Oxford and Blenheim Palace make one of the richest days out from London. Oxford gives you eight centuries of university history packed into a walkable city centre. Blenheim, about eight miles north in the town of Woodstock, is a vast baroque palace set in parkland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
By public transport they are two separate days. With a car, they fit together neatly.
- DistanceAbout 60 miles to Oxford
- Oxford to BlenheimAbout 20 minutes by car
- Tickets to bookChrist Church; Blenheim Palace
- Best start8am, to beat traffic on the M40
Oxford: what to see in a morning
Three hours is enough for the highlights. A good walking loop takes in the Radcliffe Camera and the Bodleian Library, the Bridge of Sighs on New College Lane, the Covered Market and Christ Church, with its Great Hall, cathedral and Tom Quad.
Christ Church tickets are timed, and booking online is cheaper and guarantees entry. Tickets for each week are usually released on a Friday morning for the following week, so plan to book about a week ahead. The visitor entrance is through Christ Church Meadow, not the famous Tom Tower gate on St Aldate's. Because Christ Church is a working college and cathedral, the Hall or cathedral sometimes closes for meals, services or events. These closures are shown on its booking system.
Other colleges set their own visiting hours and some close without notice during exams, usually in May and June. If a particular college matters to you, check its website before your visit.
Blenheim Palace: an afternoon well spent
Allow at least two and a half hours for the State Rooms, the Churchill exhibition, the formal gardens and a walk to the lake. In normal opening the palace opens daily at 10:30, and the park and gardens open earlier. Buy tickets in advance, especially at weekends and in school holidays.
Blenheim hosts large events through the year, and some days have early closing or full closures. From mid-November to early January, Christmas at Blenheim changes the visit and has separate tickets. Check Blenheim's website for your date before you book.
A day that works
- Pickup from your hotel or home in Central London.
- Oxford: colleges, libraries and the Covered Market (about 3 hours).
- A short drive to Woodstock for lunch in its Georgian streets.
- Blenheim Palace, gardens and park (about 2¾ hours).
- Back to London, about 1¾ hours.
- Drop-off at your door.
Train, coach or private car?
Oxford alone is easy by train from Paddington or Marylebone, and there is a frequent coach service from Central London. Getting from Oxford to Blenheim means a local bus to Woodstock, which adds time and planning to an already full day.
With your own car and driver you skip the bus stops, go straight from one to the other and keep the full afternoon for Blenheim. It is especially worthwhile for families, for older travellers who would rather not do a lot of transfers, and for groups who want to split the cost of the car.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Price per vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| See the current prices for every vehicle on the tour page. | ||
Variations
- Oxford only. Choose a shorter day and spend longer in the colleges and museums such as the Ashmolean.
- Oxford and the Cotswolds. Swap Blenheim for two or three villages such as Burford and Bibury. See our Cotswolds guide.
- Arriving at Heathrow? Oxford is about an hour from the airport. See Heathrow to Oxford by private transfer.
Questions we are often asked
Can we do Oxford only?
Yes. A shorter Oxford day gives you more time in the colleges, the Ashmolean Museum and the Botanic Garden. Ask us for a price, or book the Oxford & Blenheim tour and tell us your plan.
How far ahead should we book Christ Church tickets?
Christ Church usually releases tickets on a Friday morning for the following week, so book about a week before your visit. Booking online is cheaper than paying at the door and guarantees your time.
Is Blenheim Palace open every day?
It normally opens daily, but it closes or opens late on some dates for private events, and the Christmas season from mid-November has separate tickets. Check Blenheim's website for your date.
Can we add the Cotswolds to this tour?
Yes, by adding hours. Burford is about 30 minutes from Blenheim. It makes a long but very full day. Tell us when you book and we will suggest timings.
Are entry tickets included?
No. Our price covers your private car, driver, fuel, parking and waiting time. You buy Christ Church and Blenheim tickets directly.