Oxford Travel

OXFORD TRAVEL UPDATE – Ongoing train repair work in London is impacting rail, bus, and road travel to Oxford.

• Coming from Central London to Oxford: The trains from Paddington aren’t going direct, and passengers will have to take a rail replacement bus from Didcot to Oxford. We recommend traveling by train from Marylebone Station to Oxford. Or, you can travel by bus via the Oxford Tube that runs from Victoria, stopping at Marble Arch, Baker Street, etc. to Gloucester Green bus stop – less than 10 minutes on foot from Saïd Business School.
• Coming from Heathrow Airport to Oxford: Increases in road travel are impacting the travel time of buses and cars to and from Oxford. Please allow extra travel time and bring food, music, reading materials, and anything else that will make your trip more comfortable. 

We look forward to welcoming Skoll World Forum delegates to Oxford, UK—located 90 kilometers (56 miles) northwest of London. The city is a hub for social entrepreneurs and home to the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Saïd Business School, where many Forum activities take place.

COVID-19 Planning

We ask that all attendees be up to date on vaccinations per US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Masks, sanitizers, and antigen tests will be available throughout the week.

When to Arrive

For delegates traveling to the UK, we suggest arriving on Tuesday, April 11 or the morning of Wednesday, April 12 and departing on Saturday, April 15. Please note:

• Registration to receive your delegate badge opens on Tuesday at 4pm at Saïd Business School. We also offer optional activities Tuesday evening and Wednesday throughout the day. Our Opening Plenary starts at 4pm on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
• We encourage you to remain in Oxford through Friday evening, April 14 to participate in the Friday night festivities. The Closing Plenary ends at 5:15pm and the Closing Celebration begins at 7pm.

Accommodations

We strongly recommend booking refundable lodging and transport in case of COVID-19 related changes to the program or travel regulations to and from the UK. Be sure to book your stay early, as lodging in Oxford fills up quickly during the Forum. 

Our team has compiled these lodging resources for finding hotels, B&Bs, dorm rooms, and apartment rentals. Note that most Forum activities take place in downtown Oxford at New Theatre and Saïd Business School. Many people choose to stay as close to the center of town as possible. 

What to Bring

Weather in the region can be unpredictable, so please come prepared to experience more than one weather pattern. The temperature is likely to be 10°-16° Celsius (50°- 60° Fahrenheit) during the day and 5° Celsius (40° Fahrenheit) in the evening. You may want to pack a raincoat and an umbrella, as well as a warm jacket. 

At the Forum, people typically dress business casual or professional. Be sure to dress for comfort, as you’ll be walking distance to various activities and moving around throughout each day. If you need mobility assistance, please contact our registration team at registration@skoll.org so we can ensure a seamless experience.

Transportation to Oxford

Oxford History

Known as the city of dreaming spires, Oxford has a rich history of architecture and academia. Ancient and beautiful buildings abound in the city.

Strongly identifiable as a university town, the University of Oxford serves 30,000 students via 39 colleges to comprise one of the oldest universities in the world.