London to Oxford by Chauffeur

Oxford is close enough to feel simple and awkward enough to prove otherwise. The alternative involves Paddington, a change of pace at the station and then a taxi into a city centre deliberately designed to keep cars out. A chauffeur takes you to the college gate instead, which on a graduation morning, in academic dress, with a family in tow, is worth a great deal more than the difference in cost.

The M40 out of west London climbs through the Chilterns and drops down the Stokenchurch cutting past one of the better views on the English motorway network. Junction 8 at Wheatley puts you onto the ring road, and from there the approach depends entirely on which part of Oxford you need. The Woodstock Road, the Iffley Road and the station approach are three quite different journeys.

Ninety minutes is a useful amount of time and an awkward one. Too short for serious work and too long to waste, so most guests use it to arrive in the right frame of mind. That matters particularly on interview days, matriculation and graduations, where turning up flustered helps nobody. Families travelling with a student and a car full of belongings simply appreciate not carrying any of it.

We commonly hold the car in Oxford for the day rather than running two separate journeys, because the city is small and the parking is not. Ceremonies overrun, lunches extend, and having the car nearby removes the question altogether. Return timings can be left flexible and confirmed on the day by message; we ask only for a rough window when you book.