Top 10 Rainy Day Ideas
Stuck for ideas when the sun’s gone in? ☔ Here are our top ten things to do with a gloomy afternoon in Oxford and Oxfordshire!
Explore the stunning Blenheim Palace
Discover Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore its gilded State Rooms with their priceless collections of portraits, tapestries and furniture.
Lose track of time in the University of Oxford museums
The Pitt Rivers Museum houses within an atmospheric building more than 700,000 objects, photographs and manuscripts from all over the world and from all periods of human existence. The Ashmolean Museum, the worlds oldest public museum founded in 1683, is home to world-famous collections and artifacts ranging from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art. Don’t forget to also explore the Museum of Natural History and the History of Science Museum!
Go shopping
Shelter yourself from the rain in one of Oxfordshire’s leading shopping centres. Westgate Oxford offers visitors some prestigious retail and lifestyle brands, inventive and eclectic restaurants and cafes of all types. Dating back to the 18th century, Oxford’s Covered Market is home to a collection of independent shops and retailers. Located in the Oxfordshire countryside, discover Bicester Village with more than 160 boutiques of world-famous brands.
Embark on a brewery or distillery tour
Join a brewery tour at Hook Norton Brewery, one of only 32 family-owned breweries and the finest example of a Victorian Tower Brewery in the country. Immerse yourself in gin heaven at The Sky Wave Distilling Co. at Bicester Heritage, where you’ll enjoy behind-the-scene experiences and tastings.
Visit the Theatre
Book a night of entertainment at New Theatre Oxford with West End musicals, world-class music, top comedians and more; discover a vibrant public programme of live music, theatre and dance at The North Wall in the heart of Summertown or head to Oxford Playhouse for the best of British and international drama, family shows, lectures and poetry, plus so much more.
Book a MINI Plant Oxford Tour
For lovers of the automotive industry, a visit to the MINI Plant Oxford is an unmissable experience and a great thing to do on a rainy day. This iconic plant, which produces one of the world’s best-known car brands, provides a fascinating insight into the most modern processes in vehicle manufacturing.
Cosy up with a film at Curzon Oxford
Curzon Oxford, which lies at the heart of the city, offers five spacious and comfortable screens, two chill-out areas and and a fantastic selection of blockbusters and independent cinema – it’s the perfect escape from the weather!
Visit some of the Oxford University buildings
From exploring the red-brick Keble College to following the footsteps of Harry Potter at Christ Church, there’s many iconic Oxford University colleges and buildings to explore when the sun is gone. You can also take a tour of the historic Bodleian Libraries, visit the beautiful Sheldonian Theatre or climb the tower of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.
Snap some photos at Crocodiles of the World
Visit Crocodiles of the World, the UK’s only crocodile zoo, to meet many of the animals – we’re talking Komodo dragons and giant Galapagos tortoises – up close. You might want to stay back from the big crocs, although the zoo does have underwater viewing enclosures for eye-to-eye encounters! Plus the park is all inside, meaning total respite from the rain.
Step back in time at Didcot Railway Centre
Explore the golden age of the Great Western Railway and savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam as you explore Didcot Railway Centre, a 21 acre living museum which includes the largest collection of locomotives, vehicles and artefacts from any one single railway company in the world.
