Things to do in Oxfordshire

Searching for things to do in Oxfordshire? Whether you are looking for Bicester Village – the world’s most popular luxury shopping outlet, the UK’s only crocodile zoo, the world’s oldest public museum – Ashmolean Museum and the oldest Botanic Garden in the world, the oldest University in the English-speaking world, Britain’s oldest chalk figure or picture-perfect villages – don’t look any further, as we’ve got them all!

Explore the city of Oxford and the wider county to discover world-class arts and culture in stunning venues, the University of Oxford, museums, country houses and gardens such as Blenheim Palace and beautiful landscapes full of walking, cycling and boating opportunities.

Oxford and Oxfordshire have also provided backdrops for countless international films including Harry Potter filmed at Christ Church and James Bond’s Spectre filmed at Blenheim Palace, to name just a few. Many places across the county may look familiar to fans of shows like Downton Abbey, Midsomer Murders and Inspector Morse.

Oxfordshire is famous for its excellent local produce and delicious food. From Michelin-starred restaurants such as Belmond Le Manoir, cosy rural pubs, farmers’ markets, social enterprise cafés and international cuisine, you will not be short of places to eat and drink.

If you are travelling with family, Oxfordshire is the perfect place to enjoy a big day out. With fantastic farms, wildlife parks such as Cotswold Wildlife Park with over 260 different species of animal. Magical museums and amazing mazes, the county’s got activities for children of all ages. You can explore and climb the historical Oxford Castle and Prison, or visit Cogges Manor Farm, a Scheduled Ancient Monument with over 1000 years of history, for something special.

There are also many tours you can take, by foot, bike or even boat, to explore the county and discover its hidden secrets.

Heythrop Park Resort Spa

The Heythrop Park Spa has a selection of different packages available to provide an escape from everyday life, and a place to relax and revitalise. Enjoy one of their many ESPA treatments and restore your body, mind and soul. The Spa is also conveniently located just 12 miles north of Oxford on the outskirts of Chipping...

The Oxfordshire Museum

A large 18thcentury house in the heart of the historic town of Woodstock is home to the County’s collections. The Museum is bigger than you might think with galleries exploring Oxfordshire’s story from the Jurassic period through to Anglo-Saxons and Victorians. The Garden Gallery hosts an exciting programme of touring exhibitions – please check our...

Oxford River Cruises

Oxford River Cruises provides a range of luxury boat trips, sightseeing tours and unique picnic cruises in the heart of the historic city of Oxford. Their vessels provide a comfortable and intimate setting for an unforgettable river experience and one of the most memorable things to do during your visit to Oxford. Public Cruises can...

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Townhouse Executive Travel & Tours

Townhouse Executive Travel & Tours offers personal tours of the Cotswolds and other key destinations in the local area. They operate throughout the year and offer a personalised experience in their fleet of Mercedes cars for 1 to 7 people. Their personalised tours and day trips allow you to create your own trip itinerary and experience...

Salter’s Steamers Boat Trips

Salter’s Steamers is a family run firm that has provided first-class hospitality on the Royal River Thames for almost 150 years (est. 1858). As one of the longest established firms on the Thames, Salter’s Steamers own one of the largest and most exclusive fleets operating on the river. Their cruises combine traditional style, contemporary comforts...

Bombay Sapphire Distillery

Based at Laverstoke Mill in rural Hampshire, just 15 miles from Winchester and 10 miles from Basingstoke, the Bombay Sapphire Distillery is in a conservation area with over 1000 years of history. The distillery showcases the care, skill and artistry behind every drop of Bombay Sapphire, and allows you to discover the flavours of the...

Port Meadow

Port Meadow is the largest common land in Oxford, situated to the west of the city, running on the east bank of the River Thames, from Jericho to Wolvercote. The meadow is accessible via Walton Well Road, Aristotle Lane and Wolvercote. The large meadow consists of 440 acres of grazing land which is still used...

Rabbie’s

Rabbie’s is an award-winning small group coach touring company that will take travellers out of the major cities into off the beaten track communities. On the tours the friendly guides are world famous for their knowledge, facts, quirky stories, history, and fairy-tales. They truly take you beyond the guidebooks and into your adventure. Rabbie’s selection...

Active England Tours

Active England Tours include cycling and biking, walking, family adventures and multisport tours through beautiful countryside and a host of iconic places. From London to Windsor, Oxford, Churchill’s Blenheim Palace, Shakespeare’s Stratford, Bath, Stonehenge, Downton Abbey, the Cotswolds, Devon and Cornwall, our tours visit the REAL England in all its glory. For couples, families, singles...

Turrill Sculpture Garden

Behind the public library in South Parade, Summertown, Oxford there is a large, sunny oasis, approximately 100ft by 60ft. In the year 2000, it was transformed from an empty and uninviting space into an attractive garden for the public to enjoy and it has gone from strength to strength from then on. There are plenty...

Waterperry Gardens

Waterperry Gardens have been delighting visitors for years with 8 acres of historic and inspirational gardens nestled in the Oxfordshire countryside. The gardens feature a spectacular 200 foot herbaceous border along with rose and formal gardens, a lily canal and riverside walk. The Plant Centre and Garden Shop stock everything for the garden with many...

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Broughton Castle

Broughton Castle is an ironstone manor house located in Banbury, North Oxfordshire. It was awarded five stars in Simon Jenkins book England’s Thousand Best Houses and attracts visitors with its exquisite architecture and beautiful gardens. History Historic Broughton Castle is a family home lived in by Lord and Lady Saye and Sele, and their family....