Which is best to visit, Oxford or Cambridge? For those interested in England’s most famous university cities, they are an unmissable destination during their stay here. Their world-class institutions, gorgeous architecture and fun things-to-do attract millions of tourists every year. You may have even heard rumours about their fierce rivalry, dating back hundreds of years! There’s a lot of competition between the two cities, including which is the most popular for tourists. Well, we’re here to put a stop to the debate once and for all. Read on to find out which is best to visit, Oxford or Cambridge?
Oxford
Some of the top sightseeing spots in Oxford include many university buildings. For instance, the Sheldonian Theatre with its intricate painted ceiling, or Divinity Hall dating back 600 years. There’s also libraries, like the Bodleian, Weston and the Radcliffe Camera. Take a photo under the Bridge of Sighs, climb the tower of St. Mary’s Church for a spectacular city view, then visit the Covered Market for lunch.
On a sunny day, you can explore the lovely green spaces, like Christchurch Meadow or the Oxford Botanic Garden. On a rainy day, you can duck into the museums, like the Ashmolean or the Pitt Rivers. There is something in Oxford for everyone!
Cambridge
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Cambridge is punting on the River Cam. This traditional English boating activity allows you to tour the city from the water, the perfect way to relax on a summer’s day. For breath-taking architecture, visit King’s College Chapel, then climb the University Church Tower to take in the cityscape. Afterwards, grab a bite to eat and browse the stalls in Cambridge Market Square.
On a sunny day, check out the Cambridge University Botanic Garden or the Princess Diana Memorial Garden. On a rainy day, head for the museums, like the Fitzwilliam, or the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
Which is best to visit?
In conclusion, Oxford and Cambridge are undoubtedly well worth a visit. Both university cities are beautiful destinations filled with history, and there’s so much to see and do. They share many similar features: stunning architecture, charming rivers where you can go punting, tranquil gardens and fascinating museums…
However, if we had to pick, we would say Oxford is better to visit! There are a couple of reasons for this.
Firstly, Oxford has more connections to famous films that attract cinema-lovers from all over the world. Cambridge has also been featured on-screen many times, but movies set in Oxford tend to be more popular and well-known. For example, many tourists are fans of Harry Potter, coming to see the colleges that were used to bring the wizarding world to life! You can take various walking tours through the city to see the most famous filming locations.
Moreover, Oxford has some amazing links to literature. There are three authors in particular who were all lecturers at the university: J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Lewis Caroll. Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland can explore the surroundings that inspired their favourite novels.
Finally, we prefer Oxford because Cambridge is a far busier place. It welcomes over 8 million tourists every year, which is over a million more than Oxford. Especially during peak times, in the summer and around Christmas, Cambridge can become overwhelmingly busy. To avoid such colossal crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience, Oxford is better to visit.
Ways to travel there
You can travel easily to either Oxford or Cambridge by driving. From London, it takes just 2 hours to get to either city, and about the same to travel between the two. Although hiring a car is an option, the majority of tourists prefer to take a guided tour. This is a great option for those who don’t want to deal with the expense and hassle of hiring a car, or aren’t used to driving on the left like we do here in Britain.
Public transport is available, with regular trains leaving from London every day. However, this route is very time-consuming and not always reliable. Clearly, that is not ideal for those who want to enjoy the day and truly immerse themselves in these pretty, historic cities.
So, the best way to visit Oxford or Cambridge is to take a guided tour! Getting a guided tour means the itinerary, route and research is all taken care of for you. On our guided tours, you can enjoy fascinating information, travel in comfort and truly relax. Our friendly guides and professional guides ensure you have the best trip possible with exceptional service, interesting stories and helpful recommendations. Guided tours allow you to make the most of your day out to Oxford or Cambridge!
Book your tour to an English University city today!
To find out more about the guided tours to Oxford that we offer, check out our brilliant Day Trips from London. Or, to see Cambridge as well, book your Private Guided Tour with us today! Our helpful team will discuss the details with you and design the perfect itinerary to suit your needs.
However you decide to travel, we hope to see you in Oxford or Cambridge soon!
