Oxford and Cambridge – Which one should you visit?

Oxford and CambridgeBoth are proudly British.University cityThat is.

Combined with these two cities,”Oxford Bridge”It’s even said to exist a term like that, so it’s famous as a university to aspire to.

Isn’t there a dream town like that? Even if you don’t get to be a student after you enroll, wouldn’t you want to go there for sightseeing?
Both towns haveIt's an hour's train ride from London.It is possible.

Oxford and Cambridge universities seem to be competing with each other, but which city is better for sightseeing?

I actually visited both cities for sightseeing.
Now, if I were to ask you which one was better...

In this article, we will look at which city is better for sightseeing when you compare the two cities.

1 What are the highlights of visiting both Oxford and Cambridge?

First, I will introduce the highlights that left the most impression on me during my visits to each town.

1) Oxford – Great Hall in Christchurch

Oxford is ranked first among tourist attractions for the number of visitors, and that is because:You can experience the Harry Potter universeIsn't that the case?

Especially Harry Potter's schoolModel of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft's cafeteriaknown asGreat Hall in ChristchurchIt is the perfect place to experience the charming atmosphere of a British university like Hogwarts.

Within Christchurch, you can tour the city while listening to an audio guide.

Indeed, you can see the stairs and corridors used in the filming of Harry Potter, and this is a place that will certainly delight fans of the series, as well as anyone who is not a fan.

2) Cambridge – Punting on the Cam River

As for the highlights of Cambridge sightseeing, they are:PantingThat is.

I think it's a word I'm not familiar with, but "panting" isA long, slender boatGetting on, we proceed by using a long pole to go down the riverbed.River descentThat is what it is about.

In Cambridge,Kem RiverA river called the Toi River flows through here, and many punting boats pass through there.

Several tours are conducted with the boatman aboard, and about 10 people ride on them.
In punting, famous in CambridgeCollegeやThe Bridge of Sighs、Mathematical BridgeYou can walk through the streets and get a glimpse of life in Cambridge from the river. In addition, the boatman will guide you through the quirky details of Cambridge, making it a great way to study Cambridge as well.

You can rent just a boat and row it yourself, but it seems difficult to get used to it until you get the hang of it; often you’ll see boats getting stuck in the middle of the river and colliding with other boats passing by.
For your first visit to the city, we recommend taking a panning tour with a guide.

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Well, I’ve mentioned each highlight individually, but in realityYou can experience both the college visit and the punting in any of the towns.That's it.

That would make it sound like it’s not really a highlight of the town, but Oxford and Cambridge are very similar in terms of things you can experience when visiting them.

Now, let's try this again.Highlights shared by the two townsLet's take a look at it.

2 Oxford and Cambridge – College tour

Both Oxford and Cambridge are proud of their respective achievements.You can tour the campus as a tourist.That's right. Since you're visiting a university town that's famous for its history, you should definitely take a look around the college first!

Before that, I would like to tell you one thing first.

”There are no universities named ”Oxford University” or ”Cambridge University” in reality.In both cities,A college with independent self-governing authorityEach college has its own building, and there are student dormitories, cafeterias, and libraries there.

So, what kind of colleges are there in each town?

1) Oxford College

OxfordIn the UK, no,The number one university city with the oldest history in the English-speaking worldThat is.

39 collegesAlthough there are many others, here are three representative colleges.

＊　Christchurch

Since it is called "Church," some people might think it isn't a church, right? (I thought so at first, too, lol) However, Christ Church is one of the most prestigious colleges in Oxford.

1546It was founded by Henry VIII when he reorganized the Church of England after leaving the Roman Church.

As I already mentioned,The Great Hall of this college is modeled after the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft in the film Harry Potter.And this college isThe stairs and corridors were actually used for filming as well.As a result, it is also very popular as a tourist attraction.

This college also has a world-famous fairy taleLewis Carroll, author of "Alice in Wonderland," graduated and then worked as a mathematics teacher.It is also famous for that.

The stained-glass windows in Great Hall are also embedded with images of Alice.So please try to find it.

Christchurch is a must-visit place when visiting Oxford.
However,It is very popular because tourists from all over the world visit it.There is a time limit for booking admission to this college, and you will have to schedule your other activities accordingly.

It is not a tourist facility, so of course we won't allow it if there are university events taking place.
Even if you can enter a college, the Great Hall and Cathedral may be closed.

The tour includes:Audio guideThen I'll go around individually.Pre-booking onlineIt is possible to do that,You can make entrance reservations for the following week around 10:00 AM every Friday (UK time).It will become

Also, there aren’t many times of the day when they open, so it’s a good idea to check first to see what times they are open so you can plan accordingly.

The Christchurch websiteHereThat is.

＊　Morton College

This is a college near Christchurch that boasts a long history within the University of Oxford.

Especially among them,The library is beautifully built in the medieval style.It is known as the oldest library in England.

Merton College used to be an institution where only boys could enroll, but in 1980 it accepted its first female students and since thenFemale principalIt is also being born.

For us Japanese, feeling a sense of familiarity isHis Majesty Emperor Toru has graduated from this Marton College since the year 2019.That's probably true.

In June 2024, His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress visited the United Kingdom and their visit to Merton College in Oxford was broadcast on television.

Also,Tolkien, the author of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit," also came from Merton College.That is.

You can enter the university grounds by paying at the entrance.

However,Visits to the library require advance reservations for guided tours and group tours.That is.

The website of Marston CollegeHereThat is.

＊　Modlin College

It is located a little east of Morton College,A college with a calm atmosphere, a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the town centerThat is.

One of the most beautiful colleges in OxfordIt is said that it is.

The Gothic-style buildings are magnificent, but the vast gardens and, above all, theA garden with deerThat is the highlight of the show.

In EnglishMagdalenIt says "and"”Modolin”So be careful when pronouncing it.

The graduates of this college are the authors of one of the most representative children's literature in the United Kingdom,C. S. Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of NarniaThere are.

You can make reservations for the tour, but you can also visit the museum without making a reservation and pay the entrance fee on the day of your visit.

The Modlin College websiteHereThat is.

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When you look at it this way,There are many famous people from Oxford University who are involved in the humanities.Right?

What about Cambridge in return?

2) Cambridge College Tour

Within the UKThe second oldest university cityThe town known asCambridgeThat is.

But the people of the town of Cambridge...I never feel like we're losing to Oxford.。

In Cambridge,31 collegesThere is.
Here are three representative colleges to introduce.

＊　King's College

One of the leading colleges in CambridgeHowever,King's CollegeThat is.

Founded by Henry VI in 1441It was done.
It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI near Windsor Castle.Sister colleges of Eton CollegeIt was built as aFrom that time until more than 400 years later, it was only colleges that accepted Eton graduates.That's it.

The vast gardens of King's College face the Kem River,From the Kamo River's Panting, you can also overlook Kings College.Yes.

This collegeChapelIt is famous for its 16th-century stained glass windows and excellent sound system.The Christmas service, which is held every year on the afternoon of December 24, is famous worldwide.And it is being broadcast live on BBC Radio.

One of the graduates of King's College is the code "Enigma," which was used by Nazi Germany during the Second World War.EnigmaIt is known for deciphering "".Genius mathematician Alan TuringThere are.

You can also make reservations in advance, but you can also do it on the day itself.Buy tickets at the visitor center across from the college and take a tour.Yes, you can.

The website of Kings CollegeHereThat is.

＊　Trinity College

Famous alongside King's CollegeThe thing is,Trinity CollegeThat is.

Founded in 1546 by Henry VIIIIt was done.

It is known for producing many Nobel Prize winners.

Among Trinity College graduates are:Isaac NewtonThere are.
Even today, at the entrance to the college,Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation and the Tree of the AppleThere is.

Also,King Charles III of England、Milne, the author of "Bear Pooh"He is a graduate of Trinity College. Milne studied mathematics at this college.

Trinity College also faces the Kem River,You can see the university buildings while patting the fabric.。

For guided tours, you can make reservations in advance.
In addition, it is possible to visit each of them individually by paying the entrance fee on the day of the event.

The Trinity College websiteHereThat is.

＊St. John's College

The vast college located next to Trinity CollegeSt. John's CollegeThat is.

This college is:The university grounds are on both sides of the Keam River.There is.

And the best part about this college is...There is a sigh bridge in the university grounds, one of the beautiful views of the Keim River.And then, thisYou can also cross the bridge by taking a breather.It is the one.

Kitchen Bridge, which is located opposite the Ashigoto Bridge (named after the fact that it was once used as a passageway to bring food to the kitchen), is also located within St. John's College, from where you can view the Ashigoto Bridge directly in front of you and capture beautiful photos.

This university is:Movie “ The Theory of Everything  (The location of the scene for (Dr.) and her theory)It also depicts the traditional and glamorous May Ball, a formal party held at the end of the school year in June.

This film is aboutThe story of the brilliant physicist Stephen HawkingThat is.

While studying, he developed ALS, a rare disease, and subsequently continued to live in a wheelchair, using computer-generated synthesized speech.World-class achievement in research on black holes and the origins of the universeI gave up on it.

Stephen Hawking himself is pursuing a postgraduate degree at Trinity Hall College in Cambridge after studying at Oxford University.

St. John's College allows visitors to enter the campus by paying an entrance fee.

The website of St. John's CollegeHereThat is.

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In this way,Many prominent figures from the University of Cambridge are in the mathematics and physics departments.That sounds good.

Both Oxford and Cambridge,There may be times when you cannot visit the campus during university events or other occasions.So please understand that point.

3 Oxford and Cambridge – Libraries

If it's a university town,LibraryThat's something I'm curious about, isn't it?
There are also fine libraries in these two towns.

1) Oxford Bodleian Library

OxfordThe largest library in the worldThat being said,Bodleian LibraryThat is.

It is said to be one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and is the second largest library in the United Kingdom after the British Library in London.

Used in the filming of the movie Harry PotterAs a result, it has become a popular spot for tourists.

Bodalian Library is a complex facilityIt is like that.

＊　Faculty of Divinity

The first floor of the libraryIt was built in the 15th century and was originally used for theological studies but is now used for events and weddings.
MedievalArch-shaped vaulted ceiling That is the highlight of the show.

In the Harry Potter series, the Hogwarts InfirmaryIt was used as a

Only visits to the Faculty of Divinity are permitted,Visit with time-slot reserved ticketsYou can do that.
Reservations areThis websiteYou can do that from here.

＊　Duke Humphrey Library

It is the oldest reading room built in 1488.
It is located on the upper floor of the Faculty of Divinity and is said to have been the inspiration for the Hogwarts Library in Harry Potter.

Actually, in the movie,Reading room in the Hogwarts Library's restricted areaIt was used as

For the tour,Participation in a library tour is required.That is.

＊　Radcliffe Camera

The circular domed building is the symbolic building of the Boarderian LibraryIt is like that.

The library is not generally open to the public,Only students and researchers from Oxford University can use it.Yes, you can.

Tours that allow you to see the interior are available,Only the 90-minute tour is available.It will become

＊Weston Library

Opened in 2014, it is a modern building where anyone can enter for free.
Special exhibitions and collections can be seen.

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The Bodleian Library's websiteHereThat is.

Guided tours of the Bodleian Library are available in three lengths: 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes.There is.

Tour information and reservationsHereThat is.

You can visit the library's shop even if you don't pay the entrance fee.。

2) Cambridge Wren Library

At the library in Cambridge, the recommended place for tourists is:The Wren Library within Trinity CollegeThat is.

In 1695, architect Christopher WrenIt was built by

The name Christopher Wren is thought to be heard when people are sightseeing in London, but it was damaged in the Great Fire of London in 1666.The person who rebuilt St. Paul's CathedralThat is.

This library belongs to a Trinity College graduate.The "Princiæ Mathematicæ," a mathematical institute where Isaac Newton's handwritten notes were writtenOh yeah,The manuscript of A.A. Milne's "Mr. Pooh the Bear"Such things are being collected.

Time is limited, but general visits are possible.

The Ren Library websiteHereThat is.

4 Oxford and Cambridge – Shopping

Since you’ve come to visit the UK’s leading university city, you probably want to get some university merchandise too, right? Both towns have:University merchandise gift shopYou can enjoy shopping there.

You can see them everywhere while walking in both the university's official shop and the souvenir shop for tourists.

Why not buy some souvenirs such as a trainer or a T-shirt, a mug, or a magnet?

In the UK, in tourist areasTeddy bearIt is often sold as such.

Even in our house, the Oxford bear and the Cambridge bear are sitting together amicably!

Now, regarding shopping, I will introduce recommended places in each town.

1) Oxford Alice Shop

Lewis Carroll, author of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," is a graduate of Christ Church in Oxford and taught mathematics.I was doing that.AliceAt that time,The second daughter of Henry Ridley, the head of the student dormitory in Christchurch, is the model.And so the story of Alice was born in Oxford.

And near Christ Church College, there is a shop that sells Alice merchandise.”Alice Shop”There is.

It is said that the small shop that Alice visits in "Alice in the Country of Miracles" was where this Alice Shop was located.

In the small shop, there are tea towels, accessories, and magnets with illustrations of rabbits and cats from Alice and other characters in the story. The cute products are sure to catch your eye and make you want to bring them home.

The Alice Shop websiteHereThat is.

2) Cambridge University Press Bookstore

The recommended shop in Cambridge is:Cambridge University Press BookshopThat is.

It is a bookstore built on the site of the oldest bookstore in Britain where books have been sold since 1581.

Academic books and publications published by the Cambridge University PressIt is on display in the store.

That seems unrelated to tourists, but there are also other small items on display.A place where you can also enjoy browsing for Cambridge souvenirsThat's why.

A special recommendation is the original eco-bag from the Cambridge University Press Bookshop.

Why not try using this cute design eco bag to feel a bit like a Cambridge student?

The website of the Cambridge University Press BookshopHereThat is.

5 Oxford and Cambridge – Markets

When you walk through a European town, there are places that you just want to stop and take a look around.

That is,The marketThat is.

There are also fun markets in Oxford and Cambridge.There is.

1) Oxford Covered Market

From the bustling high street of Dogen-dori Street, you enter a narrow alley and a large market spreads out behind you.Like a shopping mall with a roofThat is.

There are a variety of shops ranging from grocery stores to miscellaneous goods, accessories, flower shops, and cafes, and just walking through the street is enjoyable.

Also, the unique charm of this Oxford market is thatLarge paper lanterns with the characters from "Alice in Wonderland" are hanging from the ceiling.That is the case.

Don't forget to look up at the ceiling too!

2) Cambridge Market Square

From the main street in front of the entrance to King's College, you continue east along the road in front of the Cambridge University Press Bookshop to reach Market Square.

Here isAbout 200 street vendors at an outdoor marketThey are lined up.

There are various places to visit, from fresh foods and small items to shops selling takeout food. Just walking around is enjoyable enough.

It's also nice to take some lunch with you and eat it nearby.

6 Oxford and Cambridge – Museum

The two academic cities have plenty of things to see and do.MuseumThere are also other things.

And then,Both are free to enter.That's why.

1) Oxford Ashmolean Museum

Ashmore MuseumIt was founded in 1683.The oldest museum in EnglandThat is.

The British Museum in London was established in 1753, so it has a history that is 70 years older than the British Museum.

A collection of world-renowned art and archaeology,Exhibition across five floorsIt is being done.

Among the highlights are:Egyptian mummies and Raphael's sketch collectionIt is said to be the most famous violin in the world,Stradivarius' "Messiah" violin Such as.

There are cafes, shops, and a rooftop restaurant, so why not take a break and take a look around?

The Ashmolean Museum websiteHereThat is.

2) Cambridge Fitzwilliam Museum

CambridgeFitzwilliam MuseumIt was founded in 1816.

The museum building itselfIt is said to be a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture from the 19th century, so it is eye-catching.Beautiful buildingThat is.

Among the more than 500,000 items in its collection are:Famous paintings by Monet, Picasso, and RaphaelThere are also other things.

Like the temples of Greece and RomeA stone lion statue sitting on the pedestal of a pillar-corridore-style entranceDon't miss it either.

The website of the Fitzwilliam MuseumHereThat is.

7 Oxford and Cambridge – Paddington

At the beginning, the highlights of Cambridge tourism are”Panting”As I mentioned, in fact, you can also have a patting experience in Oxford.

1) Painting in Oxford

Running through the city of OxfordChawell RiverYou can enjoy the patination process.

Near Magdalan Bridge and Chwell Boat House It has become a popular route for patting.

In Oxford, it seems that many people take a boat and row it themselves, but it is also possible to book a private tour and enjoy a paddling tour with a boat guide.

For example,HereThere are things like the patterning on the bread.

2) The Panting of Cambridge

In Cambridge, as I mentioned as a highlight of my Cambridge sightseeing tour,The panning tour runs frequently.It is being done.

Kem RiverIt flows through the center of the town of Cambridge,While passing in front of the main college on a punting, you can listen to the boatman's explanation.But that's the point of enjoying it, isn't it?

You can rent a boat and row it yourself, but we recommend taking a tour with a boat guide.

After arriving in Cambridge, you can also register on the day or make a reservation in advance.

There are several punting tour companies in Cambridge.

Let’s Go Punting

Cambridge Point Company

Traditional Punting Cambridge

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Now that we have introduced what both cities have in common, let me conclude with a few words.The point that makes this town a unique favorite spotI will also introduce them.

8 Oxford and Cambridge – Our own personal favorites

Both Oxford and Cambridge,It's about an hour by train from London.You can go there.
Day trip tourismYou can do that too,Stay overnight and enjoy sightseeing in peaceIt's okay to do that, right?

Here we will introduce you to the fun things to do in this city.

1) Oxford: Take a little trip to Blenheim Palace

It is about 30 minutes by car from the town of Oxford, and about an hour and a half by public bus.WoodstockThere is a town there.The Bramwell Palace, which is also registered as a World Heritage SiteThere is one.

Active in the Spanish Succession War in the early 18th century,John Churchill, first Earl of MarlboroughHowever, it is a palace built on land that was donated as a reward by Queen Anne.

What the UK is proud ofThe birthplace of the famous Prime Minister Winston ChurchillThere is also this.

The ornate interior of the palace and the vast gardens are well worth a visit.

There is also an exhibition about Winston Churchill, and you can even take a photo with him!

It’s nice to be able to take a little trip to Oxford and visit places together while we’re there.

The Bradenham Palace websiteHereThat is.

Please also refer to the following story about Queen Anne and John Churchill.

2) Cambridge's long-established bakery, Fitzbilities

On the other hand, Cambridge's favorite point is:A long-established bread shopThat is.

In Cambridge,”Chelsea van”A shop known for its traditional East London bread-like sweets called "to",FitzbilliesThere is.

Chelsea buns stuffed with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger and baked on a baking sheet are the perfect snack to satisfy your hunger while strolling around Cambridge.

In addition to the original Chelsea scarf,A version coated with cinnamon cream or blueberry cheesecake cream.It is also recommended for those who want to enjoy a sweet flavor.

The store is located atThree stores in Cambridge cityThere is.

There are also stores where you can enjoy lunch and afternoon tea.

There are also snacks for takeout, so you can take them home and enjoy them slowly in your own space, or give them as a gift to friends and family.

The Fitzwilliam websiteHereThat is.

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With that, this guide to visiting both cities on a sightseeing trip is over.
Well,Which one do you think is better?

My personal opinionThat is.

Both towns are wonderful places that you should definitely visit.
But, in fact, it's more like this...Personally, I prefer Cambridge.That is.

Oxford seems to be more of a tourist destination than a university city due to the popularity of Harry Potter, so the colors are stronger. Especially the highlights.Christchurch has limited booking times and can be a bit hecticAnd that's what happened.

In that respect, Cambridge has a river running through the town, and whether you visit the college or the park, you can enjoy leisurely nature walks at your own pace.

This is purely my personal opinion based on my time living in the UK.

For those who want to travel to the UK from other countries and want to visit a town outside London, Oxford might be a better choice.

When you visit the UK,Enjoy the atmosphere of these two university cities!

Mowary

X

I'm originally from Japan. I spent 15 years in Vienna and now live in London.
I love writing and creating new things.

Through my articles, I hope to take you on wonderful journeys filled with stories and little discoveries.

Thank you for reading. I'm glad you're here!