Hey guys! Welcome back to my UK road trip blog!
I started jotting down this journey last week, mainly so I can keep everything here and look back on it in the future, like a little time capsule of this trip.
If you haven’t read the London part of my UK trip yet, you can catch up HERE.
I shared everything from our arrival in London, how we planned our city days, plus some really useful tips on renting a car in the UK and one accommodation that I genuinely think was worth every penny.
And today’s post is where the real road trip begins.
After a few days in London, we finally picked up our rental car and officially started our journey.
It honestly felt a little surreal at first, going from taking the Tube everywhere to suddenly sitting in the driver’s seat, adjusting to driving on the opposite side, and trying to get used to roundabouts that seem to come out of nowhere.
Everything felt new again in the best way.
London was amazing, but this was a different kind of excitement, more freedom, more spontaneity, and a lot more “let’s just see where the road takes us.”
There was also this quiet moment right before we left the city, like a small mental shift.
No fixed train schedules, no rushing to catch lines, just us, the car, and a map full of places we wanted to slowly explore.
And just like that, the road trip officially started.
So without sharing too much at once, let’s get into day one of the journey now…
I started jotting down this journey last week, mainly so I can keep everything here and look back on it in the future, like a little time capsule of this trip.
If you haven’t read the London part of my UK trip yet, you can catch up HERE.
I shared everything from our arrival in London, how we planned our city days, plus some really useful tips on renting a car in the UK and one accommodation that I genuinely think was worth every penny.
And today’s post is where the real road trip begins.
After a few days in London, we finally picked up our rental car and officially started our journey.
It honestly felt a little surreal at first, going from taking the Tube everywhere to suddenly sitting in the driver’s seat, adjusting to driving on the opposite side, and trying to get used to roundabouts that seem to come out of nowhere.
Everything felt new again in the best way.
London was amazing, but this was a different kind of excitement, more freedom, more spontaneity, and a lot more “let’s just see where the road takes us.”
There was also this quiet moment right before we left the city, like a small mental shift.
No fixed train schedules, no rushing to catch lines, just us, the car, and a map full of places we wanted to slowly explore.
And just like that, the road trip officially started.
So without sharing too much at once, let’s get into day one of the journey now…
Bicester Village Outlet
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The drive from London to Bicester was around 1 to 1.5 hours, quite a smooth and easy route, and it felt like the first real stretch of our road trip, finally leaving the city behind and heading into more open spaces.
Our first proper stop after leaving London was at Bicester Village, mainly to check out if there were any good deals worth grabbing.
Honestly, the exchange rate (ringgit at that time) didn’t help at all, so the “wow bargain” moment wasn’t really there for me.
It felt more like a nice shopping stop rather than a super affordable outlet experience.
Honestly, the exchange rate (ringgit at that time) didn’t help at all, so the “wow bargain” moment wasn’t really there for me.
It felt more like a nice shopping stop rather than a super affordable outlet experience.
But still, I managed to find a few things I really liked, so I can’t complain too much.
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One thing to note though: food there is definitely on the pricey side.
If you’re trying to save a bit, I’d honestly recommend packing some sandwiches or snacks before heading in. It helps a lot, especially if you plan to stay a few hours walking around.
If you’re trying to save a bit, I’d honestly recommend packing some sandwiches or snacks before heading in. It helps a lot, especially if you plan to stay a few hours walking around.
We did try the famous crepes from Angélina Bicester Village, it’s quite popular there.
It was nice, but again, you’re mostly paying for the experience and location.
After spending a few hours there, we slowly made our way to the next stop… Oxford
We also walked around the surrounding university area, admired the architecture of the colleges, and spent some time around the Bodleian Library and nearby streets.
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Oxford
After Bicester Village, we continued our journey to Oxford.
The drive wasn't too long, around 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, making it a very convenient stop before heading further into the countryside.
Originally, we had planned to spend more time exploring Oxford, but things didn't quite go as expected.
Finding parking wasn't as straightforward as we thought, and many of the available spots were roadside parking.
Since we still had all our luggage in the car and weren't completely familiar with the parking regulations, we felt a little uneasy leaving the car for too long.
Since we still had all our luggage in the car and weren't completely familiar with the parking regulations, we felt a little uneasy leaving the car for too long.
In the end, we only spent around two hours in Oxford.
Looking back, I do wish we had more time because the city has such a unique atmosphere.
At the same time, road trips are all about adapting your plans, and this was one of those moments where we chose peace of mind over squeezing in another attraction.
Looking back, I do wish we had more time because the city has such a unique atmosphere.
At the same time, road trips are all about adapting your plans, and this was one of those moments where we chose peace of mind over squeezing in another attraction.
As we wandered through the city centre, we passed some of Oxford's most famous landmarks.
The iconic Radcliffe Camera was probably the highlight for me, one of those buildings you've seen countless times in photos, yet it somehow looks even more impressive in person.
We also walked around the surrounding university area, admired the architecture of the colleges, and spent some time around the Bodleian Library and nearby streets.
The entire area around the Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian Library felt like stepping into another era.
The stone buildings, narrow lanes, and grand university architecture created an atmosphere that was both historic and peaceful.
Even though there were plenty of tourists around, it never felt overly crowded or chaotic.
Instead, people seemed to naturally slow down here, taking photos, admiring the buildings, or simply sitting on the steps and soaking in the surroundings.
Instead, people seemed to naturally slow down here, taking photos, admiring the buildings, or simply sitting on the steps and soaking in the surroundings.
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What struck me most was how "Oxford" it all felt, exactly like the images you imagine when someone mentions one of the world's oldest university cities.
Students cycled past centuries-old buildings, church bells occasionally echoed through the streets, and every corner seemed to have a story behind it.
It felt academic, romantic, and a little bit magical all at once.
We spent some time walking around the Bodleian Library and the surrounding streets, stopping every few minutes because there was always another beautiful view to photograph.
The golden-coloured stone buildings seemed to glow softly under the daylight, making even ordinary streets feel incredibly photogenic.
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We also visited the church directly opposite the Radcliffe Camera, University Church of St Mary the Virgin.
The moment we walked inside, everything became noticeably quieter.
After spending time in the busy streets outside, it felt like a calm little escape.
The beautiful stained-glass windows, high ceilings, and centuries-old architecture added to the timeless feeling that Oxford is so famous for.
Even if you're not particularly interested in churches, it's worth popping in for a few minutes just to appreciate the atmosphere.
The moment we walked inside, everything became noticeably quieter.
After spending time in the busy streets outside, it felt like a calm little escape.
The beautiful stained-glass windows, high ceilings, and centuries-old architecture added to the timeless feeling that Oxford is so famous for.
Even if you're not particularly interested in churches, it's worth popping in for a few minutes just to appreciate the atmosphere.
Another spot I was excited to see was the Bridge of Sighs, one of Oxford's most photographed landmarks.
The bridge connects two parts of Hertford College and has become a symbol of the city itself.
What made it even more special for me was recognizing it from My Oxford Year.
Knowing that some scenes from the movie were filmed around this area made it feel a little surreal to finally see it in person.
The bridge connects two parts of Hertford College and has become a symbol of the city itself.
What made it even more special for me was recognizing it from My Oxford Year.
Knowing that some scenes from the movie were filmed around this area made it feel a little surreal to finally see it in person.
What I loved most wasn't any specific attraction, though.
It was simply the feeling of being there. Oxford has this quiet charm where every corner feels like it belongs in a movie scene or a storybook.
Even on a short visit, it was easy to understand why so many people fall in love with the city.
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We also took a quick walk through the Covered Market.
Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, most of the shops had already closed for the day, so we didn't get to experience the market at its liveliest.
Even so, I really enjoyed wandering through it.
The old passageways, independent storefronts, and historic architecture gave it a cozy and charming atmosphere.
Even with the shutters down, the Covered Market still had plenty of character.
Sometimes it's not about what you buy or do, it's simply about soaking in the vibe of a place, and Oxford definitely has no shortage of that.
Even on a short visit, it was easy to understand why so many people fall in love with the city.
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We also took a quick walk through the Covered Market.
Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, most of the shops had already closed for the day, so we didn't get to experience the market at its liveliest.
Even so, I really enjoyed wandering through it.
The old passageways, independent storefronts, and historic architecture gave it a cozy and charming atmosphere.
It felt like one of those places where you can easily imagine it bustling with locals, students, and visitors during the day.
Even with the shutters down, the Covered Market still had plenty of character.
Sometimes it's not about what you buy or do, it's simply about soaking in the vibe of a place, and Oxford definitely has no shortage of that.
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Even with just a short visit, Oxford left quite an impression on me.
The city felt elegant and timeless, with beautiful honey-coloured buildings, historic colleges, and streets filled with students and visitors from all over the world.
The city felt elegant and timeless, with beautiful honey-coloured buildings, historic colleges, and streets filled with students and visitors from all over the world.
Some places amaze you with famous attractions, while others leave an impression simply because of how they make you feel.
Oxford was definitely the latter for me. Quiet, charming, and full of character, it was one of those places I found myself liking far more than I expected.
Although our time here was brief, it was enough to make me want to come back and experience the city at a slower pace.
There were still so many streets to wander, colleges to explore, and corners to discover.
I really hope I'll have the chance to return to Oxford again one day and spend more time getting to know this beautiful city.
Where to Stay at Gloucester
For this leg of our UK road trip, we stayed along Cheltenham Road in Gloucester.
Since our itinerary involved driving from London to Bicester Village, then Oxford before heading into the countryside, we wanted a convenient base that could serve as a "middle point" for a couple of nights.
Instead of constantly packing and changing accommodations, we preferred staying somewhere that allowed easy access to both Bath and the surrounding Cotswolds villages.
Looking back, I think it was one of the best decisions we made during the trip.
The property we booked was called Lythwood House, a spacious two-storey holiday home that comfortably accommodated our group of seven.
Looking back, I think it was one of the best decisions we made during the trip.
The property we booked was called Lythwood House, a spacious two-storey holiday home that comfortably accommodated our group of seven.
From this property, most of the popular Cotswolds villages and Bath were within approximately 40 minutes' drive, while Oxford was only about 1.5 hours away.
The location made exploring the region incredibly convenient.
The location made exploring the region incredibly convenient.
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The house features five bedrooms; two downstairs and three upstairs, with large beds in every room. What impressed us most was how spacious all the bedrooms were.
Even with multiple suitcases open, there was still room to move around comfortably, which was something we really appreciated during a longer road trip.
Some of the bedrooms also came with built-in wardrobes, making it easy to unpack and organize our belongings instead of living out of our luggage for a few days.
The rooms felt bright, clean, and well-maintained, giving everyone enough personal space to relax and recharge after a full day of driving and sightseeing.
Even with multiple suitcases open, there was still room to move around comfortably, which was something we really appreciated during a longer road trip.
Some of the bedrooms also came with built-in wardrobes, making it easy to unpack and organize our belongings instead of living out of our luggage for a few days.
The rooms felt bright, clean, and well-maintained, giving everyone enough personal space to relax and recharge after a full day of driving and sightseeing.
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There are also two full bathrooms, one on each floor, plus an additional toilet, so nobody had to queue for too long in the mornings.
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One of my favourite parts of the house was the spacious living room, where everyone could gather after a long day of sightseeing.
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Next to it was a bright open-plan kitchen that was fully equipped with everything we needed.
Whether it was preparing breakfast before heading out or enjoying a simple dinner together, the space felt both practical and cosy.
Whether it was preparing breakfast before heading out or enjoying a simple dinner together, the space felt both practical and cosy.
The kitchen also had a beautiful skylight above, allowing natural sunlight to pour in during the day.
It made the whole space feel warm and welcoming.
It made the whole space feel warm and welcoming.
Just outside the kitchen was a glass door that opened onto a large grassy area, giving the property a peaceful countryside feel.
The host was also incredibly responsive and helpful throughout our stay.
Any requests or questions we had were handled quickly, which made the entire experience smooth and stress-free.
We ended the day with a really fruitful dinner; a simple but satisfying BBQ spread with grilled meats, kimchi soup, and fresh oysters.
Overall, we had a really comfortable and enjoyable stay here.
Overall, we had a really comfortable and enjoyable stay here.
If you're planning a trip that includes Oxford, Bath, and the Cotswolds, I would definitely recommend considering Gloucester as a base.
It saved us a lot of time on the road and made exploring the area much more relaxed.
And that's all for today's update!
I know this was a relatively short post, but work has been keeping me busy lately, and I still wanted to continue documenting this trip while the memories are fresh.
Looking back through the photos and writing these posts has honestly been one of the best ways to relive the journey.
Looking back through the photos and writing these posts has honestly been one of the best ways to relive the journey.
In this chapter, we officially left London, made a quick shopping stop at Bicester Village, spent a few lovely hours exploring Oxford, and settled into our cozy home base in Gloucester.
The next post will be one I'm especially excited to write because we'll finally be heading into my favourite part of the entire Cotswolds region, the beautiful villages that made me fall in love with the English countryside.
Think honey-coloured stone cottages, peaceful rivers, rolling green fields, and some of the most picturesque streets I've ever seen.
Think honey-coloured stone cottages, peaceful rivers, rolling green fields, and some of the most picturesque streets I've ever seen.
So stay tuned for the next chapter of this UK road trip.
I can't wait to share my favourite villages in the Cotswolds with you!
I can't wait to share my favourite villages in the Cotswolds with you!
XOXO
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