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London Marylebone to Bicester Village and Oxford

Prices:

Fares from £15, adults

Travel Type:

Train

No. of Attractions:

25 places to visit

View journey Attractions
Journey Duration:

1 hour 20 minutes

Route Frequency:

2 trains every hour

Starting point:

London Marylebone

How to get here

Journey fact:

Marylebone was once home to London’s first free public library, opened in 1815. Located near Marylebone High Street, it offered locals access to books and learning long before widespread public libraries became common across the city.

Journey Overview

Marylebone’s one of the grandest and architecturally brilliant railway stations in the UK and it’s a fitting starting point for this lovely journey.

The train makes its way flitting in and out of tunnels briefly before passing the grand arch of Wembley Stadium on the right and then the suburbs of Middlesex, straddling briefly at South and West Ruislip the Central Line Underground. Pretty soon and the landscape becomes more rural as Denham approaches and then the tiny Denham Golf Course railway station, surrounded by trees and shrubbery, feeling fairly remote despite its relatively close proximity to the outskirts of London.

The countryside is pretty, gentle undulating hills and charming stations, all with a sense of character. Beaconsfield with its model village round the corner is a delight and then so too High Wycombe, which, of course is a fairly large town and well worth stopping off at. The station platforms are in a cutting, long and curved – slightly unique really, but the train is on its way further north to the fascinating small town of Princes Risborough. The train then continues on its way, parting ways with the line that goes eastwards to Aylesbury and the scenery becomes more remote – pleasant fields surrounding Haddenham and Thame Parkway. It’s hear that the train leaves the mainline and cuts to the west, stopping at the famous Bicester Village with the modern station right in the heart of the Shopping Village, which is one of the most ‘go to’ destination for shopaholics, with its very chic, upmarket boutique shops.

The train is plunged right into countryside once more after the hive of activity of shoppers with their crammed to the brim bags at Bicester Village and very soon, Oxford approaches, with the train ending in a small platform to the side of the station, but a few minutes walk from the pulsating and captivating heart of this iconic historic City. From the bright lights of London to the culture and history of Oxford with classic Middlesex suburbia and Oxfordshire villages in the middle – this really is a delightful journey of contrasts and where there is always something eye-catching to look at out of the window!

 

A Fab Day Out!

Start your day in the elegant streets around London Marylebone Station with breakfast at the much-loved The Daisy Green. This Australian-style café is known for its excellent coffee, relaxed atmosphere, and colourful brunch plates. Order something indulgent like banana bread sandwiches or smashed avocado on sourdough and ease into the day while watching the neighbourhood wake up.

After breakfast, take a gentle 10–15 minute stroll to Regent’s Park, one of central London’s most beautiful green spaces. Walk along the Broad Walk, admire the gardens around the boating lake, or wander through the spectacular flower displays in Queen Mary’s Gardens, famous for its rose collection. It’s a calm and refreshing way to begin the day before catching your train.

Head back to Marylebone Station and board a Chiltern Railways train towards Oxford. Your first stop is Beaconsfield, a charming market town. Just a short walk from the station is the wonderfully nostalgic Bekonscot Model Village. Built in the 1920s, it’s the world’s oldest original model village, with tiny towns, railways, and detailed scenes of English life. It’s whimsical, surprisingly intricate, and a delightful place to wander for an hour.

Next, hop back on the train for a quick ride to Bicester Village. This open-air luxury outlet destination is perfect for a relaxed shopping stop. Browse designer boutiques such as Gucci, Prada, and Burberry, often with substantial discounts. Even if shopping isn’t the main goal, the village layout, cafés, and people-watching make it a fun interlude.

Finally, continue on to the historic city of Oxford. Spend the afternoon exploring the honey-coloured streets around University of Oxford. Highlights include the magnificent Radcliffe Camera, the medieval Bodleian Library, and the atmospheric quadrangles of Christ Church College. If you enjoy viewpoints, climb the tower at University Church of St Mary the Virgin for sweeping views across the dreaming spires. A tour on CitySightseeing Oxford is a great open-top bus experience and provides a really convenient way of seeing all the sights then deciding where to hop-off or return to and explore more!

As evening falls, settle in for dinner at Quod Restaurant & Bar on the High Street. The lively brasserie atmosphere and menu of European classics—think steak frites, fresh pasta, and good wine—make it a perfect place to reflect on a day of trains, gardens, miniature villages, shopping, and one of England’s most beautiful historic cities. From here, the station is an easy walk or short taxi ride when you’re ready to head home.

How to get here...

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