mztery

Hi good folks -
we are tentively planning a trip back to London over thksgiving, and were thinking of starting out in either Cambridge or Oxford for a few days before heading to London. In terms of cost, are they comparable?

Any insights into choosing Oxford over Cambridge or vice versa? We like walking even if it's cold or wet, and won't have a car...

Thanks for any feedback on what you liked or didn't

janis

to be honest you really wouldn't make a mistake whichever you choose. The two cities are amazingly similar -- rivers running through the centers, very similar colleges architecture and historywise, very walkable. There is a bit of a bias towards Cambridge here on Fodors - but in truth both are great.

If it were me and I had 3 days, I'd pick Oxford. Reason being that besides the city itself, there are many terrific places nearby -- Woodstock/Blenheim Palace, lovely Cotswold villages, Warwick castle and Stratford if you want to drive a bit.

Near Cambridge is the Anerican cemetary and a few other things but the surrounding area is not as interesting (at least to me) as around Oxford.

If I had only one day, I might choose Cambridge - but for a few days it would be Oxford . . . .

janis

Oh - I missed the no car bit. In that case I'd still probably choose Oxford - there is bus and train service out to some of the places -- Woodstock for instance is only a few miles from Oxford w/ decent bus service.

flanneruk

If all you want to see is the ancient university, Cambridge wins hands down. It's got better architecture, and it feels smaller, quieter and more compact.

But its weather is a great deal gloomier (there's no natural barrier between it and the Urals, and those Soviet winds pick up a lot of dismal moisture on the way), and it's pretty much out on a limb. Oxford is in the middle of England, and is the crossroads of major national north-south and east-west roads.

There's a great deal more around Oxford to see - and the prevailing Contswoldy countryside keeps its charm (all those country pubs with raging log fires) even, or even especially, as winter closes in. The Fens round Cambridge get even grimmer by late November.

Oxford is a great deal easier to get to from outside Europe. It's virtually on the end of the Heathrow runway, and has excellent trains and buses to both Heathrow and Gatwick. Cambridge is very handy for Stansted (Europe's major low-cost airline hub), but Stansted has virtually no intercontinental flights, and Cambridge is quite a shlep from any airport that has.

For a quick daytrip from London, it has to be Cambridge. In your case, I'd say Oxford.

eliztrav

I'd choose Oxford, though I love both and you, as others have said, can't go wrong with either once you get there. I always found the logistics of Oxford slightly easier.

jtrandolph

My husband and I lived in Cambridge one year while on a sabbatical. I am very jealous that you have the chance to see it, and I don't <grin>.

We did visit Oxford, but it didn't have the same feel to me.

King's College Chapel alone is worth the trip. It was begun in 1471 by Henry VI and finished just after Henry VIII's death. The War of the Roses and other things interfered. It is considered the finest example of late medieval architecture in Europe. The stained glass windows are breathtaking.

And "punting on the Cam" is a must,while you gaze at the "backs".

Someone said there were not as interesting places to visit near Cambridge as at Oxford. We had a car for out-of-town jaunts, but I remember that there was public transportation.

Some of the things to see in the area are, for example, the cathedral at Ely, ditto at Peterborough, ruins at Bury St. Edmonds and Anglesy Abby, historic houses. A short bus ride, or walk (see below) will take you to interesting villages, with old and charming churches.

Forjust a few days, however,you won't have time to do all of that. There is an excellent tourist bureau which you should check out. As well as showing you what there is to do and see, they will get you accommodations on the spot, if that is your wish.

We had bicycles for town use and several times rode the bike path beside the Cam for about five miles where there was a lovely house on the river for afternoon tea. If you are not up to walking the distance I am sure you can rent bicycles for a reasonable price.

As a matter of fact, it might be fun to have them for the duration of your time there, especially if you stay in a bed and breakfast on the outskirts of town. There is NO way you want to try to have a car and drive around the city.

I did some brass rubbing. With a little instruction you can finish a small one in a couple of hours, and there are several churches in Cambridge with interesting brasses.

As for cost. I don't think that lodging and meals differ between the two. If I were doing it, I would find the least expensive fare to Heathrow and then take the relatively short train ride to Cambridge. Well, you will probably want a night in London to rest up <grin>.

Oh, I forgot...walk across Jesus Green and find Stretton Avenue. Walk to the end and you will be on a Roman road, where you can actually walk on it for quite a long ways, outside of the city. (Our apt. was on Stretton Avenue.) That is, unless they have "developed" out there....aaargh.

Also, ask the nice tourist people about a walk on public paths to a nearby small village, where you can have a pub lunch. I don't remember the name of the town we walked to or where the path starts, but this is a really wonderful way to spend part of a day. And I am sure there is more than one path.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip.

Joan

Robespierre

One of the finest collections of historical (mostly) European aircraft is at RAF Duxford, a 20-minute bus ride from Cambridge.

<b>http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/</b>

PalQ

I've been to both several times and when i'm in Oxford i think Oxford is the better, when in Cambridge i think Cambridge - they are both superb places and really you can't go wrong - day-tripping to Oxbridge is a great thing to do. Oxford is a bit quicker to reach by train than Cambridge but both have great rail service. You should of course investigate the bargain LondonPlus railpass - if doing any other kind of day trip and can also use from Gatwick Airport into London and back. 4 day pass out of 8 day period at $69 p.p. is a steal and can be used on any train practically. For example the cheapest 'Day Return' ticket London-Cambridge is 17 pounds, or about $30 and this has restrictions - can't be used on some peak service trains, such as trains before 9:30am or some such time. The pass lets you use any train, regardless of peak or off-peak. If landing in Gatwick the cheapest return ticket is about 17 pounds or about $30, taking two days on a pass, leaving you two other days on a 4-day pass to day trip to Salisbury (Stonehenge), Windsor, etc. And if you have kids 5-15 they get one free pass per each adult pass bought and the Party Pass scheme has the 3rd thru 9th person on each LondonPlus pass pays only 50% of what the first two pay. And the off-peak scheme, Nov 1 - Feb 28 gives a 25% break off all the above fares - meaning, because you're going at
Thanksgiving, you can get a 4-day pass/8days for about $44 - then if landing at Gatwick and taking trains and day-tripping to Cambridge the pass becomes a no-brainer! (Not sold in UK, sold in US thru RailEurope - I advise calling BETS (800-441-9413) who i buy thru as whoever you talk to there are UK rail experts and they don't charge some of RailEurope's mailing fees. It's really such a bargain for many people!
Back to Oxbridge, I think each town is different enough that if possible day trip to both and see for yourselves which one is 'better'.

janis

Re jtrandolph's detailed post about Cambridge -- it may be more which you are more used to which is better. They lived in Cambridge for a year while I lived near Oxford for 5 years. I feel most of the same things about Oxford that jt feels for Cambridge. I've been to Cambridge lots of times but Oxford was in my &quot;backyard&quot; so I know it better.

As I said there are more similarities than differences. For instance - there is punting on the Cam - OR - punting on the Cherwell in Oxford. (But you won't be punting in November anyway).

Biking is a good way to get around Cambridge - but also in Oxford.

Kings College Cambridge is a Must -- but so is Christ Church in Oxford.

There are the backs in Cambridge - but in Oxford there are Christ Church Meadows and Magdalen Bridge.

All of this probably isn't helping you decide. But perhaps flanneruk's description (which is very accurate IMHO) of the cold dreary landscape that time of year in Cambridgeshire would be the decider for me.

Underhill

Oxford is where Lord Peter Whimsey proposed to Harriet Vane; that woudl do it for me!

Underhill

Alas, I was feeling whimsical--that should of course be Peter Wimsey (sans h).

janis

And where Inspector Morse solved all those murders . . . . .

Robespierre

A slight correction to PalQ's remarks above concerning the BritRail London Plus Pass: the $69 ticket is valid <u>two</u> (not four) days out of eight. The 4/8 pass is $129.

mztery

thanks for ALL the helpful comments...we are still thinking and will do so for a bit...but i wish we had time to give BOTH places their due!