3 days, Fri 30th May to Sun 1st Jun 08
For over 800 years, Oxford and Cambridge have been home to two very famous, rival universities. Royalty, world leaders, great philosophers and Nobel Prize winners have exercised their brains there, and now we're going for three days after the exams.
Our two local
friends, Rob in Oxford and Will in Cambridge, will show us round these
two vibrant student cities full of ancient colleges, beautiful architecture, and lots of students on bikes!
Trip highlights:
. Rob's stories on his Oxford walk
. Shrunken human heads at the Pitt Rivers Museum
. The massive Christ Church College where Harry Potter was filmed
. Lying on the grass next to the middle college river at sunset
. Punting on the river Cam on Sunday morning
What you say:
'Although I really enjoyed Rob's stories in Oxford, I find punting was the best part of the trip' Clara, Spain
'Hope you enjoyed the trip as we did'' Susan, China
'The best thing is the friendly atmosphere you and we all create!' Federico, Italy
Book this trip now (This is a popular trip so book as early as you can!)
More about the tripItinerary
What’s included?
What's not included?
Important information
Our accommodation
Things to bring
Pick-up & Drop-off times and places
More about the trip
Oxford
The University of Oxford was founded in the 12th century and the city of Oxford is the oldest university city in England. Unlike many other universities, Oxford (and Cambridge, too) does not have one campus, the 39 colleges which make up the university can be seen in different places all round the city, many of which are in beautiful, old, honey-coloured buildings.
Some of the places our friend will show us include Christ Church College (the largest college, and where Harry Potter was filmed!) the Bodleian Library (which holds a copy of every book printed in the UK since 1610), University Church of St. Mary the Virgin (started in the 12th century), the Sheldonian Theatre (built in 1664), the largest bookshop in Europe, and a few unknown places only an Oxford local would know about.
Cambridge
In the 13th century, a group of monks left 'busy' Oxford for the quite
town of Cambridge to set up their own university (the second oldest in
England). Cambridge has grown since then, but it is still a beautiful, compact little city full of stunning college buildings which are part of the University of Cambridge.
Our friend Will is going to show us many of the colleges, the Mathematical Bridge, the Gate of Honour (built in 1573 at Gonville and Caius College), King's College Chapel (100 yrs to build, completed in 1547 - see photo above), and loads more.
We will finish next to the river Cam near the Backs, the part of
the river with the most amazing college views, where we'll go punting
on Sunday morning.
Friday
. Leave home in the morning (not too early!!), arrive in Oxford at lunchtime
. Check into our hostel & meet our friend Rob who'll show us Oxford
. Come with us for dinner at the pub voted 'Britain's most perfect'
Saturday
. Plenty of time after breakfast to explore the places Rob showed us
. Leave Oxford after lunch and go straight to Cambridge.
. Arrive at our hostel and meet our Cambridge friend Will who'll show us Cambridge
. Dinner with us next to the river
. After another big breakfast there's lots of time to visit all the places Will showed us
. Try punting with us on the river (very funny & beautiful views of the colleges)
. Leave Cambridge mid-afternoon and get home early evening
What’s included?
3 days & 2 nights in Oxford & Cambridge
. Choose from multiple pick-up points (no waiting in cold, scary bus stations!)
. All travel – in our own private bus (with our very friendly driver!)
. 2 night’s accommodation – youth hostels in centre of Oxford & Cambridge
. Full English and / or Continental breakfast on Saturday & Sunday.
. City walks with our friends in Oxford & Cambridge.
. Information sheets (about Oxford & Cambridge) & maps.
. An excellent time!!
What's not included?
. Lunch & dinner are not included, but our local friends know inexpensive places to buy food & drink. (If you come out with us on Friday & Saturday evening, the meal and a drink will cost less than £10.)
. Places we visit are free to see, but you may have to pay to enter some. (We'll tell you which are free, and how to get discount in the others - sometimes a smile isn't enough.)
. The punting on Sunday morning is not free, but we can get discount. (We have to smile for this one - it's £10 / hour for upto 6 people, that's £1.67 each!)
Important information
Our accommodation
In Oxford, our hostel is modern and purpose-built. In Cambridge, our hostel is a Victorian town house. Both are only a few minutes walk from the historic centres and have the following facilities:
. Bedrooms – private single-sex dorm rooms shared by people from our group*
. All bedding is provided
. Breakfast – full English breakfast and / or Continental breakfast
. Guest kitchen - use the fridge, cook your own food
. Games room
. Internet access
. Comfortable TV lounge
. Shop
. Garden
*Upgrade to a private twin room for an extra £20/person
. Waterproof jacket (you’re in England!!)
. Suncream (you never know!)
. Comfortable shoes for walking
. Towel (or you can hire one from our hostel)
. Toiletries (shower gel, toothpaste, etc)
. You DON’T need to bring bedding as this is provided
. Your camera!!
. Your student card for more discounts!
. Travel insurance (never travel anywhere without it!)
Pick-up times and places
• Look for a silver or white 'Company Coaches' coach
• Our 'Don't be a tourist' sign will be in the front window
• Please be at the pick-up point 5 minutes before the pick-up time
• Pick-up times may vary 10 minutes depending on traffic
Friday 30th May
If you are late we cannot wait!!
09.00 University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Storthes Hall Bus Stop
09.00 Harrogate, Montpellier Hill Coach Stop (St Mary's Walk)
09.30 University of Bradford, Great Horton Rd, opp. Sainsburys (Jackson's) Store
09.35 Trinity & All Saints, bus stop on Brownberrie Lane (Leeds direction)
09.45
10.00
Drop-off times and places
Sunday 1st June
The following times are approximate.
19.00
19.10 Headingley shops, OPPOSITE Original Oak Pub
19.15 Kirkstall Lane, bus stop OPPOSITE Kirkstall Leisure Centre
19.25 Trinity & All Saints, bus stop at entrance
19.30 University of Bradford, Great Horton Rd, opp. Sainsburys (Jackson's) Store
20.00 Harrogate, Montpellier Hill Coach Stop (St Mary's Walk)
20.00 University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Storthes Hall Bus Stop