3-Day Oxford Itinerary: Magic, Literature & Blenheim Palace

In this enchanting 3-day Oxford itinerary, I'll guide you through a magical journey for first-timers, including a day trip to the stunning Blenheim Palace. Perfect for gentle, dreamy souls, this trip is filled with fairytale vibes as we walk in the footsteps of literary legends, and explore iconic Harry Potter filming locations.

If you're dreaming of an enchanting escape to Oxford, this magical city has it all—especially for first-time visitors who adore literature and fairytale vibes. As part of our whimsical trip to England, we spent one day-trip to the nearby Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, and two days immersed in Oxford’s rich history. 

We explored iconic spots that inspired literary legends like J.R.R Tolkien, C.S Lewis, Lewis Carroll, and even J.K Rowling. Whether you're a fan of fantasy stories or simply seeking a picturesque escape, this itinerary will guide you through Oxford’s most magical experiences. Ready to dive into a real-life storybook? Let's begin!

Some things to know about Oxford

Can you visit Oxford without a car? 

Absolutely! Oxford is a wonderfully walkable city, perfect for exploring without a car. During our two-week car-free journey through England, Oxford was one of the easiest cities to reach, with convenient trains from London (and more), and even buses from Heathrow Airport.

Once in the heart of this university city, you'll find that most of its enchanting attractions are nestled in the compact center, making our visit smooth and effortless. In fact, we managed to tick off the main attractions on our bucket list in just one day! Plus, fitting in a day trip to the magical Blenheim Palace was a breeze, but more on that later…

Where to stay in Oxford if you don’t have a car? 

Since we travelled car-free, staying close to the center was key for a smooth experience. I highly recommend finding a place within walking distance of both the train station and the heart of Oxford. We stayed in an Airbnb, just a 6-minute walk from the station and about 14 minutes from the city center.

Oxford is a very popular destination, so both hotels and Airbnbs fill up fast—even months ahead. Be sure to book early! And as you'll discover later, the city's enchanting attractions sell out just as quickly.

Where to eat in Oxford?

We kept our meals simple to prioritize our budget for visits, often picking up pre-made meals from Tesco (England’s grocery store chain). However, Oxford offers plenty of great options. Here are a few restaurants we went to during our trip to Oxford.

On our first evening, we didn’t enjoy (at all) Cosmo Buffet and wouldn’t recommend it. For much more enjoyable experiences, we really loved the Turf Tavern for a delicious pub dinner, Vault & Garden for a traditional English breakfast, and the Oxford Brunch Bar for a late breakfast. I’ll share more details about those places and a couple more that we tried in the day-by-day itinerary.

And here are a few options I’ve spotted during my research before the trip, but didn’t get the chance to try once there: The Covered Market would be worth a visit for spots like Pizza by Sartorelli's (they have stellar reviews on their pizzas) and Taylor’s for mouth-watering sourdough sandwiches you could grab for a picnic. For something more upscale, Gees Restaurant & Bar was definitely on our radar, though slightly further from the center.

Convenient tip: If you're visiting museums, try the on-site cafés like Horsebox Coffee Co at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History or the Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant (or café, which we went to). These are ideal for grabbing a bite between visits if you are a bit short on time.

Day 1 - A Magical Day Trip o Blenheim Palace From Oxford

Since we arrived in Oxford the evening before, we dedicated our first full day to exploring the enchanting Blenheim Palace. We had activities booked in Oxford for Day 2, and with Day 3 being our travel day, this was the perfect choice for us.

Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s birthplace and family house, was the highlight of our trip, a truly breathtaking experience. Nature lovers will be mesmerized by the serene beauty of its vast gardens. We often found ourselves saying, "It feels like we're walking in a painting"—the landscape is that magical.

I recommend spending the entire day here; the estate is immense, and even with a full day, we didn’t see it all! That day was truly extraordinary. The blend of regal grandeur and ethereal charm left us completely charmed. I can’t recommend this day trip enough! While the entry fees are on the higher side, it was worth every penny.

Morning

We started our day by taking a 36-minute bus from Oxford train station to Blenheim Palace, arriving just as the park opened, at around 10 a.m. We started by the Formal Gardens, and the moment we stepped onto the Water Terraces, we were completely captivated by the majestic grandeur of the place. We sat on a bench to enjoy our packed breakfast, and I must say—an egg sandwich has never tasted so divine with such a breathtaking view!

After soaking in the beauty of the terraces, we made our way to the palace itself. The history was fascinating, and walking through the rooms where Winston Churchill was born and raised was fascinating.

One of the highlights was the magnificent library—it felt utterly magical. If you are a book lover, your mind will be blown by this enchanting space. Fun fact: scenes from Bridgerton were filmed there, with the library serving as one of Queen Charlotte’s throne rooms. 

After exploring the palace, we wandered back through the Water Terraces toward the Rose Garden. Along the way, we passed a charming little temple where Churchill proposed to his wife, surrounded by ancient trees and a view of the River Glyme—a scene straight out of a fairytale. Though the Rose Garden was under maintenance during our visit, the journey there was still magical.

We spent time exploring the sprawling grounds, taking in the peaceful beauty, and enjoyed a light picnic beneath the shade of old trees with a view of the palace peeking through.

Afternoon

After our light picnic, we indulged in an afternoon tea at The Orangery. It was our first afternoon tea ever, and we couldn’t have asked for a more special experience. The elegant setting, with its large windows overlooking the Italian Garden, made the moment feel quite luxurious. The tea, paired with a delicious selection of treats, was beyond perfect. We had more than enough food and even took some pastries to enjoy later. Though The Orangery is on the pricier side, it’s well worth the splurge for such a memorable experience.

After our luxurious afternoon tea, we made our way to the famous Harry Potter tree—an ancient Cedar of Lebanon featured in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; with a flashback scene where young Professor Snape was bullied by Harry’s father. However, to preserve the tree’s integrity, they’ve installed a fence around it, so you can’t get in the hollow trunk. Still, the sight from this whimsical tree, with the palace in the distance, felt like a scene from a living masterpiece.

Then, we visited the gift shop, full of charming souvenirs. We brought back a few treasures, including some English Breakfast tea to keep the magic alive. There was still so much left to see, but the park surrounding Blenheim Palace closes fairly early. We savoured every moment, wandering through the breathtaking landscape until the very last minute. We even got lost right before closing time and had to run back to catch the bus to Oxford!

Day 2 - Exploring the Magic of Oxford

Our second day was dedicated to exploring most of the magical spots on our Oxford list. With so many Harry Potter filming locations to discover, we quickly realized that booking each attraction individually was a challenge—many were sold out well in advance.

Our solution? A guided tour of Oxford! We opted for a Harry Potter-themed tour, which covered a significant portion of the sites we came to see. But more on that in a moment!

Morning

We began the day early at Vaults & Garden for a traditional English breakfast. Nestled at the foot of a church, right by the Radcliffe Camera, this café feels mystical with its ancient vaults—once used as a study room for monks. It was the perfect, aesthetically pleasing way to start our day.

Next, we climbed the University Church of St Mary the Virgin’s tower for a panoramic view of Oxford. At only £6, it’s worth the price, but be warned—the narrow spiral staircases can be a bit dizzying. Once at the top, the views were stunning, but it’s best to go early, as it gets crowded quickly in the narrow space.

After descending, we explored the church itself (free entry). Later, we learned that J.R.R. Tolkien had to teach here when his once “boring” classes became wildly popular after The Lord of the Rings fame. The classrooms simply became too crowded! As Tolkien fans, it was surreal to walk in the very places he worked, surrounded by Oxford’s architectural beauty.

Of course, we passed by the iconic Radcliffe Camera—one of Oxford’s student-only libraries, connected to underground galleries housing copies of nearly every book in the world. 

Around the corner, we found the charming St. Mary’s Passage, which inspired C.S. Lewis. On a snowy evening, he saw a lamppost here, sparking the idea for The Chronicles of Narnia. Just steps away, we discovered the door with a lion’s head, crowned with carved satyrs, believed to have inspired Mr. Tumnus and Aslan. Walking through Oxford felt like stepping into a fairytale, where the city itself inspired the greatest literary minds.

Our next stop was a must-see for my fiancé—the Ashmolean Museum (free entry). We marvelled at the Sumerian King List, a highlight of their vast collection. We also explored Egyptian, Roman, and Greek artifacts, making up for the British Museum visit we missed in London.

We ended the morning with a quick lunch at the Ashmolean Café, which was very convenient, right before our booked afternoon tour.

Afternoon

As I mentioned earlier, we booked a Harry Potter-themed guided tour of Oxford to cover several must-see spots in one go—such a brilliant decision! This turned out to be one of our favourite parts of the trip, thanks to our knowledgeable guide, an Oxford student who shared so many fascinating stories.

We began at the Bodleian Library, home to some of Oxford’s most iconic filming locations. Sadly, we couldn’t enter Duke Humphrey’s Library (where Hogwart Library’s restricted sections were filmed) that day.

But, we did get to spend about 10–15 minutes inside the breathtaking Divinity School. This room served as the set for Hogwarts’ infirmary and the Yule Ball dance lessons with Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The intricate fan-vaulted ceiling was like stepping into a real-life castle—utterly magical.

After the library, we strolled past the Radcliffe Camera and the picturesque "Bridge of Sighs". Both are quintessential Oxford landmarks, and our guide enriched the experience with historical insights about the university, which is actually a collection of individual colleges rather than one unified institution.

We also passed by All Souls College—the most secretive and exclusive college at Oxford—before revisiting St. Mary’s Passage for photos, a spot we’d already explored earlier in the morning. Next, we headed to New College, starting with its grand dining hall. This hall exudes dark academia vibes in every corner, leaving us spellbound by its elegance and rich history.

Then came a highlight for any Harry Potter fan—the “Malfoy Tree” in New College’s cloisters. This is where Draco Malfoy was turned into a ferret after teasing Harry.

The surrounding cloisters were used as Hogwarts’ exterior corridors in the films, including the scene when Ron vomited slugs after his broken wand backfired.

The medieval atmosphere of the cloisters was so enchanting that we lingered long after the tour ended, soaking in the fairytale ambience and snapping all the photos we could. Before leaving, we had a lovely chat with the very friendly New College custodian, who regaled us with stories of his encounters with visiting celebrities. It was the perfect way to end our tour.

Evening

After our magical tour, we headed to Turf Tavern, just a couple of minutes from New College. The pub’s charming interior had such cozy, old-world vibes. We enjoyed an early dinner and a beer—it was delicious and the perfect way to relax after a full day of walking around.

That evening, we attended Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral, a beautiful choir service. What a wonderful immersive experience of the local culture and rich patrimony! One perk of attending Evensong is that you can enter the Cathedral for free, instead of paying entry fees for a normal visit (you’re welcome!).

The service was breathtaking, such a lovely way to have a taste of the Anglican Church tradition. Then, we were allowed to stay for 15 minutes afterwards, to either pray, or simply admire the stunning cathedral and take pictures (please do so respectfully as it’s a place of worship). The architecture was awe-inspiring—every detail beautifully crafted, making it a moving experience. Truly one of Oxford’s gems.

Also, as the Cathedral is located inside Christ Church College (another Harry Potter filming location), you can also enter for free Tom Quad, walk under the Tom Tower and see an iconic filming location that I’ll get to in a minute!

Christ Church College is home to the famous Bodley Staircase, where a few scenes from Harry Potter were filmed, including the moment in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone when the students first enter Hogwarts and meet Professor McGonagall. To see it, you need to pay for entry or book a tour, which is usually absolutely crowded. But, we couldn’t because the tours were sold out. So, I’ve got a sneaky little trick for you… (yeah, I know, right after church)! 

As we were leaving the cathedral, we turned left to walk around Tom Quad on the paved area. When we reached the first corner right at our left, my fiancé suddenly exclaimed, “Isn’t that the Hogwarts staircase?!”—and he was right!

We had magically stumbled upon it, so we rushed to snap a few photos before a guard spotted us and asked us to leave. But we got the pictures—with no crowds! If you do this, please be very quick and discreet. It was the perfect ending to a day filled with magic, beauty, and a bit of luck.

Day 3 - Enchanted Strolls, and Nature’s Magic in Oxford

Our last day in Oxford was a relaxed one, as we had a train to catch at 4 p.m. and spent the morning tidying up our Airbnb. With limited time, we decided to take things slow and savor our final hours in this beautiful city.

Morning

After checking out of our Airbnb mid-morning, we dropped off our luggage at a local shop through Nanny Bag, giving us the freedom to explore without the burden of bags. Our first stop was the Oxford Brunch Bar for a late breakfast. The food was delicious, and their iced coffee was the perfect energizer for the rest of the day—I highly recommend this spot for a cozy and tasty breakfast with high quality ingredients!

Being a huge Tolkien fan, I had to pass by The Eagle and Child, the iconic pub where the Inklings, a group of renowned authors including J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, used to meet and work on their stories. Sadly, it was closed for maintenance during our visit, but just seeing the place was special and filled me with inspiration.

Afterwards, we strolled through some local shops, picking up a few souvenirs and browsing through Harry Potter-themed trinkets. Oxford’s charming streets beckoned us to explore further, so we meandered along St Aldate’s, savouring every little discovery.

Afternoon

Our next stop was a true highlight: Alice’s Shop, a tiny historic store dedicated to all things Alice in Wonderland. Though small, it brimmed with charm, and the passionate owner delighted us with the shop’s history. He shared an old photograph of the shop from when Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s beloved character, used to visit as a child. The shop even appears in the book Alice Through the Looking Glass!

I couldn’t resist picking up a beautiful book and a stunning travel bag adorned with Victorian-era Alice in Wonderland tapestry motifs. I received compliments on it everywhere we went!

The shop owner also shared a fascinating fact: Lewis Carroll was actually a pen name. As a mathematician tutoring in Oxford, he published his children’s books under a pen name, fearing that his creative endeavours might be seen as frivolous and childish by his academic peers.

After this delightful stop, we wandered into Christ Church Meadows, where nature and magic seemed to blend. The floral entrance was breathtaking, and the romantic side façade of Christ Church College felt straight out of Romeo and Juliet. Walking under ancient trees by the canal, we saw people floating by on gondolas and paddle boards. At the edge of the meadows, a grand oak framed the city of Oxford like a countryside fairytale.

As the day warmed, we treated ourselves to some ice cream from George & Danver. Despite the queue, it was worth it and so refreshingly after our ong, bucolic stroll!

Finally, we collected our luggage and caught our train, which was packed and a bit hectic—a friendly local warned us that Fridays are always super busy for travel, so if you're planning to transit around Oxford, try to avoid that day!

Other Magical Things in Oxford We Didn't Visit

If you're craving more adventure, Oxford still has plenty to offer. For the outdoorsy soul, take a peaceful boat ride along the canals, stroll through the lush University Parks, or wander through the Oxford Botanic Garden, one of the oldest in the country.

For museum lovers, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, with its fascinating exhibits and lovely café at the top, offers free entry. Right next door is the Pitt Rivers Museum, filled with curious artifacts. And don’t miss the mysterious Oxford Castle & Prison for a taste of the city’s darker history.

For Harry Potter fans, the iconic Duke Humphrey’s Library (aka Bodleian Old Library) at the Bodleian Library is a magical must-see. However, you need to plan far ahead and book your tour as soon as possible, especially in peak season. For us, 2 weeks in advance was already too late as all the spots were already sold out!

Lastly, the charming Covered Market would be perfect for exploring local shops and enjoying the bustling atmosphere.

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And there you have it, our magical 3 days in Oxford, including an unforgettable visit to Blenheim Palace. The city’s breathtaking architecture and rich literary history left us in awe. Oxford’s charm is undeniable, with inspiration around every corner from the same streets that stirred the imaginations of legendary authors.

I hope this itinerary sparks ideas for your own trip, helping you avoid our mishaps and make the most of your time. But the adventure isn’t over yet! Next stop: Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s enchanting birthplace. Stay tuned!

With infinite love and gratitude,

-Anne 🧚‍♀️

*** Let me know in the comments which of these enchanting Oxford gems do you want to visit the most? ***