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.

Great things to do

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...

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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 of modern...

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 Oxfordshire Museum

A large 18th-century house in the heart of the historic town of Woodstock is home to the County’s collections. The Garden Gallery hosts an exciting programme of touring exhibitions. New in 2016 – Juxtaposition: displaying the superb craftsmanship and artistry of contemporary makers alongside pieces from the historic collections. New Anglo Saxon Gallery opened late...

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Cotswolds Guided Tours

Cotswolds Guided Tours is an award-winning, friendly local family run business providing a variety of 6 hour tours for a maximum of 7 guests, ensuring you receive a personalised experience during your visit. The Famous Cotswolds Tour visits the ‘must see’ Cotswolds locations; The Slaughters, Bourton on the Water, Stow on the Wold, a secret...

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...

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 Museum

The County Hall has dominated the marketplace of Abingdon, south of Oxford, since the late 17th century. Designed by a protégé of Sir Christopher Wren, this splendid Baroque building was erected between 1678 and 1682. It housed a courtroom on the first floor, raised on arches above a market space. It is now home to...

Carfax Tower

The historical “centre point” of Oxford, Carfax Tower, is all that remains today of St. Martin’s Church, the official city church of Oxford from 1122 onwards. The tower was built in 1818 as part of a reconstruction of the church, which was demolished in 1896 due to increasing traffic problems in the city centre. Today...

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Abingdon Markets

Abingdon-on-Thames is a market town that still enjoys the unique atmosphere of a lively market and our town centre boasts one of the most fit-for-purpose Market Places in the country. Monday Market By Royal Charter Monday is the town’s traditional market day with a wide variety of quality produce and goods available weekly. It is...

Ashmolean Museum

The famous Ashmolean Museum is the most important museum of art and archaeology in the heart of Britain, founded in 1683. It is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology showcasing an extraordinary collection ranging from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art. The museum is conveniently located in the heart of Oxford and captivates...

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Wychwood Brewery: Tour, Store and Brewery Tap

Wychwood Brewery is situated within the heart of Witney. You will be able to enjoy the freshest selection of beers including Legendary Hobgoblin, Brakspear Oxford Gold, as well as a wide range of Wychwood beers. The brewery shop is opened Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, where you can purchase bottles and a wide range...

Abingdon Abbey Buildings

Abbey Buildings Abingdon was dominated by the great Benedictine Abbey – the same size as Westminster Abbey. Nothing above ground remains of the Abbey Church now but its outline in Abbey gardens can still be seen. Many of the Abbey buildings do still exist. The beautiful medieval buildings are more than 600 years old, set...

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Blenheim Palace

Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family and the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting a long and diverse history. A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, landscaped Parkland and stunning Formal Gardens, Blenheim Palace provides an awe-inspiring experience for visitors. Explore over 2000 acres of...

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Best Cotswold Tours

Best Cotswold Tours offer private and luxurious tours of the Cotswolds for up to 7 people. Your tour guide will collect you from your hotel, B&B or train station within the Cotswold Area at a time to suit you. He will transport you in the luxury of his Mercedes to visit beautiful Cotswold villages, panoramic...