During my time at Oxford, I was lucky enough to take some amazing day trips to places not far from the University. Whether as a history lover, you spend your day at Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s birthplace and childhood home, or Highclere Castle, the filming location of the popular Downton Abbey series, you will not be disappointed. In fact, Oxford is located in day travel proximity to many UK attractions. By bus and rail, all day trips are worth taking. Compare bus and train choices for time and cost.
Just a Sampling:
| Bath-Roman Battles, Jane Austen Museum | 1 hour 26 minutes by bus, 1 hour 17 minutes by train |
| Blenheim Palace | 40 minutes by train or bus |
| Highclere Castle | 1 hour 40 minutes by train or bus |
| Stratford-Upon-Avon | 1 and 40 minutes by bus or train |
| Winchester Cathedral | 59 minutes by train or bus |
The main bus depot in Oxford is located on George Street and many of the day trip buses stop throughout the city for easy pickup/drop off.
Stratford-Upon-Avon—Celebrating Shakespeare’s Birthday
Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, is less than a two hour ride from Oxford by bus. Try to visit for Shakespeare’s birthday celebration in April as there is a parade through the town and many other town-wide events to celebrate, including traditional Morris dancers that truly give a sense of the culture Shakespeare grew up with, that is at the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Shakespeare Birthplace
Visiting Stratford-upon-Avon gives an excellent snapshot of Shakespeare’s early life starting with his birthplace. As someone who loves reading his works, I was moved by his humble upbringing. Unfortunately, the house is not accessible as the floors are not smooth and the second floor is not wheelchair accessible. You can visit the schoolhouse where Shakespeare was educated and Holy Trinity Church where he was buried in 1616. The schoolhouse looks like a movie set! You can sit at a traditional desk and experience what life was like for a student in the 1500s (Hint: a lot of Latin). Both attractions are must see for any visiting Bard fan! The classroom in Shakespeare’s schoolhouse and counting house are both wheelchair accessible. However, the second floor of the schoolhouse is only accessible by an old staircase.
Accessibility Booking
Although the amount of old buildings in Stratford-upon-Avon may make you a bit apprehensive about visiting, the town itself is beautiful. It is nicely laid out and full of interesting little shops and affordable restaurants and pubs. Bancroft Gardens is a lovely park with seasonal fairs and attractions. When we visited, there was a living statue contest that was great fun.
To make the most of your trip, you need to ensure you have good accommodations close to the center of town. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance. The best piece of advice to ensure this, is to call ahead and let them know your needs in advance. Most Stratford-upon-Avon bed and breakfasts are close-by and first floor accommodations can be booked over the internet. The bed and breakfast I booked had a first-floor room available, but when my carer and I arrived, it was already taken. This is why calling to confirm the day before is crucial, especially when you visit small towns.
Bancroft Gardens
Bancroft Gardens— a wonderful breath of fresh air within the town of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Overall, Stratford-Upon-Avon is a wonderful place to visit. You will have a great time learning about the life of a literary genius while exploring one of so many picturesque towns throughout the UK. Hop on the bus or train and go explore them all!
Until next time, Wheel On!
Helpful Add Ons:
Winchester Cathedral where you can see Jane Austen’s house including the desk where she penned her most famous novels including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma. One interesting new acquisition to the house is a hand-painted fan with Mr. Darcy’s face on it that was created by a devoted Pride and Prejudice fan in 1996. You must pre-book tickets! Unfortunately, only the first floor is wheelchair accessible. Another essential site for any Jane Austen fan is her grave marker in Winchester Cathedral (a lodedodo!). You will get to experience her rich life from start to finish!
Blenheim Palace: Blenheim Palace is an awesome trip that is only a little more than half-hour bus ride away from Oxford. You will experience the wonderful architecture and design of the historic grounds and stately home, originally built in 1705, that continues through many ongoing restorations. It is the birthplace and childhood home of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. You can even see a lock of his hair in his bedroom! You can spend the afternoon exploring the rest of the Palace. They have a wonderful china collection in the pantry and a working kitchen downstairs that is accessible from the outside. They have seasonal activities for the whole family including an Illuminated Light Trail in November and a magnificent light show at Christmas.
Highclere Castle- Although it may be a slightly longer bus ride, if you are a Downton Abbey fan, it is a must. Needs to be booked well in advance and cost varies depending on if you book a tour or an event. We attended an author’s lecture with picnic lunch and got to snap a photo with the real-life Lady of the Manor!