Aug 31 - Sep 7, 2025
England
An Oxford World War II Conference
Program No. 21453RJ
Immerse yourself in the story of WWII in Oxford, where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the outbreak of the war through lectures and expert-led speaker discussions.
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800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & PRICES
| Standard | On Campus Shared Bath |
|---|---|
|
Standard |
Clean, comfortable, dormitory lodgings with access to a bathroom shared with others. |
Aug 30 - Sep 6, 2026
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
8 days
7 nights
16 meals
6B 5L 5D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
3
Lectures Begin
Oxford
4
Lectures Continue
Oxford
5
Lectures Continue
Oxford
6
Lectures continue.
Oxford
7
Final Day of Lectures
Oxford
8
Program Concludes
Oxford
At a Glance
On September 1, 1939 the threads of an increasingly tense web of international relations began to snap as German forces crossed the Polish border. One year later armed conflict was again in full swing across the world, with no end in sight. We invite you to join distinguished scholars and historians in Oxford, England for a historic conference in Road Scholar’s World War series. Delve into the development of the Second World War with leading experts at the conference.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking and standing up to 2 hours on some field trips.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Get insight from renowned experts, historians, authors, professors and broadcasters into the events of the Second World War with a special focus on a specific year.
- Focus on the events of that year in lectures.
- Learn about the events of the war on land, sea and in the air, as well as daily life on the home front, in an expert-led discussion.
- Enjoy the ambience of an Oxford College at St Hugh's, including dinner in hall, receptions and gala dinner and a gin tasting with John Harris.
General Notes
This conference program has a maximum of 120 like-minded participants, is classroom-based and features acclaimed experts. For field trips, the group will be divided into smaller groups. Double rooms are not offered on this program due to the rooming configurations at St. Hugh’s College. We offer a set of two single rooms with an adjoining area and shared bathroom facilities. Roommate matching cannot be offered.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Spencer Jones
Dr. Spencer Jones is an award-winning historian and author with a special interest in the First and Second World Wars and the life of Sir Winston Churchill. He is a senior lecturer in armed forces and war studies at the University of Wolverhampton, and serves in the British Army as the regimental historian of the Royal Artillery. His most recent publication is 'The Darkest Year: The British Army on the Western Front 1917' (Helion and Company, 2021).
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Spencer Jones
View biography
Dr. Spencer Jones is an award-winning historian and author with a special interest in the First and Second World Wars and the life of Sir Winston Churchill. He is a senior lecturer in armed forces and war studies at the University of Wolverhampton, and serves in the British Army as the regimental historian of the Royal Artillery. His most recent publication is 'The Darkest Year: The British Army on the Western Front 1917' (Helion and Company, 2021).
Suggested Reading List
(23 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
An Oxford World War II Conference
Program Number: 21453
France 1940: Defending the Republic
Hitler 1936-1945: Nemesis
Churchill: Walking with Destiny
Winston Churchill dominates our view of the history of Britain in the twentieth century - the brash, brave and ambitious young aristocrat who sought out danger in late Victorian wars, the mercurial First Lord of the Admiralty who was responsible for the Dardanelles disaster in 1915, the Home Secretary who crushed the General Strike in 1926, the Colonial Secretary who rode with T. E. Lawrence and Gertrude Bell at the Pyramids, the Chancellor who took the country back to the Gold Standard and then spent more than ten years in the political wilderness - and who, finally, was summoned to save his country in 1940. 'I felt that I was walking with destiny, and all my life had been but preparation for that hour.' Andrew Robert's titanic new biography interprets all these events, especially Churchill's leadership during the Second World War, which he sees through the prism of all Churchill's earlier life. He gives full visibility to Churchill's flaws, and brilliantly explains his genius. Roberts has used over forty collections of papers not available to Churchill's previous biographer Roy Jenkins (2001) and he is the first Churchill biographer to be granted access by the Queen to the private diaries of King George VI. This is the Churchill biography for our times and the next generation.
When the Children Came Home: Stories of Wartime Evacuees
1939: Countdown to War
Anatomy of a Campaign: The British Fiasco in Norway, 1940
When Britain Saved the West: The Story of 1940
Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years
The Republic in Danger: General Maurice Gamelin and the Politics of French Defence, 1933-1940
The Lights that Failed: European History 1919-1933
The Third Reich in Power
The Duel: The Eighty Day Struggle Between Churchill and Hitler
Britain, France and Belgium 1939-1940
The Coming of the Third Reich
The Triumph of the Dark: European History 1933 – 1939
The Battle of Britain: Five Months which Changed History
First to Fight: The Polish War 1939
Blitzkrieg: Myth, Reality and Hitler’s Lightning War – France 1940
Strange Defeat
Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War
Hitler 1889-1936: Hubris
Dunkirk: Fight to the Last Man
The Peace That Never Was: A History of the League of Nations
Program
At a Glance
Duration
8 days
Program Begins
Oxford
Program Concludes
Oxford
Meals
16
| 6B |
5L |
5D |
Activity Level
On September 1, 1939 the threads of an increasingly tense web of international relations began to snap as German forces crossed the Polish border. One year later armed conflict was again in full swing across the world, with no end in sight. We invite you to join distinguished scholars and historians in Oxford, England for a historic conference in Road Scholar’s World War series. Delve into the development of the Second World War with leading experts at the conference.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Get insight from renowned experts, historians, authors, professors and broadcasters into the events of the Second World War with a special focus on a specific year.
- Focus on the events of that year in lectures.
- Learn about the events of the war on land, sea and in the air, as well as daily life on the home front, in an expert-led discussion.
- Enjoy the ambience of an Oxford College at St Hugh's, including dinner in hall, receptions and gala dinner and a gin tasting with John Harris.
General Notes
This conference program has a maximum of 120 like-minded participants, is classroom-based and features acclaimed experts. For field trips, the group will be divided into smaller groups. Double rooms are not offered on this program due to the rooming configurations at St. Hugh’s College. We offer a set of two single rooms with an adjoining area and shared bathroom facilities. Roommate matching cannot be offered.
Featured Expert
Spencer Jones
Dr. Spencer Jones is an award-winning historian and author with a special interest in the First and Second World Wars and the life of Sir Winston Churchill. He is a senior lecturer in armed forces and war studies at the University of Wolverhampton, and serves in the British Army as the regimental historian of the Royal Artillery. His most recent publication is 'The Darkest Year: The British Army on the Western Front 1917' (Helion and Company, 2021).
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking and standing up to 2 hours on some field trips.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(23 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
16 meals | 6B | 5L | 5D |
16 expert-led lectures
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive London, Reception, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Oxford
Meals:
D
Stay:
St Hugh's College
Activity Note
Check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The college is within walking distance of central Oxford and Summertown, North Oxford with its cafes, restaurants, pubs, and shops. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Afternoon:
Arrivals continue. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. This program is staffed with both a Group Leader, who will accompany us throughout the program and deal primarily with logistics, and a Study Leader who will facilitate your educational content, conduct field trips, and serve as an information resource on program-related topics. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. Due to the high profile nature of many of our speakers, most will be confirmed by the time of the first set of Preparatory Materials, however there may be changes due to reasons beyond our control. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Following the meeting, we invite you to join us for a welcome reception with wine.
Dinner:
Served dinner with wine, coffee, tea, and water.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Lectures Begin
Location:
Oxford
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
St Hugh's College
Breakfast:
In the dining room, we'll choose from a breakfast buffet with a range of hot and cold items, as well as coffee, tea, water, and fruit juices.
Morning:
We'll begin our lectures. Details of lectures and themes will be advised nearer the program date entitled
Lunch:
In the dining room, we'll have a 2-course lunch with coffee, tea, water.
Afternoon:
Lectures continue
Dinner:
In the dining room, we'll enjoy a 3-course dinner with coffee, tea, water.
Evening:
At leisure, or join Dr Spencer Jones for informal discussion.
Day
4
Lectures Continue
Location:
Oxford
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
St Hugh's College
Breakfast:
In the dining room.
Morning:
We will gather for two more morning lectures.
Lunch:
In the dining room.
Afternoon:
Lectures continue.
Dinner:
Served in the dining room.
Evening:
Lectures continue.
Day
5
Lectures Continue
Location:
Oxford
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
St Hugh's College
Breakfast:
In the dining room.
Morning:
Our lecture series continues
Lunch:
In the dining room.
Afternoon:
Lectures continue
Dinner:
Served in the dining room.
Evening:
After dinner this evening, we’ll join John Harris for an expert-led drinks tasting.
Day
6
Lectures continue.
Location:
Oxford
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
St Hugh's College
Breakfast:
In the dining room.
Morning:
Morning lectures
Lunch:
In the dining room.
Afternoon:
Lectures continue
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
Free time.
Day
7
Final Day of Lectures
Location:
Oxford
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
St Hugh's College
Breakfast:
In the dining room.
Morning:
For our last day of lectures. T
Lunch:
In the dining room.
Afternoon:
Lectures continue with the closing lecture by Dr. Spencer Jones.
Dinner:
A gala dinner with wine served in the dining room. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
8
Program Concludes
Location:
Oxford
Meals:
B
Activity Note
College check-out 10:00 a.m. See your program's "Transportation Information" regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
In the dining room. Some participants may depart prior to breakfast.
Morning:
Transfer to Heathrow Airport for onward flights. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
16 Meals
6 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 07, 2025
- Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 07, 2025
- Aug 30, 2026 - Sep 06, 2026
Participant Reviews
Based on 7 Reviews
Sort By:
This program was everything I had hoped for and more. Highly recommend it!
— Review left October 20, 2024
An overall superb program with Spencer and John doing a great job. The facilities were excellent.
On the down side there were two issues;
1. As a first time student doing this program, the description of the program given in the roadscholar documents did not match the program. I was, along with other first time attendees were not aware this program concentrated on a specific year.
2. Political jokes were NOT appropriate, due to the polarization in politics in the US, they were not appropriate nor appreciated.
Travel: in my 40 years flying, my seat was changed by what I selected with roadscholar travel, this has never happened before. There was no concern by travel agent when I went to check in. There was not a change in the plane as the agent claimed. This has caused me to reconsider future trips with roadscholar.
— Review left September 20, 2024
This trip was my first Road Scholar outing, and I would say that my experience was mixed. The conference leadership was outstanding—John Harris, Kevin Durgun, and Dr. Spencer Jones could not have been more gracious and helpful. And while the conference content was generally good, the quality of the speakers was mixed.
However, my biggest complaint was the “residence in college” experience.
The rooms were “spartan” to put it mildly. My mattress was barely more than a box spring, and I awoke each morning with considerable back pain. The servicing of the rooms was spotty—clean towels (and a face cloth) and decent toilet paper, please!
My biggest complaint was the food…While generally good, it was too much and too rich. Noon meals should have been a salad and sandwich bar…Set meals twice a day led to poor nutritional choices and too much salt and fat, as well as nodding off during afternoon lectures. More afternoon activities would have helped as well.
While I will do more Road Scholar trips, I am unlikely to repeat this one.
— Review left September 16, 2024
always a fascinating, stimulating week. Dynamic speakers and topics. We learn so much. The faculty is first rate, the dinners a delight and what can beat Oxford? We're becoming experts on all the pubs and the vespers.
— Review left February 29, 2024
2022 syllables explored European WW Ii before December 1941; 2023 we expect the Axis against the world.
— Review left September 21, 2022
If you are interested in history in general or military history specifically, this is an excellent program and I recommend it to you.
— Review left September 13, 2022
All history buffs would enjoy the subjects given by experts in their
field of expertise.
— Review left September 12, 2022
