Oxford or Cambridge?

Oxford. I think the train takes just over an hour... although, we've driven in the past. Lots of transport info here: http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/guide/timetabl.html Now, why did I just say "Oxford." - ???? Because it's the Ur English University Town. The dreaming spires. Town and gown. Lord Peter Wimsey. Punting - and a picnic (http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/guide/punting.htm). The Bodleian Library! The Eagle and Child (where Tolkein and C.S. Lewis drank). The Radcliffe Camera. I just think it is distilled, burnished, quintessential English-ness. And I suppose Cambridge is, too, but I like Oxford much better. Dunno why. Just do! Others will of course, disagree! :D

Well, not meaning to be disagreeable, :) ... I have been to both and I like Cambridge better. I won't be as poetic as Kira, but the first time I saw Kings College was in the fall and it was absolutely beautiful. There were very few tourists on the actual campus and the colors and the river gave me the scene of one of my favorite images from that trip. It was also the day after Obama was elected president. Love Oxford too because from what I understand the Law School here on the campus at the U of M is a close copy of Oxford. So I was very excited to see it, but still vote for Cambridge.

It's an hour from Paddington to Oxford, and a short walk from the station to the town center, It's closer to 90 minutes from King's Cross to Cambridge, and a longer walk into town. Tourist Oxford is more compact, and, hence, more likely to be crowded. Flip side: you will walk more in Cambridge. If you are into books and bookstores, the flagship Blackwell's store in Oxford is not to be missed.

Perhaps my vote is based on the weather. When we were in Oxford, it was a rainy cold day - in Cambridge it was beautiful and sunny. So gorgous - very nice art museum there too.

The RS book goes into some detail about the university towns. Remember, at least at Oxford, that you can only get into the Colleges in the afternoon, and not when examinations are happening.

They both have strong points, however in Cambridge you can walk the "backs' (lawns along the river) from one college to the next. very different from Oxford where to me the colleges seem to be crammed in among the businesses of town.

IMO, Kings College Chapel is worth the trip to Cambridge. On one European trip I visited both the KC Chapel and Saint Chapelle (Paris) and thought the KC Chapel was much better.

Travelling from London, Oxford would be a shorter trip and easier to get into the town than Cambridge - which would be a short bus ride from the rail station.
But I agree with others above, taking a punt on the backs and Kings College (stunning) would outweigh the longer train ride and slightly inconvient train station and Cambridge would be my choice.

Susan, I enjoyed both but for different reasons. Oxford was what I imagined a english college town should be. Cambridge it was the punting and getting a backside view of the colleges(as it were). As a side note and if you have the time, the Madingley American Cemetery outside of Cambridge is something to behold.

I have been to both and my vote is for Cambridge. Oxford has less of a college town feel to me than does Cambridge, although you will most certainly enjoy either city. They are both fascinating. The colleges in Cambridge are beautiful, the central downtown area is very compact and easily walkable. The views from the river and the backs are great. It is not that far of a walk from the train station but you can also catch the city bus directly in front of the station and it will take you right into the heart of the city in just a few minutes. The Fitzwilliams Museum in Cambridge is a good place to visit and admission is free. There are great walking tours available from the TI.