Is Cambridge or Oxford Closer to London?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re planning a trip to London and want to visit some of the top universities in the UK, you may be wondering which one is closer to the city: Cambridge or Oxford? Both universities are located in the southeast of England, but they are not exactly next door to London. Let’s take a closer look at the distance between these two prestigious universities and the British capital.

Cambridge:

Cambridge is a historic university city located in the county of Cambridgeshire, about 50 miles north of London. The journey from London to Cambridge takes approximately 1 hour by train from King’s Cross Station or Liverpool Street Station. Trains run frequently throughout the day and tickets can be purchased online or at the station.

Fun fact: Cambridge University is made up of 31 colleges, each with its own unique history and architecture. Some famous alumni include Stephen Hawking, Emma Thompson, and John Milton.

Oxford:

Oxford is another famous university city located in Oxfordshire, about 60 miles northwest of London. The journey from London to Oxford takes around 1 hour by train from Paddington Station or Marylebone Station. Again, trains run regularly throughout the day and tickets can be purchased online or at the station.

Fun fact: Oxford University is made up of 38 colleges and has educated many famous people throughout history including Oscar Wilde, J.R. Tolkien, and Albert Einstein.

So which one is closer?

While both universities are accessible by train from London within approximately an hour’s journey time each way, Cambridge is slightly closer than Oxford. However, both cities are well worth a visit if you have an interest in history or academia.

In conclusion:

Whether you’re interested in visiting one or both of these prestigious universities, you can easily reach either Cambridge or Oxford from London within a 1-2 hour train journey. So, if you have time during your visit to the UK capital, be sure to take a trip to one of these historic university cities and explore their stunning architecture, beautiful grounds, and fascinating history.