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.

Courtyard by Marriott Oxford South

Courtyard by Marriott Oxford South is located just outside Abingdon, the UK’s oldest town. Relax in our fresh spacious guest rooms, with quality amenities, free Wi-Fi, 55” HDTV with Chromecast, plush bedding and work space. The hotel offers superior and connecting rooms, great for families. The Oxen Bar & Grill is our signature restaurant with...

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Oxford Official Walking Tours

Oxford Official Walking Tours are a fun and informative way to learn about Oxford’s history, visit the University of Oxford, and explore the filming locations used in Harry Potter and Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour. They are for all walking abilities and cover a maximum of 2 miles with tours lasting 1 to 2 hours,...

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...

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Oxford University Museum of Natural History was established in 1860 to draw together scientific studies from across the University of Oxford. Today, the award-winning museum continues to be a place of scientific research, collecting and fieldwork, and plays host to a programme of events, exhibitions and activities for the public and school students of all ages....

Bodleian Library

Oxford’s libraries are among the most famous in the world, not only for their exceptional collection of books and manuscripts, but also for their historic buildings, some of which have remained in continuous use since the Middle Ages. Today the Bodleian Libraries offers visitors a unique experience, combining the antiquity of the Old Library with...

StayCotswold Ltd

StayCotswold has a fantastic range of cottages, barns and family homes with around 40 properties located in Oxfordshire. This wide portfolio of luxury self-catering properties can cater for couples looking for a romantic bolthole, to larger family or friends groups looking to get together in Oxfordshire. From secluded rural locations, to village and town properties...

Shotover Country Park

Shotover Country Park offers everyone a chance to enjoy a place of beauty and history right on the edge of Oxford. Covering 117 hectares (289 acres) on the southern slopes of Shotover Hill there are spectacular views from the top across south Oxfordshire. The park is an intimate mosaic of hidden valleys, varied landscapes and...

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Bletchley Park

Bletchley Park, once the top-secret home of the World War Two Codebreakers, is now a vibrant heritage attraction, open every day to visitors. Step back in time to experience the stories of the extraordinary achievements of the men and women who worked here. A place of exceptional historical importance, Bletchley Park is also the birthplace...

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SJE Arts

SJE Arts at St John the Evangelist church is a warm and welcoming venue in the busy Cowley area of central Oxford with good public transport links to the city centre and to London. The church was designed and built for a monastic order but is now part of St Stephen’s House, University of Oxford....

The Garden Spa at Minster Mill

The Garden Spa is a tranquil haven in the heart of Minster Mill’s 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...

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...

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...