Oxford and Cambridge Universities Guided Day Trip from London
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the historic colleges of Oxford
- Visit the iconic King's College Chapel in Cambridge
- Stroll through the picturesque streets of Oxford
- Discover the rich academic heritage of Cambridge
- Enjoy scenic views along the River Thames in Oxford
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Visit to King's College (if option selected)
- Visit to Christ Church College (if option selected)
- Walking tour of Oxford and Cambridge
- tastecard and Coffee Club membership (if selected)
- Luxury air-conditioned coach
- Professional Guide
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Itinerary
Walking tour of Oxford- follow in the footsteps of Oxford's famous students, from C.S. Lewis to Bill Clinton, as you stroll the captivating college courtyards and cobbled lanes of this historic university town. Take in the famous 'dreaming spires' and see the Bodleian Library – one of the oldest libraries in Europe – on your visit. You'll be captivated by the unspoilt narrow alleys and ancient squares of this naturally beautiful town.
A treat for moviegoers of all ages, Christ Church is instantly recognisable as one of the major locations for the Harry Potter films! Marvel at the magical grandeur of the Great Hall, used as the setting for Hogwarts.
Once you’ve left Oxford, you’ll make your way to the beautiful city of Cambridge. It’s here that you will visit Senate House at the world-famous University of Cambridge. Before used by the Council of the Senate for important meetings, it is now the chosen location for students’ degree ceremonies. You’ll get to explore this special location and discover its important history before venturing onto the Corpus Clock!
Visit the Corpus Clock, a unique invention outside the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University. Revealed to the world by Stephen Hawking, it is made from a 24-carat gold-plated stainless steel disc and has no numbers to tell the time. Instead, it shows the time through lights that shine through individual slits. This unmissable innovation will stay in your mind long after you’ve left!
You’ll also get to see Cambridge’s Mathematical Bridge during your stop. Designed by William Etheridge, it is nearly 300 years old and has attracted visitors from all across the world. The design gives visitors an intriguing conundrum – it uses only straight timbers but the bridge arches. It’s an absolute must-see!
One of the main highlights of the trip is visiting the exquisite King’s College Chapel. Used as a symbol representing the city of Cambridge, the Chapel is a popular tourist attraction for people across the world. Taking a century to build, starting in 1446 on Henry VI’s demands, King’s College Chapel displays wonderful gothic architecture and huge, enchanting stained glass windows. Featuring the world’s largest fan vault and famous artwork from Rubens, there’s plenty to learn and discover at the home of the King’s College Chapel Choir. Estimated arrival time back to London is around 7.00pm.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour duration is approximately 12 hours, including travel time
- Meals and beverages are not included; plan accordingly
- Some walking is involved; ensure you're comfortable with this level of activity
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the campuses
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning architecture and landscapes
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- Boarding procedures begin 15 minutes prior to departure
- Please note: the tour itinerary and order may change.
- Our vehicles are modern, comfortable, and kept to the highest standards of cleanliness, including a deep clean every day
- King’s College is closed on 20th July. A walking tour of Cambridge will operate instead.
- Signature Tour Option: Take advantage of the best views on the bus with our premium seating option and a knowledgeable live guide. Plus, enjoy a lunch pack. Once at each location, you will have access to Christ Church College and King’s College Chapel, giving you a complete and immersive experience.
Traveler reviews
An educational day!
It is a long day with a lot of walking but visiting these amazing universities and learning about their origins was very interesting.
Take a tour of two of Britain's biggest universities
I chose this tour because it was my third time in London and I could go to places I had never been before at once. I'm happy with the content of the tour as I hoped, but since it's a long journey between the two universities, I think you'll enjoy the tour more, the one at each university and the nearest tourist destination.
Dan was knowledgeable and...
Dan was knowledgeable and attentive. She showed us a lot about the two most historical iconic universities in UK. Great experience and we enjoyed every minute.
Excellent service
Excellent driver Kuwengir and Guide Dan. Everything was very well explained. Loved it.
Nice trip to Cambridge & Oxford
The tour was worthwhile. It was a long day, and we were on the bus for about 5-6 hours of the 10-11 hour day. But it was really worthwhile. The tour guide, Eileen was quirky and fun, and provided a lot of information about both universities. She definitely knew them well. Our driver, Vio, was also excellent. Very friendly and a safe driver. There were only about ten of us, so we were in a minibus without a bathroom, but it was comfortable. I ordered the lunch plan; I believe I was the only one who did that. I got "priority seating" in the front row, and I was glad I had the lunch (it was something vegetarian) because there wasn't a lot of time to eat while touring. It would have taken away from the small amount of time we had for shopping. It's hard to do both of these in a day, but I still left with a good feel of both schools. We had about 30-40 minutes to explore Cambridge on our own which was great. But for Oxford, we ran out of time and only had ten minutes. That was really a shame; there were lots of shops I would have liked to see. But overall, still a wonderful trip that I"d recommend. Quick note: I didn't have much cash on me, and I wanted to tip the tour guide and driver at the end of the trip. I figured, I would call Golden Tours the next day and find out how to get a tip to them. Turns out, you have to tip the day of the trip; there is no way to get in touch with them afterward. So I felt kind of bad. On my next tour, I made sure to have cash!