Burford, England
We booked a day trip to the Cotswolds and Oxford through Viator for this day. This full-day (ten hours) tour started close by our hotel at the Green Line Coach Station in London.
We then took the short walk to the Green Line Coach Station where we met our driver for our small group tour in the Cotswolds and Oxford. Our tour was initially planned to begin in Oxford, but since it was a Sunday, our tour guide opted to change the destination, so we went to the Cotswolds first.
The Cotswolds
We initially visited Burford, known as the 'Gateway to the Cotswolds' and about a two-hour drive from London.. This small market town is rich in character and history. The main street features charmingly quaint cottages and buildings with antique shops, boutiques and eateries.
We had the opportunity to explore this charming town for roughly an hour, which was far too short to fully appreciate everything it has to offer.
While here we were able to do a little shopping and pick up a quick bite at Huffkins Bakery. Founded in 1890, this family-owned business has been crafting freshly baked treats using a wood-fired oven. The meat pasty that they heat up for you is not to be missed!
Burford played a significant role in the wool trade from the 14th to the 17th centuries and continues to focus on wool, so we looked for wool clothing items at The Oxford Shirt Company. It's incredible how efficiently five women can hunt for food and souvenirs in just one hour.
We also found fun and unique antique and souvenir shops where we could collect some mementos of our visit.
Bibury, England
Afterward, we took a brief trip to Bibury, which William Morris called the prettiest village in England, and which Henry T. Ford once wanted to dismantle and transport back to the USA. I would have to agree with both! Here, we walked by the enchanting Arlington Row.
I'll allow the photos to describe the scenery. I was amazed by how idyllic this place was.
The charming Arlington Row cottages in Bibury were originally constructed in 1380 as a wool store for a monastery. They were later transformed into a row of weavers' cottages in the 17th century. Currently, they are privately owned homes belonging to some very lucky individuals.
We were able to spend about 45 minutes here just wandering the beautiful area and admiring the scenery.
Next stop, Oxford!
Oxford, England
In just a short 45-minute drive, we arrived in Oxford, England. Here, we were able to admire Oxford landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs, Christ Church Cathedral, and much more.
Founded in the 12th century, this town centers around its 38 renowned medieval universities. As you step into this medieval town, you'll feel as though you've traveled back in time.
Shopping in Oxford
There are numerous shops, restaurants, and colleges to explore. Here's a list of places we visited. Given that we are Harry Potter fans, it's noteworthy that there are several locations in Oxford where scenes from Harry Potter were filmed, which we visited.
Luckily, we had the opportunity to spend two hours in this wonderful city.
Our initial destination was Waterstones bookstore. Located at the intersection of Cornmarket Street and The Broad, this five-story bookstore is a paradise for book enthusiasts. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring English literature in this corner bookshop.
After leaving the bookstore, we strolled around and discovered numerous souvenir shops filled with Oxford and Harry Potter merchandise.
Bridge of Sighs, Oxford
Hertford Bridge, commonly known as the Bridge of Sighs, is an overhead walkway connecting two sections of Hertford College across New College Lane in Oxford, England. Its unique design has made it a notable city landmark.
Harry Potter Filming Locations
New College
If you're interested in seeing the renowned tree where Mad-Eye Moody transformed Draco Malfoy into a white ferret in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, head to New College. Additionally, the scene in which Harry Potter makes his way through a group of students wearing “Potter Stinks” badges to talk to Cedric Diggory was filmed here.
Contrary to its name, New College was founded in the 14th century, making it one of the older colleges at Oxford. This beautiful and historic college offers a delightful experience as you walk through its gardens.
To visit New College, proceed directly through the Bridge of Sighs and continue along the winding path on New College Lane until you arrive at the entrance shown above.
Upon arrival, a member of their liaison team will welcome you. You will be charged an admission fee of £8 per person and receive a guide to help you navigate the college.
We spent approximately thirty minutes exploring the stunning gardens and naturally took numerous photos of the lovely cloisters and the renowned tree.
Being at this location was absolutely amazing for a Harry Potter fan like me and my family. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of magic and nostalgia that enveloped us as soon as we arrived. Every corner of the site seemed to whisper stories of our beloved characters and their adventures, making it feel as though we had stepped right into the pages of the books or the scenes of the films.
Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library is another site where Harry Potter was filmed. Unfortunately, I had booked a tour of the library for 11:30, but since our day tour was switched with the Cotswolds, we missed it. I attempted to enter, but a fortunate couple was having their wedding reception there that day, so the area was occupied.
You can book a visit to the Bodleian Library, but reservations are only open for the week of your visit.
In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the gothic vaulted ceiling of the Divinity School at the Bodleian Library served as the setting for Hogwarts Infirmary. Additionally, Harry walked through the Duke Humfrey's Library while hidden under his cloak of invisibility.
Christ Church College
If you're a big Harry Potter enthusiast and want to explore another filming location, visit Christ Church College. The staircase here was used for the iconic entrance scene where Professor McGonagall greets Harry, Ron, and Hermione. This staircase leads to the Tudor Great Dining Hall, which inspired the design of the Hogwarts Dining Hall. Additionally, the hallways of Christ Church were used for the scene where Hermione shows Harry the Quidditch trophy his father won.
Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to visit Christ Church College, so we spent some time simply exploring the delightful town of Oxford.
Christ Church College – Bodley Staircase https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/visit/daily-multimedia-tours
Christ Church College - Great Dining Hall
Christ Church College - Cloisters
Bodleian Library – Divinity School https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Bodleian Library – Duke Humfrey’s Library
New College – Cloisters - no reservations needed
Radcliffe Camera
The Radcliffe Camera, located at the University of Oxford in England, was designed by James Gibbs in a Baroque style and constructed between 1737 and 1749 to serve as the Radcliffe Science Library.
The Radcliffe Camera's round shape, central Oxford location, and distinct separation from nearby structures make it a central feature of the University of Oxford, often featured in visual summaries.
The Radcliffe Camera is not accessible to the public but is an architectural delight from the outside.
Our visit had come to a close. We managed to do a bit more shopping and enjoy a hot drink at the local farmers market happening during our stay.
Oxford is a treasure to explore. Its medieval architecture will carry you back to a bygone era. Besides what we visited, there are also museums, parks, and historic guided tours available for you to enjoy.
Now, returning to London to savor a Sunday Roast.