Oxford or Cambridge
 

My girlfriend and I are taking a week's vacation in London in June and are trying to decide on either Oxford or Cambridge as a day trip. I hear they are both great, but would be curious as to which one people would choose if they only had time for one. Thanks for your replies.

I would say Cambridge. It is, in my view, prettier and less busy. Oxford has traffic problems. Be aware that both are working towns, so not all either city is chocolate-box pretty.
Get a train there. Go to www.thetrainelin.com for fares and schedules. Trains go from London Kings Cross. It might be cheaper to book ahead and send the tickets to your hotel, or you could wait till you get here and go to the station (or any station) to get the tickets. Itis usually cheaper to travel after 0930 - 1000.

I would recommend Cambridge as well. Either would be a good day trip, but Cambridge is more compact, with most of the colleges and the Fitzwilliam Museum grouped together in the city center. There are lots of good pubs for lunch, and you can go punting on the River Cam.

I have not been to Cambridge, but I will add in favor of Oxford that you would have the option of also visiting Blenheim Palace, a memorable experience imo.

Dear Stuart27: My wife and I were in the same quandry before our trip to England in late-March. Based upon recommendations I received here on fodors.com, we chose Cambridge over Oxford (primarily because it was billed as somewhat smaller, easier to get around in and because the history and architecture of the two towns are very similar) and are not sorry for our choice. Instead of taking the train, however, we took a bus from Victoria Coach Station (do an internet search on "gobycoach" to find their website for schedules). The bus trip took two hours (it took a full hour just to get through London and its suburbs) but passed through some interesting parts of London we would not have otherwise seen. As I recall, the round trip (return) fare for the two of us was GBP 17. Cambridge itself is wonderful. We took a walking tour of the town, visited a number of colleges and the cathedral and had a nice pub lunch. The early spring flowers were out, as were the boaters on the Cam. It is a delightful town and well worth the day trip. Have fun.

Another vote for Cambridge. Not too sure about a cathedral there, but I guess David means Kings College Chapel. I lived there for four years and can't recommend it highly enough.

You may also be lucky enough to witness some of the parades of students who are heading up Kings Parade to their graduation ceremony (mid to late June it all starts). And most of the May Balls take place in June (because that's the way Cambridge works!) so there'll be hundreds of boys and girls looking rather suave...!

Punting on the Backs (in other words, through the back of the college grounds) is a must for a one-time visitor along with the aforementioned Kings College Chapel. The Anchor (a pub) down by the river is a lovely place for a lunch and a drop of British beer!

Also, in my humblest of opinions, do try to check out Peterhouse (my old college) - founded in 1284 (yep, TWELVE EIGHTY FOUR!)

Finally, I also recommend the GoByCoach approach from Victoria bus station. The bus station in Cambridge is very central as opposed to the train station which is about a mile or so out. Besides all that, it is very very much cheaper...!

If you need any more advice, please do get in touch..!

Jim

Hi, Stuart,

Like many others, I prefer Cambridge to Oxford: it is smaller, more quiet and prettier. Oxford is more urban and busy.

If you choose to go to Cambridge, do try if at all possible to stay for evensong at Kings College. The Kings College choir is world famous and it is magic to hear them "on their home turf." Have not been there in years, but I believe evensong used to take place on Saturday and Tuesday evenings around 6pm or 7pm. Maybe someone can confirm or update this information.

Have a great trip.

John H.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm now leaning toward going to Cambridge. However, we will be there the second week in June (June 7-15) and I understand many of the colleges are closed at that time. Is it still worth going? Are the colleges in Oxford also closed during that period?

I was in Cambridge for a few days one summer and there was alot going on. What I enjoyed most was the 'bell ringing' demonstration (It was during some music week). It was about an hour tour explaining all about the bell ringing contests they have. Sounds absurd, but was facinating.

Also spent a couple of hours one day at the brass rubbing center makeing a small rubbing. Interesting and unique.

Oxford is in a prettier part of England and the trip getting there (train) would be nicer. The buildings at Oxford are more interesting (the Univ bldgs not the colleges).
That said, I agree Cambridge would be my choice for much of the reasons above. It is more of a "college town", smaller, and also has neet colleges, (chapels), and things to do.

Another vote for Cambridge. I've been to both but Cambridge is the better day trip. King's College Chapel is worth a trip for itself alone - Christopher Wren marvelled at it and offered to make one himself - if someone would tell him where to lay the first stone.

There is an open top bus tour which visits, among others, the American Airforce Cemetery north of town. It can be joined at the RR station.

Cambridge has a website (as does Oxford) and I would check it for opening times, etc. Find it by searching Google.com.

It would be an interesting bus ride, particularly if this will be your only excursion out of London, but you add the risk of traffic tieups eating into your time there.

Enjoy.

Oxford and Cambridge are both lovely. I prefer Oxford because it offers many activities and is near Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds for easy day trips. The Ashmolean Musuem, Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral, tea at the Randolph Hotel, a large variety of colleges to visit and the best bookstores are among the many attractions. I think Oxford is more interesting because its not just a college town; it has other things to offer. Also, I find Cambridge a little dull and I don't think the traffic is terrible. I walk or take the bus!

I will be studying at Cambridge for five weeks this summer. These comments are very encouraging!

From my limited time there, Cambridge was nice. it was during exams so none of the colleges were open (drat!). Still, it was quite charming.

And if you're really into airplanes, the Imperial War Museum at Duxford is just a few miles down the M11(?) - the museum even runs a free shuttle bus from the train station.

That's one of the field trips Cambridge has planned for me.

In addition to several required field trips, the school is offering various optional excursions (for extra money; I'm not sure how much) on weekend days. Are any of these worth it?

Constable Country
Stratford-upon-Avon (incl. showing of Taming of the Shrew)
Historic Canterbury
Leeds Castle or Sissinghurst
Oxford
London landmarks
Treasures of Richmond (Marble Hill House and Ham House)
Lavenham and Kentwell
Medieval Norwich
Penshurst Place and Hever Castle
Stowe and Claydon House
Ightham Mote and Knole

The professor who is going with us to Cambridge is English, and he says to forget about these except for the Stratford excursion. He says the others would be better seen on one's own.

Any thoughts?

I live in Cambridge. You'll find lots to do here in the summer.....one fun thing is to hire a punt and take in down the River Cam to Granchester...preferably with a couple of bottles of wine and a picnic in tow!!

I, too, will be studying for 5 weeks at Cambridge this summer, but I think Lubeltri's program is different. I guess my program doesn't think law students need the fun trips out to different parts of England. Pooh.

Anyway, I was in Cambridge once before about 5 1/2 years ago, and I thought it was lovely - a quiet respite from the crowds in Oxford (where I was studying at the time). That being said, if you pass on Oxford this trip, be sure to go back sometime. I lived there for 12 weeks and loved every minute of it. It's a bit grittier than Cambridge, but the ancient colleges and the culture of the city are really interesting. Don't pass up some of the smaller colleges, either. I sang at Exeter College, Oxford the term I was there, and I can say from experience that their chapel is magnificent. Much smaller than King's College Chapel, Cambridge, but magnificent nonetheless.

Also, I think if you're there June 7-15, the university will still be in session. Exams may be taking place, so it may be more difficult to see some of the colleges, but you'll also be there around the time of the May Balls, I believe. Someone more familiar with the University would be better able to answer that.

Have fun!

I too have been to both: I personally liked Oxford, but seems most of the posters prefer Cambridge for good reason. WOW! what a choice....neither is wrong.....BUT...just a quick note on the Duxford air museum...it is awesome.
It takes a full day to see all the hangars full of airplanes....However the memorial to the American WWII flyers is one of the best....go see it if you can.

I'll be in london in July and found all the comments here very helpful. Pardon my ignorance but what is the River Cam? Thanx

Hi, I'm an American living near Stratford-Upon-Avon. Yes, it is touristy, but beautiful and unique. The Shakespeare houses are nice (my favorite is Anne Hathaway's cottage), the train station is right in town, and you can take an open topped bus tour if you desire.

Around 10 minutes by train from Stratford is Warwick Castle, which is perhaps the best castle in the united kingdom and very well done. I highly recommend the castle.