a history person, simply enjoy basking in the elegant townscape & architecture Bath has to offer!
London
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The heart, soul, and capital of the United Kingdom. London has been around since 43 A.D (originally called Londinium), when it served as a Roman port and trading settlement. Since then, it has grown to be one of the most important cities in the world.
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Tour Buckingham Palace
Ride the London Eye
Visit Westminster Abbey
Explore the British Museum
See Churchill’s War Rooms
Warner Brother’s Harry Potter studio tour
Tour the National Gallery
Explore the National History Museum
Tour the Tower of London and see the crown jewels
Visit the Sherlock Holmes museum at the famous 221B Baker Street
Watch one of London’s 7 Premiere League teams compete
Take a bike tour of the city
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London is unique in the world for hosting Olympics three times: in 1908, 1948, and 2012. The worldwide event was hosted at London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Park in the Stratford district.
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See iconic landmarks, explore the rich history of the British monarchy, ride some red double decker buses, and more! Why shouldn’t you visit?
Windsor Castle
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Originally founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, Windsor castle is the longest occupied palace in Europe and has been the home of 40 monarchs throughout its history. The castle serves as a popular tourist attraction, a venue for hosting state visits, and was the main residence of Queen Elizabeth II from 2011 until she passed in 2022.
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Tour the state apartment, ceremonial rooms, and other royal rooms
Look at Queen Mary’s doll house
Wander around St. George’s Chapel
Look at the moat room featuring a bronze model of the castle from the 1300s
Observe the changing of the guard ceremony
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Princess Elizabeth and Margarett slept in the castle’s dungeons during WWII as it was deemed the safest place to be in the event of a bombing.
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Take the opportunity to see one of the most famous royal residences in the world. This is a must-see for any fans of the British royal family.
The Cotswolds
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The Cotswolds was officially recognized as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966. It is not one destination, but a region encompassing approximately 800 square miles and 5 counties. It is home to some of England’s most scenic landscapes, and it’s full of historic markets, lush green hills, medieval churches, and pastel-colored cottages. You’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back to calmer, simpler times.
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Walk The Cotswold Way, one of Britain’s most iconic nature trails.
Take a stroll along Britain’s most romantic street, Copse Hill Road
Go antique shopping at Blighty Antiques or other antique stores
Wander around the Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury
Enjoy an afternoon tea at a traditional tea room
Relax and enjoy the scenery
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Gloucester Cathedral was used to film scenes at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. The city has also been used as a filming location for Bridgerton.
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Take the opportunity to immerse in a charming area full of marvelous landscapes and historic houses.
Stonehenge
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Stonehenge, a World Heritage Site, is perhaps the world’s most famous prehistoric monument. Even though it remains a mystery as to why the early Britons invested so much effort into this construction, it still stands as a timeless monument. The Stonehenge that we see today is the final stage that was completed about 3,500 years ago.
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See the famous rocks (pretty cool!)
Explore the Stonehenge exhibition to learn more about the history of the area
Visit the Neolithic Houses and get a glimpse of the way people lived 4,500 years ago.
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During the summer solstice, the sun rises precisely over the Heel Stone and casts its rays into the center of the stone circle. And on the winter solstice, the sun sets in the exact same place.
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The mystery and magic surrounding Stonehenge are what makes it such an extraordinary site to visit. Don’t miss the opportunity to marvel at this iconic and timeless construction!
Cambridge
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Cambridge is a stunning city that is most well known for being home to Cambridge University, one of the highest ranked schools in the world. Cambridge was originally founded by the Romans and was not recognized as a city until 1951.
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Punt down the river; it’s a great way to see the city!
Shopping! There are many local markets that you can go to for souvenirs for both you and your family.
Bike tour around the city to see more of the buildings, streets, and tall architecture in detail.
Museums
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Might be the only city that has retrospectively named its river
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Cambridge is a beautiful historical city that feels, and looks, very different from Oxford. Be sure you visit and take advantage of Cambridge’s incredible academic history and bucolic landscapes!
Cardiff, Wales
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Cardiff, the City of Castles, is famously known for its stunning medieval architecture and castles spread all across the city. Cardiff originally was established as a Roman fort in around 55 AD and was transformed into the major city it is today through its large exports of coal and iron. Welsh culture in Cardiff is shown through its unique language and the emphasis it places on art, literature, heritage, and culture.
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Tour one of the city’s many castles. Most famously, Cardiff castle located in the center of the city.
Attend a rugby match at Principality Stadium, one of the most famous rugby stadiums in the world
Shop at the arcades, indoor shopping centers spread around the city
Try a traditional Welsh cake at one of the city’s bakeries or markets
Cycle around Cardiff Bay
Stroll through Bute Park
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Cardiff is home to the store Spillers Records, the oldest record shop in the world. The store dates all the way back to 1894.
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Travel to an entirely different country without traveling too far from your home location in Oxford. Take the opportunity to learn what Welsh culture is all about in the nation’s capital city!
Portsmouth
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Being the UK’s only island city, Portsmouth’s history is strongly connected to the Royal Navy. It was founded in 1180 by French merchant Jean De Gisors. By the early 13th century, it was considered one of the country’s most important ports. From historic ships to incredible theaters and museums, Portsmouth offers plenty of opportunities for entertainment.
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Experience the Mary Rose at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Discover how English life at home has changed over the centuries by visiting the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery
Explore Portsmouth Cathedral.
Visit Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum, the first home of Britain’s most celebrated author.
Go on an undersea safari at Blue Reef Aquarium
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Portsmouth is the only UK city with a population density greater than London’s. Over 200,000 people live in the 15.5 square-mile city.
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Portsmouth, UK’s great waterfront city, is rich in history and filled with world-class attractions. It’s easy to walk anywhere you want to go, as most venues are just a few meters away from each other!