Oxford Excursion for guides

Before the trip

Ensure you have the group register and emergency contact numbers for all leaders and students
Make sure you have the tickets you need to enter with your group
Wear the official group T-shirt or hoodie for easy identification
Charge your phone fully and bring a power bank
Review the risk assessment for the day’s route and activities
Remind students to bring a raincoat or umbrella in case of light rain
Take group photos at key locations and share them with the programme WhatsApp group

Downloads

▶️ Registers for this trip
▶️ Tickets for this trip

The City of Dreaming Spires

Oxford, often called “The City of Dreaming Spires,” is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in England. It is about one hour from London. Oxford is famous for its university, beautiful buildings, and active cultural life. It is a place where old traditions and modern life come together, giving visitors a true feeling of British history and charm.

The University of Oxford is in the center of the city. It is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and started in the 12th century. Oxford has many tall towers, old colleges, and lovely gardens. Visitors can see famous colleges like Christ Church, which is known for its beautiful buildings and for being used in the Harry Potter films. Magdalen College has nice gardens, and Balliol College is one of the oldest colleges, showing the long history of the university.

People who like books and history should visit the Bodleian Library. It is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and has many rare books and old texts. Close to the library is the Radcliffe Camera, a round building and one of the most famous sights in Oxford.

Oxford is easy to explore on foot or by bicycle. When you walk through its narrow streets and small courtyards, you can see both old and new places. There are traditional pubs and bookshops, as well as modern cafés and shops. The Covered Market opened in the 18th century and is a good place to buy local food, gifts, and traditional British snacks.

Oxford also has many interesting museums. The Ashmolean Museum opened in 1683 and is the oldest public museum in Britain. It has beautiful art and objects from many countries. The Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum are also popular. They show many interesting things, from dinosaur bones to cultural objects.

Oxford’s food shows British culture. It is simple, tasty, and comforting. You can try classic dishes like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, or a Sunday roast in one of Oxford’s old pubs. One of the most famous pubs is The Eagle and Child, where writers J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met in the past. You should also try afternoon tea, a traditional British custom. Enjoy tea with scones, jam, and clotted cream at places like The Grand Café or The Vaults & Garden Café.

Oxford is also known for its strong link to learning and literature. Many great writers, poets, and scholars studied or lived here. It is home to Oxford University Press, one of the world’s most important publishers. Every year, the Oxford Literary Festival celebrates books, reading, and culture.

Whether you are interested in history, architecture, or British culture, Oxford is a perfect place to visit. With its ancient university buildings, peaceful riverside walks, delicious food, and welcoming atmosphere, Oxford truly captures the spirit of Britain — a city where knowledge, beauty, and tradition come together.

Oxford Day Trip Itinerary

09:00 – Meet at residence/CES Wimbledon. Introduction to the trip and board the coach to Oxford.

11:00 – Arrive in Oxford and walk towards the city centre. Brief introduction to Oxford’s history and university life.

11:15 – Walking tour of the University of Oxford: explore the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera. Time for photos and exploration around Radcliffe Square and the Carfax Tower

12:30 – Free time to explore the city and have lunch. Try classic dishes like fish and chips or shepherd’s pie.

14:00 – Visit the Magdalen College

15:30 – Free time..

16:30 – Return to the coach.

18:00 – Arrive back in London. End of the trip.

Christ Church

Christ Church, Oxford is one of the university’s largest and most iconic colleges, founded in 1546 by Henry VIII and known for its grand architecture, including the famous Tom Tower and the Great Hall that inspired scenes in the Harry Potter films. Uniquely, its chapel also serves as Oxford’s cathedral, making it both a college and a religious center. With beautiful grounds such as Christ Church Meadow and a long list of distinguished alumni—including Lewis Carroll and several British prime ministers—it remains a major cultural, academic, and tourist landmark in Oxford.

Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library, founded in 1602, is one of the oldest and most renowned libraries in Europe and serves as the main research library of the University of Oxford. As a legal deposit library, it holds millions of books and manuscripts, including rare medieval texts and important historical documents. Its historic buildings—such as the Radcliffe Camera, Duke Humfrey’s Library,

Magdalen College

Magdalen College, Oxford, was founded in 1458 by William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester. It succeeded an earlier hall, Magdalen Hall, which Waynflete had established in 1448. The college is known for its impressive buildings, gardens and deer park, and a long list of notable alumni including Cardinal Wolsey, Oscar Wilde, his lover Lord Alfred (Bosie) Douglas and C.S. Lewis

Radcliffe Camera

The Radcliffe Camera is a historic building at the University of Oxford, designed by James Gibbs and built between 1737 and 1749 using a bequest from physician Dr. John Radcliffe. Originally built to house the Radcliffe Science Library, it is now a reading room for the Bodleian Library and is nicknamed "The Camera" (meaning "room" in Latin).

Carfax Tower

Carfax Tower is the only remaining part of the 12th-century St. Martin's Church, which was demolished in 1896 to ease traffic. Standing at 74 feet, the tower is notable for the rule that no building in central Oxford can be built higher than it. Visitors can climb the 99 steps for a view of the city.

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