Hi,
I'm considering a day trip to Bletchley Park from London to visit the museum. I'd love some input on whether you found it a worthwhile trip (assuming you are a history buff) and how difficult it was to travel by train there.
Could it be combined with a short jaunt the same day to take a peek at Oxford by train?
Thank you!
It was absolutely worth it for me. It was very easy to get to by train.
I had the Northwestern Railway app downloaded to my phone and bought the ticket when I got to the station as I was not sure what time I'd get there (took the Tube from my hotel). I caught the train at about 923 at Euston Station which is the direct to Bletchley. After walking the 10 minutes (or less) from the station I was there right after opening. I spent most of the day there. Did a walking tour provided free by the site at about noon (sign up at the information desk), had lunch, went back to see things that interested me and the things we did not see on the tour. I think I took the train back at about 330 or so.
I can't imagine you'd have time for Oxford on a day trip to Bletchley.
Thank you, Pam! Just what I was hoping to hear! It is definitely something my son and I would love to visit, but due to it's distance, I was hesitant to plan it. I will block off a day to go visit it now! Thanks for the heads up about Oxford, too. We'll pass on that due to timing.
Our trip to Bletchley closely mirrored Pam's, although we just bought our train tickets from a manned counter at the station. (Our hotel was only a 10 minute walk away.) The cafeteria at Bletchley is nice for lunch. We didn't get back into London until late afternoon, so no, I dont think a visit to Oxford would be possible on the same day.
It is 110% worth it. Dead easy by direct frequent train from London Euston. Unless you have a National Railcard due to other rail journeys or want to use the 2 for 1 offer you can now pay by contactless.
For 2 for 1 you need actual rail tickets.
As for Oxford we are keenly awaiting the opening of the new direct line to Oxford. When that opens it will be a roughly 40 minute train ride.
The line is complete but there are complications opening it for passenger traffic.
There is an aspiration to open in mid May, time will tell.
Until then no it is not really a suitable add on. In any event you may well find that Bletchley Park is a whole day event, depending on an one's interests.
I don't think personally you can do justice to either, done as a combo.
But you could do evensong at Christ Church Cathedral or the magic which is Thursday Compline at Keble College- that is one special service.
Love Bletchley Park! Here is a helpful hint. After you enter, go directly to the desk where they make the timed reservations for the free included tour. Get your time the very first thing.
We really enjoyed our Bletchley trip in 2023. Very easy train ride from Euston Station and a short walk to the Park. As others have said, you'll want a full day for Bletchley. It really isn't combinable with Oxford.
That said, for a first time visit to London and depending on the age of your child, I'm not sure I would recommend it for a day trip. There are other places I would consider, like Hampton Court Palace or Windsor.
Thank you, CJean! Since it seems we'll be there all day, it's good to know there's a pretty decent cafe onsite. It does seem, too, that we'll pass on Oxford that day.
Thank you, Carol now retired, for that awesome tip!! We are ALL about guided tours!
Thank you, isn31c!, for the special notes about the trains. We won't have any other railcards, so we'll just buy one there. Also, thank you for the evensong suggestions!
Thank you, Jeanm! Glad it's an easy trip by train to the park! It is our first trip to London and hope to take in as much history as possible! My son is a college freshman studying International Affairs, so this will be of great interest to us both :-)
Pam wrote exactly what my visit was like.
I suggest you also visit the Churchill War Rooms in London.
Expected to spend 2 hours there at most.
Spent 4.
Extremely well laid out and fascinating. Wandered about on my own. Nice lunch.
Easy peasy train ride to and from Euston station.
Bletchely Park is way more instructive and interesting than the movie The Imitation Game. It's fun to watch, but take it with a grain of salt.
Well, to be fair, the Imitation Game was a fictionalized biopic of Turing and the work to break Enigma. That work was only a very small part of the work done there during the war, as the displays at the park demonstrate.
