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...

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...

bicester-village

Bicester Village

Bicester Village is just 46 minutes by train from London Marylebone. This luxury destination is home to more than 160 boutiques of world-famous brands, Oscar de la Renta, Paul Smith, Belstaff, Gina, Marni, Rupert Sanderson, Temperley London, with savings of up to 60% on the recommended retail price all year round. Together with a selection...

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...

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...

oxford-covered-market

The Oxford Covered Market

The Market was officially opened in 1774 and has a unique and wonderful atmosphere. It provides its visitors with the wonderful aromas of fresh fruit, coffee and fresh baking and to a feast of sights and sounds. In 1772 the original Market committee accepted an estimate for nine hundred and sixteen pounds and ten shillings...

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...

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...

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...

Visit-Abingdon

Visit Abingdon

Visit Abingdon Abingdon-on-Thames is England’s oldest continuously inhabited town. Steeped in history and tradition it is also a modern and bustling market town. Take a walk around the ancient streets where this medieval town meets the modern day market town. Enjoy a picnic beside the beautiful river or visit the roof of the stunning County...

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...

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...

Oxfordshire Craft Guild

Contemporary and traditional quality items in a variety of crafts – textiles, ceramics, glass, jewellery and silversmithing and sculpture. Guild members make and sell quality items which are beautiful, useful and innovative. Members exhibit at both Guild events, and individually in galleries and other venues. See website: www.ocg.co.uk for future Guild events and contacting individual...