Partner Press Releases

Mobile ticketing technology launched for Oxford Smartzone

Oxford SmartZone passengers will soon be able to purchase tickets via a mobile phone app, to make bus journeys even easier.   New digital ticketing options for Oxford SmartZone passengers will be added to both the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach Bus apps for the first time from 28th August 2022. Tickets purchased on either…

Artisan Christmas Market returns to Blenheim Palace with biggest ever collection of stall holders for 2022

Blenheim Palace’s Great Court will be once again transformed into a spectacular Christmas Market from 18 November to 18 December this year. Traditional wooden chalets will showcase a range of festive treats for designer-makers and artisan food and drink producers – and this year’s market will be the biggest ever, with up to 80 stall…

Fairytale Farm announces family-friendly Halloween event

Fairytale Farm has announced its 2022 Halloween event, which will be running right through the October half-term, from 22nd to 30th October 2022. Called ‘Scarily Ever After‘, the event will feature fairytale baddies, as owner Nick Laister explains: “Once upon this Halloween, the Sea Witch has changed her ways, or so she tells us. So,…

Blenheim to Host European Transplant and Dialysis Games

Blenheim is set to host three days of competition as part of the European Transplant and Dialysis Games which will arrive in the UK next week (23rd-25th August) for the first time ever. The UNESCO World Heritage Site will be the venue for cycling, the 5km mini marathon and petanque. Running from 21st – 28th…

Electric Bus on Trial in Oxford as City prepares for low carbon future

Oxford Bus Company is trialling an electric bus in service, as part of its preparation for the city’s ambition to transform its bus network to electric.   The Mercedes eCitaro single-deck bus is currently operating on the Oxford Bus Company’s City11X service. Oxford Bus Company charges the vehicle at its Cowley depot.   The latest…

Three unmissable experiences in one iconic Oxfordshire setting – Christmas at Blenheim Palace tickets on sale now

The much-loved Christmas experience returns to Blenheim Palace between 18 November 2022 and 2 January 2023, inviting visitors back to enjoy the stunning trails in the Palace and the world-renowned gardens. Tickets are on sale now. The Kingdom of The Snow Queen will be re-imagined within Britain’s greatest Palace New for 2022, explore the Palace…

Oxford Bus Company recognised for delivering outstanding customer experience

Oxford Bus Company has been confirmed as one of the UK’s most innovative and customer focused bus operators, in an industry-leading awards scheme. The Route One Awards has shortlisted Oxford Bus Company for Best Use of Technology and Outstanding Customer Experience. The prestigious annual awards ceremony recognises excellence in the bus and coach industry. Oxford…

Announcing IF Oxford science and ideas Festival 2022

IF Oxford, the city’s science and ideas Festival, returns this autumn (6-30 October) with 100 events and activities for adults, children and teenagers in twenty-five venues including Oxford Botanic Garden, Oxford Playhouse, North Wall Arts Centre, Pegasus Theatre, Waterstones bookshop and the Ultimate Picture Palace. The programme includes fresh thinking and activities on topics from…

Former Teacher Wins Blenheim’s Start-up Competition

A former teacher has won the Blenheim Start Up Challenge 2022 competition with a unique product that literally takes a hands-on approach to mental health. The annual competition is open to any business, which is less than two years old or has fewer than five employees, is based within 20 miles of Blenheim, and can…

Fairytale Farm has been given a Travellers’ Choice award by Tripadvisor

Fairytale Farm, near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, has been given a Travellers’ Choice award by Tripadvisor.   Farm owner, Nick Laister, says: “Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodation, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. This is a big…

Oxford United Football special buses return with Thames Travel

Thames Travel has renewed its partnership with Oxford United to continue its ‘Football Special’ match-day bus service this season. Oxford United’s Sky Bet Football League Division One season kicked off last week at Derby County and the first home game is this weekend with Cambridge United visiting the Kassam Stadium on Saturday. The bus service provides…

Summer Swordsmanship Returns To Blenheim Palace

Bravado, swordsmanship and performance will all be combined as the ‘Art of the Duel’ returns to Blenheim Palace. Throughout weekends in August, experienced and talented stage-fighting actors will dazzle visitors with their re-enactment of classical two-person combat. Duelling’s codes, traditions and gory details are all covered in the display, which is included in a Palace,…

Voting for Brand the Bus! competition now open

Public voting for Oxford Bus Company’s annual ‘Brand the Bus!’ competition has now opened, for people to have their say in which good cause could be displayed on a double-decker next.   The competition offers people the chance to nominate their favourite good cause to scoop the first-prize to be branded on a bus in…

Fairytale Festival is back for 2022

Fairytale Festival 2022 has started at Fairytale Farm near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, and will run every day until 4th September 2022.   The event is the first that has been held since 2019, explains Farm owner Nick Laister: “We ran our first ever Fairytale Festival in 2018. It was such a big success for…

Blenheim Agrees Five-Year Partnership With Youth Development Charity

Blenheim is strengthening its links with Oxfordshire Youth as part of a new long-term partnership which will see them generate £50,000 a year for youth development. The money will go towards significantly improving the lives of young people affected by disadvantage, through increasing education, employment, and training opportunities, and tackling key issues such as youth…

Woodstock wonderland of cultural discovery for families this Summer

Visiting Woodstock opens the mind and excites the senses in a myriad of different ways. Visit us to experience new cultures, historic sites, fine food and magnificent architecture. Step into real dinosaur footprints or embark an I-spy or crazy trails, craft or family drop-in holiday fun day. Get close to nature and hunt down fairies…

Oxford City Council and Oxford Mail create photography exhibition to mark the Queen’s Jubilee

The exhibition, which has opened at Oxford Town Hall, features photographs of the Her Majesty’s visits to Oxford and Oxfordshire over the 70 years of her reign. The Queen’s first official visit to Oxford took place in May 1948, when she was Elizabeth Windsor. One of her first greetings was a surprise encounter with ‘Mr…

Summer holiday activities available for young people in Oxford

Oxford City Council is working with community groups to provide summer holiday activities for young people in Oxford this summer. Despite the current budget challenges, the Council has provided funding to a number of partner agencies to ensure all children and young people can take part in a range of activities from playschemes, boxing, acting,…

Oxford City Council celebrates South Asian Heritage Month

Between 18 July and 17 August, Oxford City Council is proudly supporting South Asian Heritage Month. This year is the 75th anniversary of Indian independence and the creation of Pakistan. Many in Oxford’s South Asian community can trace their heritage back to India and Pakistan, but the region also includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal,…

Chicago opens at New Theatre Oxford

CHICAGO, the “sexiest musical ever” (Metro) is back in the New Theatre Oxford in July for one week only starring Coronation Street’s Faye Brookes (Dancing On Ice, Grease, Legally Blonde) as Roxie Hart, and West End star Djalenga Scott (Annie, Chicago, West Side Story) as Velma Kelly.   “Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery…all…

Space Store joins line up of stars at the Covered Market

Space Store is beaming down into Oxford’s historic Covered Market, with a new branch landing at Unit 118 – 120. A satellite of Space Store’s original branch in Didcot’s Orchard Centre, the store brings the wonder of outer space to Earth, with a range of gifts and immersive experiences on sale. Everyone can blast off…