South Oxfordshire
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 city sightseeing bus tour, a great way to get your bearings and discover some of the interesting facts and stories behind the city, with 20 bus stops you and hop on and off as must as you like or just sit and enjoy the ride.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Number of results: 189
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Pub/Inn
Faringdon
The Old Crown Coaching Inn is a 15 century Coaching Inn, with a two AA Rosette fine dining restaurant ,fabulous relaxed pub for casual dining and quirky cocktail bar for a nights out with friends or family.
Rural Destinations
Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton, perched on the highest point in Oxfordshire, is a bustling and lively market town.
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Oxford
Explore the 1,000-year history of Oxford Castle Prison. Step back in time with our costumed guided tours and listen to fascinating stories as they are brought to life. Dive into fascinating tales of traitors, royals and rebels, led by expert…
Department Store
Oxford
John Lewis Oxford offers three floors of the best in fashion, home, giftware, technology and electrical items. Pop in and ask a Partner about our upcoming workshops, tasters and classes.
Tea Room/Coffee Shop
Woodstock
We have a range of delicious cafés and restaurants available for you to enjoy with your family and friends. Whether you’re after some warming comfort food or a sophisticated afternoon tea, we have something for everyone. Much of our produce is…
Boat Trip
Henley-on-Thames
Hobbs of Henley offers river cruises in Henley‑on‑Thames, providing a relaxing and memorable way to explore the River Thames. From scenic sightseeing cruises and themed river trips to luxury private charters, it’s an ideal choice for a day out in…
Towns & Villages
This ancient university city is both timeless and modern, with plenty of things to do, lively arts venues, bustling shops and fashionable restaurants
Country / Royal Park
Carterton
Set within 50 acres Kilkenny Lane Country Park is an ideal location for playing, walking, jogging, or simply relaxing with a picnic. There are 2.5km of paths (suitable for wheelchair access) and bridleways, as well as an adventure play area
Towns & Villages
Charlbury
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.
Towns & Villages
Chipping Norton
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.
Trips & Tours
Oxford
Let us take you on a journey on our award-winning open-top hop-on hop-off bus tour to reveal the ancient and modern history and mystery of Oxford. From the early settlement of the world’s oldest English-speaking university to the development of…
Wildlife
Abingdon
Earth Trust is an Oxfordshire charity championing accessible green spaces. Based at Earth Trust Centre by Wittenham Clumps, it hosts events like nature workshops, farm festivals, and archaeology tours. With nature reserves across the county, it…
Vineyard
Henley-on-Thames
Oaken Grove Vineyard is a family-run boutique vineyard which produces award winning English white and rose still and sparkling wines. The vineyard was established in 1986 and has seven acres of Pinot Noir, Bacchus and Madeleine Angevine vines. In…
Towns & Villages
Ramsden
A beautiful and peaceful stone village on the north-east edge of the Cotswolds. Ramsden, meaning 'wild garlic valley', is another ideal base for exploring the surrounding countryside either on foot or on bicycle.
Towns & Villages
Chipping Norton
This small village has some fine buildings and is known locally for its independent furniture workshops. Among its attractions are the church, modelled on various Oxford buildings, a memorial to William Smith and a Victorian fountain.
Theatre
Wantage
The Beacon is illuminating Wantage through the culture, leisure and entertainment. As a vibrant gathering place for the local community, we offer a varied programme of live events from cinema, music, theatre and comedy to a regular activity…
Towns & Villages
Located at the heart of middle England, North Oxfordshire boasts a landscape of rolling countryside, the thriving market towns of Banbury and Bicester, picturesque thatch topped villages, and a wide range of good quality overnight accommodation and a
Towns & Villages
Tackley
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…
Towns & Villages
Shipton under Wychwood
Heart of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds and still a place of mystery, the area was once the ancient Royal Hunting Forest of Wychwood, much of which survives. Shipton is the largest of the Wychwoods (the others are Ascott and Milton), each having their…
Restaurant
Oxford
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…
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