anneagain216

I need help! My son will be studying at Oxford this semester and I want to plan a trip with my husband to visit him. I think we will leave Atlanta on November 1 and return November 11. I've read many posts but can't seem to come up with a plan. I'm considering a package deal for London with time added on for the rest. We don't need luxury and don't care much about fine restaurants. We enjoy museums, music, history, enjoying a few beers and coming back to a comfortable friendly place to sleep. I was in the UK when I was 15 (30 years ago) and loved it but my memories aren't sufficient to guide me in my planning. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I'm aware of the latest travel concerns, but must plan the trip as if we'll go. Actually, I'm not too worried. Thanks!

JoeTro

Here's a link for a coach from London to Oxford:

http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/espress1.shtml

And from either Gatwick or Heathrow to London:

http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/airline1.html

You only need a couple of days, about 1-2, in Oxford IMHO. Your son can then come to London over a weekend to visit.

I'm studying at Oxford this year, and was there in 2004-5, so I'd be happy to help with other questions.

janisj

I wouldn't do a package - they will almost always be more expensive than doing it independently - though once in a while Virgin Vacations does pop a good deal.

London Oxford Bath is a really easy "three-fer". If it were me I would do one ove these two versions:

1) arrive LHR and take express bus to Oxford for first 3 days. Your first day will be pretty jet lagged so while 2 days is probably enough for Oxford - your son is there and you would have a better visit w/ 3 days. Then train to Bath for 1.5 days/1 night. Bath is a very compact city and you can see a lot in 1+ day. Then train into London for the remainder of your time. And Priceline is a great option for London.

Or 2) Arrive London and stay 5 or 6 days. On to Bath by train for 1.5 days. Then on to Oxford for the rest, taking the bus to LHR. (if you arrive at Gatwick instead same general itinerary works but would need a bit of modification for travel)

For neither itinerary would you need a car - but you might want to rent one for a day trip out of Oxford to see some of the Cotswold villages.

JulieG

My first piece of advice is always to listen to janisj, because she is very knowledgeable about traveling in England.

I can recommend a pleasant, reasonably priced hotel in Oxford that was 10 minutes walk from the city center. The rooms are fairly simple but breakfast was in a pleasant room and the service was good. It's called Falcon Private Hotel. http://www.oxfordcity.co.uk/hotels/falcon/

We took one of the 2-hour guided walking tours of Oxford University, which was very interesting, and took us into some places like the Sheldonian Theatre. http://www.oxfordcity.co.uk/info/tours.html (Though it sounds like you may have your own private tour guide!)

We also enjoyed dinner in a beautiful Thai restaurant called Chiang Mai that is in a 17th century building and served the best Thai food we've ever eaten. http://www.chiangmaikitchen.co.uk/home_en.html

Have a wonderful trip. I agree that you can easily do this on your own using the Oxford Express (only takes 1 hour to get from Oxford to London) and trains.

anneagain216

Thanks all of you! I have had computer problems and have been unable to check the internet for a couple of days. I like the idea of going to Oxford first, then Bath and London last. Maybe my son can join us in London later as JoeTro suggested. I've read lots of your posts, janisj, and they've been helpful. And JulieG, thanks for the Oxford suggestions. I had an idea the best way to go would not be a package but it started to seem like an easy solution to my overwhelmed feeling!

hunterblu

my fave London event was seeing Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre... I posted pictures at tripadvisor

milliebest

In Bath, see the Roman Baths at night. They are beautiful all lit up. Go the Sally Lunn's for dinner. If you want to see Stonehenge you can book a cheap tour (I think 14 pounds at the "i". One leaves at 10 am and brings you back to Bath at 1pm enough time to get on the train to your next stop.

Enjoy!

Sassafrass

I would spend two days in Bath and use one of them to do a Mad Max tour of the Cotswolds, or the Cotswolds and Stonehenge.

janisj

Folks . . This thread is FOUR YEARS OLD. It was topped by someone advertising a tour. The OP's son was in Oxford in 2006 . . .