The city of Oxford and its stunning shire are full of green spaces to get active in or to simply relax and unwind.
In Oxford you’ll find a city of contrasts with acres of parks and meadowland a short amble from its bustling centre. Picture yourself on a boat, punting in the sunlight, or taking tea on an Oxford River Cruise. Explore on foot or by bike, the winding rivers Cherwell and Thames. Watch the world go by from the top of a City Sightseeing Oxford tour. Uncover university life with an Oxford Official Walking Tours’ expert guide. Bask in the beauty of the University of Oxford Botanic Garden, the oldest in the UK. Oxford has a big outdoors, come find it!
OXFORD OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY & CITY
WALKING TOUR FROM £18PP
Explore Oxford’s most famous buildings steeped in history and recognised around the world on foot with a friendly expert guide, on this award-winning tour.
OXFORD RIVER CRUISES
FROM £16PP
Take in the stunning scenery on the River Thames in and around Oxford. Choose from private and public cruises including an evening cocktail cruise.
CITY SIGHTSEEING OXFORD
FROM £14.50PP
See the city’s famous sites and cobbled lanes up close with a hop-on hop-off City Sightseeing open-top bus tour and enjoy 360-degree views from the top deck.
SALON PRIVÉ CLASSIC & SUPERCAR
AT BLENHEIM PALACE FROM £50PP
Experience the purity and potency of some of the most beautiful supercars in the world up close and personal in the late afternoon manufacturers parade departure.
Think Oxford, think University. Get your bearings by joining the Official Oxford Walking Tours’ guide on a University and City tour, and this ancient maze of streets and alleyways will open its secrets to you. Make sure you climb the tower of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin for the highest view over the city!
Nowhere in Oxford is far from anywhere else, but if walking’s not your thing, then take a seat up top of the hop-on-hop-off City Sightseeing Oxford bus tour, and watch the world go by.
Grab some lunch in Oxford’s famous Covered Market from a great range of independent suppliers. Try a pastry or pie, freshly made sandwich or Greek souvlaki. Or pick up a picnic and head down to the riverside. It’s time for some messing about on the river.
Take a punt on the river (a truly timeless Oxford tradition) from Cherwell Boathouse to see the city from a different perspective. If you’re feeling less energetic, take a cruise down the Thames, past famous landmarks then away from the town centre bustle with an Oxford River Cruises Picnic Cruise.
Take a break in the 400-year-old University of Oxford Botanic Garden founded in 1621 as a physic garden growing plants for medicinal research. Now, with a walled garden, exotic plants in glasshouses and lush herbaceous borders it’s home to over 5,000 different plant species. Plan ahead and book a session of outside yoga, meditation or forest bathing?
Go exploring along the riverside and enjoy the rugged, green open spaces. Look out for the rare English Longhorn cows on Christ Church Meadow! Watch the rowing boats pass by from a riverside pub.
Refreshed? Walk along the High Street over to the Oxford Castle Quarter Climb the remains of Oxfordshire’s motte and bailey castle and step inside 1,000 years of history at the Oxford Castle and Prison.
In the Oxford Castle Quarter you’ll also find bars and restaurants, a prison converted into a smart hotel and, if it’s summer, open air performance.
Close by you’ll find Westgate Oxford, the city’s contemporary shopping and entertainment centre. Shops are open late, and you can enjoy a sundowner, or dinner, in one of the rooftop restaurants or bars.
Discover Oxford’s nightlife with a walk through to Jericho to experience long-standing student favourites, such as The Gardeners Arms and some tasty vegetarian dishes. Relax in some of the oldest pubs in Britain right bang in the city centre or down by the riverbank.
If you’re up for an adventure, check out the 200m open water facility at Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa, perfect for wild swimming and paddle-boarding.
Take the Stagecoach S3 or Bus 7 to Blenheim Palace and explore the fabulous woodland grounds. Book tickets for the summer concerts or winter illuminations – you won’t be disappointed!
CHERWELL BOATHOUSE
Enjoy the quintessential Oxford activity of punting by hiring a punt for the day and admire the city’s landscape and architecture from a unique perspective.
OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN
This historic garden in the heart of Oxford is an oasis of green in the city centre. Take a stroll through the walled garden and bring a picnic in the summer months.
SALTER’S STEAMERS
Established in 1858, choose from 40-minute long public cruises, boat hire, and private charter, and sit back and enjoy the beautiful Thames scenery.
BICESTER HOTEL GOLF & SPA
Set in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, the resort offers 52 rooms and suites, a spa, golf course and newly opened 200m swimming lake and assault course.
OXFORD CASTLE QUARTER
Once home to the Norman Oxford Castle, then the infamous Oxford Prison, today Oxford Castle Quarter is home to an exciting hub of bars and restaurants, and the Malmaison Boutique Hotel.
FESTIVALS
Oxfordshire is home to some of the country’s most popular festivals including the new KITE Festival, Truck Festival, Wilderness, the Big Feastival and more.
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PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK
Oxford has an incredible choice of places to eat and drink from street food restaurants, to social enterprise cafes and rooftop drinks and dining. Don’t miss The Coconut Tree on St Clement’s Street!
PLACES TO STAY
There’s an amazing selection of places to stay in Oxford and beyond from hotels including VOCO Oxford Spires Hotel to cosy B&Bs and Oxford University College accommodation.
