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. 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 also has great access to the A34. Did you know you can actually stay on the Blenheim Palace Estate? Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat has around 30 lodges set in peaceful and well maintained grounds, located within walking distance of the Palace, some lodges welcoming dogs too, so everyone in the family came come on your next Oxfordshire adventure.
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 fabulous pub, cocktail bar, fine dining and casual dining restaurant, with 14 en suite bedrooms, a beautiful courtyard, and a private car park.
Restaurant
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,…
Historic House / Palace
Woodstock
Birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and home to the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace, one of the finest baroque houses in England, is set in over 2,000 acres of landscaped gardens
Railway
Didcot
Didcot Railway Centre is a heritage railway attraction in Oxfordshire, offering visitors the chance to explore restored steam locomotives, historic trains and interactive railway exhibits. Perfect for a family day out in Oxfordshire, it combines…
Historic Site
ABINGDON
Discover the historic Abingdon Abbey Buildings at the heart of the the ancient town of Abingdon-on-Thames - this historic site story stretches back to the Middle Ages, and was once one of the richest monastic foundations in the country.
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…
Towns & Villages
Chipping Norton
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.
Town
ABINGDON
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…
Towns & Villages
Cassington
The centre of this small village is its traditional green, one of two in the village, lined by attractive old cottages, the pub and the school. An avenue of lime trees leads across the side of the green to the Norman doorway of the church.
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…
Towns & Villages
Spelsbury
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.
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
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
Dorchester On Thames
A charming, historic, Oxfordshire village at the confluence of the rivers Thame and Thames with an imposing church and the Sinodun Hills as a backdrop.
Animal Collection / Zoo
Chipping Norton, Chipping Norton
Mixing classic fairy tales, animals and adventure play, children will love Fairytale Farm.
With an exciting adventure playground, an enchanted walk with a surprise around every corner and a chance to meet our amazing animals, there is so much to…
Town
Henley On Thames
Henley is a beautiful 13th century market town in Oxfordshire famous for its popular festivals. View a map of the area and places to visit nearby
Towns & Villages
Northmoor
A small village, close to the River Thames, handy for Oxford, and south east of Witney. Tucked away off the beaten track with plenty of walks. The recently restored 14th century church, and the pub provide a village focus.
Brewery
Banbury
Hook Norton is one of only 32 family owned breweries and is the finest example of a Victorian Tower Brewery in the country.
Towns & Villages
Burford
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!
© Visit South East England 2026. All Rights Reserved
.png){kind=icon}
