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: 190
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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,…
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.
Towns & Villages
Henley on Thames
South Oxfordshire is an area full of natural beauty, picturesque villages, shops to browse and places to stay and to eat.
Pub/Inn
Woodstock, Oxfordshire
The Duke of Marlborough is ideally situated on the edge of historic Woodstock at the gateway to the Cotswolds and with the birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace, almost next door.
Restaurant
Oxford
Soak up the atmosphere and experience a twist on traditional British and European cuisine within a contemporary setting.
Towns & Villages
Oxford
Visit Oxfordshire and discover one of the most beautiful English counties, with the most inspiring city at its heart.
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.
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…
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…
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.
Café
Hook Norton, Banbury
Enjoy fresh, locally sourced dishes at the Malthouse Kitchen at Hook Norton Brewery, Oxfordshire. Cozy indoor dining, beer garden, family & dog friendly. Tours, Shire horses & museum on site. Join us for breakfast, lunch or just a relaxing coffee or…
Animal Collection / Zoo
Carterton
Come and join us on a great day out with photo opportunities, feeding displays, crocodile talks and much more. Not to mention meeting all the amazing crocodiles, alligators and caimans. Highlights include: Meet all 12 crocodile species - including…
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
Steam Railway
Chinnor
The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway is an award-winning heritage railway steaming alongside the Chiltern Hills on an approximately 1-hour round trip.
Garden Centre
Oxford
Waterperry Gardens
Eight acre ornamental gardens with a fascinating history, including; Plant Centre, Gift Barn, Gallery, Museum, Teashop and events throughout the year.
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…
Historic House / Palace
ABINGDON
This lovely family home built in circa 1660 was remodelled in the early 1700’s for the Blandy family. With English and French furniture in the elegant panelled rooms the entrance hall is dominated by its handsome cantilevered staircase.
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
Woodstock
Woodstock, eight miles north west of Oxford is often visited for two reasons: Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and his grave in nearby Bladon. However, Woodstock has much more to offer...
It is a fine Georgian town with a…
Town
THAME
Thame, a thriving market town at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, is just 14 miles from Oxford. Its historic centre has a vibrant High Street; host regular events – from festivals to traditional market days; and features in Midsomer Murders
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