houses to visit near oxford

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The Best Castles & Stately Homes near Oxford

The historic university city Oxford is the perfect base to visit some of England’s best stately homes. The stately homes around Oxford are filled with history, art and have some of the best gardens in England.

From a former Prime Minister’s home to a lavish house owned by the Rotschild family. The stately homes around Oxford are diverse and perfect day out from Oxford.

Whether you go alone and want to visit the grand Rothschild art collection or if you’re planning a family trip. You can find art, culture, war history, gardens and family activities at these English stately homes.

Blenheim Palace

baroque • churchill family • children activities • film location • UNESCO World Heritage Site

Blenheim is the birthplace of Winston Churchill and the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house in England that holds the title “palace”. The 18th century stately home is built in English Baroque style and it’s one of the largest stately homes in England. And since 1987 it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For 300 years Blenheim was the family home of the Churchill (and Churchill-Spencer) family. But in the 19th century the estate was saved from ruin when the 9th Duke of Marlborough married American heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt.

Blenheim Palace is often used as film location. From blockbusters like James Bond, Mission Impossible and Harry Potter. But also period dramas like Cinderella, A Little Chaos and The Young Victoria. You can download a guide to these filming locations at Blenheim Palace.

The Blenheim estate can be enjoyed by everyone. Inside the palace you can visit the historic State Rooms, a Churchill Museum and a “Downstairs” Tour. But the grounds have much to offer as well. There are several gardens, a butterfly house and a maze. The estate offers plenty for children as well with fun trails and a miniture train.

The Blenheim Estate is open daily

How to get here from Oxford

The easiest way from Oxford Station is the S3 or S7 bus to Woodstock. From the bus station it’s a 10 minute walk to Blenheim. (note: you get a 30% discount if you arrive at Blenheim by public transport, bicycle or by foot)

Waddesdon Manor

neo-renaissance châteaux • rothschild • art museum • children playground • film location

Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild built Waddesdon Manor between 1874 and 1885 to display his collection of arts and to entertain the fashionable world. Notable guests like the future King Edward VII and Queen Victoria visited the house and its extensive art collection.

The house opened to the public in 1959 and shows the Rothschild Collections of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.

Waddesdon Manor is often used as film location. It was the filming location for Buckingham Palace in The Crown. But also in period dramas such as Rebecca, Downton Abbey (as Haxby Park) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

The estate offers a woodland playground for children.

A 30 minute drive from Oxford takes you to Waddesdon Manor. By public transport the journey is considerably longer.

Hughenden Manor

jacobean • royal connection • politics • world war II • children acitivities

This 18th century Jacobean country house is the former home of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. He was the favourite Prime Minister of Queen Victoria and she also visited the house.

Disraeli and his wife Mary Anne loved Hughenden and it was the home has a rich history of political drama and royal visits.

The basement at Hughenden Manor was used as a secret intelligance base called “Hillside” during the Second World War. It was here that aerial photogrpahs of Germany were analysed and bombing missions were planned.

Today Hughenden Manor is owned by the National Trust. The house is re-created as Benjaming Disraeli would have known them. On the ground floor you’ll find the library with an extensive book collection. Including his own novels and one written and signed by Queen Victoria. Upstairs you’ll find Disraeli’s study, bedroom and Mary Anne’s boudoir along with the black silk robe worn by Disraeli as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

An exhibition called “The Royal Gifts of Hughenden” shows Israeli’s close relationship with Queen Victoria.

From Oxford Station you can take the train and bus to Hughenden Manor. The journey takes approx. 1 hour.

West Wycombe Park

palladian & neoclassical

Inspired by travels through Italy, Sir Francis Dashwood (2nd Baronet), wanted to built and Italian-style country house. Because the built of the house took so long, it is now a combination of Palladian and Neoclassical style.

Inside the house is also a lavish combination of styles. From a neoclassical entrance hall you can visit eight room with baroque and rococo architecture styles.

The grounds are designed in a natural landscape style with follies in classical style and temples. The gardens are one of the finest original 18th century garden in England.

The grounds are open April-August and the house is open in June-August.

From Oxford Station you can take a train and bus to West Wycombe Park. The journey takes approx. 75 minutes

Stonor Park

italianate garden • medieval origins • children activities

Home of the Stonor family for 850 years. And it is the one of the oldest family homes still lived in today. The origins of the home go back to Medieval time but you can see many architectural periods from later remodels.

At the house you’ll find a Gothic revival hall, a 17th century library and a long hall leading to the gardens.

The grounds of Stonor have much to offer. If you want to wander then the Italianate garden with Renaissance pond is perfect. A kitchen garden that is especially lovely in Spring and Summer. And The Ladies Walk is filled with cherry blossoms in the spring.

But the grounds offer more. Even older than the house is the Stone Circle. Formed of giant boulders left behind at the end of the last Ice Age.

A wonderful children area called the Tumblestone Hollow is a magical place for the entire family.

The house & gardens are sometimes closed for events, so be sure to check the Stonor website for the opening days.

From Oxford it takes approx. 40 minutes to reach Stonor Park. The nearest railway station is Henley-on-Thames and taxis are available from the Station.

Rousham House & Garden

gothic • 18th century gardens

The house was built in 1635 but extensively remodeled by William Kent in the 18th century. Therefor it now has a Gothic appereance. The house has been owned by the same family since it was built.

Rousham House & Garden is best known for its gardens. It is one of the earliest gardens in English landscape design and today it is almost identical to how William Kent designed it. Monty Don calles Rousham a masterpiece and one of the best gardens in the world.

The gardens are open daily (no children under 15 are allowed in the gardens without prior permission). The house is open by appointment only.

There are several public transport options for a visit to Rousham. The journey takes between 30-60 minutes

Buscot Park

neoclassical • art collection

The 18th century neoclassical country house was built for politcian Edward Loveden Loveden. It is the family home of Lord Faringdon and it houses the family’s art collection “The Farringdon Collection”.

Surrounding the house you’ll find enchanting landscaped gardens.

The house and grounds can both be visited. Though the house is closed on certains. To see the current opening times you can visit the Buscot Park website .

The Stagecoach Gold Route 66 bus operates between Oxford and Swindon every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and hourly on a Sunday, passing through Faringdon.

Claydon House

rococo interiors • florence nightingale • children’s trail

Claydon is one of these houses were the outside doesn’t reflect the inside. From the outside Claydon looks rather austere. But on the inside you’re greeted by beautiful rococo interiors.

The Claydon estate has been owned by the Verney family for 400 years. One of the ladies of the house was Parthenope, the sister of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale. Florence often visited the house and she even had her own suite of rooms. Today you can find a small museum dedicated to Florence Nightingale at Claydon House.

Claydon house was used as a filming location for Far From the Madding Crowd, an addaptation of the Thomas Hardy novel. (you can also visit houses were Thomas Hardy lived. You can find more information in the “Famous Writers’ Houses in England” post).

By car, the journey from Oxford takes approx. 40 minutes via A34 and A41. The journey by public transport takes longer.

Are you planning to visit one of these stately homes around Oxford? Be sure to share it with #visiteuropeancastles

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Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » England » 15 Best Places to Visit in Oxfordshire (England)

15 Best Places to Visit in Oxfordshire (England)

It is no disservice to the rest of Oxfordshire to say that the City of Oxford is the county’s crowning glory.

The dignified home of one of the world’s oldest and most famous universities has to be visited at least once in a lifetime.

But if you are eager to see more there’s a beautiful county waiting for you embedded with ancient ruins and opulent marvels like Blenheim Palace.

In the west are the Cotswold Hills and their beloved limestone villages, while much of the rest is rolling chalk hills laced by the River Thames while it is still just a small if very picturesque river.

Lets explore the best places to visit in Oxfordshire :

At the oldest English-speaking university in the world, you should begin with a tour of the various colleges clustered around centre of the city.

Most of these have wonderful architecture, and if you time your trip right you’ll be able to go inside.

Christ Church, Magdalen College and Queens’ College are vital, as is the 17th-century Bodleian Library.

And with an internationally-respected university comes museums and cultural attractions that are a cut above: The Ashmolean, the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Museum of Natural History, all are world-class.

After that there’s the Thames, which is still shallow this far upstream, so the best way to get around on the water is by punting.

2. Henley-on-Thames

A very genteel town in the far southeast of the county, Henley is synonymous with the regatta that makes a splash in the social calendar at the turn of July.

Thousands of spectators crowd the grassy banks for rowing events entered by both seasoned Olympians and crews new to competitive rowing.

At other times you can simply bask in Henley’s refined character and go for strolls in the meadows and wooden Chiltern hillsides that climb up from the river.

The sublime Tudor country house and National Trust attraction, Greys Court, is on the edge of town and has appeared in TV shows like Downton Abbey.

Also suitably plush is Nuffield Place, once the home of the car manufacturer William Morris.

On the steep sides of the Windrush Valley, Burford is seen as Oxfordshire’s “Gateway to the Cotswolds”. Burford’s stiff slopes make it somehow more picturesque, especially when you see town’s rustic stone cottages, half-timbered buildings and regal townhouses on the high street.

Wandering down towards the medieval bridge on the Windrush River you’ll be enticed by the little side streets, which have tea rooms, pubs and specialty shops.

And if you’d like to spend the night there’s a good choice of bed & breakfasts and inns for such a small town.

Allow some time to see the medieval Church of St John the Baptist, which is lavish in the true Wool Church style.

Like a few of the former weaving towns in Oxford, Witney is often placed among the best places to live in Britain.

The market square makes a very persuasive case, with its graceful period architecture and  17th-century Butter Cross, where local women once gathered to sell butter and eggs.

Across the street is the early-18th century town hall, made with that fetching Cotswold stone.

For some local flavour come by the Wychwood Brewery on weekends to be shown around and to taste the much-loved Hobgoblin brown ale.

And then at Cogges, right next to Witney, is a working Victorian manor farm that has also been a shoot location for Downton Abbey.

The most famous son of Wantage has to be King Alfred the Great who was born here in 849 and ruled the Kingdom of Wessex until 899. There’s a statue of him in the middle of the market place, sculpted by Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, a cousin of Queen Victoria.

Wantage is a very sociable place to be on Friday and Saturday evenings in summer, when its many pubs and restaurants around the market are especially animated.

Wednesdays and Saturdays are market days, and you should also browse the Vale and Downland Museum, which is set in a 17th-century clothmaker’s house.

6. Abingdon

On the Thames  a few miles downriver from Oxford, Abingdon is a large, thriving town with some very imposing architecture in its centre.

Abingdon County Hall from 1670 is very grand, with tall arcades that would have provided a sophisticated space for markets and meetings.

Now it’s a handy spot to have a quick cup of tea.

Abingdon Bridge has spanned the Thames since 1416, despite needing running repairs down the centuries.

The defunct Abingdon Abbey is enclosed in a lovely park in the town, and although the abbey church is long gone you can still identify the monastic buildings, including the Long Gallery, an evocative half-timbered hall.

7. Woodstock

This dignified market town has historical links to nobility and royalty, as Woodstock Manor was the birthplace of the eldest son of King Edward III and was where Queen Mary I was imprisoned for a time by Elizabeth I. The Oxfordshire Museum can fill you in on the town’s fabled history, while the plush centre of Woodstock more than merits a saunter for its regal townhouses, clad with ivy and wisteria.

But the biggest attraction around Woodstock is the UNESCO-listed Blenheim Palace, and what could be the most prestigious country house in Britain.

One of the few monuments to be built in the briefly-fashionable English baroque style at the start of the 18th-century, the palace was the seat of the Churchill Family and birthplace of the statesman Winston Churchill in 1874.

8. Wallingford

Everything you could need in Wallingford is on hand at the town’s marketplace.

This is the site of Wallingford’s most memorable landmarks, like the neoclassical Corn Exchange, the glorious arcaded town hall from the 1600s and the Norman church of St Mary-le-More.

You can also come to the tourist information centre for leaflets about Wallingford’s heritage trail, which touches on the Saxon era when the town was a vital fortification for Alfred the Great.

Wallingford Castle, built by the Normans, was one of the south’s most powerful strongholds until it was torn down in the Civil War and left as the ethereal crumbling ruin that remains today.

9. Chipping Norton

Although it’s just a small town, most people in the UK know about Chipping Norton for the “Chipping Norton Set”. A loose association of local movers and shakers including the former Prime Minister David Cameron, the Murdoch Family and the former editor of the Sun newspaper.

Besides this connection Chipping Norton is a very charming place, well-known for its antiques shops, and being up in the Cotswolds it’s also the highest town in the whole of Oxfordshire.

St Mary the Virgin is a quintessential Cotswold church and is flooded with light inside because of its uninterrupted clerestory windows.

In the verdant countryside outside the town are the Rollright Stones, a Neolithic and Bronze Age stone circle.

10. Faringdon

An adorable historic market town southwest of Oxford, Faringdon has much more going for it than you might expect for settlement of this size.

In the centre, the Town Hall is the standout sight, dating to the 1600s and still a cornerstone of daily life.

For all its serenity today, Faringdon Hill to the east has seen some big events, like battles in the succession crisis known as “The Anarchy” in the 12th century and again during the English Civil War when the Republicans had a fortress.

Today the hill is topped with a 43-metre-high folly from 1935, with a neo-gothic design and giving you great views of the Vale of the White Horse.

Also check out the 14th-century Great Coxwell Barn, and the Uffington White Horse, a chalk hill figure fashioned some 3,000 years ago.

11. Banbury

More of a working town than many of the destinations on this list, Banbury, in the far north of Oxfordshire, has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.

This flourishing town attracts shoppers from miles around, and the pedestrianised centre with its fair share of history is the right location a wander.

Banbury is also a springboard for the fantastic heritage in the area.

There are three resplendent country houses: Sulgrave Manor, Upton House and Broughton Castle, all worthy of a detour.

To pick one, Broughton Castle is a medieval fortified manor house that was extended in Elizabethan times  and has a magical walled garden.

12. Bicester

This historic market town is expanding quickly, building new homes for commuters working in London and Oxford.

But Bicester is much more than just a bedroom community, as the fabulous architecture around the marketplace will show you, including gorgeous 17th-century townhouses and a smattering of older half-timbered buildings.

But for many holidaymakers the town’s reputation is founded squarely on Bicester Village, an outlet mall that pulls in a staggering 6.3 million shoppers a year.

More visitors from China come these luxury outlets than to any other attraction in the country apart from Buckingham Palace!

13. Minster Lovell

A very small bundle of villages and hamlets in the west of the county, Minster Lovell may be an unassuming sort of place now, but in the middle ages one of England’s richest men called the shots from this place.

Minster Lovell Hall is run by English Heritage, maintaining the beautiful ruins of a late-medieval manor house built for the Baron of Lovell and Holland.

The building has been abandoned since the 1700s and the whole site is framed by the River Windrush and its picnic-friendly banks.

Photographers and antiquarians won’t want to leave, but there are a couple pubs in the village to put a cap on a perfect day out.

Oxfordshire specialises in well-heeled market towns, and Thame is one of the prettiest.

In its distant past it was a fortified town in the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex, and now it’s a very comfortable place to pass a few hours.

Traditional amenities like butchers, bakers, tea rooms and pubs share Thame with posher boutiques and eateries.

Be here on Tuesdays for what many agree is Oxfordshire’s best outdoor market, likened to an outdoor delicatessen, with local fruit and vegetables, cakes, chutneys  and a host of other home-made delights.

In a county stereotyped for its refined towns and twee villages, Didcot swings the other way and is a gritty railway town that coalesced around Brunel’s Great Western Railway in the mid-1800s.

For decades the cooling towers of the Didcot Power Station have been a landmark identifiable from miles around, but with hi-tech industries and research centres moving in and the power station being decommissioned, Didcot is now all about innovation.

For tourists though, the Didcot Railway Centre is just the ticket if you’d like to relive the halcyon days of steam locomotives.

The attraction is based in a massive engine shed, with more than 30 locomotives, four of which are operational on then museum’s a heritage line.

15 Best Places to Visit in Oxfordshire (England):

• Henley-on-Thames
• Wallingford
• Chipping Norton
• Minster Lovell

Home > Articles > Enjoying Oxford

All the Day Trips From Oxford and How to Get There

If you’re visiting or moving to Oxford, you might be curious to see what’s around the city. Luckily, there are many amazing options to choose from. So, escape the bustling streets of Oxford and embark on an adventure beyond the city limits with our guide to unforgettable day trips.  

From charming villages steeped in history to breathtaking natural wonders, Oxfordshire offers an array of destinations waiting to be explored. Whether you crave a leisurely stroll through picturesque countryside or seek adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities, there’s something for every traveler just a stone’s throw away from Oxford.

So, join me as we uncover the hidden gems and must-visit destinations that promise to make your day trip from Oxford an unforgettable experience.

The Most Interesting Places to See Near Oxford

Venture beyond Oxford’s city limits and uncover a plethora of captivating destinations waiting to be explored. Whether you’re drawn to ancient landmarks, scenic landscapes, or outdoor adventures, these intriguing day trip options promise to enchant and inspire travelers of all interests!

Day Trip #1: Waterperry Gardens

Nestled in the picturesque Oxfordshire countryside, Waterperry Gardens offers a delightful escape into natural beauty and artistic inspiration .

Meandering through the gardens, visitors are greeted by a spectacular 200-foot herbaceous border , bursting with vibrant colors and fragrant blooms. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the rose and formal gardens, where meticulously manicured hedges and elegant floral arrangements create a sense of timeless elegance.

A leisurely stroll along the riverside walk provides a peaceful retreat, while the lily canal enchants with its serene waters and graceful aquatic blooms. At the heart of the gardens, the Plant Centre and Garden Shop beckon with a treasure trove of botanical delights, from rare plants to gardening essentials. For art enthusiasts, the Art-in-Action Gallery and Gift Barn showcase exquisite works by talented British artists, offering a feast for the eyes and a chance to take home a piece of artistic beauty.

And no visit to Waterperry Gardens would be complete without indulging in a delicious treat at the charming teashop , where freshly brewed tea and homemade delights await amidst the scenic surroundings

> More About Waterperry Gardens

Day Trip #2: Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace , an iconic landmark nestled amidst the rolling countryside of Oxfordshire, stands as a testament to centuries of grandeur and historical significance. This magnificent estate holds a distinguished place in history as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill , the renowned wartime leader and British Prime Minister, adding an extra layer of prestige to its storied past.

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site , Blenheim Palace boasts an illustrious lineage as the ancestral home of the 12th Duke of Marlborough, whose family has resided within its opulent walls for generations. A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, the palace captivates visitors with its grandeur and architectural splendor, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and ornate detailing at every turn.

Beyond its majestic façade, Blenheim Palace invites exploration of its expansive grounds and meticulously landscaped gardens, where tranquility reigns amidst lush greenery and vibrant floral displays . Visitors can embark on a leisurely stroll through the palace gardens, admiring the intricate designs and hidden pathways that weave through the verdant landscape. 

Blenheim Palace hosts a diverse array of events and exhibitions throughout the year , ranging from art installations and historical tours to seasonal fairs and cultural experiences. Whether marveling at its architectural splendor, exploring its enchanting gardens, or immersing oneself in its rich history and heritage, a visit to Blenheim Palace promises an unforgettable journey through time and a feast for the senses.

Day Trip #3: Hook Norton Brewery

In the heart of the charming Cotswold village of Hook Norton, Hook Norton Brewery stands as a shining example of Victorian Tower Breweries, preserving a rich heritage of brewing tradition that dates back over a century. Family-owned and operated, this historic brewery offers far more than just a tantalizing range of award-winning beers. Step inside and discover a world of exploration and indulgence, where every corner holds a story waiting to be told.

Begin your journey in the brewery shop , where shelves brim with an enticing array of bottled brews, merchandise, and memorabilia, offering the perfect memento to commemorate your visit. Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of brewing at the brewery’s free museum, where artifacts and exhibits trace the evolution of brewing techniques and technology over the years.

For a taste of culinary delights, the Malthouse Kitchen cafe beckons with tempting treats and locally sourced fare , providing the perfect spot to recharge and refuel after a day of exploration. Meanwhile, several meeting rooms offer versatile spaces for gatherings, events, and special occasions, blending historic charm with modern amenities for a truly memorable experience.

The brewery offers regular tours , where knowledgeable guides lead you through the labyrinthine corridors of the brewery, unveiling hidden treasures and sharing captivating tales of brewing lore. Marvel at the original steam engine that powers the brewery’s operations, witness the majestic Shire horses in the stables, and indulge in a sensory journey with a guided beer tasting, sampling the brewery’s finest creations.

Day Trip #4: Burford

Burford stands as a quintessential English town , exuding charm and character at every turn. Its picturesque streets are lined with quaint stone cottages, historic buildings, and enchanting gardens, offering a postcard-perfect backdrop for leisurely strolls and scenic explorations.

But Burford is more than just a pretty face; it’s a bustling hub of activity with a wealth of attractions to entice visitors of all ages. Food enthusiasts will delight in the town’s vibrant dining scene, which boasts a diverse array of restaurants, cafes, and eateries serving up delectable dishes ranging from traditional British fare to international cuisine with a modern twist. Meanwhile, antique enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise amidst Burford’s charming boutiques and antique shops, where treasures from bygone eras await discovery around every corner.

Venture just beyond the town limits, and you’ll encounter a world of exotic wildlife and natural wonders. At Crocodiles of the World , the UK’s only crocodile zoo, visitors can come face to face with these ancient reptiles, learning about their fascinating behaviors and conservation efforts to protect them. Nearby, Cotswold Wildlife Park beckons with its sprawling reserve, home to over 260 species of animals from around the globe. From majestic lions and playful lemurs to towering giraffes and elusive red pandas, the park offers a captivating glimpse into the wonders of the natural world, making it a must-visit destination for animal lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

Day Trip #5: Greys Court

Nestled amid the serene landscapes of the southern Chiltern Hills, Greys Court is a timeless jewel steeped in Tudor history and natural splendor . Owned and meticulously preserved by the National Trust, this enchanting country house and gardens beckon visitors to embark on a journey through centuries of architectural elegance and horticultural beauty.

Dating back to the Tudor era, Greys Court exudes an air of historic grandeur, with its timber-framed façade and stately interiors transporting visitors back in time to a bygone era of aristocratic opulence. Step through its hallowed halls and discover a treasure trove of period furnishings, ancestral portraits, and architectural marvels, each telling a tale of the house’s illustrious past.

Beyond its historic walls, Greys Court’s gardens unfold like a verdant oasis, inviting exploration and contemplation amidst lush greenery and vibrant blooms. Stroll along winding pathways that meander through manicured lawns, hidden glades, and tranquil ponds, where the gentle rustle of leaves and melodious birdsong create a symphony of natural harmony.

For those seeking to delve deeper into the secrets of Greys Court, guided Garden Tours offer a fascinating insight into the estate’s botanical wonders and horticultural heritage . Led by knowledgeable guides, these tours provide a captivating glimpse into the art of garden design and the seasonal delights that adorn the landscape.

After a leisurely exploration, visitors can unwind and indulge in a spot of retail therapy at the estate’s charming shop, where an array of gifts, souvenirs, and locally sourced treasures await. Then, savor a moment of tranquility and repose at the tea room, where freshly brewed tea, delectable treats, and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside provide the perfect conclusion to a day of discovery.

Day Trip #6: Banbury Town and Broughton Castle

Banbury emerges as a bustling market town steeped in history and modern vibrancy. Serving as a significant commercial and retail hub for north Oxfordshire, Banbury’s lively streets are adorned with a rich tapestry of shops, boutiques, and eateries , where locals and visitors alike converge to indulge in a spot of shopping or savor the flavors of the local cuisine.

Renowned for its culinary heritage, Banbury holds a special place in the hearts of food enthusiasts for its delectable Banbury cakes , a traditional sweet pastry dish filled with spiced currants and wrapped in flaky pastry. These irresistible treats have been delighting palates for centuries, earning Banbury a well-deserved reputation as a destination for gastronomic delights.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the town center, Banbury boasts a hidden gem of medieval splendor: Broughton Castle . Dating back to 1300 and originally built by Sir John de Broughton, this magnificent medieval manor house stands as a testament to centuries of architectural prowess and aristocratic grandeur. With its soaring turrets, crenelated walls, and sprawling grounds, Broughton Castle offers a glimpse into a bygone era of chivalry and romance, inviting visitors to explore its s toried halls and manicured gardens.

Day Trip #7: Chinnor and the Steam Railway

Renowned for its timeless charm and authentic steam locomotives, this award-winning railway offers visitors a delightful journey through history and natural splendor.

Embark on a captivating adventure from Chinnor station , where the evocative sights and sounds of steam await. The roughly one-hour round trip meanders through picturesque countryside, offering passengers panoramic views of rolling hills, verdant meadows, and quaint villages that dot the landscape. As the train chugs along the historic tracks, passengers are transported back in time to an era when steam ruled the rails, evoking a sense of wonder and nostalgia that captivates young and old alike.

Tickets for this enchanting journey can be purchased conveniently online, allowing passengers to secure their seats in advance and embark on a memorable excursion at their leisure. Whether seeking a scenic escape into the heart of the Chilterns or simply yearning for a taste of yesteryear’s charm, a ride on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway promises an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, romance, and the timeless allure of steam travel.

The wealth of day trip destinations surrounding Oxford offers an abundance of experiences waiting to be discovered. No matter if you’re drawn to the historic charm of medieval manor houses, the tranquil beauty of sprawling gardens, or the excitement of encountering exotic wildlife, there’s something for every traveler to enjoy just a stone’s throw away from the city!

These day trips offer the perfect opportunity to embark on a journey of discovery and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty that this enchanting region has to offer. I hope you get to see them!

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Places to visit in Oxfordshire

With skylines pierced with spires and domes, palace estates and idyllic meadows, Oxfordshire has a dreamlike quality. Top things to do in Oxfordshire include a punt on the River Cherwell in Oxford for a student's-eye view of highbrow colleges, walks though rambling deer parks, botanic gardens and lush meadows, and jaunts to Henley-on-Thames to see varsity teams row in posh regattas. Walkers amble between stony Cotswold villages like Witney and Woodstock, and tread ridgeways over the Chiltern Hills as red kites swoop overhead. Meanwhile, shoppers spend happy days lost in Bicester’s designer outlets and old-school covered markets.

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Top things to do on a city break in Oxford

Whether it’s punting on the River Cherwell or learning about the real Alice in Wonderland, there are heaps of things to do in Oxford.

Walking in the Cotswolds

Join a walking route from Bourton-on-the-Water to the Slaughters.

Location: Oxfordshire

July events: Henley Royal Regatta

Enjoy the excitement and action of a classic English pastime in the scenic Oxfordshire countryside.

Location: Henley, Oxfordshire

Visit a family run vineyard in the heart of the Chilterns

Explore the vineyard and sample the wine and beer produced in this truly independent brewery in Oxfordshire.

Location: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

Romantic punting on the River Cherwell

Ever watched people punting and felt you’d like to have a go? Pick up a few tips at Cherwell Boathouse, grab the pole and off you go.

Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire

Explore the Hanson Way on National Cycle Route 5

Enjoy a gentle bike ride along cycle tracks or quiet country roads in the fresh air to discover the delights of Oxford, Abingdon and Didcot.

Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Rainy Day Activities: Visit the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford

All the great civilizations of the world are represented in the Ashmolean Museum’s collections; escape the rain for a whole day, or pop in for five minutes for a quick browse.

Explore the city with Oxford Official Walking Tours

The fantastic walking tours are the perfect way to explore and learn about the history, famous residents and odd traditions of this unique city.

Uncover history and heritage at Blenheim Palace

Home to the 12th Duke Marlborough & birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim is a super family day out.

Location: Woodstock, Oxfordshire

Fairytale Farm: a farm park with a difference

A sensory and learning wonderland, Fairytale Farm will delight the whole family.

Location: Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire

Family fun at Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

The appeal of Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens goes way beyond its remarkable wildlife collection to breeding programmes and exuberant gardens.

Location: Burford, Oxfordshire

Ride on down to the Didcot Railway Centre

Enjoy a trip to Didcot Railway Centre, whose magnificent restored engines will take you steaming through most of the Oxfordshire countryside.

Location: Didcot, Oxfordshire

Explore the Midsomer Murders locations

Follow in the footsteps of Inspector Barnaby as you explore Causton, Midsomer Newton and more on the trail of the Midsomer Murders locations.

Location: Wallingford, Oxfordshire

Get close to nature at Oxford Botanic Garden

Pack your picnic and plan a day out at Oxford’s Botanic Garden where there is always something interesting to see in the gardens.

Go on a tour of Oxford University

A host of famous alumni and one... Harry Potter?

Plan a romantic escape to Malmaison Oxford

Enjoy chocolate dipped strawberries in a converted prison on a romantic break in Oxford.

Explore the 1,000-year history of Oxford Castle and Prison

Step back in time with costumed guided tours and see fascinating stories come to life.

Enjoy lavish shopping at Bicester Village

From Prada to the White Company, vintage to catwalk fashions, Bicester Village is the destination for shopaholics everywhere to head to.

Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire

Eat delicious seasonal food at the Wild Rabbit Inn

Pop in for a drink by the fire or a locally-sourced meal, and then stay over at this charming inn in the idyllic Cotswold village of Kingham.

Location: Chipping Norton, Cotswolds

Eat and drink by the riverside, at The Trout pub, Wolvercote

Sample local Oxfordshire food at this famously good pub on the banks of the River Thames.

Location: Wolvercote, Oxford

Rainy Day Activities: Explore Oxford's Museum of Natural History

Delve into Oxford University’s scientific archives, housed inside one of the city's most beautiful neo-Gothic buildings.

Lights, camera, Oxford – a screen tour to remember

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Historic Houses in Oxfordshire

This page Ardington House - Nuffield Place

• Map of Historic Houses in Oxfordshire
• Map of ALL Historic Houses in England
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These listings are primarily stately homes and manor houses. You might also be interested in our listings of historic buildings in Oxfordshire , which include everything from tithe barns to medieval cottages.

A pleasing, symmetrical house built by the Strong brothers in 1720. Ardington is Baroque in style, set amidst a lovely landscape of lawns and terraced gardens. The most prominent interior feature is the Imperial Staircase, one of the finest such designs in the country. This style of staircase begins as two separate flights that curve around to join each other halfway to the next floor. There is a variety of period furniture and family portraits. Church Street, Ardington, Wantage, Oxfordshire, England, OX12 8QA

Can one really call Blenheim a "house"? This place is massive, overwhelming, ostentatious, and amazing for all that. A gift from the grateful Queen Anne to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, for his victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Designed by Vanbrugh, and completed by Hawksmoor, with grounds by Capability Brown. Birthplace of Winston Churchill. Take your time, there's an awful lot to take in. Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, OX20 1PX

Home of the Fiennes family for over 600 years, begun about 1300 as a fortified manor. Maintains its medieval roots, though much of the decor is Tudor. Lovely little garden. Broughton, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, OX15 5EB

Buscot is a lovely stately home, built in the late 18th-century in the neo-classical style that was popular at that time. The house stands on a hill above the River Thames, looking out over beautiful landscape gardens and parkland. The house interior is notable for fine furniture and a superb art collection. The most imporetant part of the artwork is the Faringdon Collection, a collection of Old Master paintings and Pre-Raphaelite art. The most intriguing feature of the grounds is a 20th century water garden, with canals and classical bridges stretching down a gentle slope to a lake. Faringdon, Oxfordshire, England, SN7 8BU

Chastleton is one of the best-preseved Jacobean houses in England. The house was built in the early 17th century by the Throckmorton family, who have remained in continuous occupation ever since. The interior is a delightful jumble of rare and everyday objects, fine furniture and rare textiles collected over the centuries. There are both formal and informal garden areas, leading to woodland and riverside walks. Advance booking strongly recommended The maximum number of visitors admitted per day is limited. so advanced booking is a good idea. Chastleton, Moreton-in-Marsh, Oxfordshire, England, GL56 0SU

Historic House : The Gothic Style Manor House at the Cotswold Wildlife Park is set in the midst of 120 acres of gardens and parkland; it was built in 1804 to replace a previous Jacobean residence, and is at the centre of the 3,300 acres of Bradwell Grove Estate. Parts of the house are open to visitors. The former dining-room is now a brass rubbing centre and the drawing-room is used for meetings and lectures. The stables and outbuildings have been converted into the Reptile House and the Bat Belfry, plus various support services including quarantine facilities. Bradwell Grove, Burford, Oxfordshire, England, OX18 4JP

A lovely manor built in the 1660s, later remodelled. The interior features a cantilevered staircase, and visitors can view the drawing room, bedrooms, sitting room, and panelled library. The grounds are superlative, with colour throughout the year, offering a mix of formal gardens near the house and parkland further afield. Kingston Bagpuize, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England, OX13 5AX

Mapledurham House is a superb manor with a long and fascinating history, set in low-lying meadows on the north bank of the River Thames, looking across to Reading on the Berkshire bank. The Mapledurham estate goes back to the Domesday Book, but the current house is largely a product of the late 16th century. The Estate Office, Mapledurham, Reading, Oxfordshire, England, RG4 7TR

Milton Manor is an elegant 17th-century house [possibly] designed by Inigo Jones and extended from 1764 for Bryant Barrett, the official gold and silver lacemaker to King George III. The Gothic library is the most impressive interior room, while the house is set in a splendid garden location with two lakes and enjoyable woodland walks. Milton, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England, OX14 4EN

This unpretentious country residence was the home of William Morris, Lord Nuffield, philanthropist and founder of the Morris motor car company. One of the richest men in the world, Morris lived simply in this modest village house where you can see his workshop, family rooms, and pleasant gardens, all preserved in their original 1930s style. Huntercombe, Nuffield, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, England, RG9 5RY

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Oxfordshire Villages: The 20 Most Picturesque In The County

The county of Oxfordshire is most famously known for its medieval, prestigious university city of Oxford . But apart from the “City of Dreaming Spires,” visiting the sweet little villages of Oxfordshire offers some much-needed peace and tranquillity away from the bustling, beating heart of the county.

Here’s a look into some of the most beautiful, quintessentially English Oxfordshire villages.

Table of Contents

20 Wonderful Oxfordshire Villages:

The picturesque village of Aston welcomes you with its winding lanes of brick houses and thatched-roof cottages. Home to the Chimney Meadows, a 250-hectare nature reserve brimming with wildlife along the River Thames, you can soak in the rural British atmosphere at Aston. Be sure not to miss the green-winged orchids and meadow foxtails on the Thames National Trail Path.

Photo by Jun on Flickr

Often seen as Oxfordshire’s gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford rustic cottages and ivy-clad townhouses make it the perfect village to explore on a Sunday afternoon. Stop in at one of the tiny tea houses, pubs or eateries after walking across the medieval bridge that crosses the Windrush River.

Photo by Dave_S. on Flickr

The soaring tower of All Saints Church provides the backdrop for the village of Churchill. The Gothic Revival-style church itself has taken inspiration from three of Oxford University’s colleges and is a true spectacle to behold.

Photo by Tejvan Pettinger on Flickr

The charming village of Kelmscott is home to Kelmscott Manor, a beautiful limestone manor house complete with scenic gardens and pink flowers, a dovecote, lush green meadows and a tiny stream. If you’re visiting in the winter, stop by The Plough traditional pub, where you’ll be able to feast on local food by a cosy, roaring log fire.

Photo by Rictor Norton & David Allen on Flickr

Minster Lovell

If you’re fascinated by the paranormal and all things otherworldly, a visit to the village of Minster Lovell will satisfy your cravings. One of the most haunted villages, soak in the supernatural as you walk around the eerie ruins of Minster Lovell Hall at dusk. For a mouth-watering dinner, head over to The Minster Mill overlooking the Windrush River.

Photo by Hugh Llewelyn on Flickr

Kirtlington

The dreamy village of Kirtlington is nestled in the heart of Oxfordshire and boasts the charming honey-coloured cottages that the Cotswolds are famous for. Make sure you visit the Palladian country house Kirtlington Park, set in 3,000-acres of parkland overlooking the Chiltern Hills.

Photo by Kate Tann on Flickr

Great Rollright

For panoramic views over the countryside below, make sure to check out the scenic village of Great Rollright. Just a little outside the village you’ll find the mysterious Rollright Stones, an ancient stone circle comprising of the King Stone, the Whispering Knights and The Kings Men circle.

Photo by Iain Simpson on Flickr

The town of Witney is the largest market town in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. The market square itself is complete with 17 th century architecture including the Butter Cross, where centuries ago local women would gather to sell eggs and butter. If you’re visiting in the fall, be sure not to miss the celebrations, including the Witney Carnival, Witney Feast and the Wychwood Forest Fair.

The village of Bruern dates back to the year 1147, when an Abbey was recorded in the area – though it is possible the village history goes back even further than that. Stay overnight at the fairy-tale Bruern Cottages for a slice of life in the Cotswolds or explore the magical bluebell woods at the nearby Foxholes Nature Reserve. The enchanted village of Bruern is perfect for the whole family. 

Photo by Pedro. On Flickr

Downton Abbey fans might recognise areas of Shilton, as the village was used for the backdrop of the famous television program. Be sure to check out the picturesque ford that runs across The Shill brook as well as the lush village green and the Church of the Holy Rood, with its impressive Norman architecture.

Photo by Barry Marsh on Flickr

For award winning pubs and home-brewed real ale, Kingham is the best Oxfordshire village to head to. Pop into the Kingham Plough or The Wild Rabbit for a feast of traditional, locally sourced grub before visiting the village’s limestone cottages and ivy-clad buildings.

Photo by grassrootsgroundswell on Flickr

The honey-coloured, plant-trellised stone cottages of Swinbrook make the village one of the prettiest in Oxfordshire. Left untouched for decades, the place feels somehow trapped in a time loop, preserving the tranquillity of a traditional English village. Stroll across the old stone bridge that crosses the river to the majestic Swan Inn, for a delicious Sunday roast.

Photo by Barry March on Flickr

South Newington

Stroll along the dreamy country lanes and flower-clad stone houses of South Newington and take in the essence of a true English village. Stop at The Duck in the Pond pub for lunch before admiring the fine 14 th century wall paintings of the Church of St Peter ad Vincula.

Photo by Simon Cope on Flickr

Clifton Hampden

The charming thatched roof cottages and brick-arched bridge set the village of Clifton Hampden apart from the rest on this list. Cross over the former toll-bridge and stroll among the picket-fenced stone cottages before stopping at the Barley Mow pub for some delicious, British food.

Photo by Steve Parker on Flickr

The village of Asthall in the Windrush Valley is one of the oldest settlements, in the Cotswolds. The Church of St Nicholas itself with its mishmash of architectural styles dates back to the 1160s. Visit the stunning Elizabethan manor house, Asthall Manor, made of local Cotswold stone, or grab lunch at the atmospheric Maytime Inn before taking a scenic walking route around the village.

Photo by David Lisbona on Flickr

Home to Buckland House, a famous 1700s Palladian mansion, Buckland is a beautiful village with a mix of thatched roof houses and more modern buildings. Be sure not to miss the 12 th century parish church of St Mary the Virgin complete with stained glass and coloured tiles.

Photo by Alison Day on Flickr

One of the most picture-postcard Oxfordshire villages, with its traditional thatched roof honey stone cottages is the perfect village to stroll around and take in its quintessentially English charm. Host to the country’s Cornbury Music Festival in July, Great Tew offers more than just your regular Cotswold village.

Photo by foundin_a_attic on Flickr

The South-Oxfordshire village boasts an attractive pond at its heart, and plenty to see. Nearby the parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, you’ll find the Cloister, a square courtyard which is surrounded by thirteen red brick alms-houses. The local state primary school has magnificent wooden roof beams made from old ship’s timber and is definitely a sight to see too!

Photo by Giles Watson on Flickr

Thame is one of the prettiest market towns in Oxfordshire and a great place to pass a few hours. Come on a Tuesday to visit and browse one of the county’s best outdoor markets selling local fruits, vegetables, jams, chutneys and homemade delights.

Photo by Tom Bastin on Flickr

Just 6km from the city of Oxford, the village of Wheatley is everything you’d want and expect from an Oxfordshire village. Quaint cottages with flowers adorning the honey stone walls line the streets and church spires dot the sky above the parish. The Wheatley Windmill just outside the village dates back to 17 th century and is definitely worth a visit.

Photo by Christian Guthier on Flickr

Though all of the Oxfordshire villages mentioned are unique, they do have one thing in common, and that’s their picturesque beauty and unparalleled British charm. With their honey stone walls and trailing plants, eerie ruins and majestic churches, the villages in Oxfordshire are definitely worth a visit. 

Here are all our posts on English villages >>>

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Historic Oxfordshire Guide

Ben johnson, facts about oxfordshire.

This beautiful county sits securely between the Cotswold Hills and the Chiltern Hills with the River Thames meandering through the centre. It is perhaps most famous for its county town of Oxford , ‘city of dreaming spires’. Oxford University is made up of a collection of colleges, the oldest of which date to the mid 13th century. These glorious buildings draw thousands of tourists to the city every year.

Oxford is situated on the edge of the Cotswolds and some of the most beautiful Cotswold villages and towns are to found in Oxfordshire, such as Minster Lovell , Burford and Ascott under Wychwood .

Parents with small children will recognise the historic market town of Banbury from the famous nursery rhyme , 'Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross'. You can visit Banbury Cross, browse the shops and cafes, wander around the colourful market and stroll by the Oxford Canal. Just down the road from Banbury is Bicester for more retail therapy.

There are a number of historic mansions and stately homes to visit in Oxfordshire. In picturesque Woodstock, visit Blenheim Palace , birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Near Henley-on-Thames you will find Stonor Park, one of England’s oldest manor houses. Stonor must surely enjoy one of the most beautiful settings of any house in England.

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Things To Do in Oxfordshire

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The cultural capital of Oxfordshire is Oxford , The City of Dreaming Spires and there are plenty of tourist attractions to enjoy on days out. With its honey-coloured stone architecture, noble lawns and prestigious colleges, the unchanging beauty of this city will always dominate the county.

Learning and exploring are synonymous with this city, even for tourists. Why not start with a guided walking tour around the city that focuses on literature, film, geography and culture?

Places to visit in Oxfordshire

With countless city locations being used as the backdrop for television and film sets from Morse to Harry Potter, you may get a feeling of déjà vu. Oxfordshire is also home to several points of interest used for filming in the The hit ITV drama Downton Abbey including Bampton and Greys Court. Download a PDF guide to follow in the footsteps of the Crawley family.

In the north of Oxfordshire the lush and fertile Cherwell Valley is centred on the lovely town of Banbury , where you can really see a fine lady upon a white horse - or a statue of her, anyway. It's just one of the bustling market towns that punctuate a journey through Oxfordshire. For more information on places to visit in Oxfordshire, see our interactive map of Oxfordshire  detailing the county's towns and villages.

Things to do in Oxfordshire this weekend

Many of Oxfordshire's tourist attractions are open all year round so find something to do today with activities listings each showing a map and opening times for your convenience. Or why not browse our Oxfordshire events guide to find out what's happening this week.

Top 10 things to do in Oxfordshire

For things to do in Oxford, Bicester, Banbury, Henley-on-Thames and other Oxfordshire towns, browse our pick of the best attractions below or find a more comprehensive list of what to do and places to go at the bottom of the page.

• Blenheim Palace , Woodstock
• Bodleian Libraries , Oxford
• Kelmscott Manor , Lechlade
• Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway , Chinnor
• Stonor Park , Henley-on-Thames
• Cherwell Boathouse , Oxford
• C ogges Manor Farm , Witney
• Fairytale Farm , Chipping Norton 
• Hook Norton Brewery , Chipping Norton
• Waterperry Gardens , Oxford

Accommodation

With picturesque villages, breathtaking natural scenery, a world-renowned university city and over 6,000 years of history, if you're looking for places to stay in Oxfordshire , the county has it all if you find yourself wanting more time to explore.  The morden Courtyard by Marriott Oxford South is located a short hop away from Blenheim Palace and Bicester Village and with family-friendly interconnecting rooms, free Wi-Fi and a tasty childrens menu, it great access to the A34, makes for an ideal place to stay in explore Oxfordshire. 

List of things to do & places to visit for days out in Oxfordshire

For more information about Oxfordshire, including ideas for days out, accommodation and events, browse the county's things to do and towns and villages in the list below. Use the 'map view' button to find something near you.

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The Oxen Bar & Grill

6 Milton Gate, Abingdon

Take sanctuary from the street-level bustle and dive in to the flavours of local British cuisine at Oxen Bar & Grill, the all-day neighbourhood brasserie nestled in the Courtyard Oxford South Hotel. With leather snugs, Oxfordshire inspired details,…

Moulsford on Thames

Originally in Berkshire, this small Thames-side village was transferred to Oxfordshire in 1974 and is now part of South Oxfordshire.

Cherwell Boathouse

The Cherwell Boathouse is an iconic Oxford punt station and restaurant on the banks of the river Cherwell. Established in 1904, the family run Boathouse now has over 80 handmade punts in the water and is an idyllic spot for punting, dining and…

Hobbs of Henley Boat Hire

Hobbs of Henley – the best in boating since 1870.

Hobbs provides a variety of ways to enjoy the Royal River Thames from public cruises or self-drive and chauffeur-driven days out, to its newest boats, luxury Linnsen self-drive cruisers, the…

A short distance from Burford, the village overlooks the Windrush valley. The parish church is Norman, showing traces of earlier Saxon work. There is a fine yew tree in the churchyard with a girth of over 19ft and almost 1,000 years old!

Abingdon–on–Thames, a quaint, bustling market town nestled on the river Thames just waiting to be explored, 6 miles south of Oxford.

Steeped in history and dating back to the Saxon era, Abingdon-On-Thames is a rare gem. Holding claim to ‘the…

Reputedly England’s smallest town, nestling in the shadows of the Chiltern Hills, Watlington offers a traditional welcome, with specialist shopping, great hospitality and outstanding landscapes.

Charlbury, set in the heart of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, grew from a small clearing in the Wychwood Forest to become a prosperous market town, due largely to its reputation as a glove making centre during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Set around a pleasant market square, Bicester is one of Oxfordshire's most popular towns. Find things to do and explore nearby towns and villages.

Watlington Hill

Nature Trail / Watching

Discover an Oxfordshire dreamscape as you walk to the top of Watlington Hill, where you will find breathtaking views and fine wildlife all year round.

Spelsbury is a small village on the road between Chipping Norton and Charlbury. By the side of the road there is a large canopied water fountain, of honey coloured stone, built in memory of Constantine Augustus Dillon.

Some of the houses in the village are 17C but in 1939 Williams-Ellis, who had designed Portmeirion in north Wales, remodelled all the cottages in Cornwell.

Tucked away close to the Oxford Canal, the River Cherwell and north east of Woodstock, this character village has many stone buildings and its railway station provides easy access to Oxford and further afield.

Tackley Village Shop, a community…

Sauna At The Farm

Sport & Fitness Spa

Frilford, Abingdon

Sauna At The Farm is a beautiful outdoor wood fired sauna and cold immersion experience available for private hire. Private hire includes the sauna experience, hot tub and showers for up to 6 people at a time.

Oxfordshire Cotswolds

Throughout history, visitors have succumbed to the charm of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. Steeped in history, rich in heritage and awash with natural beauty, the Oxfordshire Cotswolds is rural England at its finest.

A charming blend of bustling…

Cogges Manor Farm

History and Heritage

The Cotswold stone farm buildings grouped around the farmyard and the manor house beyond provide a tranquil setting that belies its proximity to Witney’s bustling town centre.

Historic market town at the edge of the Cotswolds, Faringdon makes a great base for a short break in the Vale of White Horse and the Cotswolds. With easy access to many attractions, including the ridgeway, White Horse Hill, Buscot Park, Thames walks…

Great Rollright

Just north of Chipping Norton, set high on a hill and enjoying panoramic views across the valley, Great Rollright is the larger of The Rollrights, Little Rollright is 2 miles to the west, with the prehistoric Rollright Stones in between.

Dorchester-on-Thames

Dorchester On Thames

A charming, riverside, Oxfordshire village five miles from Wallingford, and nine miles from Oxford, Dorchester-on-Thames is steeped in history. Close to an Iron age hillfort, it was formerly a Celtic market centre and a Roman town, but it was the…

With its medieval bridge, old stone houses and attractive Tudor and Georgian frontages, Burford is justifiably one of the most picturesque towns in England. Often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’, the town was originally a fortified…

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Attractions and Places To See around Oxford - Top 10 | Komoot

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The Top 10 Attractions around Oxford

Iffley Lock

Bike Touring Highlight

Iffley Lock was built in 1632. When the lock was rebuilt in 1924 it was opened by Lord Desborough, then Chairman of the Thames Conservancy. This is commemorated by a … read more

Balliol College

Hiking Highlight

Founded in 1263, Balliol is one of Oxford’s oldest colleges and is the oldest academic institution in the English-speaking world still on its original site. English Prime Minister Boris Johnson … read more

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Bridge of Sighs

Hertford Bridge, often called "the Bridge of Sighs", is a skyway joining two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane in Oxford, England. Its distinctive design makes it a … read more

University of Oxford Botanic Garden

Oxford Botanic Garden was founded in 1621 as the first botanic garden in the UK. It is part of the University of Oxford and contains over 5,000 different plant species. … read more

Carfax Tower

Carfax Tower is all that remains of St Martin's Church, which was the official church of Oxford from 1122 until 1896, when it was demolished to make more room for … read more

Tip by Dan Hobson

The Trout Inn

The Trout Inn at Godstow is no ordinary pub. It's a stunning building in an exceptional location, right on the banks of the Thames outside Oxford. But it's not just … read more

Godstow Abbey

Some windows are still intact, but the glass elements are missing. Beautiful motif in the morning with fog.

Hertford Bridge (Bridge of Sighs)

Sheldonian theatre & clarendon building.

The Sheldonian Theatre, located in Oxford, England, was built from 1664 to 1669 after a design by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford. The building is named after Gilbert … read more

Tip by Edvard

Martyrs' Memorial, Oxford

Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, the monument was completed in 1843 after two years' work, having replaced "a picturesque but tottering old house". The Victorian Gothic memorial, whose design … read more

Popular around Oxford

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Explore the most popular Tours around Oxford

Are you keen on exploring more awesome places nearby? Browse our guides:

• Old Marston
• Blackbird Leys
• Risinghurst And Sandhills

Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions:

• South Oxfordshire
• Vale Of White Horse
• West Oxfordshire

Explore Oxfordshire: Top 35 Must-Visit Places in Oxford

The places to see in Oxford, England, are almost endless, especially considering the relatively small area of the city – the good thing is that most free things to do in Oxford are pretty cool. Strolling through Oxford will give you the feeling you’re into a walk-in museum – everywhere you look, at every turn, there is a gorgeous university that is over 8 centuries old!

Table of Contents

Top 10 Things to Do in Oxford

1. bodleian library.

As you step close to the building, you’ll really feel a magical vibe, as if you were stepping into a Hogwarts library! The Bodleian library is one of the oldest in the world and it is so mesmerizing that you’d really want to spend hours just admiring the architecture. And indeed, most of the top 10 things to do in Oxford are just like that – pretty and not just on the outside! However, if you’d like to enjoy the vast collection of the library, you’d need to literally take an oath – it used to be just an oral one, but with time, it turned into a written one. This oath is, as follows:

I hereby undertake not to remove from the Library, nor to mark, deface, or injure in any way, any volume, document or other object belonging to it or in its custody; not to bring into the Library, or kindle therein, any fire or flame, and not to smoke in the Library; and I promise to obey all rules of the Library.

2. Radcliffe Camera

It’s not just the Italians that are good at building duomos (domes)! The Radcliffe Camera in Oxford has one of the largest domes in the country and it is just as pretty as the Italian ones. You can only visit it with a guided tour, but even seeing it from the outside, you’ll really appreciate it as one of the best things to do in Oxford.

3. Christ Church & College

We can’t talk about top 10 things to do in Oxford and not mention the stunning Christ Church! It’s quite a large complex, and the nearby meadow would be perfect for a picnic on a sunny day. The Tom Tower of Christ Church was actually even designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the most renowned architect in England. Christ Church is such a popular university, that among its alumni are over a dozen prime ministers, archbishops and even Lewis Carroll!

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If you’re a Harry Potter fan – the Great Hall was a huge inspiration for the dining hall in the movies! And not just that – it even inspired similar halls in Harvard and Cornell. If you’re looking for more curious Harry Potter sights, check out my post on nerdy things to see in London . You can also explore all of the Harry Potter sights in Christ Church via a guided tour !

4. Bridge of Sighs

It’s not just Venice that has a Bridge of Sighs – Oxford does too (and even Cambridge, to be precise)! If you’re a student of Hertford, chances are that you’ll be crossing it every day <3 However, it was never intended for this Bridge of Sighs to be similar to the one in Venice. In fact, it’s actually more similar to Rialto in Venice than the Venetian Bridge of Sighs! You’ll find this best thing to do in Oxford right at the heart of the city – next to the Bodleian Library.

5. The Sheldonian Theatre

The Sheldonian Theatre absolutely made me want to be a student again! This gorgeous building is only open for special events – concerts and graduation ceremonies. If you’re an Oxford student, you’ll visit it twice – for the acceptance ceremony and for your graduation one.

The theatre was, too, built by Sir Christopher Wren. It got its name from the Archbishop of Canterbury – Gilbert Sheldon, chancellor of the university and sponsor of the building.

6. Merton College Chapel

The Merton College Chapel is one of the best things to do in Oxford that you shouldn’t skip! It’s a Gothic 13th century church that is pretty inside an out, so step inside and you won’t regret it <3

7. Magdalen College

In my opinion, after Christ Church, the Magdalen College has the prettiest buildings in the city! When looking for places to see in Oxford and it popped up, I was really excited to see it in person when scrolling through all the pretty pictures. No wonder it’s also one of the wealthiest universities in Oxford – the financial endowment for 2018 was £273.2 million!

8. Ashmolean Museum

We can’t skip the world’s first university museum in the top 10 things to see in Oxford! It has a few floors with different curious exhibitions. On the lower ground floor, you’ll find textiles, money, reading and writing historical objects, while the ground floor holds pieces from many different ancient cultures – Greece, Egypt, China. If you’re looking to explore the Mediterranean – go to the first floor, and Western cultural pieces from Japan and China are on the second floor. The Ashmolean museum’s opened a contemporary art floor – the third floor, in 2011.

The museum is open every day from 10am to 5pm and the admission is free !

9. University Church of St Mary the Virgin

This Gothic church with a baroque porch is proclaimed by historians as one of the most beautiful in all of England. And no wonder – it is a truly breathtaking place to visit in Oxford! You can even climb the tower for just £4 and enjoy the spectacular view from above <3 The steps are just 127, so not that many, especially as compared to Florence’s towers with steep 300+ steps.

10. University College

This is actually the oldest college of the University of Oxford! Some of its most prominent alumni include Bill Clinton and Stephen Hawking! 🙂 If you’re curious to know more, check out these fun facts about Oxford university .

Fun Things to Do in Oxford

11. the round tower of balliol college.

The lovely Balliol College has one of the cutest towers I’ve ever seen – as I call it, the Rapunzel tower 🙂 It’s right at the heart of the city, so you wouldn’t be able to miss it even if you wanted to. It’s also close to a parking space in the middle of the street.

12. Treasure Hunt Oxford

I must admit I’m an absolute sucker for treasure hunts! I’ve been on a few and I have even organised tiny ones for friends. One of the loveliest things you can experience in the city is Treasure Hunt Oxford . It’s self-guided, so you won’t need to worry about social distance and you can do it on your own pace. You won’t just have fun, but you’ll learn a lot about the city too – an afternoon well spent!

13. Punting on the River Cherwell

If you’re visiting Oxford in the summer (or late spring/early autumn), punting on the river is one of the most fun things to do in Oxford! The punts (or small boats) fit up to 6 people and cost about £18-20 per hour or £90-100 per day. You can find more information on this boathouse’s website .

14. Museum of Modern Art Oxford

Okay, I’ll admit it – I’m not much into modern art. But this is what makes it all the more fun for me – as I don’t understand it at all, some of the pieces and installations are pretty odd and fun for me! However, the Museum of Modern Art in Oxford holds different talks, movie screenings and even music events, which makes it a very cool thing to visit in Oxford.

15. Oxford University Museum of Natural History

If you’re visiting the city with kids, they will absolutely appreciate this as one of the most fun things to do in Oxford! I, myself, am a huge fan of natural history museums (especially the huge one in London!). This Oxford museum is free , so you should absolutely take a stroll if you have time – you’ll find curious exhibitions of bacteria, fossil reconstructions, birds and even woodland management.

16. Pitt Rivers Museum

Well, while you’re inside the Museum of Natural History in Oxford – go to the building on the East, as you can only access the Pitt Rivers Museum through the Natural History one. However, it’s a very cool thing to do in Oxford – you will see shrunken heads, figurines from around the world, Japanese Noh masks and many other curious artefacts. Admission is free !

17. The Covered Market

If you love the London markets (the Greenwich one is definitely my favorite!), you must absolutely visit the Covered Market in Oxford! Over 50 traders have chosen it as their main place of business. You’ll find many different items – from clothes, to food (iScream! haha), shoes, souvenirs and handmade items <3

18. Oxford Castle Unlocked

The Oxford Castle is naturally one of the oldest buildings in the city – it’s over 1,000 years old! If you couldn’t climb the tower of Saint Mary’s, you can absolutely climb the Saxon St. George’s Tower in the castle! Another spectacular view of the city from above. And it’s not just the tower that will convince you this is a very fun thing to do in Oxford – you can visit the underground crypt, the prison and even learn a bit more about the inmates.

19. Lewis Carroll’s local favorites

For those of you that don’t remember – the Lewis Carroll’s real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (who was another Christ Church alumni!) One of Charles’ favorite things to do was to row a boat on the Thames, while entertaining his boss’s children by telling them stories. And this is how he got to know the cute little girl named Alice, that inspired his famous “Alice in Wonderland” ! You can find Alice’s Shop in Oxford (where the girl supposedly bought candy when she was little) which is full of cute souvenirs from related to the books.

There are many many locations that refer to our favorite Alice, if you’re curious, follow this to read the ultimate guide to Alice in Wonderland in Oxford !

20. The Headington Shark

Source: Giuseppe Morlando, Flickr

This is the one fun thing to do in Oxford that I am super sad that I missed, as I found out about it about a month after my visit! It’s a 7-meter long shark which has landed on a house… or maybe it tried to eat it? Who knows! Find this amazing sight at Number 2, New High Street in Oxford.

Free Things to Do in Oxford

Most museums at Oxford are free – the Ashmolean museum, the Natural History museum, the Pitt Rivers museum, and most of the top things to see in Oxford can also be enjoyed from the outside. However, here are some more ideas for free things to do in Oxford:

21. Footprint tours – free walking tours

Out of all the free things to do in Oxford, the Footprint walking tours are definitely some of the most fun! But what is it that makes them different? Well, your guide will be an Oxford student, how cool is that?? If you’d like to save a spot in such a tour or to get the audio guide version, follow this link for Footprint tours .

22. Museum of the History of Science

If you’re looking for a very curious free thing to do in Oxford, the Museum of the History of Science is your best bet! Here are some of the most fascinating things you can find there: blackboard used by Albert Einstein, Lewis Carroll’s photo equipment, Wimshurst twin plate electrostatic machine and X-ray material and even original penicillin culture and specimen!!

Although the museum is free, donations are always encouraged, especially if you enjoy it 🙂

23. Museum of Oxford

A great thing about this free thing to do in Oxford is that it’s almost never full! The Museum of Oxford has one main goal – to tell the story of the people that live/lived in the city. Compared to the other Oxford attractions, this museum is pretty small as it is located in the town hall.

Please remember to check the opening times before your visit, as the museum is currently under some major reconstructions!

24. University Parks – South Park

If you’d like to enjoy a lovely walk around nature, a picnic, or even a fitness trial – don’t skip South Park in Oxford! If you have some extra pounds to spare, you can even enjoy a hot air balloon during the summer months (just look for Adventure Balloons), but if you’re keen on keeping it free – go for the “dreaming spires” for another lovely view of the city of Oxford.

25. Port Meadow

Welcome to the land that has never been plowed! It is said that this is Oxford’s “oldest monument”, and a few artefacts dating as far back as the Stone Age have been found here. Other than it’s fascinating history, it’s another perfect sight for a walk around nature and enjoy the Thames.

26. University of Oxford Botanic Gardens

Spend an afternoon at the Oxford Botanic Gardens – the perfect free thing to do in Oxford! You can explore the glasshouses where you’ll find a rainforest and carnivorous plants, the orchard in the lower garden or the lovely walled garden.

The botanic gardens also have a “Arboretum” – a section dedicated just for trees which is especially beautiful in the summer, when the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom. The arboretum is home to a few animals as well – peacocks, bunnies and cute little foxes!

Where to Park in Oxford

There are a few parking spots in Oxford where you can leave your car and enjoy a walk around the city center and the most important areas. However, the paid car parks on the street in the center are very limited in terms of time – only about 1 or 2 hours, which won’t be enough for you at all.

If you’re doing Oxford as a day trip from London, I recommend choosing Glouchester Green car park or the Worchester​ one. Both are in the city center, but there is no time limit when using them.

Things to Do in Oxfordshire

Now that we’ve exhausted the list of places to visit in Oxford, let’s see what you can explore nearby!

Bibury is an absolute MUST if you’re visiting Oxford! It’s less than an hour away from Oxford (opposite direction of London), and we decided to combine the two for the perfect day trip from London. It’s not a very popular destination, and even though you will surely see tourists around, you’ll also find it very quiet with even few cars passing by.

Bibury has been described as one of the most picturesque villages in all of Europe and it is indeed so charming, it will take your breath away! Explore the Arlington row with the cotswolds, Bibury trout farm, and Arlington mill museum.

28. The Cotswolds

Besides Bibury (which is not the absolute typical cotswolds destination), here are some other great ideas for places to visit near Oxford:

• Woodstock – this is actually the birthplace of Winston Churchill! Visit his hometown and enjoy the spectacular Georgian town in Oxfordshire.
• Northleach – in addition to the actual cotswolds, there is also an old prison where nowadays you can grab a cafe in!
• Churchill – among its most spectacular attractions is a beautiful Victorian fountain
• Barnsley – this is one of the smallest (but maybe cutest!) cotswold villages. But still – it has a church, a pub (duh!) and a luxury hotel!

You can also explore the cotswolds via a guided tour from London !

29. The Blenheim Palace (Woodstock)

Source: Tim Armstrong, Flickr

If you’re in Woodstock to enjoy the cotswolds, you must absolutely visit the palace too! This place to visit near Oxford offers some breathtaking sights – it even has a maze! The formal and pleasure gardens, the butterfly house, the miniature train are all things you can see just on the outside, while the inside offers all you can want in a palace – lavishness and luxury. Walk in Churchill’s footsteps and don’t look back! Find out more in their official website .

30. Fly over the Cotswolds with Finest Hour Experiences (Bicester)

If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing Oxfordshire from above – this is your perfect chance! You can even learn to fly in the open cockpit of the lovely biplane. The prices aren’t THAT bad – about £200 for 20 minutes (depending on what you’re looking for), but the experience is absolutely unforgettable. Find out more at the Finest Hour Experiences website.

31. River & Rowing Museum (Henley-on-Thames)

With its unique and one-of-a-kind collection, the River & Rowing museum is a lovely place to visit near Oxford. The Wind in the Willows “cave” is the most fascinating of its items, but if you’re visiting Henley-on-Thames with children, there is a designated area where they can play, dress up and enjoy creating art. Check out the museum’s website for more!

32. The Stonor Park & House (Henley-on-Thames)

Visit one of the oldest family homes that is still inhabited today! The park itself is pretty large – it has 3 main gardens: the Italianate Pleasure Garden, the old Kitchen Garden and the Arboretum (tree garden). You will also find wildlife (among which even deer!), a chapel and history of the Stonor family.

33. Hook Norton Brewery (Chipping Norton)

If you have enjoyed the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam , you will love the Hook Norton Brewery! It’s a traditional preserved Victorian brewery where you can even  brew your own beer in its designated micro-brewery. Take a tour, explore it and try some of the most delicious beer – Hooky Mild, Hooky, Lion, Old Hooky or the Double Stout. This is certainly a hidden gem place to visit near Oxford, don’t you think?

34. The Broughton Castle (Banbury)

Source: gareth.j0nes, Flickr

The Broughton Castle is actually a huge fortified manor and it’s over 700 years old. Its rooms will remind you more of a palace than a castle – lavish, pretty and lots of artwork and paintings around. The garden of the castle is not that large, but it is mesmerizing in the spring!

35. The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway (Chinnor)

As compared to most of the things to do in Oxfordshire, this attraction is very new – it opened in 2018! Volunteers collected over £750,000 over 25 years in order to revive the heritage railway. Enjoy the 12 km round-trip steam ride or sign up to solve a supper murder mystery!! There are lots and lots of different activities, so plan your visit very well beforehand, in order to catch the specific date. See all of their activities and dates here .

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Explore breathtaking new destinations and immerse into different cultures through my lens <3 Travel guides, travel tips and lots of things to do in each destination!

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Best Castles near Oxford

To many people, as soon as they imagine Oxford, their mind jumps to the world-famous university, and all of the various colleges; Oxford is a city of so much more than its university, but the buildings and heritage attached to them is nonetheless stunning, and an enormous pull-factor to many tourists visiting the area.

When meandering through the narrow, cobbled streets of Oxford which are lined with quaint and colourful shops and pubs, it truly feels as though you have entered an entirely different world, and it has inspired many authors and their fantasy literary worlds throughout history, such as Lewis Carroll, JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis.

Yet, outside of the charming centre lies a span of the countryside that is dotted with equally fascinating castles, that offers another side of history that cannot be seen in the city. This list will highlight the best castles that are near to Oxford, their key points of interest, as well as practical information, such as location, and opening and closing times.

The Best 12 Castles To Visit Near Oxford

1. oxford castle.

Situated in central Oxford lies the partially ruined Oxford Castle, which is a large and impressive Norman medieval castle . Before the stone castle was built in the 12 th  century, an original motte and bailey castle stood in its place, and it played a critical role during the Anarchy of the 13 th  century.

Prior to the 14 th  century, the castle was primarily involved in military conflict and battle, but at this point, its role was limited, and it converted its function to that of county administration, as well as a prison.

Unfortunately, a large portion of the castle was destroyed during the midst of the English Civil War, and what was left became Oxford’s prison again, after having been converted into a watchtower.

This prison existed until the year 1996 when the castle was renovated primarily into a visitor attraction and a hotel; today, the castle can be visited, and it is a Grade I listed building.

Where:  Oxford, England When : 12 th  century Style : Medieval Open for visit:   Yes, Oxford castle is guided tour only.  Check here for more information.

Find here the best castles to stay in England.

2. Donnington Castle

Situated in the scenic English village of Donnington, which is near to the larger town of Newbury in the Berkshire County, lies the ruined medieval Donnington Castle. It was originally founded in the year 1386 by Sir Richard Abberbury the Elder, before later being sold to the son of the famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas Chaucer in the year 1398.

Fascinatingly, the family came into conflict with the Tudor monarchy of the time, and Donnington Castle eventually became a royal property; King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I visited the castle during the 16 th  century.

All that remains today is the gatehouse of the castle, as Parliament had voted in 1646 to demolish the castle; today, the castle is in the hands of English Heritage and is a great place to visit for a walk across the countryside and to absorb some history.

Where : Donnington, England When : 1386 Style : Medieval Open for visit : Yes, check here for more information.

3. Broughton Castle

Broughton Castle is a stunning medieval fortified manor house, that lies in the scenic village of Broughton, which is in close proximity to Banbury in Oxfordshire.

The castle was initially built as a manor house by Sir John de Broughton in the year 1300 and it was naturally moated; it was later sold in the year 1377 to William of Wykeham, who was the Bishop of Winchester, and it has remained in this family since then.

In 1550, the castle was renovated from the medieval manor house that it started out as into the contemporary Tudor style; many grand features were added, such as impressive windows and turrets.

The castle combines an array of different architectural styles, both externally and internally, such as the 14th-century chapel, which is in the Gothic style, and then other parts, that are grand and Renaissance in inspiration.

Where : Broughton, England When : 1300 Style:  A range of different styles Open for visit : Yes, check here for more information.

4. Sudeley Castle

Situated near to the town of Winchcombe in Gloucestershire , in the midst of luscious grounds and nature, lies the stunning Sudeley Castle. The castle that exists today was originally built during the 15 th  century, upon the grounds of a previously existing castle, that is believed to date back to the 12 th  century.

Some of the highlights of Sudeley Castle and its grounds include the enormous gardens, which was incredibly well-maintained, and are full of beautiful trees and flowers; there is also a stunning chapel called St Mary’s Sudeley, which is interestingly where Queen Catherine Parr is buried, who was the sixth wife of King Henry VIII. Sudeley Castle is a Grade I listed building, and is incredibly important culturally; today, it is open to the public.

Where:  Winchcombe, England When : 15 th  century Style:  Renaissance Open for visit : Yes, check here for more information.

Check out:  Famous castles to visit in England. 

5. Berkhamsted Castle

Located in the town of Berkhamsted in the scenic county of Hertfordshire, lies Berkhamsted Castle, and it is a historic Norman motte and bailey castle. It was originally built with the purpose of maintaining control of a key trading route that ran between London and the Midlands, during the era of the Norman conquest of England, which was in the 11 th  century.

It is believed that construction was overseen by Robert of Mortain, who was the half brother of William the Conqueror, and he also became the owner of the castle.

The castle underwent a large amount of military conflict throughout the years, and played a key role in many battles; in turn, it was heavily damaged on several occasions, and rebuilt in the style of the time, giving it a range of different style today.

Where : Berkhamsted, England When : 11 th  century Style : Medieval Open for visit:  Yes.  Check here for more information.

6. Castle Ashby House

Capturing the essence of the traditional English country house, Castle Ashby House is a historic mansion in Castle Ashby, in Northamptonshire in England, and is famous for being one of the seats of the Marquess of Northampton.

The very original castle was built in approximately the year 1306 by Walter Langton, who was the Bishop of Coventry after he wanted to expand his mansion.

The castle that exists today was largely constructed in the 16 th  century, by Henry Compton, who was the 1 st  Baron Compton, and then later was continued by his son. Interestingly, the castle was visited by Queen Elizabeth I in the year 1600, and it was also stayed in by King James and his wife in the year 1605.

Today, the castle is a popular site to visit and explore, as it has so much history to offer, and it is architecturally beautiful as well.

Where:  Castle Ashby, England When : 14 th  century Style : Renaissance Open for visit : Yes, for more information, check here.

7. Windsor Castle

Located in the town of Windsor in the county of Berkshire lies the royal residence of Windsor Castle, which is a world-famous castle, and universally recognised for its associations with the British royal family throughout history.

The original castle was built during the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror, during the 11 th  century; it had the original function of protecting the Normans in the outskirts of London, as well as being a defensive presence, and overlooking the key part of the River Thames.

During the English Civil War, the castle functioned as the Parliamentary military headquarters, and also imprisoned Charles I; Charles II later rebuilt a large portion of the castle in the grand Baroque style that was so popular during the 17 th  century.

Today, the castle is a very popular tourist destination, as visitors are fascinated by the vast history that is present at the site, as well as the immense and wonderful grounds, which make for the perfect place to embark on an afternoon stroll and soak in the heritage.

Where : Windsor, England When : 11th-century origins Style : Baroque Open for visit:  Usually open daily but closures can happen at short notice – Check the  website  ahead of time for exact opening times.

You might want to check out the  best castles near London. 

8. Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

Located in the gorgeous English town of Kenilworth, which lies in the Warwickshire country of England, lies the beautiful Kenilworth Castle, as well as the stunning Elizabethan Garden that is also on the site.

The castle was originally founded in the early 1120s by Geoffrey de Clinton, who was the Lord Chamberlain, and also the treasurer to Henry I.

Up until the 18 th  century, the castle was in its prime, and played pivotal roles in many important battles and military conflicts, before being abandoned and left to ruin.

During the 18 th  and 19 th  centuries, the castle was largely used as a farm, but was becoming increasingly used as a tourist attraction; the cultural importance of the castle also rose after Sir Walter Scott visited, and wrote ‘Kenilworth’ in 1821, which painted the castle and its history in an incredibly romantic way, and has captured the imagination of many visitors since.

Where:  Kenilworth, England When : 12 th  century Style:  Medieval Open for visit:  Yes.  Check here for more information.

9. Warwick Castle

Like many English medieval castles, Warwick Castle, which is located in Warwick, in Warwickshire, England, was originally constructed by William the Conqueror, and it was built in around the year 1068.

The original castle was built as a wooden motte and bailey structure, but this did not hold up to military needs, and it was rebuilt in stone during the 12 th  century.

Warwick Castle has a very stereotypically medieval façade, as it was built during the 14 th  century, after having been refortified after being heavily damaged during the Hundred Years War.

The castle functioned as a stronghold until the 17th century, that was until it was granted to Sir Fulke Greville, by James I; it was at this point that it was transformed into a country house by the family, who later became Earls of Warwick during the middle of the century. Today, the castle is owned by the Tussauds Group and is open to the public.

Where:  Warwick, England When : 1068 Style:  Medieval Open for visit:  Yes.  Check here for more information.

10. Guildford Castle

Located in the town of Guildford, in the stunning English county of Surrey, lies Guildford Castle, which is am impressive and historic medieval fortress. Guildford Castle is believed to have been built by William the Conqueror, shortly after the famous invasion of England, in the year 1066.

Primarily used as a royal residence throughout the centuries, it did also play the role of a fortress from time to time, though very much less so than other castles in England, as it was never attacked. It did play a key role in the English Civil War, however, where the castle’s defences were strengthened.

Today, many visitors come to Guildford Castle for a day out, to explore the lovely town, and to soak in some local history; there are also some beautiful gardens, that feature a beautiful array of flowers, such as the original moat, which is now bursting with colour.

Where : Guildford, England When : 1066 Style:  Medieval Open for visit : Yes, check here for more information.

11. Highclere Castle

Located in the county of Hampshire in England, lies the incredibly famous and easily recognisable Highclere Castle. The house that exists today is built upon the site of an earlier structure, that dates back to the Middle Ages, and is believed to have been the palace of the Bishops of Winchester, who owned the site since the 9 th  century, as was recorded in the Domesday Book.

The house that stands today was built in the 18 th  century, and was designed by Capability Brown; it was later renovated in the 19 th  century by Charles Barry, in the Jacobethan style.

Architecturally, this castle is incredibly impressive, and it stands amazingly tall and proud in the surrounding grounds. In modern-day, the castle is famous for being the setting for the popular series, Downtown Abbey, which attracts many visitors annually.

Where : Highclere, England When : 18 th  century Style : Jacobethan Open for visit:  Yes, selected dates only – See the  website  for details.

12. Wolvesey Castle

Located in Winchester, which is in the Hampshire country of England, and right next to Winchester Catherdral, lies Wolversey Castle, which is a ruined castle, sometimes referred to as the Old Bishops Palace.

The original castle, on the same site, was built in approximately the year 970; later in 1110, William Giffard, who was the second Norman bishop, built a new hall on the site, which was later added to between the years 1135 and 1138 by Henry of Blois, who was the brother of King Stephan.

Later, in around 1684, a new, grand baroque palace was constructed for George Morley, under the leadership of Thomas Finch, and it was incredibly impressive. Today, the castle is open to the public, who enjoy exploring the grounds and uncovering the many layers of history.

Where : Winchester, England When : 970 origins Style : Ruined baroque Open for visit : Yes, check here for more information.

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The 24 best things to do in Oxford right now

From leafy quads and world-class museums to a thriving arts and music scene, these are the best things to do in Oxford

The world-class  museums . The scenic waterways and parks. The hallowed halls and libraries and corridors where Nobel Prize-winners, prime ministers and literary giants spent their formative years. Oxford is chock-full of brilliant things to see and do, and best of all, many of them are free to visit. Sure, several of the most famous attractions – from punting and choir services to galleries filled with ancient treasures – have something to do with the city’s storied university. But alongside all the Oxbridge buzz, you’ll find a rich industrial past, meandering rivers crying out to be explored by kayak or paddleboard, and a strong arts and music scene that brings a little edge to this most conservative of cities. Read on for the best.

RECOMMENDED: 🏛️ The best   museums in Oxford 🍴 The best restaurants in Oxford 🏨 The   best hotels in Oxford

This guide was recently updated by  Lauren Corona , a writer based in Oxford.  At Time Out, all of our  travel guides  are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our  editorial guidelines . 

An email you’ll actually love

Things to see in Oxford

1.  Tour the collections at the Ashmolean Museum

What is it? Britain’s oldest public museum, home to a collection that spans continents and cultures.

Why Go? A redevelopment turned this magnificent, neo-classical but once-stuffy museum into a modern, light-filled space packed with treasures. Choose a theme and delve into the history of Chinese porcelain, medieval musical instruments or European art. You’ll find works by Michelangelo, Raphael, Pissarro and Turner here, along with Samurai armour, a Stradvari violin, Japanese netsuke and everything in between.

Don’t Miss: The Ashmolean’s rooftop bar and restaurant offer a slick menu, great service and a bird’s eye view of the city.

2.  Go behind-the-scenes on a University of Oxford tour

What is it? A behind-the-scenes tour of the university’s colleges, quads and libraries led by those who know it best – its students and alumni. Why go? Didn’t make the cut for the UK’s most prestigious university? Don’t worry, you can still see its hallowed halls, hushed quads and candle-lit chapels on this walking tour that explores its history, ceremonies and weird traditions as well as offering a personal account of what it’s like to study here.

3.  Marvel at baroque country pile Blenheim Palace

What is it? A massive country house with landscaped formal gardens and extensive parkland. It was the birthplace of Winston Churchill and is now home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough as well as regular festivals and events. Why go? Escape the city and get a glimpse of how the other half lives in this baroque pile in the Oxfordshire countryside. Although strictly speaking, it’s not a palace, its size and splendour are such that it could easily be. Tour the ostentatious State Rooms, see where Churchill was born, walk the parklands, lose yourself in the yew maze, and check out Ai Weiwei’s monumental Gilded Cage.

Don’t miss: Take the ‘Upstairs Tour’ for an exclusive peek at the private apartments of the Marlborough family and see where Charlie Chaplin, Bill Clinton and Sylvester Stallone once stayed.

4.  Expand your brain at Pitt Rivers Museum

What is it? Oxford’s world-famous museum of archaeology and ethnography where you can discover everything from reindeer knickers and mummified cats to blowpipes and Japanese libation sticks. Why go? It takes a minute for your eyes to adjust to the half light of the enormous tiered galleries of the Pitt Rivers Museum but once they do, you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. A vast and otherworldly collection of treasures from around the world packed into glass cases and dominated by a giant totem pole, it’s an armchair traveller’s delight and the place to find out about tribal rituals, ancient ceremonies and cultural beliefs across the globe.

Don’t miss : There’s so much to see here it’s hard to take it all in, but the body art and ornament section explores the history of beautification from head shaping and tooth sharpening to piercing and tattooing.

5.  Check out a Divine Schism show

What is it? Divine Schism  is an independent music promoter that puts on gigs at a range of music venues across Oxford.

Why go? Want to get a taste of the Oxford music scene that nurtured bands like Radiohead and Foals? This is where to head. You'll find local bands playing with up-and-coming acts from across the globe in small venues with a great atmosphere. There's something for a range of music fans, with everything from indie pop to folk to punk on the menu. You'll often find multiple shows a week to choose from. 

6.  Cruise down the river

What is it? A river trip past Oxford’s boathouses and meadows into bucolic English countryside. The same scenery, as it happens, that inspired ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Why go? Like its academic rival Cambridge, Oxford is encircled by pastoral scenery. You could strap on your walking boots, or you could kick back and relax on board a boat that plies the same river Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell once floated down while befriending white rabbits, red queens and sleepy dormice.

7.  Picnic on Port Meadow

What is it? Said to be Oxford’s oldest monument, this huge meadow is edged by the Thames and a popular outdoor haunt.

Why Go? Need some big sky views? Head for Port Meadow, an ancient grassland grazed by ponies and cattle and loved by walkers, picnickers, birders and photographers. Pick up a picnic in Jericho along the way, bring a blanket and sit back and relax.

Don’t Miss: It’s all good and well getting some fresh air here but you’ll need to freshen up with a drink in The Perch, an ancient thatched inn by the river with a gorgeous garden.

8.  Eat brunch at Green Routes

What is it? A cute café with a vegetarian (mostly vegan) menu and excellent coffee from local coffee roastery Routes. 

Why go? Green Routes has a cracking brunch and lunch menu that's plant-based but won't disappoint meat eaters. With whitewashed walls and tons of plants, it's a trendy spot on the already trendy Magdalen Road. Here, you're just off vibrant Cowley Road, which lined with independent shops and great places to eat and drink, so the neighbourhood is well worth checking out too. 

Don't miss: The Number 39 Bap is ridiculously good, as are the pancakes. 

9.  Get spell-bound on a Harry Potter locations tour

What is it?  A small-group tour of the spellbinding Oxford locations used in the shooting of the Harry Potter films.  Why go?  Know right where the sorting hat would put you? Run into the wall at King’s Cross station? Need to know more? Tour Oxford’s streets and colleges to see the inspiration behind Hogwarts' great hall and Knockturn Alley and visit the real life Divinity School which was used as a backdrop for the Hogwarts infirmary and classroom scenes. Geek out with a Potter-mania quiz along the way and learn how life in Hogwarts compares to university life today.

10.  Grab a pint at the Tap Social Taproom

What is it? A local brewery with a penchant for social justice, employing prisoners and prison-leavers, with a trendy taproom in Botley just outside of central Oxford.

Why go? Located a 30-minute walk or short bus ride from the station, in the Botley area of Oxford, Tap Social is a great chance to get away from the bustle of Oxford's busier parts and get the local experience. There's great beer on tap, both from Tap Social itself and other small breweries. You can grab top-notch pizza on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and make sure you check for its weekly events, from movie nights to  comedy and live music. 

Don't miss: T he Market Tap, a smaller Tap Social taproom in Oxford's iconic covered market, if you don't want to venture too far out of the city centre. 

11.  See the city from the water

What is it? An Oxford rite of passage, and a great way to see the city from a different perspective. 

Why Go? Meandering along the river past college buildings and manicured parks is the quintessential way to see Oxford – especially if someone else is doing the punting. Sit back, relax, watch out for stray branches, and make sure you’re the one holding the Pimms and not the pole.

Don’t Miss: Steer clear of the main river where you’ll have to share the water with rowing eights, paddleboarders and fishermen, and stick to the backwaters instead. The best bet is to head up the Cherwell to the Victoria Arms for a pint and a picnic.

12.  Get spooked on a theatrical ghost trail

What is it? An interactive, dramatic and ghoulish tour of Oxford's history with some spooky shenanigans thrown in.   Why go? Possibly one of the most entertaining ways to while away an evening in Oxford, this walking tour is led by costumed actors who lay bare the city’s gruesome past and brutal murders, and conjure up the many spectres that haunt its streets. Hear stories of fallen cavalry and how Dead Man’s Walk got its name before ending up at one of Oxford's most famous pubs.

13.  Travel the world with Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum

What is it? The UK’s oldest botanic garden and its 130 acres of woodland, which between them, house species from across the globe. Why go? Established 400 years ago to grow plants for medicinal research, Oxford’s botanic gardens and giant glasshouses contain more than 6,000 types of plant including specimens used to treat cancer and heart complaints as well as carnivorous plants and tropical wonders.

Don’t miss: The Harcourt Arboretum, a ten-minute drive away, to see spring magnolias, rhododendrons and bluebells in full glory, or the autumnal glow of acers and redwoods.

14.  See an indie film at Ultimate Picture Palace

What is it? An old-school, independent cinema beloved by residents of East Oxford showing a mix of indie, classic and mainstream films. Why go? Forget the corporate blandness of cinema chains and go instead to the Ultimate Picture Palace to watch either the latest Hollywood-does-indie film or a brilliant black-and-white classic. Sundays were made for this.

15.  Attend candle-lit Evensong at Magdalen College

What is it? A 40-minute choral service that gives a sneak peek of college life as well as a chance to hear magnificent music.

Why Go? You don’t need to be religious or even musical to appreciate Evensong in an Oxford college chapel. The hushed atmosphere, classical architecture and solemn sense of purpose make an impression long before the first chord is struck. Once the organ gets going and the voices rise, you’ll find the hairs on your neck rising as you’re transported to a hgher spiritual ground.

Don’t Miss: Although many of the Oxford colleges allow members of the public to join Evensong services, Magdalen is known as one of the best.

16.  Tour Oxford’s backwaters by kayak

What is it? A four-hour backwater tour of the city.

Why go? Gliding along the Cherwell and Isis (as the Thames is known locally) you’ll get a totally different perspective on Oxford, sneaking around the back of college walls, peering into leafy greens and getting an engaging lowdown on the history of the city, its bathing places and riverine escapes as you go. The tours are suitable for complete beginners and offer the chance to leave the traffic and tourists behind and see views of the city and its colleges that many locals know nothing about.

17.  Take a tour of The Oxford Artisan Distillery

What is it? Oxford’s first (legal) distillery with a suitably quirky edge, a link to medieval farming and an eye on the future.

Why go? To sip the award-winning spirits of course – vodka, gin and rye whiskey made from heritage grains rescued from a medieval thatched roof and now farmed locally. Follow their journey from seed to still to bottle, hear about ancient methods of farming, see the handmade custom stills Nautilus and Nemo, and savour how it all comes together in silky-smooth spirits with distinctive flavours.

Don’t miss: The distillery’s garden bar sits at the highest point in hilly South Park. Come for a weekend drink and walk the park for views down over the city. 

18.  Follow in Alice’s footsteps at Christ Church

What is it? Oxford’s largest and grandest college, inspiration for Hogwarts and home of Oxford’s cathedral.

Why go? If the magnificent buildings aren’t enough to draw you in, the history of Christ Church should entice you whether you’re a fan of politics, philosophy, science or literature. A quick look at the alumni list reads like a who’s who of world leaders, writers and thinkers. Most of all, though, it’s the connection to ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Harry Potter’ that are worth exploring.

Don’t miss: Visit the Great Hall to see the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s rabbit hole (a hidden door used by the dean when late for dinner), Alice’s elongated neck (the long-necked firedogs) and portrait of Henry VIII (which inspired the Queen of Hearts).

19.  Discover your favourite characters at The Story Museum

What is it? A magical museum celebrating storytelling from around the world as well as offering the perfect introduction to Oxford’s literary history.

Why go? To walk through a wardrobe door into Narnia, travel between story worlds, rediscover your favourite book characters and explore an enchanted library where you can wander between shelves and find yourself inside a story. Hands-on, family fun that will transport you into your favourite tales and introduce you to plenty more.

Don’t miss: The museum hosts loads of interesting talks, events and performances, as well as regular workshops, a comic club and adult-only nights of fairy tales for grown-ups.  

20.  Delve into history at Oxford Castle and Prison

What is it? Oxford’s historic castle and prison spans 1,000 years of history and tales of murder, romance, escape and execution.

Why go? It was a grisly lot being a prisoner in Oxford. Between the corrupt warders, plagues of vermin and merciless treatment, it’s no wonder escape attempts were regular. Learn about it all, and the history of the city’s Norman castle, or join a ghost hunt to flush out some of the prison’s former inmates.

Don’t miss: Nip around the side of the prison for a drink in the former visitor’s room, now the bar of a plush Malmaison hotel.

21.  Take in some contemporary art at Modern Art Oxford

What is it? One of the UK’s leading contemporary art galleries showing a range of bold, temporary exhibitions by international heavyweights.

Why Go? Small enough for a quick visit but ambitious enough to pull in big names in the art world such as Anish Kapoor and Tracey Emin, MAO rarely disappoints. Its progressive programming and extensive range of workshops and participatory or educational events brings great art to the public in the most accessible ways.

Don’t Miss: The gallery runs a series of workshops alongside its shows, many aimed at children and families. Check out their events guide to see how you can get involved.

22.  Catch a gig at Jericho Tavern

What is it? The pub/music venue where Radiohead first performed a gig, and a mini-mecca for fans of alternative ’90s bands. Why go? Oxford is home to many great pubs, but the Jericho Tavern is one of the most famous – thanks largely to its connection to various bands who took their baby steps in the late 80s/early 90s. Radiohead performed here under the (not-so-good) name of ‘On a Friday’ and Supergrass were signed shortly after gracing the Jericho Tavern stage.

23.  Satisfy your sweet tooth at G&D’s ice-cream cafés

What is it? An Oxford institution, these three independent cafés serve the city’s best ice cream, bagels and brownies. Why go? Proudly independent, locally based and making all deliveries by bike, G&D’s has the feel-good factor as well as scrumptious handmade bakes and ice creams that have earned it generations of loyal followers. Along with sweet treats, you’ll need to be game for cow-themed competitions and hopefully, in time, a return to late-night openings to rival any kebab van.

24.  Follow in the footsteps of Inspector Morse

What is it?  A tour of the Oxford locations – pubs, colleges and streets – familiar to any fan of the Colin Dexter detective series Morse , Lewis and Endeavour . Why go? If neither Hogwarts nor Narnia wet your whistle, then this might be the ticket for you. This tour will take you around the areas Inspector Morse frequented when trying to puzzle his way out of a case. Post-walk pint of ale optional, but probably a must.

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15 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Oxford

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Oxford is one of the oldest and most celebrated university towns in Europe, and for centuries has rivaled Cambridge for academic pre-eminence in England. Its untrammeled spirit of exploration, numerous delightful gardens, courtyards, and university parks - together with the hectic bustle of its pedestrian zone and excellent cultural facilities - all help create a very special atmosphere.

Oxford has plenty of tourist attractions, including Carfax Tower , offering superb views over the city, and the historic Covered Market with its excellent shopping. For a truly unique vacation experience, some university colleges now offer accommodation options, including bed and breakfast.

Harry Potter fans may be interested to learn that various Oxford landmarks appeared in the movies, including Christ Church College, where the dining room was closely copied for the Hogwarts Great Hall. And for something a little quirkier, check out the (in)famous Headington Shark , a shark sculpture stuck headfirst in the roof of a humble terraced house.

To learn more about these and other great places to visit in this lovely part of England, be sure to read through our list of the top attractions and things to do in Oxford.

See also: Where to Stay in Oxford

1. Explore Historic Oxford City Center

2. visit the university church of st. mary the virgin, 3. christ church cathedral, 4. christ church college, 5. magdalen college, 6. radcliffe square & the bodleian library, 7. sheldonian theatre, 8. visit england's oldest museum: the ashmolean museum, 9. history of science museum, 10. martyrs' memorial, 11. shopping in cornmarket street, 12. oxford castle & prison, 13. oxford university museum of natural history, 14. take a trip to blenheim palace, 15. enjoy a drive to abingdon-on-thames, where to stay in oxford for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in oxford.

Although the center of Oxford is not large, plenty of time should be allowed for a visit since there are so many things to do here. The city's four principal streets meet at the intersection known as Carfax , a good starting point for your exploration. Here, you'll find the 14th-century Carfax Tower , a relic of St. Martin's Church (now destroyed), which has great views over the city.

Also worth visiting are the Town Hall, St. Aldate's Church (1318), and Pembroke College, founded in 1624 but with origins dating back to 1446. The nearby Modern Art Oxford , a visual art gallery focusing on exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, regularly offers talks, music, and movies.

Oxford's splendid High Street is lined with numerous magnificent buildings, including many of the colleges the city is so famous for. In fact, it's so pretty, it was famously described by American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne as "the finest street in England."

Address: High Street, Oxford

While sightseeing in the city center, be sure to include the University Church – the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin (or simply St. Mary's) – on your Oxford itinerary. A highlight of your visit should be climbing its finely decorated tower. Built around 1280, this vantage point offers excellent views of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Also of interest is the choir. Rebuilt in 1462, it faces the nave and Lady Chapel, dating from 1490, and the stalls, dating from 1466. Another notable feature is the porch you will have walked through when entering the church. Look carefully, and you'll still see marks made by bullets from the guns of Oliver Cromwell's troops during the English Civil War.

Official site: www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk

Although the present building dates from the 12th century, Christ Church acquired cathedral status in 1546. The most striking feature in the interior is the double arcading of the nave, creating an impression of much greater height.

In the 14th century, the church was extended to the north, and the choir was created in 1500 with fan vaulting overhanging keystones. In the south transept is the Thomas Becket window (1320) and five glass windows designed by Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris in 1871.

Also of note are the St. Frideswide window (1858) and three 14th-century tombs of Lady Montacute, Prior Sutton, and John de Nowers, as well as the remains of the Frideswide's shrine (1289). The grave of philosopher George Berkeley (1681-1735), who gave his name to the town of Berkeley in California, is also located at the cathedral.

Location: St. Aldates, Oxford

Official site: www.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral

Christ Church, one of the largest of Oxford's colleges, was founded in 1525 by Cardinal Wolsey and re-founded after his fall by Henry VIII. Tom Tower , added by Christopher Wren in 1682, contains a huge seven-ton bell known as Great Tom, which peals 101 times every evening at 9:05pm (once for each member of the original college).

The main quadrangle, with its charming fountain, is known as Tom Quad and is the largest courtyard in Oxford. The lower tower, with its fine staircase and fan vaulting, leads up to the hall , an elegant dining room with a magnificent wooden ceiling completed in 1529. Portraits of Henry VIII and distinguished members of the college – including William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania – adorn the walls.

Beyond the Deanery, where Charles I lived from 1642 to 1646, is Kill-Canon , a passage so chilly that it was feared canons would catch their death of cold. Kill-Canon leads to Peckwater Quad, with its library containing drawings and mementos of Cardinal Wolsey.

Art lovers will also want to visit Christ Church Picture Gallery . This fine gallery is home to an important collection of 300 Old Masters and 2,000 drawings.

Location: St. Aldate's, Oxford

Official site: www.chch.ox.ac.uk

Magdalen College was founded in 1458 on a site outside the town walls. Its lovely Magdalen Tower was built in 1482, while the Muniment Tower is the entrance to the chapel where evensong is sung by the college's renowned choir.

There are state apartments with early-16th-century tapestries in the Founder's Tower, and underneath, a passage leads into the cloisters with grotesque figures known as "hieroglyphs." Magdalen College also offers bed-and-breakfast accommodation when rooms are available.

Beyond the college stretches a deer park called the Grove and a bridge leading over the River Cherwell into the Water Walks. Opposite the entrance to the college is the University of Oxford Botanic Garden , founded in 1621 and one of the oldest in England.

Plants from all over the world can be found here, including the Magdalen Rose Garden . This attractive garden was a gift from the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation of New York to commemorate the development of penicillin, in which Oxford played a considerable part. Also worth a visit is the satellite Harcourt Arboretum .

Address: Rose Lane, Oxford

Official site: www.magd.ox.ac.uk

Located in the city center, Radcliffe Square is home to many of the city's most important college buildings. Here, you'll find the Old Schools Quadrangle (1613) and the Radcliffe Camera (1737), a rotunda that originally housed the Radcliffe Library.

The 16-sided room on the ground floor is now a reading room for the Bodleian Library , the university library and the country's first public library, founded in 1598. A copy of every book published in Britain is deposited here, including some two million volumes and 40,000 manuscripts. From the library, you can also explore the magnificent Divinity School .

Address: Broad Street, Oxford

Official site: www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Constructed in 1664, the Sheldonian Theatre was Sir Christopher Wren's second major building. Of special interest here is the historic venue's spectacular ceiling fresco. Restored in 2008, the fresco – which depicts "Truth" removing "Ignorance" from the University – consists of 32 panels originally painted in the 1600s. Guided tours (as well as self-guided tours) are available.

In addition to being used for concerts and lectures – as well as the occasional theatrical performance – it's still used for the university's annual Commemoration.

Official site: www.sheldonian.ox.ac.uk

The Ashmolean Museum – formerly known as the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology – was founded in 1683. Not only is it the oldest museum in the country, it's also the most important of the four university museums. The Neoclassical building houses a magnificent collection of art and antiquities, including classical sculpture, Far Eastern art, Greek and Roman pottery, and a valuable collection of jewelry.

Other Oxford museums that should be added to travel itineraries include the Pitt Rivers Museum, with its fascinating anthropological and archaeological collection, and the Museum of Oxford , a local history museum that deals with both the city and the university's rich pasts.

For something a little different, visit the fun Story Museum . This attraction is especially popular for its literary-themed events, including the popular Alice Days celebrating the first ever telling of Oxford-educated Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland .

Address: Beaumont Street, Oxford

Official site: www.ashmolean.org

The History of Science Museum – housed in the Old Ashmolean Building, the world's first purpose-built museum building – is a fascinating facility that specializes in the study of the history of science and the development of western culture and collecting.

The museum includes the blackboard that Albert Einstein used during his Oxford lectures of 1931, and a fascinating display showing the development of clocks.

Other nearby attractions include the Holywell Music Room (1748), reputedly the oldest concert hall in the world, and Kettell Hall (1620), with its beautiful chapel and fine woodcarvings.

Official site: www.hsm.ox.ac.uk

A cross in St. Giles Street marks the spot where the reformers Latimer, Ridley, and Cranmer were burned at the stake between 1555-56, an event commemorated by the Martyrs' Memorial (1841). The nearby Rhodes House , headquarters of the Rhodes Trust founded in honor of South African statesman Cecil Rhodes, is also worth checking out.

Also close by is the Oxford University Museum of Natural History . Built in 1855, it contains a number of interesting collections, including geological, mineralogical, and zoological sections, as well as work by Darwin, Burchell, and Hope.

There's also a pleasant walk along the Cherwell past Parson's Pleasure to a path called Mesopotamia, which leads to Magdalen Bridge.

Location: St. Giles, Oxford

Pedestrian-friendly Cornmarket Street, commonly known as the "Corn," is Oxford's busiest shopping street. Along with its many big-brand shops and department stores, it's also home to the historic Golden Cross arcade, popular for its craft and jewelry shops, and the Covered Market . Dating from 1774, the market houses an eclectic mix of food retailers.

Also of interest is the former Crew Inn . Here, Shakespeare is said to have stayed on his journey between Stratford and London. It's also where you'll find St. Michael's Church , notable for its early Norman tower.

Address: Cornmarket Street, Oxford

Oxford Castle has been a place of incarceration since 1071, continuing until the closure of Her Majesty's Prison Oxford in 1996. Today, visitors can learn about the real people and events from the site's turbulent past through fascinating displays and re-enactments.

Other highlights include the chance to climb the Saxon St. George's Tower , Oxford's oldest building, and enjoy its stunning 360-degree views. Afterwards, descend deep underground into the 900-year-old crypt.

Other areas to explore include the confines of the 18th-century Debtors' Tower and the 11th-century motte-and-bailey castle. Guided tours and numerous fun themed events are available.

Address: 44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford

Official site: www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk

One of the top free things to do in Oxford, a visit to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH) is certainly time well spent. Opened in the mid 1800s to showcase the university's growing natural history collection, it's located on Parks Road adjacent to another must-visit attraction: the Pitt Rivers Museum .

In addition to its displays and exhibits focusing on the university's rich science and learning traditions, you'll see samples collected by university alumni that date back hundreds of years. Also on display are samples from the university's mineralogy, medicine, zoology, and anatomy collections.

Two cafés are located on-site, and a special treat if you're traveling in summer is to enjoy your snacks and beverages outdoors on the museum's lovely lawn. Be sure to keep an eye out for the migrating swallows that have been stopping over on the museum roof since nesting boxes were installed in the 1940s.

Address: Parks Road, Oxford

Official site: www.oumnh.ox.ac.uk

Located in Woodstock, just eight miles northwest of Oxford, is Blenheim Palace. Seat of the dukes of Marlborough and the Spencer-Churchill family, it is also famous as the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

This magnificent 200-roomed palace was built between 1701 and 1724 for John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, with the financial support of Queen Anne. It's recorded that the Queen wished to express her thanks to the Duke for his victory in 1704 over the French at the Battle of Blenheim, an event commemorated on the ceiling of the Great Hall.

In addition to visiting the splendid main building with its Neoclassical columned entrance hall and quadrantal annexes with crowned corner-towers and colonnades, be sure to explore the adjoining wings. Here, you'll find a number of large courtyards, as well as the vast main courtyard.

Another highlight is the chance to explore the magnificent gardens, with their French Rococo borders, and the Capability-Brown-designed parklands. Other outdoor attractions include Italian gardens and herb gardens, a butterfly house, and a maze.

Location: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock

Official site: www.blenheimpalace.com

An easy drive just six miles south of Oxford, Abingdon is a charming town on the banks of the River Thames. A large number of interesting houses and churches are found here, including the old two-story county hall, built in 1678 and now home to the Abingdon County Hall Museum .

Also of note is the beautiful St. Helen's Church, with its graceful spire, double aisles, and elaborately painted paneling (1390), as well as Christ's Hospital, founded in 1553.

Parts of the once influential Benedictine abbey (AD 675) can still be explored, including later features such as the Checker Hall (13th century), the Long Gallery (about 1500), and the abbey doorway (1450).

Abingdon has several leisure and recreation facilities, including the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, Tilley Park, and the Southern Town Park. Each year in October, the town center is closed for the Ock Street Michaelmas Fair , the longest street fair in Europe.

Address: Market Place, Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Official site: www.abingdon.gov.uk/partners/abingdon-county-hall-museum

We recommend these popular hotels in Oxford with easy access to the famous colleges and other top attractions:

• Old Bank Hotel : This luxury boutique hotel is set in a Georgian building in a great central location and features understated elegance and marble bathrooms.
• Vanbrugh House Hotel : A popular mid-range hotel, Vanbrugh House features individually decorated rooms, private gardens, plus complimentary breakfast and snacks.
• Remont Oxford Hotel : Affordable rates, a short bus ride to town, colorful room accents, and a hearty free English breakfast are just a few of the reasons why this hotel is highly rated.
• Premier Inn Oxford Hotel This budget hotel is an easy drive to Oxford city center and features modern decor and family rooms.

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Top 10 Things to Do in Oxford and Oxfordshire

A trip to Oxfordshire wouldn’t be complete without seeing these  top 10 attractions . Start your sightseeing in Oxfordshire now with these popular spots!

Go shopping at Bicester Village

Shop ’til you drop at Bicester Village – a luxury shopping destination home to more than 160 world-famous brands, from Swarovski to Saint Laurent, offering year-round savings on the recommended retail price. It’s the ultimate shopping experience!

Explore the beautiful 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 stunning Baroque architecture and over 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland to explore.

Learn about the world-renowned University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is made up of 38 independent colleges, including the magnificent Christ Church, and their historic buildings can be found all over the city. See famous University buildings such as the Radcliffe Camera and Sheldonian Theatre on an Oxford Official Walking Tour – the best way to see the city.

Visit the famous Ashmolean Museum

Visit the world’s oldest public museum, the Ashmolean Museum . Home to important collections of art and artefacts ranging from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art, there is something for everyone. Also don’t miss Oxford University’s gardens, libraries and museums .

Step back in time at Oxford Castle & Prison

Immerse yourself in 1,000 years of history at Oxford Castle & Prison . Step back in time with their costumed guided tours, descend into the atmospheric crypt of St George’s Chapel and climb St George’s Tower to enjoy 360° panoramic views of the city’s dreaming spires.

Explore Oxford's Waterways

No visit to Oxford is complete without visiting the city’s waterways – the mighty  River Thames , which flows through to London, the River Cherwell  and the historic  Oxford Canal , now over 200 years old. There is so much to do on the river, from walks with incredible riverside views to punting at Cherwell Boathouse and boat cruises with Salter’s Steamers or Oxford River Cruises .

Book an Oxford Official Walking Tour

Explore Oxford on foot with a skilled and knowledgeable guide from Oxford Official Walking Tours . See famous filming locations used in Harry Potter, Inspector Morse, and the University’s most famous buildings: the Radcliffe Camera, Bridge of Sighs, Sheldonian Theatre, and the Bodleian Library.

Discover the historic Cogges Manor Farm

Discover traditional Cotswolds life at  Cogges Manor Farm , a 17th Century farmstead with museum and café, featured as Yew Tree Farm in Downton Abbey. Explore over 17 acres of naturally beautiful grounds, the walled garden, picnic orchard, moated islands and river Windrush walk and meet their friendly animals!

Go shopping at Westgate Oxford

Make shopping inspirational, exciting and fun at Westgate Oxford shopping centre – the major retail and lifestyle destination in the centre of Oxford is home to prestigious global brands plus eclectic restaurants, a five-screen boutique cinema and sophisticated rooftop bars and dining. For healthy Vietnamese food, head to   Pho on the rooftop terrace.

Visit the unique Bicester Heritage

Bicester Heritage  is the UK’s first business campus dedicated to historic motoring excellence and an established national centre for the industry. It’s based at the best-reserved WW2 RAF Bomber Station in the UK, in Bicester in the north of Oxfordshire.

More great things to do

The Oxford Artisan Distillery

City Sightseeing Oxford Open-Top Bus Tours

Crocodiles of the World

Waterperry Gardens

Kelmscott Manor

Fairytale Farm

Finest Hour Experiences

Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra

Sheldonian Theatre

The Oxfordshire Museum

The Sky Wave Distilling Co.

Bicester Heritage

The Henley Distillery

River & Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames

Christ Church

Didcot Railway Centre

New Theatre Oxford

Museum of Oxford

Junkyard Golf Club

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Best things to do in Oxfordshire – TOP 23 must-visit places!

Are you looking to explore one of the UK’s most captivating counties? Oxfordshire has everything you need for an unforgettable adventure! This gem, nestled in the heart of the UK, boasts bustling market towns, idyllic countryside, and picturesque villages that seem lifted straight from a storybook.

Oxfordshire isn’t just a wonder to explore – it’s a lifestyle. Many who work in the hustle and bustle of London have found the county’s calm, rural vibe a refreshing contrast. Grand manors and cosy cottages coexist harmoniously here, painting a picture of charming tranquillity.

Among the local highlights, the city of Oxford stands proud. Rich in history and culture, it’s a must-visit spot for anyone exploring the area. And if you’re looking to venture a bit further, there’s no shortage of beautiful places in Oxfordshire and the nearby areas.

Now, if you’ve only got a weekend to spare, fear not. Oxfordshire is known as a perfect spot for a weekend getaway . Pack your bags and head out to this tranquil haven – you’ll find plenty of things to do in Oxfordshire this weekend. From scenic trails for those seeking the best walks near London to a myriad of unique things to do in Oxfordshire, there’s something for everyone.

Want to dive into the local history or marvel at the natural beauty? You’ll find Oxfordshire tourist attractions aplenty, from historic landmarks to picturesque parks. And if it’s tranquillity you seek, you’ll find many serene and nice places near Oxford.

So whether you’re planning a quick day trip or a leisurely staycation , Oxfordshire is sure to keep you entertained. It’s a county that captivates with its beauty and charms with its rich offerings. So pack your bags and get ready to explore – there’s always something new to discover in Oxfordshire!

Where is Oxfordshire, England?

Oxfordshire is in the south-east of England . It sits just to the north-west of the City of London . Its neighbouring counties are Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

While the county is landlocked, the River Thames winds its way through the county before heading into the city.

Places to visit in Oxfordshire types:

Main cities and towns in oxfordshire.

• Abingdon-on-Thames

How far is it from London to Oxford?

Oxford is about 55 miles from the centre of London . The journey takes around 1.5 hours by car on the A40. The most efficient way to travel between the two places is by train, which only takes an hour or so.

Oxfordshire – car hire

Check out our guide to the  best car hire company in the UK  or simply explore the options directly on  discovercars.com  if you need a car to visit Oxfordshire.

What is Oxfordshire famous for?

Oxfordshire is a county with a lot of history, so there is plenty to choose from. However, the city of Oxford and the university are probably at the top of the list. Another place of interest is Blenheim Palace , which was the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Stonor Park is one of the oldest manor houses in the whole of England and arguably one of the most beautiful. 

Finally, when you’re talking about Oxfordshire, it would be remiss not to mention the Uffington White Horse. You can find this mysterious horse carved into the chalk of the Chiltern Hills . It’s an unusual carving that historians believe to be of a Celtic God. It’s thought to be over 2000 years old.

Is Oxfordshire good for a weekend getaway or a staycation?

Yes, Oxfordshire is a great destination for a weekend getaway or a UK staycation . The county has plenty to offer visitors, including historic cities, picturesque countryside, stately homes, museums, and more.

Oxford, the county town, is a popular destination for tourists, thanks to its famous university, historic buildings, and cultural attractions. There are also plenty of other charming towns and villages to explore in the county, including Woodstock, Abingdon , and Henley-on-Thames .

In addition to its urban areas, Oxfordshire is known for its beautiful countryside, including the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty , the Chiltern Hills , and the Thames Valley. Visitors can enjoy scenic walks, bike rides, and drives, as well as outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and golf.

Overall, whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend break or an action-packed staycation , Oxfordshire has something for everyone.

Explore the best things to do in Oxfordshire and top ideas for visiting tourist attractions in Oxfordshire:

Top places to visit in Oxfordshire

Days out in Oxfordshire? Oxford revolves around the university. The 38 colleges are dotted around the city. They draw crowds who come to tour the hallowed halls. Founded in the 12 th century, the university has amassed many honours and history in its time.

Nicknamed the City of Dreaming Spires, Oxford is the bustling heart of the county and offers a great mix of nightlife and shopping to keep any urbanites happy.

If you visit the city, you should make sure to take a ride in a punt, visit the library used in the Harry Potter films , and take a tour around the Botanical Gardens. 

2. Henley-on-Thames

Best things to do in Oxfordshire for adults and kids? Henley is best known for the Royal Regatta that they hold every summer. It attracts some of the best rowers in the world, so it’s no surprise to see boats on the river in almost any weather.

The River and Rowing Museum is well worth checking out. Visitors consistently vote it one of the best museums in England. As well as an interactive experience and the opportunity to learn about rowing, there is also a Wind in The Willows exhibit, which is perfect for kids.

You can also see work by famous architects scattered around the area as well as enjoy scrumptious food in many of the delightful cafes. Yes, Henley on Thames really is one of the best towns to visit in Oxfordshire!

3. Watlington

Looking for best towns in Oxfordshire? Watlington is a small market town nestled into the Chiltern Hills . It’s a wonderful place to visit to get a feel for country village life. As you wander through the centre of the town, you’ll find yourself outside the 17th-century town hall. This lovely building was funded by Thomas Stonor, of Stonor Park Manor, and used to double as a boys school.

While you’re in the village, you should make time to view the other notable landmark. The village church has an illusory steeple. Rather than building one, a local gentleman instead had the shape carved into the cliffs behind the church so that from the right angles, it would look much more impressive.

4. Dorchester on Thames

What to do in Oxfordshire? Just nine miles outside of Oxford you will find the picturesque village of Dorchester on Thames . While this small little village is only home to around 1000 people, it draws in plenty of tourists. In the heart of the town, you’ll find out why. The Abbey of St Peter and St Paul is a magnificent church with its own museum. 

After you’ve taken a turn around the abbey and the countryside, don’t forget to stop in at one of the coaching inns. These ancient buildings are magnificent, and many are now home to pubs and restaurants where you can get a hearty meal and a refreshing drink.

Dorchester on Thames is one of the best villages to visit near London and a real gem in Oxfordshire!

5. Little Milton

Looking for unique things to do in Oxfordshire? With a good number of stunning stone-walled cottages, Little Milton is one of Oxfordshire’s most attractive villages.

You should probably also know that some scenes from the British TV series Midsomer Murders have been also filmed in this village.

Do you need more reasons? Located in the Chiltern Hills , Little Milton really is one of the top places of interest in Oxfordshire.

6. Blenheim Palace

Nice places to visit in Oxfordshire? You really can’t come to Oxfordshire and not pay a visit to Blenheim Palace . This monumental country house is recognised as a World Heritage Site. The palace was where Winston Churchill was born and more than that it is simply an amazing example of English manor houses. The house and the grounds are stunning, and you can easily spend a day wandering around marvelling at it all.

The grounds also play host to a wide range of events so it’s worth checking if there might be something extra exciting on the cards when you’re visiting.

Fancy a trip to Blenheim Palace ? BOOK your trip here ! 🙂

Best places to visit Oxfordshire? Oxfordshire is dotted with market towns. But, Witney is the biggest of them all. The town has been famous in the area since the middle ages when it became ‘the place’ to get woollen blankets.

The entrepreneurial spirit still remains in the area. So, if you’re looking for a fun shopping experience in a historic town, then this is, without doubt, the place to visit.

8. Goring on Thames

Top places to visit in Oxfordshire county? If you’re looking to experience the best that Oxfordshire has to offer then Goring is the place to go. The River Thames stretch that passes through the town is agreed to be the most beautiful in the county.

Known as the Goring Gap this stretch of river and the surrounding wilderness is filled with wildlife and gorgeous views. It’s the perfect spot to start and finish a walk in the Oxfordshire countryside.

If you’re lucky enough to visit in July, you can enjoy the Goring Gap regatta . Over 600 rowers compete in the event that feels more like a festival than a boat race.

9. Faringdon

Where to go in Oxfordshire? Faringdon is located on the edge of the Cotswolds , making it the perfect starting point for an exploration of the area. The town is in the Vale of White Horse so is also ideal for going to see the famous Uffington White Horse Hill.

Even if you don’t have the time to explore the area on foot, you should still fit in a climb up Folly Hill. Faringdon is the site of the last great folly built in England. From the top, you can get the most amazing views over the Cotswolds , and really get to grips with the beauty of the area.

10. Warborough

What to do Oxfordshire? From all the famous places to see in Oxfordshire, we have many Midsomer Villages on our list. And Warborough is not an exception!

If you would like to know where DCI Barnaby used to sup a pint, then head out to the Six Bells pub. It has featured in many Midsomer Murders episodes and also it’s one of the best pubs to visit near London ! This really is one of the top places in Oxfordshire to visit!

11. Abingdon

Best places to visit in Oxfordshire? Abingdon is a tourist destination in the best sense. The village takes pride in being one of the oldest settlements in the country, as they can trace their roots back to a pre-neolithic settlement. This means there is a wealth of history in this little town.

The locals take joy in bringing it to life with regular markets and street performances. This is a lively and joyful place to visit and learn a little about the area’s history.

12. Long Wittenham

What to see in Oxfordshire? If you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, then Long Wittenham is the place to visit. This little village sits on the outside meander of the River Thames and is dearly loved by those who live there.

A recent push to clean up the river in the area means that there is plenty of wildlife to see. If you’re feeling brave, you can even go for a swim in the water.

13. Moreton in Marsh

Top places to visit in Oxfordshire England? Just over the county boundary in Gloucestershire, you can find this gorgeous little market town. This quiet flower-filled town has long sat at the corner of many counties. The four shire stone sits just to the east of the village and marked where four counties used to meet. However, with the changes to the boundary lines, there are only three counties that meet at the spot now.

Much of the village is made from the local Cotswold stone so has a really unique appearance. It’s well worth wandering around and taking in the special architecture and history of the place.

14. Cuddington

What to do in Oxfordshire? Cuddington is a small and quiet little place, very close to the Oxfordshire border, but in Buckinghamshire . If you have ever wondered what living in the countryside is really like then this is the place to visit.

You’ll find yourself surrounded by stunning views and the peace and quiet of the countryside. While this is a small village , it’s the perfect spot to start a walk, especially if you come in spring and summer. The locals are proud of their home town and often win Britain in Bloom competition.

15. Chipping Norton

Best things to do in Oxfordshire? Chipping Norton , known as Chippy by the locals, is a great example of a down-to-earth place. The high street is filled with proper shops, not just tourist shops selling trinkets. It’s a vibrant village that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Chipping Norton has the distinction of being the highest town in Oxfordshire. So the views, when the weather is good, are phenomenal. 

If you’re interested in visiting churches, the church in Chipping Norton should undoubtedly be on your list. It’s one of those churches that looks good from the outside and then even better from the inside. 

16. Wallingford

Things on in Oxfordshire this weekend? If you’re a fan of murder mysteries, then this is a place you shouldn’t miss. Wallingford sits right in the heart of Midsomer Murders country , with the village and surrounding areas used in numerous scenes from the show. It’s also the spot where Agatha Christie wrote six of her novels. 

While you’re in town, you should stop into the Wallingford Museum . It’s a delightfully interactive museum experience that takes you through the history of the town. The castle gardens are a great place to relax and explore.

For train enthusiasts, you should make time to visit the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway. It runs a steam-powered service and offers a chance to see some beautifully restored wagons.

17. Burford

Nice places to visit in Oxfordshire? Burford is considered the southern gateway to the Cotswolds . The dramatic high street is quite famous for its sweeping hill, which is lined with ancient shops, pubs and houses.

Descending the high street will bring you to the medieval bridge over the River Windrush and the impressive town church. If you enjoy looking for hidden treasure then Burford is the perfect spot to visit; it’s bursting with antique shops.

Where to visit in Oxfordshire? With so many things to do around Oxfordshire, you really are spoiled for choices.

Anyone looking to visit some of the best villages near London needs to go to Cuxham. It’s a small compact village with beautiful colour-washed timber-framed cottages and a little stream. Cuxham is just about a mile north-west of Watlington so you can easily visit it on your day out.

19. Ascott under Wychwood

Whats on Oxfordshire? The ancient forest of Wychwood gave its name to three villages, the others being Shipton under Wychwood, and Milton under Wychwood. The village itself is small and quaint, but there is a lot of history for such a small place.

The actions of 16 women from here ultimately led to the right to protest in England being enshrined in law. This is something you can learn about in the village square. 

There is a pub, a village green and a lot of places to go walking . For anyone who loves the traditionalism of drystone walls, a wander through this village will be a joy.

20. Long Crendon

Where to go in Oxfordshire? This gorgeous village is a real treasure of a place. It is just over the border from Oxfordshire in Buckinghamshire . Wandering through the high street, you’ll see thatched roofs, Tudor style woodwork, and ancient buildings. The centrepiece of the village is the medieval courthouse.

The 400-year-old, timber-framed building is a real piece of history. It’s managed by the National Trust so you can visit it and explore the exhibits inside; Just take care on the steep stairs, they were designed a few centuries ago!

21. Minster Lovell

Best things to see in Oxfordshire? Minster Lovell is home to the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall. The hall was built in the 15 th century and now stands in ruins. The remaining structure and the picturesque rural setting make it a lovely place to explore. The green grass and the flowing river make this an ideal spot for a picnic.

If the weather’s not on your side, then you can use it as an excuse to try the pubs in town which serve some great British food.

Best places to explore in Oxfordshire? Thame is a thriving market town at the foot of the Chiltern Hills . As a traditional market town, it has the classic combination of ancient buildings, rich heritage, and enthusiastic locals.

While the roots of the town may be ancient, the markets are still thriving. If you’re an avid bargain hunter, then you should check when the markets are on and spend a good day exploring and haggling at the bustling market stalls.

23. Bicester Village

Where to go in Oxfordshire for sopping? Bicester Village is known for its shopping experiences. Visitors come to the village to find discounts on items from international designers, that they would otherwise have to pay much higher prices for.

The items aren’t cheap, but they’re still cheaper than they would be outside of the village’s luxurious shopping boutiques .

How do I spend a day in Oxfordshire?

Oxfordshire is a beautiful county in south-east England, home to the historic city of Oxford, stunning countryside, and picturesque towns and villages. Here’s how you can spend a day in Oxfordshire:

• Visit the city of Oxford: Start your day by exploring the historic city of Oxford, which is home to the world-renowned University of Oxford, as well as many impressive museums, galleries, and libraries.
• Explore Blenheim Palace: Just a short drive from Oxford, Blenheim Palace is one of the most impressive stately homes in England. The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland, and visitors can take a tour of the palace itself, as well as explore the gardens and grounds.
• Enjoy a country walk: Oxfordshire is home to some of the most beautiful countryside in England, and there are many scenic walking routes to choose from. Some popular options include the Oxfordshire Way, the Thames Path, and the Ridgeway.
• Visit a picturesque village: Oxfordshire is home to many charming villages, each with its own unique character and charm. Some popular options include Woodstock, Burford, and Henley-on-Thames.
• Go shopping: Oxford is home to a range of independent shops and boutiques, selling everything from vintage clothing to artisanal food products. You could also check out the designer outlets at Bicester Village.
• Visit a museum: Oxfordshire is home to many fascinating museums, covering everything from art and history to science and technology. Some popular options include the Ashmolean Museum, the Oxford Science Museum, and the Museum of Oxford.
• Enjoy a pub lunch: Oxfordshire is known for its traditional pubs, many of which offer delicious food and drink in a cozy and welcoming setting.

Overall, Oxfordshire has something for everyone, whether you’re interested in history, culture, nature, or just enjoying a relaxing day out.

Is Oxfordshire a good place to live?

For anyone who appreciates natural beauty, Oxfordshire is a gem of a place to live. Wherever you are located within the county, you can easily reach the three separate areas of outstanding beauty that the county houses. If you want a rural locale, then you have plenty to pick from. For those who like a bustling city atmosphere, then the place to go to is Oxford.

Oxfordshire is a beautiful and vibrant place to live. The only downside is that it’s such a wonderful area that it’s in high demand. So, property prices are high, and you won’t get as much home for your money as you might in other parts of the country.

Oxfordshire history

Oxfordshire has a rich and fascinating history that dates back thousands of years. Here are some key events and facts from the history of Oxfordshire:

• Prehistory: The area that is now Oxfordshire was first inhabited by humans during the Paleolithic era, around 500,000 years ago. Evidence of Neolithic settlements, including stone circles and burial mounds, has also been found in the area.
• Roman occupation: The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD, and by the 2nd century AD, the area that is now Oxfordshire was home to several important Roman settlements, including the town of Dorchester-on-Thames.
• Anglo-Saxon era: Following the collapse of Roman rule in Britain, the Anglo-Saxons took control of the area, and Oxfordshire became part of the kingdom of Mercia.
• Norman conquest: In 1066, the Normans invaded England, and Oxfordshire became part of the Norman-controlled territory. William the Conqueror ordered the construction of several castles in the area, including Oxford Castle and Wallingford Castle.
• Medieval period: During the medieval period, Oxfordshire became an important center of learning, thanks to the establishment of the University of Oxford in the 12th century. The county was also home to several important abbeys and religious houses, including Abingdon Abbey and Osney Abbey.
• Civil War: Oxfordshire played a key role in the English Civil War, which took place in the mid-17th century. The county was initially held by the Royalists, but was later captured by the Parliamentarians.
• Industrial revolution: In the 18th and 19th centuries, Oxfordshire saw significant industrial development, particularly in the textiles and brewing industries. The city of Oxford also became a major center of publishing and printing.

Today, Oxfordshire is known for its rich history, stunning countryside, and world-renowned university, and attracts millions of visitors from around the world each year.

Oxfordshire tourist information

Oxfordshire is a beautiful county in the south-east of England, known for its stunning countryside, rich history, and world-famous university. Here is some tourist information for Oxfordshire:

• Things to do: Oxfordshire has a wealth of attractions for visitors to enjoy, including the famous University of Oxford, Blenheim Palace, the Ashmolean Museum, and the Cotswold Wildlife Park. The county is also home to many picturesque towns and villages, such as Henley-on-Thames, Burford, and Woodstock.
• Outdoor activities: Oxfordshire is a great place for outdoor activities, with numerous opportunities for walking, cycling, and horse riding in the surrounding countryside. The River Thames runs through the county, providing opportunities for boating and kayaking.
• Accommodation: There are plenty of accommodation options in Oxfordshire, including hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering cottages. Many visitors choose to stay in the city of Oxford itself, which has a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets.
• Getting around: Oxfordshire is well-connected by road and rail, with good transport links to London and other major cities in the UK. The county is also served by a number of local bus services and taxi firms.
• Events: Oxfordshire hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Oxford Literary Festival, the Henley Royal Regatta, and the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
• Food and drink: Oxfordshire is home to a thriving food and drink scene, with plenty of excellent restaurants, gastropubs, and local food producers to discover. Visitors can sample local specialties such as Oxfordshire lamb, Banbury cakes, and Burford Brown eggs.

Overall, Oxfordshire is a wonderful destination for anyone looking to explore the rich history, stunning countryside, and vibrant culture of southern England.

What attracts visitors to Oxfordshire?

Oxfordshire is a popular destination for visitors from all over the world, thanks to its stunning countryside, rich history, and world-famous university. Here are some of the key attractions that draw visitors to Oxfordshire:

• University of Oxford: The University of Oxford is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, and its stunning architecture and history make it a popular attraction for visitors.
• Countryside: Oxfordshire is home to some of the most beautiful countryside in England, including the Cotswolds, the Chiltern Hills, and the River Thames.
• Historic buildings: Oxfordshire is home to a wealth of historic buildings, including Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home of Winston Churchill, and the Ashmolean Museum, one of the oldest public museums in the world.
• Literary connections: Oxfordshire has strong literary connections, with famous authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis Carroll, and Philip Pullman all having lived and worked in the county.
• Events: Oxfordshire hosts a range of events throughout the year, including the Oxford Literary Festival, the Henley Royal Regatta, and the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
• Food and drink: Oxfordshire has a thriving food and drink scene, with many excellent restaurants, gastropubs, and local food producers to discover.

Oxfordshire has something to offer everyone, whether you’re interested in history, culture, or the great outdoors.

What famous film was filmed in Oxfordshire?

Oxfordshire has been the location for several famous movies over the years. Here are some examples of films that were filmed in Oxfordshire:

• Harry Potter: Several scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed in Oxfordshire, including Christ Church College, the Bodleian Library, and the Divinity School at the University of Oxford.
• The English Patient: This award-winning movie, starring Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas, was partly filmed at RAF Heyford in Oxfordshire.
• Bridget Jones’s Diary: This romantic comedy, starring Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth, was partly filmed in the Oxfordshire village of Snowshill.
• The Importance of Being Earnest: This period comedy, starring Colin Firth and Rupert Everett, was filmed at several locations in Oxfordshire, including Greys Court and Stowe Landscape Gardens.
• Midsomer Murders : This popular TV series is filmed in various locations around Oxfordshire, including Henley-on-Thames, Wallingford, and Thame.

These are just a few examples of the many movies and TV shows that have been filmed in Oxfordshire over the years.

What to do in Oxfordshire in the rain?

While Oxfordshire is a beautiful county to explore in the sunshine, there are still plenty of things to do and see when it’s raining outside. Here are some ideas for things to do in Oxfordshire in the rain:

• Visit museums and galleries: Oxfordshire has a range of museums and galleries to explore, including the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, which is one of the oldest public museums in the world. Other options include the Museum of Natural History, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Modern Art Oxford.
• Go to the theatre: Oxfordshire has several theatres to choose from, including the Oxford Playhouse and the New Theatre Oxford. Check the schedule for upcoming shows and book tickets in advance.
• Explore indoor attractions: There are plenty of indoor attractions in Oxfordshire, such as the Bicester Village shopping outlet, the Oxford Covered Market, and the Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford.
• Go on a brewery or distillery tour: Oxfordshire is home to several breweries and distilleries, including the Hook Norton Brewery, the Cotswolds Distillery, and the Oxford Artisan Distillery.
• Enjoy a traditional pub lunch: Oxfordshire has a wealth of traditional pubs to choose from, many of which have roaring fires and cosy interiors that are perfect for a rainy day.

These are just a few ideas for things to do in Oxfordshire when it’s raining outside. Whatever you decide to do, remember to bring an umbrella and a waterproof jacket!

Oxfordshire England FAQ:

The top sights & attractions to visit in Oxfordshire are: Wallingford, Abingdon and Oxford.

Visit top villages in Oxfordshire or go hiking and explore some of the best British countryside Oxfordshire has to offer!

Head out to Chipping Norton or admire tudor style houses around Oxfordshire!

Whether you visit Oxfordshire today or tomorrow you have to see Dorchester on Thames or Goring on Thames.

Best places near Oxfordshire to visit

There are many great places to visit near Oxfordshire, here are a few suggestions:

• Blenheim Palace: A stunning stately home located in Woodstock, just 8 miles from Oxford.
• Stratford-upon-Avon: The birthplace of William Shakespeare is located just 35 miles from Oxford and has plenty of historic attractions to explore.
• Cotswolds : This picturesque region of rolling hills and charming villages is just a short drive from Oxford and is perfect for a scenic drive or walk.
• Windsor : Home to Windsor Castle, this royal town is located around 50 miles from Oxford and is perfect for a day trip.
• Bath: This historic city, known for its Roman Baths and Georgian architecture, is located around 70 miles from Oxford and is easily accessible by train or car.
• Stonehenge : Located around 60 miles from Oxford, this mysterious prehistoric monument is a must-visit for history buffs.
• The Chilterns : This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is located just to the east of Oxfordshire and is perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway.
• Warwick Castle: A medieval castle located in the town of Warwick, just 35 miles from Oxford.
• London : The UK’s capital city is just an hour away by train from Oxford and has plenty of attractions to explore, from the British Museum to the Tower of London.

These are just a few suggestions for places to visit near Oxfordshire. There are many other great destinations within easy reach of Oxfordshire, depending on your interests and preferences.

Is it worth visiting Oxfordshire?

Oxfordshire has a lot to offer. In fact, this is one of our favourite counties in the south of England . There are plenty of historical sites to visit and beautiful towns and villages packed with history.

Even if all you do is take a walk in the countryside near London , it will be well worth it because the area is truly gorgeous and you won’t regret taking the time to visit.

In conclusion, Oxfordshire is more than just a county in the UK – it’s a treasure trove of unique experiences and unforgettable adventures. With its perfect blend of city life and rural tranquillity, it offers a wealth of things to do and places to visit.

From exploring the historic city of Oxford, enjoying peaceful walks in the countryside, to immersing yourself in the charm of quaint villages, there are countless unique things to do in Oxfordshire. Whether you’re an adventurous traveller seeking the thrill of new experiences, or someone simply wanting a calm weekend retreat, Oxfordshire has something to cater to every taste.

With its proximity to London, it’s also a fantastic destination for days out or quick getaways, offering a welcome break from city life. Its plethora of attractions and beautiful spots make it one of the best places to visit near Oxford. Whether you’re planning a trip for this weekend or a future holiday, remember that the vibrant county of Oxfordshire is always ready to welcome you with open arms!

In essence, a trip to Oxfordshire promises a rich blend of history, culture, stunning landscapes, and a welcoming atmosphere. No matter where you go or what you choose to do, you’re bound to create lasting memories in this beautiful county. So, when it comes to deciding where to go in Oxfordshire, remember – every corner of this county holds a new discovery waiting just for you. Enjoy your visit to Oxfordshire, the heart of the UK!

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Further reading

27 Cotswolds Places So Ugly, Even the Birds Refuse to Sing

Dive into Darek and Gosia’s wickedly humorous guide to the Cotswolds’ most ‘ghastly’ places. Discover why the unbearable beauty of these top locations might just be too much for any sensible traveller to handle. Welcome to...

Looking for Magic? 30 Most Magical Places to Visit in the UK!

Discover the UK’s most “magical” destinations like you’ve never seen them before. We guide you through stunning places with a unique twist of British humour. Expect the unexpected! Welcome to the magical world of the UK...

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Towns and Villages Around Oxford

Abingdon Abingdon, which is situated approximately 10 miles south-west of Oxford, was until 1870 the county town of Berkshire. ... more details

Appleton & Eaton The village of Appleton, with which the smaller village of Eaton has long been associated, stands on rising ground 100 ft above the river Thames, whic... more details

Aston & Cote Aston is a village in West Oxfordshire, situated to the north of the upper Thames about twelve miles west of Oxford. Cote is a hamlet about one mile t... more details

Beckley 'I went to Noke and nobody spoke; ... more details

Begbroke Begbroke was mentioned in the Domesday Book when it was valued at 100 shillings, but the name is much older, a possible joining together of two Anglo-... more details

Botley It is difficult today to imagine that Botley was once a peaceful place. Lying between Oxford and Cumnor and roads to the west it seems now to be just ... more details

Brize Norton Brize Norton, about 15 miles west of Oxford, may be a small village but its name is known throughout the world. The RAF base which is called after it ... more details

Carterton Carterton was named after a man called William Carter, who bought up a lot of land locally. He then sold it off in plots, for smallholdings and market... more details

Cassington People have been visiting Cassington since the last Ice Age, and even before the use of pottery and domesticated crops and animals, hunter-gatherers (... more details

Charlton-on-Otmoor A sleepy village in the heart of the country, about 8 miles northeast of Oxford, Charlton is one of the seven towns of Otmoor, where the village folk ... more details

Church Hanborough & Long Hanborough The Hanboroughs lie to the north of Oxford between Witney and Woodstock, the boundaries formed by the river Evenlode to the north and east unchanged s... more details

Clanfield The village of Clanfield lies on the flat expanses of the Upper Thames Valley, to the west of Oxford and Abingdon, not far from Radcot Bridge. Clanfie... more details

Combe Combe is an unspoiled village on the fringe of the Cotswolds, about ten miles north of Oxford, centred around a delightful village green, which has a ... more details

Cuddesdon & Denton Cuddesdon was once known as the 'Holy Village' and differs from other villages because it has an Anglican theological training college and also used t... more details

Cumnor Cumnor is an extensive parish three miles to the south-west of Oxford. The village itself is situated on high ground, rising in Cumnor Hurst to 825 ft... more details

Denton Denton is a hamlet of the village of Cuddesdon which has 27 houses. The big house has windows built in its surrounding garden wall which were purporte... more details

Ducklington Ducklington is situated about ten miles west of Oxford and one and a half miles to the south of Witney, close to the river Windrush. It is on the A415... more details

Enstone As motorists rush through the village of Enstone on their way from the Midlands, to London or the South, probably their only concern is whether the sp... more details

Eynsham Over the centuries the name of the village has changed no less than 13 times. The 'old 'uns' used to refer to it as Ensam, spelt Ensham, its last spel... more details

Farmoor Farmoor is a small village to the west of Oxford and is a part of Cumnor parish. Wytham Wood is to the north-east and due west is the river Thames and... more details

Finstock About 13 miles northwest of Oxford, Finstock is the sort of place you've been to without noticing. People in cars on the B4022, along the ridge of hig... more details

Forest Hill With a population of about 700, Forest Hill (administratively part of Forest Hill with Shotover) lies on a hillside just to the east of Oxford. Stone ... more details

Freeland Freeland is a village not on the way to anywhere. It straggles along a road between the Oxford-Witney and Witney-Woodstock roads. On approaching the g... more details

Garsington About five miles east of Oxford lies the village of Garsington. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book but its origins date back well before that time. ... more details

Hailey Standing as it does on the south-eastern edge of the old Wychwood Forest, the village of Hailey – some 10 miles northwest of Oxford - has always had s... more details

Headington Quarry Headington Quarry village is situated on the north-eastern outskirts of Oxford city. Its name originated from the stone that was quarried there. It is... more details

Holton Holton is a small parish situated five miles east of Oxford. It was mentioned as far back as 1086 in the Domesday records, when it was known as Eltone... more details

Horspath Nestling on the slopes of Shotover one mile outside the Oxford City boundary, Horspath is proud to remain a village. The parish boundary, along the Ro... more details

Horton cum Studley This is one of the 'Seven Towns of Otmoor', and is a busy, thriving and friendly village, with a total population approaching 500. The village – betwe... more details

Ickford Ickford is a small village surrounded by pasture grazing for cattle, sheep and horses, about 10 miles east of Oxford. ... more details

Iffley Situated between Oxford and Abingdon, Iffley's undoubted jewel is her famous Norman church of St Mary with its richly carved doorways, magnificent tow... more details

Islip Islip is a 'working' village, where there are three farms, a shop, two pubs and, above all, a good number of inhabitants who take part in helping to m... more details

Kennington Kennington is a long, straggly village between Oxford and Abingdon and is pleasantly situated between the river Thames and Bagley Wood. It is thought ... more details

Kiddington The village of Over and Nether Kiddington – between Oxford and Banbury - is situated on the A44 trunk road north of Woodstock, and the two parts are d... more details

Kirtlington Visitors to Kirtlington today will see an attractive village, with two greens, thatched cottages and a pond with ducks and daffodils in the spring. A ... more details

Launton Edward the Confessor gave the parish of Launton to the Abbey of Westminser in 1065 to provide the monks with financial support. This was the village's... more details

Little Milton Little Milton lies along the A329 Thame to Stadhampton road, but a number of its oldest and most attractive dwellings are on the Haseley Road - a turn... more details

Littlemore There has been a mental hospital at Littlemore for over a century. It was founded in 1846 as the Pauper Lunatic Asylum, but it became a well known and... more details

Marcham The name Marcham is thought to come from 'merece', Old English for wild celery. Marcham was the only inland site for this plant in Southern England an... more details

Marston In 1991 the parish of Marston was included within the boundary of the City of Oxford and the village became known as Old Marston, though the church is... more details

Minster Lovell Minster Lovell lies about 13 miles northwest of Oxford. Domesday Book records two manors, Minstre and Parva Minstre (Little Minstre) separated by the ... more details

Murcott Murcott, linked usually with Fencott, is the smallest of Otmoor's 'seven towns'. It lies about 8 miles northeast of Oxford. Separated by a straight mi... more details

North Leigh The village of North Leigh, about 10 miles northwest of Oxford, has a particularly rich tradition of stories and rhymes. For instance, the North Leigh... more details

Oddington Oddington, situated on the edge of Otmoor, is an attractive village of about 115 people. It has two village greens and a beautiful church with a 13th ... more details

Old Headington The impact created by Old Headington is one of inherited timeless character as a 'Village within a City'! So it was aptly identified by Leslie Taylor ... more details

Radley The village of Radley has a church and college, a river and railway and, centrally located, a post office and a pub. Modern village life is centred ar... more details

Ramsden A clearing in an ancient Royal hunting forest, at the crossroads of a well trodden footpath and the Roman road from St Albans to Cirencester, were the... more details

Stadhampton & Chiselhampton Stadhampton was not mentioned in the Domesday Book, but a village existed at that time and the first mention of it by name came in 1146. Years ago, th... more details

Standlake Standlake is an appropriate name, one might think, particularly looking at the village from the air, as it is surrounded by at least eight lakes. In 1... more details

Stanton St John Up on the stony ridge of the saucer of low hills surrounding Oxford, only five miles north-east of that city, with all it has to offer, is Stanton St ... more details

Sunningwell & Bayworth The villages of Sunningwell and Bayworth, lying on the south-western slopes of Boars Hill, three and a half miles from the city of Oxford, were in Sax... more details

Tackley Tackley lies north of Kidlington, in beautiful countryside between theA4260 Oxford to Banbury road and the river Cherwell, its eastern parish boundary... more details

The Bartons Situated midway between Banbury and Oxford, a long, straggling street with buildings of various styles, periods and materials is the first impression ... more details

Toot Baldon & Marsh Baldon March Baldon, Toot Baldon, ... more details

Warborough & Shillingford The villages of Warborough and Shillingford lie approximately eleven miles south of Oxford, on the north side of the river Thames between Dorchester a... more details

Waterperry Waterperry is on the Buckinghamshire border, with the river Thame for its southern boundary and the Holton brook for its western boundary .The ground ... more details

Wendlebury The village of Wendlebury lies to the north of Oxford and two and a half miles to the south of the market town of Bicester .There has been a settlemen... more details

Weston-on-the-Green Weston-on-the-Green is not only 'on the green' but also 'on the road'. Lying about ten miles north of Oxford, it is just south of Akeman Street, the R... more details

Wheatley Wheatley village lies in a valley six miles east of Oxford. Finds from a Saxon cemetery were discovered in 1883 and are housed in the Ashmolean Museum... more details

Wolvercote The village, north-west of Oxford, was known as Ulfgarcote in Domesday after Ulfgar, the Saxon. The name Wolvercote came into being in 1185. ... more details

Woodstock Woodstock, north of Oxford, was a favourite hunting place for nearly all the kings of England from Saxon times to the late Stuart period. ... more details

Wootton & Boars Hill The name Wootton derives from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning 'the township in the wood' - Wood-tun. The origin of the village goes back nearly 1,000 yea... more details

Wytham Viewed from the embankment of the busy A34 bypass, Wytham appears an idyllic village. The Great Wood, once the haunt of highwaymen, is a splendid 'bac... more details

Yarnton To many people, Yarnton is a blur of houses as they speed along the A44 between Oxford and Woodstock, but to the people who call it home there is much... more details

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Things to do in Oxford: 24 Must-See Oxford Attractions

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The city of dreaming spires, Oxford is a beautiful city packed with places to see. Looking for the best things to do in Oxford? Here’s where to start.

We might be biased, but Oxford is one of our favourite places in the UK – not least because we spent three years at university there. 

Personal bias aside, there are few places in the UK or Europe that can rival the city’s beautiful architecture and important history.

Whether you are visiting Oxford for the first or fiftieth time, there’s always something new to discover – some secret spot to find.

Check out the best things to do in Oxford – well-known spots and hidden treasures. Ready to explore? Let’s go.

PS – Only in Oxford for a short time? Read my guide to 24 Hours in Oxford.

What Are The Best Things to do in Oxford? Our Top Five Picks

The bodleian library.

The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest and biggest libraries in Britain.

The library (which is actually a series of interconnected libraries dotted throughout Oxford that are collectively referred to as the Bodleian Libraries) has an impressive history – some of its buildings have been libraries since the Middle Ages.

All very well and good, but it’s the library’s architecture that is really going to blow you away. From the gorgeous domed Radcliffe Camera to the fortress-like Old Bodleian Library, the “Bod” boasts some of the most striking buildings in Oxford.

If you only have time to visit two, make them the Radcliffe Camera and the Old Library.

The Bod’s interiors are no less impressive – it’s a working library so large sections of the library are off-limits unless you book onto a tour , which we highly recommend.

Even if you don’t – pay to enter The Divinity School, not only is it one of the Bodleian’s most ornately-decorated rooms, it also pops up in the Harry Potter films.

🦉 Check out these guided tour of Harry Potter filming locations in Oxford or read my guide to self-guided tour of Harry Potter locations .

The Radcliffe Camera

The building that launched a million camera clicks. The Radcliffe Camera is an iconic piece of Oxford architecture and sits at the heart of the city of dreaming spires. Ask anyone for the top places to go in Oxford and it will be there, right at the top of the list.

The Rad Cam, as its fondly nicknamed, was built in the 18th century – so it’s actually pretty modern by Oxford standards. Today, it functions as one of the main reading rooms of the Bodleian Library as well as the home of several of the library’s collections.

As with other parts of the Bodleian, it’s a functional library and off-limits unless you book onto a tour.

Want to see the very best of Oxford’s landmarks? Book onto a walking tour like this one to ensure you don’t miss a spot.

The Ashmolean Museum

The Ashmolean is Oxford’s flagship museum and one of the top Oxford sights. Widely recognised as the first modern museum in the world, the Ashmolean has been the university’s historical and archaeological collections since 1683.

Though it’s no longer in its original building (it’s grown way too big for them), The Ashmolean remains a fascinating walk through the history of different cultures from around the world.

The eclectic collection spans a broad range of artefacts and exhibits. Want to see larger-than-life casts of Greek and Roman sculptures? They’ve got you covered. How about ceramics and textiles from the Middle East? Same.

The Ashmolean underwent a huge renovation in 2009. The tart-up did it a world of good – collections are thoughtfully and interestingly presented.

Allot at least a few hours to explore. Plus, when you’re finished, spend some time in their rooftop cafe – one of the best cafes in Oxford .

Read More: The Best Museums in Oxford

Punting on the Cherwell

Going punting, with a picnic in tow and perhaps a cheeky concoction of Pimms and Lemonade, is one of the best things to do in Oxford (during the summer months).

Two rivers run through Oxford – the Isis (Thames) and the Cherwell. You can go punting on both—punting is that slightly weird form of boating where you propel the boat with a metal pole—on both.

We recommend the Cherwell for several reasons. First of all, it’s way prettier than the Isis —and obviously, that’s a very important thing.

➥ Book this student-guided punting tour on the Cherwell .

Secondly, if you punt away from the city centre, you slowly leave the crowds behind until it’s just you, your crew and the (sometimes scary) swans that will happily steal your lunch.

Start at Magdalen Bridge, punt upriver to the Victoria Arms in Marston to disembark for a leisurely lunch before floating downstream to where you began. Perfection.

➥ If punting sounds too scary, hop on a sightseeing boat tour like this one to explore Oxford from the water. 

The Pitt Rivers Museum

The Pitt Rivers Museum is one of Oxford’s quirkier and most interesting museums.

Centred around the collection of Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt Rivers, the museum opened in 1887 to showcase its anthropological treasures from around the world.

The Pitt Rivers features over half a million artifacts, which together tell the story of the history of man.

Don’t judge a book by its cover – this really is one of the top things to do in Oxford. Walking around the well-presented exhibits, which are ordered by type and by date, is a peek into faraway cultures.

Admission is free but there is a suggested donation of £5.

Oxford Sightseeing Spots – Must-Visit Oxford University Colleges

Christ church college.

If you only have time to visit one of the University of Oxford’s 38 colleges while you are in town, add Christ Church to your Oxford to do list.

Christ Church’s important history and beautiful architecture make a visit hands down one of the best places to visit in Oxford.

The college was founded almost 500 years ago, by Cardinal Wolsey – until he fell from favour and the college was pinched by King Henry VIII (he of divorced, beheaded, died fame… ).

Over the years, this connection with the Royal family continued. Christ Church was even the seat of King Charles I’s royal parliament during the brief four year period when Oxford was England’s capital during the Civil War.

Fast forward to the present day and you’ll find one of Oxford’s most magnificent colleges and definitely the only one to have its own cathedral.

Start with the vast Tom Quad, flanked by the Christopher Wren-designed Tom Tower then make your way to the dining room – one of Oxford’s unforgettable Harry Potter filming locations.

➥ Take this tour of Oxford University with Christ Church option .

Magdalen College

There aren’t many Oxford colleges that can say they have their own deer park within their grounds… but then Magdalen isn’t like many other Oxford colleges.

First up, Magdalen (pronounced maudlin ) is one of the richest colleges within the university (perhaps that explains the deer park).

Secondly, it’s just so very beautiful that you shouldn’t miss it on your list of places to visit in Oxford.

Like many Oxford colleges, you have to pay to enter. Once you do, take a peek at the cloisters, chapel and hall and, of course, take a turn around the deer park. It would be rude not to.

Keble College

Find yourself getting a bit desensitised to all that handsome sandstone? It’s OK, we’ve all been there.

Enter the Victorian Gothic masterpiece that is Keble College.

We are flabbergasted that Keble doesn’t make it onto many lists of Oxford tourist attractions – there are several reasons why you should add it to your Oxford sightseeing itinerary.

Keble’s crazy architecture – largely redbrick with contrasting white, black and golden patterns – was always meant to make a statement. Think it’s safe to say the architect William Butterfield definitely succeeded in that mission.

What’s more, Keble has a chapel striking enough to stop you in your tracks. Once inside, don’t miss the world-famous Light of the World painting by Holman Hunt – it’s secreted in a small room to the side of the chapel.

As if that’s not enough, the college’s hall is the longest in Oxford – not to mention its most impressive – it makes Christ Church’s look teeny by comparison!

Cool Things to See in Oxford

Sheldonian theatre.

Situated next to the Old Bodleian Library, you’re bound to notice the Sheldonian Theatre – it’s the Neoclassical style D-shaped building that projects out onto Broad Street. Wondering what it is?

The Sheldonian is the official ceremonial hall of Oxford University. As the place where you matriculate (are formally enrolled at the university) and graduate, it holds a special place in students’ hearts.

The Sheldonian was the first significant architectural project of Christopher Wren (who then went on to design some of the most important landmarks in London after the Great Fire – including St Paul’s Cathedral).

If you have time, book a Sheldonian tour , which explores the University’s history and gives you a chance to see the theatre’s interior – dominated by the ceiling fresco “Truth descending on the arts and sciences to expel ignorance from the university”.

University Church of St Mary’s

St Mary’s Church forms one side of Radcliffe Square – clustered by All Soul’s College, Brasenose College, the Old Bodleian and the Radcliffe Camera – it’s one of the top places to see in Oxford.

While the church itself is worth a visit, we’ll let you in on a little secret – the tower should be on your itinerary of things to see in Oxford. For a small fee, you can climb to the top of St Mary’s Tower for the best views of the city.

Now, we won’t lie… climbing to the top of medieval churches strikes fear into our hearts, favourite thing to do and this one is no exception. The steep winding stairs that take you to the top of the tower are vaguely terrifying, particularly on the way down.

That said, the views are absolutely spectacular – you can walk around all four sides for four completely different but equally mesmerising panoramas.

Worth the terror and the sore legs? Totally.

The Bridge of Sighs

Another of Oxford’s sights, the Bridge of Sighs may look vaguely familiar. That’s because it supposedly looks a bit like the famous bridge of the same name in Venice.

The bridge connects two parts of Hertford College – but really much of its appeal is its quirky appearance.

PS, the entrance to the Turf Tavern – one of Oxford’s oldest and prettiest pubs – is tucked down the alley to the left of the bridge if you’re walking away from the Bodleian Library.

➥ Take this tour of that makes a stop at the Bridge of Sighs .

Oxford Castle & Prison

Had enough of historical sites yet? Tough luck if the answer’s yes.

The Oxford Castle & Prison is a medieval Norman castle that’s been transformed into a historical site, hotel and entertainment complex in one.

It’s not as bizarre as it sounds – the hotel (Malmaison) has pimped up the former cells into comfortable rooms, while the bars and eateries are worth a pit stop.

More interested in the actual castle than its contemporary fripperies? You can take a guided tour to learn about the history of the building – which includes a 900-year-old crypt.

Ignoring the fact that the tours are led by costumed characters (shudder) and it’s actually an interesting way to learn about a side of Oxford that has nothing to do with the university.

➥ Book a guided tour of Oxford Castle and Prison .

Cool Things to do in Oxford – Exploring Cultural Oxford

The oxford university museum of natural history.

Housed in the same building as the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Oxford Museum of Natural History is one of the more surprising things to do in Oxford.

The building is impressive enough – its light-filled interior is one of my favourites. Add to that a large collection of zoological and geological specimens and you’ve got an Oxford sightseeing must.

You can’t help but notice the huge dinosaur skeletons that dominate the museum’s collection. Fossils and replicas give you an up-close-and-personal look at the different species on display.

Other highlights include the Oxford Dodo – one of the few of its kind in the world and said to be the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s character in Alice in Wonderland.

Modern Art Oxford

We’ll level with you – we personally think the exhibitions in Modern Art Oxford can be a bit hit and miss. But that’s standard for small galleries who show innovative exhibitions.

Don’t let it put you off. This small gallery is one of the more unusual things to do in Oxford but is well worth a visit.

Where else can you see exhibitions that aren’t afraid to challenge you or question the status quo – and for free too? When it’s good, it’s really good.

Hunt Out Oxford’s Harry Potter Filming Locations

Harry Potter geeks (us included) will want to check out the famous filming locations dotted across Oxford.

Even if you’re a little more lukewarm about Harry Potter (we’re not sure – can we even be friends?), visiting the filming locations is still an interesting way of seeing different parts of Oxford you might have found otherwise.

The atmospheric New College Cloisters are the perfect example – most people have no reason to hunt them out.

However, when we did (they double up as the spot where Mad Eye Moody turns Draco into a ferret), we found one of Oxford’s hidden treasures and a new favourite spot.

🦉 Check out these highly recommended tours of Harry Potter locations .

Discover Literary Oxford

Given its strong literary heritage, it’s perhaps no surprise that Oxford has more than its fair share of literary spots. Book-lovers can lose themselves in a world of finding the real life inspirations and locations from their favourite books.

Take Alice in Wonderland for example – Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Dodgson) was a scholar at Christ Church. Influences as diverse as the Dodo in the Oxford Museum of Natural History and the door into Christ Church’s cathedral garden find their way into the famous books.

Not forgetting the fantastical Narnia series, written by the well-known Fellow of Magdalen College, C.S Lewis.

Although there are traces of Narnia throughout Oxford, the best-known is the wooden door in the alley that runs down the side of St Mary’s Church.

Look closely and you’ll see that the door is flanked by two fauns, and has a lion on its centrepiece. It’s said to be the wardrobe door the book’s characters step through to reach Narnia…

📚 Take a this private C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien walking tour of Oxford .

Unusual things to do in Oxford

Visit the story museum.

When it comes to quirky Oxford things to do, The Story Museum is an often overlooked spot. This family-friendly spot celebrates the art of stories and story-telling, and the positive effects this has on people’s lives.

Head through the Whispering Wood and the Enchanted Library as stories from the city are told in an immersive and engaging way.

You can also hop onto the magical Story Craft, which allows you to fly through thousands of years of Oxford history – delving deeper into ancient myths and famous literature.

Take a Spooky Ghost Tour

Ready to get spooked? Maybe it’s just us, but we think that one of the best ways to explore a city is to take a creepy ghost tour at night – this one is led by author of Haunted Oxford , Rob Walters.

You’ll begin your journey on the corner of Turl Street – a spot that was once the city ditch and witness to terrible murders and persecution. But that’s only the beginning of your ghost-chasing evening.

From there, your guide will lead you through the creepiest parts of the city, passing sites such as the University and Bridge of Sighs as you go.

👻 Book the official “Haunted Oxford” ghost tour .

Best Things to do in Oxford – Food & Drink

Afternoon tea at the grand cafe.

Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British pastime – one that Oxford happens to do very well. The Grand Cafe is the place for afternoon tea in Oxford.

It stands on the site of England’s oldest coffee house – times and tastes may have changed but The Grand will always dish up fluffy, hot scones, huge slabs of cake and the requisite teas and coffees.

A cream tea, with two (very large) scones, accompanied by lashings of jam and clotted cream (which should be applied to the scone in that order) and a hot beverage of your choice is £10.95. 

An afternoon tea, which features the above, with an additional selection of finger sandwiches and petit fours is just under £20. Go hungry.

Read More: Unmissable Afternoon Teas in Oxford

Explore Oxford’s Cool Cocktail Bars

It would be a huge mistake to visit the city and not spend some time in Oxford’s brilliant cocktail bars .

In particular, Jericho , in the north of the city is a good place to find a cocktail bar or two.

Raoul’s has a reputation for serving up the best. Nearby, The Duke of Cambridge is a brilliant choice (they also just so happen to have a brilliant happy hour).

Freud’s boasts the most impressive setting – it’s located in an old Neoclassical-style church, but cocktails are a bit lacklustre compared to its nearby competitors.

When it comes to cocktails with a view, it should come as no surprise that Oxford has a few contenders – The Varsity Club looks straight out over central Oxford, while The Alchemist offers a different view from atop the Westgate Centre.

Still not enough? Strike out along Cowley Road for more options.

Read more: The Best Cocktail Bars in Oxford

The Eagle & Child

Any Tolkien or C.S Lewis fans in the house? You’ll want to add The Eagle & Child to your things to see and do in the Oxford itinerary.

What may look like a relatively standard pub at first glance has an intriguing history.

It’s best known as the former meeting place of “The Inklings”, a group of writers that included –  you guessed it – Tolkien and Lewis.

The group met here on a weekly basis to discuss and critique each other’s work – maybe if you sit in the same spot, a little of their literary genius will rub off on you…

Oxford Historic Pub Crawl

Whether tucked away on hidden alleys or sat in plain view – Oxford has more than its fair share of historic pubs . We’re yet to find another British city with so many gorgeous old boozers and a mini pub crawl between them is a fun thing to do in Oxford (for adults).

Start with one of the oldest – The Bear Inn. Hidden in the maze of streets between Christchurch and the High Street, there’s been a pub in this spot since 1242 – though its current incarnation dates from the 17th century.

Move on to our favourite, The Turf Tavern, thought to have opened in the 15th century. It’s a bit hard to find, but when you do, you will find a quaint old building that’s straight out of the history books and some of Oxford’s best pints.

From there, it’s a short hop to The Lamb & Flag. Perched across the road from The Eagle & Child, the Inklings also used The Lamb & Flag as one of their meeting spots.

It’s also rumoured that Thomas Hardy wrote much of Jude the Obscure sitting in the pub. Cheers to that.

Read More: Historic Pubs and Cool Drinking Dens in Oxford

The Covered Market

The 18th-century Covered Market sits in the heart of Oxford. Over 40 traders have stalls and shops within the market – pop in for a browse and you’re never sure what you’ll come out with.

The best way to explore is to just have a wander around, but there are a couple of places you shouldn’t miss while you’re there.

Coffee lovers should make a beeline for Colombia Coffee Roasters, an independent coffee shop who sources their beans from their own family farm in Colombia.

Hop into Ben’s Cookies next door for one (or three) of their indulgently gooey and delicious cookies or iScream for a tasty gelato.

Read More: The Best Cafes in Oxford

Best Places to Visit in Oxford – Parks and Green Spaces

Christ church meadow.

Those wondering what to see in Oxford will be delighted to find out that the city has a surprising number of green spaces – including Christ Church Meadow.

Sandwiched between the River Isis (the stretch of the river Thames that runs through Oxford), the river Cherwell and Christ Church College, the Meadow is one of the best places to visit in Oxford on a warm summer’s day.

Rowers heave boats onto the river from the boat houses that line the Isis – plump yourself down on the grass and watch as they skull their way along the river, or have a picnic under the shade of a tree – just watch out for the cows.

Port Meadow (and a Few Gorgeous Pubs)

Much beloved by locals but largely overlooked by tourists, Port Meadow is an extensive meadow in the north of Oxford, above the Jericho area of town.

The meadow is part of an ancient patch of grazing land that dates back over 4,000 years. You’ll still find cows and horses roaming free on the meadow today.

While it’s nice enough for a stroll or a picnic on the banks of the Thames, it doesn’t hurt that the meadow leads to two of Oxford’s prettiest pubs – The Perch and The Trout.

The Perch – a 17th-century country inn – is closer and a lovely spot for a quiet drink or two.

It’s a bit of a walk to The Trout but the walk takes you through bucolic scenes that have remained largely unchanged for millennia.

What’s more, the pub serves great food AND has peacocks roaming freely in its gardens.

Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum

Oxford’s Botanic Gardens is the oldest botanic garden in the UK and one of the oldest in the world. They’re the peaceful escape in the heart of the city – bursting with over 6,000 plant species that are organised into a series of collections.

It’s educational, but the real joy is simply appreciating the dramatic plantings, which somehow look good at any time of the year.

The glasshouses are our favourite part of the garden – a stroll through them transports you to different parts of the world, where tropical palms grow taller than houses, or where desert cacti burst into rare blooms.

Any fans of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy should also keep an eye out for a bench overlooking the Isis, which is said to be the place where the main characters Lyra and Will return year after year in their respective worlds.

Fans have etched tribute messages into the bench – you will know it when you see it.  

There we are – the top things to do in Oxford. Are you ready to explore?

Things to do in Oxford: Tips for Planning Your Trip

• Oxford makes the perfect day trip from London – but we always advise to spend more time there if you can. We suggest three days to explore the city at a leisurely pace.
• Don’t bother with the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus. The city centre is surprisingly small and very walkable. So many of the best things to do in Oxford are clustered in a small area that taking the bus just isn’t worth it.
• There are millions of tours of Oxford and not all of them are created equal. We’ve used GetYourGuide for tours in the past as they are very reliable. The tours offered by the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian and The Ashmolean are all very interesting.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes. We mean it. Those cobbles will destroy your feet if you venture out in heels.
• We’ve only covered central Oxford as this is what most visitors focus on – but there’s a lot more to discover down the Cowley and Iffley Roads if you have a little more time.

Oxford Attractions: Map

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How much of the solar eclipse will you see in your town?

The solar eclipse will range from 83 percent to 97 percent in mississippi. here's what it will look like in your town..

• See what percentage of the sun will be eclipsed in your town.
• Places near Mississippi to see the 2024 eclipse in totality.
• How to safely view the 2024 solar eclipse.

The 2024 total eclipse of the sun is just around the corner and excitement is building around the event. In the U.S., the path of totality is a narrow band stretching from Texas to Maine on April 8, but the entire country with the exception of Alaska will see some degree of eclipsing as the moon passes between the sun and earth.

It's an event that won't be experienced again in the U.S. until 2045, so it's one you likely don't want to miss .

In 2045, Mississippi will be in the path of totality, but none of Mississippi will be in the path of totality next week. However, all of Mississippi will see significant eclipsing of the sun and regardless of where you are in the state, the event will begin at about 12:30 p.m., peak a little after 1:50 p.m. and end at 3:10 p.m. or a few minutes after.

So, what will the eclipse look like in your city? According to eclispe2024.org , it could be anywhere from 83% to 97% eclipsing with the highest percentage being in Northwest Mississippi.

Here's what the 2024 solar eclipse will look like in these cities

• Bay Saint Louis - 84.03%
• Brookhaven - 89.29%
• Clarksdale - 96.12%
• Columbus - 90.62%
• Greenville - 94.92%
• Gulfport - 83.75%
• Hattiesburg - 86.56%
• Iuka - 93.63%
• Jackson - 90.73%
• Meridian - 88.17%
• Natchez - 90.96%
• Olive Branch - 96.80%
• Oxford - 94.73%
• Pascagoula - 82.76%
• Picayune - 85.23%
• Southaven - 97.00%
• Starkville - 91.19%
• Tupelo - 93.12%
• Vicksburg - 91.96%
• Waynesboro - 86.29%

To see the percentage of eclipsing in other cities in Mississippi and the U.S., visit eclispe2024.org .

Places near Mississippi to view the 2024 solar eclipse in totality

Although the eclipse will be impressive in Mississippi, it won't be the same as a total eclipse of the sun. So, for people who are willing to take a drive to witness the event, below are some of the cities in the path of totality that are closer to Mississippi according to Google Maps .

• Jonesboro, Arkansas — 82 miles; 1 hour, 14 minutes from Southaven, Mississippi
• Hot Springs Arkansas — 177 miles; 3 hours, 13 minutes from Greenville, Mississippi
• Tyler, Texas — 271 miles, 4 hours; 3 minutes from Vicksburg, Mississippi

NASA Eclipse Explorer

How to watch the 2024 solar eclipse

Chris Sirola, associate professor of  astronomy and physics at the University of Southern Mississippi , gave advice on how to view solar eclipses.

• Sirola said under no circumstances should anyone look at an eclipse without glasses outfitted with special lenses designed for eclipse-viewing. He also noted they're inexpensive and  sell for about $15 per dozen  online.
• He said a welder's mask will work, too. Sirola also said cameras, binoculars and telescopes should be outfitted with a  filter designed for the specific purpose of viewing eclipses .
• You may also see it on the ground. Sirola said as light from the eclipse passes through small openings in leaves on trees, an image of the eclipse can be projected onto the ground or flat surfaces such as a deck similar to how a  primitive pinhole camera  projects images onto film.
• According to NASA, this pinhole camera effect  can be duplicated  with a note card with a small hole in it or even with a colander by holding it between the sun and a flat surface.

Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or [email protected].

Top 9 places in the Tri-State to view the April 8 solar eclipse

CINCINNATI — We're just days away from a total solar eclipse that will pass through a portion of the Tri-State on Monday, April 8.

The eclipse is spanning multiple states, with the partial solar eclipse beginning around 1:51 p.m. and most of our area's maximum times between 3:08-3:10 p.m. The partial eclipse then continues through 4:24 p.m. For a full list of viewing times per town, click here.

No matter where you plan to view the eclipse, thousands are expecting to flood the Tri-State area. Here are the top places you can view the phenomenon.

Oxford, Ohio

Oxford is home to Miami University, and it's also the host of the Total Eclipse of the Parks event for the solar eclipse. The city is holding an Eclipse Festival the Saturday prior filled with live music and food trucks. On Monday, multiple locations will be having watch parties, including Uptown Parks, Oxford Community park, Cook Field at Miami University and more. The watch party at Uptown Parks will also have live music by The Thumbtack Mechanics before and after the eclipse.

Metamora, Indiana

If you want to enjoy the eclipse but don't want to venture too far from the Cincinnati area, Metamora is the place for you. The Indiana town is one of the closest to Cincinnati, and it's hosting Dark Side of the Moon Festival at Gateway Park. The festival's slogan is "don't get caught in the dark alone" and it will have live music, food and more during the eclipse event.

Batesville, Indiana

Another good option for those wanting to hopefully make a quick getaway after the eclipse is over is Batesville, Indiana. The small town is location right off of I-74, and it's hosting a Batesville Blackout event at the Bill Gillespie Soccer Complex. The event is free to the public and will have food options from food trucks and vendors.

Hamilton, Ohio

Downtown Hamilton will be hosting a "Total Eclipse Weekend" with a variety of events leading up to the eclipse. On Monday, there will be multiple viewing parties and promotions at local businesses near downtown's Marcum Park. There will also be a variety of specialty eclipse-themed desserts, cocktails and more to enjoy in Hamilton's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area.

Connersville, Indiana

For those wanting to get the most out of the eclipse, Connersville, Indiana, will be the spot for you. Connersville is one of the closest towns to the center of totality, which is wear the total eclipse lasts the longest. In Connersville, the viewing time will last 3 minutes and 45 seconds. Other towns with longer viewing times include Laural, Indiana, Liberty, Indiana, and West College Corner, Indiana.

College Corner, Ohio

Music festival-lovers who also want to experience the eclipse can enjoy it during the Dark Side of the Moon Music Festival. Held at Hannon's Camp America, the festival, which costs $100, runs April 6-8, and it has two days of music, vendors, yoga classes and more leading up to the eclipse. Acts set to perform include Bohemian Funk, the Pushing Daisies Band, Act Casual, Glostik and more. For those interested, you can click here to purchase tickets.

Brookville, Indiana

Brookville, Indiana, is hosting its Mooned on Main event at the Courthouse lawn. The event will have music, food vendors, and family-friendly events, including a bounce house and interactive science centers for kids. All of the shops along Main Street are also still set to be open during the eclipse.

Dayton, Ohio

Though Dayton isn't super close to the center of totality, the city will still experience 2 minutes and 51 seconds of totality. The city is hosting a free watch party on the grounds of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The museum will have ample parking and viewing space, and attendees will be able to access the museum's exhibits.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Ok, so Cincinnati isn't in the path of totality, but there are still watch parties for the eclipse. Cincinnati will experience 99% totality, and the Cincinnati Observatory is hosting a sold-out watch party and the observatory, as well as a watch party at Rhinegeist Brewery. $1 per pint sold on Rhinegeist's rooftop from 2-4 p.m. Monday will be donated to the observatory. Since the brewery is outside of totality, there will be a live stream of the eclipse, as well. Tickets for Rhinegeist's watch party are $20, and they come with entry, a pair of eclipse glasses and a voucher for one beer. You can click here to purchase tickets.

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Where to buy solar eclipse glasses near me? Some locations may still have glasses for last-minute eclipse watchers

Today's the day when the moon's shadow will (partially) blot out the sun for millions of Floridians, and some of them may still be scrambling for eclipse glasses so they can safely look at it without frying their eyes. Where can you still find them?

You may have to call around, or do some driving. Many retail locations have been selling solar eclipse glasses this year and some places have been giving them away, but availability is "while supplies last" and that will be different for every place.

There's an eclipse today? The procrastinator's guide to viewing the solar eclipse in Florida

Where can I find eclipse glasses?

Here are some places to check. Remember, some may have sold out, and not all locations may have been carrying them. Make sure any eclipse glasses you buy are legitimate and include an ISO rating, an ISO number and an address, avoid any that say "NASA Approved," and test them before you look up .

7-Eleven, Buc-ee's, Circle K and more

You may not have to go farther than the end of your street. Many convenience stores and gas stations have been carrying eclipse glasses and may still have some in stock.

Eclipse glasses have been spotted at 7-Eleven , Circle K, and Buc-ee's locations and many individual stores may have jumped on the opportunity.

Fake eclipse glases on sale online: Are yours safe? How to test before the April solar eclipse

Big chain stores such as Walmart, Lowes

Walmart has offered a wide variety of eclipse glasses in different styles, so has Target . However, all of the glasses on their websites are shipping only which will be a little late, so check your local store for availability.

Some other places where eclipse glasses have been spotted:

• Ace Hardware
• Cracker Barrel

Does Publix have eclipse glasses?

No, Publix did not carry eclipse glasses this year, according to a local customer service rep.

Warby Parker, Sonic offering free eclipse glasses

Prescription eyeglasses retailer Warby Parker began handing out free eclipse glasses at their locations on April 1 so definitely call first.

Sonic Drive-in locations are offering free eclipse glasses with the purchase of their new Blackout Sonic Float.

Does Amazon offer same-day delivery of eclipse glasses?

Online stores are great for fast service, but you may want to give it a miss this time. The   American Astronomical Society (AAS) does not recommend buying eclipse glasses online due to the number of counterfeit, unsafe glasses that have hit the market this year.

Shooting the eclipse with your phone: Can I take a photo of the eclipse with my phone? Yes, but take these steps so you don't fry it

Do I need to wear solar eclipse glasses?

If you plan to look directly at the sun, yes. Even a brief glance may cause temporary or permanent damage to your eyes and eyesight.

"Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer," NASA advises . "The concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury."

How can I tell if my eclipse glasses are legitimate?

If you didn't buy your eclipse glasses directly from one of the vetted venders on the AAS list or a trusted source, check the text on the glasses for the  ISO 12312-2 standard listing and the address of the company. But these can be copied.

Don't trust any glasses that say they are NASA Approved . NASA doesn't do that.

Test your glasses first by putting them on inside and looking at a strong light source. You shouldn't be able to see anything, according to the AAS, although very bright lights may show up but would be very faint.

Go outside, put them on, and look at sunlight reflections or glance at the sun very quickly. You shouldn't see anything around you and the sun should appear to be a "sharp-edged, round disk" that's comfortably bright.

Can I watch the eclipse without looking at it?

Yes! If you don't manage to get glasses in time, there are several ways to see the eclipse that won't risk your eyes with items you probably have around the home.

Anything with a round hole in it can be held up to cast an image of the eclipse onto the ground or a sheet of white paper. Pinhole projectors, colanders, a slotted spoon, a Ritz cracker, even lacing your fingers together.

Or you can look under a tree. The sun shining through tree leaves and branches creates its own pinhole projector, casting lots of little crescent-moon shapes on the ground.

What time is the eclipse in Florida?

The eclipse will last roughly 2½ hours in Florida, starting around 1:40 p.m. EDT and ending around 4:17 EDT. The time of maximum coverage will be just before 3 p.m. EDT for most of the state.

You can find eclipse times for your ZIP code on the map below, just tap your location:

Cincinnati's next total solar eclipse. Start planning for 3046

On April 8, the moon will slide between Earth and the sun to make a solar eclipse. And for many people at the right place and time in Mexico, the United States and Canada, they will experience the greatest show in the universe, a total solar eclipse.

The moon’s shadow will sweep across the United States at around 2,000 miles per hour. It will travel from Dallas to Cleveland in 33 minutes.

This alignment between the sun, moon and Earth is so rare that, on average, any one spot in the northern hemisphere experiences a total solar eclipse every 330 years. But for places like Cincinnati, which has not had a total solar eclipse since 1395, this is a once in a millennium astronomical event. Especially when you consider that Cincinnati proper still won't see full totality until the year 3046.

So continue reading to figure out where to go (and when) to experience this rare totality.

Cincinnati partial solar eclipse timeline

In the city of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, there will not be a total solar eclipse. Many places in the area will experience 98-99% of the sun blocked by the moon. Although the sky will likely darken and the temperature will drop a little, people outside the path of totality will not experience the full dazzling effects of the total solar eclipse.

• Partial eclipse begins: 1:52 p.m.
• Maximum eclipse: 3:09-3:10 p.m.
• Partial eclipse ends: 4:24 p.m.

Find eclipse totality near you

The narrow path of totality looks like a ribbon arcing through Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont and Maine. The closer you are to the path of totality, the greater your partial eclipse will be. But getting into totality should be your ultimate goal.

With many schools and businesses in Cincinnati closed for the eclipse, here are nearby locations to view various amounts of totality.

• Downtown Cincinnati: 0:00 (no totality at all).
• Jungle Jim's, Fairfield: 35 seconds.
• Harrison, Ohio: 1 minute, 30 seconds.
• Hamilton, Ohio: 1 minute, 41 seconds.
• Middletown, Ohio: 1 minute, 57 seconds.
• Dayton, Ohio: 2 minutes, 42 seconds.
• Oxford, Ohio: 2 minutes, 50 seconds.
• Batesville, Indiana: 2 minutes, 59 seconds.
• Richmond, Indiana: 3 minutes, 49 seconds.
• Wapakoneta, Ohio: 3 minutes, 57 seconds.

Here's what the total solar eclipse will look like

The solar eclipse begins when the leading edge of the moon appears in silhouette in front of the sun. For most locations in the United States, the moon will first cover the bottom right section of the sun and appear to slowly move up and to the left. This is called the partial solar eclipse stage. The moon will continue to cover more of the sun over the next hour, slowly building toward the total eclipse.

During the partial eclipse stages, if even a slim crescent of sunlight is shining, you need to use certified safe solar viewing methods like eclipse glasses. Even 1% of the sun shining around the moon could still cause eye damage.

Just before totality, the last rays of sunlight trickle around the mountains of the moon. The dazzling effect is called the diamond ring because you can see the outline of the moon in front of a ghostly white light.

Solar activity has ramped up lately and you may be able to see solar prominences. These extreme eruptions on the sun, if large enough, may be visible as tiny pink protuberances peaking around the edge of the moon.

Then, at totality, the wispy, ethereal tendrils of the corona of the sun extend in various directions. While the moon is completely covering the sun, that is the only time when the sky is dark enough for you to see this outer atmosphere of the sun.

For people with specially filtered binoculars or telescopes, you can zoom in seconds before or after totality to witness Bailey's Beads: the beads of sunlight coming through the valleys and around the mountains of the moon.

Annular vs. total solar eclipses

For totality to take place, everything must be lined up perfectly. The moon, at around 240,000 miles from Earth, must move directly in front of the sun, which is 93,000,000 miles away. But the moon varies its distance from us. When it is farther from Earth, it does not appear large enough in the sky to block out the entire sun. This is called an annular solar eclipse or ring of fire eclipse since the moon appears to be nestled completely inside the disc of the sun with a ring of bright sunlight surrounding it. This last happened on Oct. 14, 2023.

In order to create a total solar eclipse, the moon must be close enough to the Earth to block out the entire sun. And even under the most perfect alignment, the moon’s shadow barely reaches the Earth’s surface to be visible along a swath of the planet 80-120 miles wide. This is called the path of totality. The maximum amount of time that the moon can totally eclipse the sun is 7 1/2 minutes, while the eclipse on April 8 will last one second at the edge of the shadow to a maximum of 4 minutes, 28 seconds in Mexico.

Don’t miss it: Next total solar eclipses by state

• Ohio: Sept. 14, 2099.
• Kentucky: Oct. 17, 2153.
• Indiana: Sept. 14, 2099.
• Texas: May 11, 2078.
• Arkansas: Aug. 12, 2045.
• Missouri: Aug. 12, 2045.
• Illinois: Sept. 14, 2099.
• Pennsylvania: May 1, 2079.
• New York: May 1, 2079.
• Vermont: May 1, 2079.
• New Hampshire: May 1, 2079.
• Maine: May 1, 2079.

Dean Regas is an astronomer, host of the Looking Up podcast, and author of six books including "100 Things to See in the Night Sky." He can be reached at astrodean.com

Eclipse Chasing : Online Astronomy Class

What: The total solar eclipse is coming Monday, April 8, and you do not want to miss it! Astronomy expert and eclipse chaser, Dean Regas, shares his tips on where to go, what to look for, and how to view it safely. Plus, he will give you tools to watch the weather forecast to make sure you go to a place with clear skies.

When: Recorded April 4, your ticket allows you to watch the class at your convenience.

Tickets: $10 per household.

Register : astrodean.com/shop .

What time does the solar eclipse happen in Michigan? Search your ZIP code here.

Today ― April 8, 2024 ― is the day of the Great American Eclipse that's expected to cross a large span of the mainland United States .

Most of Michigan  doesn't fall in the path of totality , but assuming skies are clear at any point within the 2.5-hour span or so , you can still see the moon crossing the sun with eclipse glasses or a safe eclipse viewer .

There's one small sliver of Monroe County, near Toledo, that's  expected to be in the path of totality . This means the area will likely dim and temperatures drop a few degrees as the moon's shadow covers the sun.

Here's how Michiganders can watch the eclipse.

What time is the 2024 solar eclipse near me? What time is the eclipse in Michigan?

Use our ZIP code locator below to find out when the 2024 solar eclipse is in your area, from start to finish, and what you can expect it to look like.

Can't see our graphics? Try this page.

The April 8, 2024, solar eclipse will start in northern Mexico before making its way into the United States, starting when the shadow of the moon passes into Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT.

The eclipse will carve a path straight through Texas before heading northeast through the rest of the country , including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. That also includes a small section of southeastern Monroe County in Michigan .

When is the 2024 eclipse in Michigan?

The April 8, 2024 eclipse begins at approximately 1:55 p.m. in Michigan , depending on your location. In Detroit, it begins at 1:58 p.m. Totality takes place between 3:10-3:15 p.m. The partial eclipse will end at approximately 4:24-4:27 p.m., again depending on your exact location.

Here's when you can expect to view the eclipse from your city or area. (Can't see the chart below? Tap  here .)

Here's a map view of several notable Michigan cities. Tap the city nearest you to find out when the eclipse will begin and end in your area.

What time is the 2024 eclipse in Detroit?

In Detroit, where there will be 99.4% coverage of the sun, the 2024 solar eclipse will begin at 1:58 p.m.  and reach maximum totality, or coverage, around 3:14 p.m. It will conclude with a final partial eclipse at 4:27 p.m.

What time is the 2024 eclipse in Grand Rapids?

In Grand Rapids, where there will be 94% coverage of the sun, the 2024 solar eclipse will begin at 1:55 p.m.  and reach maximum totality, or coverage, around 3:11 p.m. It will conclude with a final partial eclipse at 4:24 p.m.

What time is the 2024 eclipse in Lansing?

In Lansing, where there will be 96% coverage of the sun, the 2024 solar eclipse will begin at 1:56 p.m.  and reach maximum totality, or coverage, around 3:12 p.m. It will conclude with a final partial eclipse at 4:25 p.m.

What time is the 2024 eclipse in Marquette?

In Marquette, where there will be 79% coverage of the sun, the 2024 solar eclipse will begin at 1:58 p.m.  and reach maximum totality, or coverage, around 3:14 p.m. It will conclude with a final partial eclipse at 4:27 p.m.

Countdown to the 2024 solar eclipse

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Watch CBS News

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News

A total solar eclipse  crossed North America Monday with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show  where and when astronomy fans could see the big event  as skies darkened in the middle of the day Monday, April 8.

The total eclipse first appeared along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then traveled across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality , the area where the moon fully blocked out the sun , according to NASA. The path ranged between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse started over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that experienced totality was Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. From there, the path continued into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse exited continental North America at around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality included portions of the following states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. were included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others saw a partial eclipse. These were some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — though the weather was a factor :

• San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
• Austin, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Dallas, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dayton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Buffalo, New York
• Rochester, New York
• Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont

Map of when the solar eclipse reached totality across its path

The eclipse began in the U.S. as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and then moving along its path to the northeast over the following few hours.

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. People could have also  checked their ZIP code on NASA's map  to see when the eclipse was to reach them if they were on, or near, the path of totality — or if they saw a partial eclipse instead.

How much of the eclipse did people see if they live outside the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse covered a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may have spotted a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer they were to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that was hidden.

NASA allowed viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun was to be covered in their locations.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality had a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year. 

You could have checked the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel .

Where did the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, got to experience totality for the longest. Totality there lasted 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA. 

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality saw a totality duration of between 3.5 and 4 minutes, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. came close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, had a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse they had on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse but, according to The Planetary Society , the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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Where to buy solar eclipse glasses, according to the experts

Solar eclipse enthusiasts have little time left to get their hands on safe viewing glasses before the celestial phenomenon Monday.

Austin residents, and many other Americans, will be able to view the 2024 total solar eclipse from within its path of totality, meaning the sun will be completely blocked by the moon. Except during the brief moment when the sun is completely covered, viewers must wear specialized eye protection to safely see the eclipse, NASA says .

Thankfully, there are several retailers still selling safe eclipse viewing glasses. Here's what to know about the historic event and where to buy eclipse viewing glasses.

What is a solar eclipse?

According to NASA , a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, either fully or partially blocking the sun's light. This casts a momentary shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse, which will happen Monday, is when the moon completely blocks out the sun. These do not happen very often, and can only be experienced by people located in the center of the moon's shadow.

Where to buy solar eclipse glasses

The Statesman turned to the experts at the American Astronomical Society for information on safe eclipse viewing glasses. These retailers, and others, are on their approved list :

• Walmart: Prices start at $9.99. They're available to snag online .
• Lowe's: Eclipse glasses are available in-store only .
• The Home Depot: Sells eclipse glasses , but its stock is very limited and may no longer be available.
• Staples: Purchase a 50-pack of eclipse glasses for $149.50 online .
• More local stores: Buc-ee's , Cracker Barrel and Kroger .

Is your local store out of solar eclipse glasses? Check out this map of stores by Linq that still have them in stock .

When buying eclipse viewing glasses, make sure they are certified by the International Organization for Standardization and have the "ISO" icon. The glasses should also have the ISO reference number: 12312-2.

How to spot fake eclipse glasses

Fake eclipse viewing glasses are all over the marketplace, the American Astronomical Society warned in a news release .

The society recommends only buying glasses from sellers on its vetted list .

NASA does not endorse any brand of glasses, so if pairs are marketed as approved by the space agency, that may be a red flag, experts warn.

Before the eclipse, the society recommends testing the glasses indoors and outside. If they are safe, nothing should be visible through the lenses, and bright lights should only faintly appear. When looking at the sun through the glasses, it may appear white, yellow, orange or bluish white, and the light should not hurt the viewers eyes.

When is the eclipse in Texas?

Many Texas cities are within the solar eclipse's updated path of totality , or the direction of the moon's shadow across Earth. These cities will experience brief total darkness, while areas outside the path of totality will see partial darkness.

The eclipse will be visible in Texas, starting near Del Rio and moving northeast, around 1:30 p.m. It will exit the Lone Star State around 1:49 p.m.

Austin viewers will have the best chance to see the eclipse between 1:35 and 1:40 p.m.

How often do total solar eclipses occur?

Total solar eclipses only happen about once every 18 months and can't be seen from everywhere. The next total eclipse that will be viewable from the United States after Monday will be Aug. 23, 2044.