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.

The Story Museum

The Story Museum is a most unusual museum located in the heart of Oxford celebrating the power of stories to teach and delight. The museum is currently undergoing a period phased of reopening in line with government guidelines in response to the Covid19 pandemic. For the latest information please visit www.storymuseum.org.uk. When the museum reopens,...

Oxford Bus Museum

Oxford Bus Museum & Morris Motors Museum

We’re a local Museum completely run by volunteers that have a passion for Oxfordshire’s transport history. Our Bus Museum hall is packed with vehicles: buses, coaches, charabancs. We even have a horse tram from the 1880’s. There is also a collection of 50 historic, mainly 19th century, bicycles. The story of the development of public transport across...

New College

Despite its name, New College is one of the oldest and most popular colleges in Oxford. The College is located in the heart of the city with an outstanding architecture and a beautiful garden landscape. The college is also well-known for its cultural and musical life and its excellent choir. The college was originally founded by...

Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park

Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park is the largest park in Oxford, located to the north of the city. This vast, leafy park is a beautiful place to come and escape the busy city, offering visitors gorgeous sprawling woodland and nature areas, a safe place to bring children to play, and recreational facilities that will be sure to keep anyone...

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...

junkyard-golf-oxford

Junkyard Golf Club

Welcome to junkyard golf club! Home of crazy golf, weird cocktails and all things junk! Get excited on three mashed up 9-hole crazy golf courses created from pre-loved and reclaimed random shizzle. Groups can putt their way through all sorts of bizarre holes; think UV garage, scrapyard slides, circus freaks and jungle bathtubs. The courses:...

Uncomfortable Oxford

Uncomfortable Oxford is a brand-new social enterprise which runs walking tours, museum tours, public lectures, discussion cafes, and more! Founded by two Doctoral students in 2019, it seeks to raise awareness and discussion about difficult aspects of history which still are visible and present today. Walk the streets with a critical eye and learn about...

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...

Crocodiles of the World

Enjoy a great day out at the UK’s only crocodile zoo near Witney in West Oxfordshire with plenty of photo opportunities, feeding displays, crocodile talks and much more. Not to mention meeting all the amazing crocodiles, alligators, caimans, lizards, snakes, meerkats and even a Komodo Dragon! Highlights include: Meet all 12 crocodile species – including...

oxfordshire artweeks

Oxfordshire Artweeks

Explore amazing art in wonderful places across Oxfordshire! And all for free! With nearly five hundred art exhibitions, artist open studios and events in interesting places throughout May, you can discover Oxfordshire’s creative talent in painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, wood, glass art, jewellery and more. For three weeks, two thousand artists and designer-makers throw...

St. Michael at the Northgate Church

St Michael at the North Gate is an ancient place. The Saxon Tower, built c1040, is Oxford’s oldest building. On your climb to the top, you will see the door of the Bocardo prison cell as well as a wealth of treasures and artefacts. The Church is the City Church of Oxford playing an important...

Hook-Norton-Brewery

Hook Norton Brewery

Hook Norton is one of only 32 family owned breweries and is the finest example of a Victorian Tower Brewery in the country. Of course, the brewery is about so much more than just its fantastic range of award-winning beers. At the brewery, we have a shop, Malthouse Kitchen Cafe, free museum and meeting rooms....