Trips and social events

Meet new people and make the most of your time in Oxford.

The International Student Advice Team (ISAT) organises events and day trips to help you make the most of your time in Oxford and discover other places of interest in the UK. Below you will find information on all of our events and activities going on throughout the semester. We recommend checking back from time to time as we may add new activities throughout the semester. You'll also find information on our Guided Tours, these are the best way to discover the UK in a day trip - check them out!

Social events and competitions

ISAT Photo Competition - 17 October to 7 November 2023

'Something you have seen in the UK that reminds you of home'

One photograph should be submitted along with a 200 word explanation of what it was that reminded you of home and how it made you feel to isat@brookes.ac.uk by 5pm on Tuesday 7 November 2023.

Competition winners will be decided by the ISAT Team.

Prizes:

1st Prize: £40 Amazon Voucher,

2nd Prize: £20 Amazon Voucher,

3rd Prize: Oxford Souvenir.

Halloween Walking Tour of Oxford - Tuesday 31 October 2023

When: Tuesday 31 October 2023 - Tours at 19.00 and 20.30

Price: £2

Booking: Booking essential. Please visit our online shop to book your space on one of the Halloween tours. Tickets will be available from 1 October 2023. Please make sure you select the correct tour time.

Our tour guide Rob, will take you through 1,000 years of gruesome Oxford History. You’ll hear about murderers, ghosts and body snatchers, in the creepiest, darkest streets and alleyways of the medieval City. A fun introduction to Hallowe’en in Oxford.

Tour will last approximately 1 hour. Meeting point details will be shared with students who have successfully registered.

Cream Tea for International Students' Day - Thursday 16 November 2023

When: Thursday 16 November 2023 17.00 to 19.00

Price: £2

Location : Headington Campus - full details will be provided upon booking

Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from Monday 16 October 2023.

Join us for a British 'Cream Tea' to celebrate International Students' Day. An opportunity to socialise with other international students and experience a very British tradition of Tea and Scones with Jam and Cream!

Christmas 'Crafternoon' - Thursday 30 November 2023

When: Thursday 30 November 2023 - Drop in any time between 13.00-16.00

Price: FREE EVENT

Location: Student Central 4, JHBB

Booking: No booking necessary. Please note - you may be asked to come back later if the room has reached capacity.

Join us for an afternoon of Christmas craft activities. You'll be able to make your own Christmas crafts to take away with you whilst you enjoy a luxury hot chocolate and festive treat! This event is free of charge and you can pop in at any time between 13.00-16.00.

Christmas Party - Thursday 7 December 2023

When: Thursday 7 December 2023 - from 18:00

Price: £20

Location: Oxford. Full details will be provided upon booking.

Booking: Booking essential. Please visit our online shop, tickets are now available.

Join the ISAT Team for an evening of Christmas festivities. Experience a traditional British Christmas dinner whilst socialising with other International Students as well as the International Student support staff. There'll be plenty of food and maybe even a visit from someone quite special...!

Instagram

We will organise activities and competitions on Instagram. Follow us! @brookes_isatsocial

Book a Trip or Activity

Day trips

These trips are organised by ISAT and our favourite tour guide Rob Tanner. ISAT manages bookings/website/online shop and student enquiries. Rob leads the tours on the day.

Guided tour of London - Saturday 23 September 2023

When: Saturday 23 September 2023

Price: £13

Meeting point: Rob, our tour guide, will meet you at the London Victoria Rail Station bus stop at TIME TBC (UK time)

Meeting time: 11.30am

Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 11 September 2023.

Join this guided walking tour of London to discover some of the most famous landmarks of the UK's capital city! Our tour guide Rob will share some fascinating stories with you, and tell you about London's history as you walk past: Buckingham Palace, St James’ Park, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Whitehall, Downing Street, Horse Guards parade, Trafalgar Square and South Bank.

Schedule:

The exact schedule will be confirmed by Rob on the day. Students who wish to stay in London can check our Things to do in London page for suggestions of things to do after the tour.

Transport:

Please note that you need to organise and pay for your own transport to and from London. We recommend that you book an early coach or train, as there may be delays during your journey. If you have a lot of spare time in London before the start of the tour, you can grab a coffee or go for a wander around the area.

Trip to Isle of Wight - Saturday 30 September 2023

When: Saturday 30 September 2023

Price: £50

Departure point: Gipsy Lane, Bus stop B6 (inside the campus)

Departure time: 06.45am

Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 11 September 2023.

Get the coach from Oxford to Southampton and the ferry to Cowes, on the north of the island. You will pass through lovely little seaside towns and lush countryside until you reach Shanklin, where you will have plenty of free time. You can walk over Tennyson Down and stop at Alum Bay where you can see the Needles and walk over the white cliffs. Expected return time to Oxford is 8:00pm

Approximate Schedule (times are estimates):

The exact schedule will be confirmed by Rob on the day. The ticket includes coach and ferry travels, as well as a full-day tour.

Trip to Brighton - Saturday 7 October 2023

When: Saturday 7 October 2023

Price: £38

Departure point: Gipsy Lane bus Stop B6 (inside the campus)

Departure time: 08.30am

Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 11 September 2023.

Spend some free time in vibrant & creative Brighton, and visit Devil’s Dyke with your tour guide for beautiful panoramas.
Ideas how to spend your free time in Brighton include: Brighton beach, Brighton Palace Pier, the Royal Pavilion, the North Laines, the South Lanes, the i360. ISAT’s tip: we recommend walking around the city to discover the amazing street art and graffiti!

Approximate Schedule (times are estimates):

08:30 - Depart from Headington
10:45 - Arrive at Madeira Drive Brighton
11:00 - Free time to explore Brighton
16:30 - Meet the coach at Madeira Drive
17:00 - Arrive at Devil’s Dyke.
17:30 - Depart Devil’s Dyke
19:30 - Expected return time to Oxford

The exact schedule will be confirmed by Rob on the day.

Trip to Stratford & Cotswolds - Saturday 21 October 2023

When: Saturday 21 October 2023

Price: £35

Departure point: Gipsy Lane bus Stop B6 (inside the campus)

Departure time: 08.45am

Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 11 September 2023.

Visit Minster Lovell, Burford, and Stratford-upon-Avon. You will have some free time in Burford and Stratford.

Approximate Schedule (times are estimates):

08:45 - Depart from Headington
09:45 - Arrive at Minster Lovell
11:00 - Arrive at Burford
12:15 - Depart from Burford
13:15 - Coach tour of Stratford
16:30 - Depart from the Birthplace Coach Terminal
19:00 - Expected return time to Oxford

The exact schedule will be confirmed by Rob on the day.

Trip to Stonehenge & Winchester - Saturday 4 November 2023

When: Saturday 4 November 2023

Price: £52

Departure point: Gipsy Lane bus Stop B6 (inside the campus)

Departure time: 08.15am

Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 11 September 2023.

Visit Stonehenge and Winchester with our professional tour guide. You will have some free time in Winchester.

Approximate Schedule TBC (times are estimates):

The exact schedule will be confirmed by Rob on the day.

Trip to Wales (Cardiff & Tintern Abbey) - Saturday 11 November 2023

When: Saturday 11 November 2023

Price: £42

Departure point: Gipsy Lane bus Stop B6 (inside the campus)

Departure time: 08.15am

Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 11 September 2023.

Visit the 800-year old ruins of Tintern Abbey. You will then pass through the beautiful Wye Valley before spending the afternoon in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. After a guided tour, you’ll have a few hours of free time to explore the city.
Ideas how to spend your free time in Cardiff include: Cardiff Castle, Bute Park, Yr Hen Lyfrgell, Morgan Quarter, Castle Arcade, Spillers Records, National Museum Cardiff, Aquabus City-Bay (make sure that you have enough time to get back to the city centre on time to meet the coach).

Approximate Schedule (times are estimates):

08:15 - Depart from Headington
10:45 - Arrive at Tintern
12:45 - Tour of Cardiff
13:30 - Free time to enjoy Cardiff
16:45 - Meet the coach at The National Museum, Gorsedd Gardens Road
19:30 - Expected return time to Oxford

If you wish to visit a museum such as the National Museum (free entry) during your free time in Cardiff, make sure you book your tickets directly with the venue in advance.

The exact schedule will be confirmed by Rob on the day.

Trip to Bath - Saturday 18 November 2023

When: Saturday 18 November 2023

Price: £36

Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 11 September 2023.

Departure point: Gipsy Lane bus Stop B6 (inside the campus)

Departure time: 08.45am

Spend a day in the stunning city of Bath, famous for its Roman baths, Georgian architecture and its connection to renowned British novelist Jane Austen. There will be 1-hour coach tour and you’ll also get plenty of free time to explore the city.
Ideas how to spend your free time in Bath include: Roman Baths Museum, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, Parade Gardens, the Circus and Royal Crescent, Jane Austen Centre, the Fashion Museum, No1 Royal Crescent.

Approximate Schedule (times are estimates):

The exact schedule will be confirmed by Rob on the day. The ticket includes coach and ferry travels, as well as a full-day tour.

Trips and social events

Social events and competitions

ISAT Photo Competition - 17 October to 7 November 2023

Halloween Walking Tour of Oxford - Tuesday 31 October 2023

Cream Tea for International Students' Day - Thursday 16 November 2023

Christmas 'Crafternoon' - Thursday 30 November 2023

Christmas Party - Thursday 7 December 2023

Instagram

Day trips

Guided tour of London - Saturday 23 September 2023

Trip to Isle of Wight - Saturday 30 September 2023

Trip to Brighton - Saturday 7 October 2023

Trip to Stratford & Cotswolds - Saturday 21 October 2023

Trip to Stonehenge & Winchester - Saturday 4 November 2023

Trip to Wales (Cardiff & Tintern Abbey) - Saturday 11 November 2023

Trip to Bath - Saturday 18 November 2023

Other activites and events