I'm spending the weekend in London with friends who depart on a Monday. I then have Monday-Friday on my own time in which I was looking to do a little bit of sightseeing (I like history and architecture and gardens) and hiking/walking/kayaking. This would all occur after nearly 3 weeks in Western Europe with friends, so looking for a lighter pace to finish off my trip. I was considering Bath, a day or two on the national trails, and/or Oxford. I won't have a car, so relying on buses and trains mostly. I would like to end in Oxford because they have frequent direct buses to Heathrow (my flight is at 3pm on Friday). I'm starting to think combining Bath may be too much, but wanted to hear what others thought about the practicalities of traveling to/from Bath versus Oxford.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7633 posts
Well, my vote would be to spend that time in Oxford. I enjoyed Bath but loved Oxford, and you could easily spend 2-3 full days just touring the city and seeing the incredible architecture and history there. You could also throw in a few day trips to places like Blenheim Palace, the Cotswolds, Salisbury and so on, although there is plenty to do in Oxford, including boating and hiking. It's a wonderful city! And as you noted, the Airport bus will take you straight to the airport. That's what I used and it was very convenient and very comfortable
By the way, this post might have some ideas for you as well: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/best-one-week-from-oxford
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2213 posts
My choice would be Oxford too.
Potter around the city, visiting some of the colleges and also the Botanic Gardens and Christ Church Meadows.. There is Magdalene College with its deer park and water meadows.
Go for a boat cruise along the river, or if feeling brave, hire a punt!
The Ashmolean Museum is wonderful and you can also do a tour of the Bodlean Library. Alternatively there is the The Pitt Rivers Museum, a completely unique experience. It is the collection of Victorian Lieutenant General Augustus Henry Lane Fox, an officer in the British Army, who was an amateur archaeologist and ethnologist. The collection is wonderful hotch potch of artefacts from across the world and includes everything from a samurai sword to a witch in a bottle. Throw in masks, shrunken heads, beads, small carved figures, feather head dresses... (Do a google image search ...)
You could also do a day to Belnheim Palace , which is one of the great treasure houses of England and surrounded by lovely gardens and massive estate.
If you want a unique hotel experience, consider the Malmaison, in the former prison building. It is now a boutique hotel offering unique luxury accommodation....
Posted by
OP
Portland, Oregon
34 posts
Thanks Mardee and wasleys! It does sound like there's plenty to do in and around Oxford to warrant a home base for four days. The Malmaison looks terrific! I'll check it out more tonight.
Posted by
OP
Portland, Oregon
34 posts
One other question. I'll be traveling in August. Should I look for a hotel room with AC or is that generally not needed in England?
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
3843 posts
Do look for a hotel room with AC.
August can be baking hot.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7633 posts
I stayed at the Courtyard Oxford City Centre, which has A/C and was in a nice location. About a 4-5 minute walk to the city center (and the train station) but tucked in a bit so you don't get a lot of the city noise. It was next to Oxford Castle, and about a 5 minute walk from the Gloucester Green Bus Station, which is where you will catch the Oxford Airport bus to LHR. Gloucester Green also has a wonderful food market on Wednesdays that I highly recommend.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
I'm sure Mardee is referring to The Airline, an oddly named express bus (coach) service between Oxford and the London airports. We had a very good experience with it and others on these pages have too.
I agree that Oxford is a better base than Bath, and splitting your time between both cities, along with serious walking, seems to be spreading too thin. If you want to slow your pace after the continent, don't try to jump between two cities. Bath alone would also be a good base, but Oxford has faster service to LHR.
Posted by
OP
Portland, Oregon
34 posts
I opted for the Royal Oxford Hotel, which has good AC (according to its reviewers), and is close to buses and train station. Definitely looking forward to my time in Oxford and surrounds!
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7633 posts
I'm sure Mardee is referring to The Airline...
Yep, that I am.
Also, Joe, just an FYI, when you are walking from your hotel to Gloucester Green Bus Station, do not follow Google Maps directions, as there is a shortcut that it doesn't show. I checked your hotel and it is near mine. So when you leave (I'm assuming you are walking, as it's only about 7-8 minutes away), walk out of the hotel, then turn LEFT onto Park End Street. Continue till you reach Worcester St. and turn LEFT there. Continue up Worcester St. until you get to George St. Turn RIGHT on George.
Once on George and after you get past the corner building on the left, look on the LEFT for an opening called Chain Alley (not sure if there's a sign). Walk through that and it will take you right into the Gloucester Green Bus Station. Once you're there, look for Bay 5, which is where the Airline bus parks.
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
1950 posts
I, too, love Oxford, the Airline Bus, Blenheim Palace, taking the train to Moreton in Marsh for a peek at the Cotswolds. If you like the shows Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavor there is a walking tour in Oxford of places where it was filmed. I stay at Christ Church College, but I think you can only do that when Uni is not in session. have a wonderful time.