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 enjoy real-life escape games at City Mazes, 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.

If Oxford is your first stop, the Oxford Visitor Information Centre offers somewhere to gather friendly local information and help, as well as a place for you to store your luggage while you explore Oxford and Oxfordshire.

Click Here to Explore the Bodleian Libraries with the new Augmented Reality App.

Great things to do

Didcot Railway Centre

Didcot Railway Centre is a living museum of the Great Western Railway in Didcot, Oxfordshire. See the unique collection of Great Western Railway steam engines, coaches, wagons, buildings and small relics; and a recreation of Brunel's broad gauge railway. Visit the Didcot Railway Centre and enjoy the rural setting based around the original 1930s engine shed. Opening...

MINI Plant Oxford Tours

Take a journey through more than 100 years of Oxford’s car building history and discover how BMW creates over 1,000 one-of-a-kind, made-to-order MINIs every day. - Visit MINI’s production halls where human skill and state-of-the-art technology combine to build a new MINI every 67 seconds. - See MINI’s Visitor Centre where 58 years of rich MINI heritage...

Bletchley Park Trust

Bletchley Park is a place of exceptional historical importance. It remains highly relevant to our lives today and for the future. It is the home of British code breaking and a birthplace of modern information technology. It played a major role in World War Two, producing secret intelligence which had a direct and profound influence on the...

The Oxford Artisan Distillery

Welcome to The Oxford Artisan Distillery (TOAD, to those in the know), this ancient city’s first distillery – and one of the world’s very few true craft distilleries. We cultivate, craft, create and curate the very finest spirits using sustainably grown populations of ancient heritage grain. In fact, the rare and distinctive subtleties in our spirits are...

The University of Oxford Botanic Garden

Oxford Botanic Garden is the UK’s oldest botanic garden, founded in 1621. Situated in the heart of Oxford, this historic garden is an oasis of green in the city centre. Indeed it is one of the most compact yet diverse collections of plants in the world. Take a stroll among the family beds in the...

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Abingdon Visitor Information Centre

The Abingdon Visitor and Community Information Centre is run by the town council and offers a service for both residents and visitors on Abingdon-on-Thames and the attractions of the town and surrounding areas. Opening Hours Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 3.00pm all year. Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council operates a Visitor and Community Information Centre...

Host

Host Students is located just south east of the city centre in the middle of historic Oxford, a popular student area surrounded by a wide range of bars, restaurants and shops, all within walking distance. Host Students combines modern architecture with contemporary living comprises of four floors. You can choose between studio apartments and en-suite...

Traditional Punt Hire at Cherwell Boathouse

Enjoy punting on the river Cherwell at Oxford’s biggest punt station! Sail along the river Cherwell on this idyllic form of transport and discover Oxford in a totally unique way. Whether you choose to float downstream to University Parks – one of the most popular picnic spots in Oxford, sail to ‘The Victoria Arms’ for a pit...

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Garden Spa at Old Swan and Minster Mill

The Garden Spa is a tranquil haven in the heart of our beautiful grounds. The indoor heated plunge pool is beautiful and intimate and a poolside rock sauna, aroma steam room, ice fountain and tropical rain forest showers complete the picture. Indulge in simply blissful spa treatments to relax and unwind. The three treatment suites...

The Raymond Blanc Cookery School

Let the Raymond Blanc Cookery School nurture your natural love for food! Join the Raymond Blanc Cookery School for one of their fabulous cooking classes and gain the skills you need to translate your passion for food into beautiful and imaginative cuisine. The Raymond Blanc Restaurant is the first Michelin starred kitchen in the UK...

The Rollright Stones

The Rollright Stones Monuments are located at the border between Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, only 45 minutes’ drive away from Oxford. This ancient site consists of three different monuments, The Kings Men stone circle, the King Stone, and the Whispering Knights and dates back from ~3800 to 1800 BC. The Legend around this popular monument tells the story...

Museum of Oxford

The Museum of Oxford is a history museum located in the front area of the Oxford Town Hall, on St Aldate’s Street. The museum was first opened in 1975 and is considered as the only museum committed to telling the story of Oxford and its people. The museum showcases original artefacts and treasures from Oxford...

Language Schools in Oxford

EC English Oxford

English opens many doors in life and can be your route to a successful future. Whether you are learning for your education, your career or simply for an incredible life experience, EC Oxford will make sure you reach your goals. Choose from a wide range of English language courses, and let the friendly and professional...

Choral Evensong

Every day during term-time, starting between 5.15 and 6.45 pm, many Oxford college chapel choirs and some parish churches sing beautiful music in Choral Evensong- a service which is free-of-charge and open to all. The service is 45 minutes long, and its words and music can inspire people of all faiths and none. The chapel...

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History, often referred to as the “Oxford University Museum”, was founded in 1860 as the hub for scientific study at the University of Oxford. The museum is situated in an impressive neo-Gothic building and offers a variety of different permanent collections, exhibitions and events. Today the museum displays internationally...

Modern Art Oxford

Modern Art Oxford is a leading UK contemporary art space with an international reputation for inspirational and innovative programmes. Founded in 1966, Modern Art Oxford aims to make contemporary art accessible and engaging to the widest audience through presentation and participation. The programme celebrates the relevance of contemporary visual culture to society today. Their agenda...