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. The Doubletree by Hilton Oxford Belfry is located just a short hop from the Chilterns National Landscape (previously known as Area of Oustanding National Beauty) in the market town of Thame with a health club and treatment rooms, visitors can take time to relax, aswell as explore from this Oxfordshire hotel. 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
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Botanic Garden
Oxford
The oldest botanic garden in the UK displays over 7,000 different species in a grade 1 listed garden with exotic glasshouses, water & rock gardens and beautiful boarders. The garden has events for all ages throughout the year.
Historic House / Palace
Wantage
Home of the Baring family. Early 18thC beautifully symmetrical house with unusually fine brickwork. The entrance is dominated by the Imperial staircase.
Nature Reserve
Oxford
The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust cares for 80 nature reserves. Thames-side reserves include: Chimney Meadows – wildflowers, birds and butterflies; Iffley Meadows – snake’s head fritillaries; Hartslock – orchids all summer.
Pub/Inn
Oxford
The St Aldates Tavern is perfectly located right in the heart of the City of Oxford. We're just a stones throw away from the High Street in between the hustle and bustle of the shopping areas and the relative tranquillity of some of Oxford…
Event Venue
Oxford
Oxford Proms-concerts with international soloists in Oxford’s historic buildings from 7 – 17 August 2013 featuring BBC Proms favourite Michael Collins playing Mozart, and Grieg piano concerto with Mami Shikimori, plus many more favourites.
Adventure Park / Playground
Oxford
The games, provided by Ex(c)iting Game are suitable for almost all ages. If you would like an unusual, exciting hour while you are staying in Oxford, you must visit us and we will guarantee you an hour of unique excitement.
Family program,…
Pub/Inn
Oxford
The Grapes epitomises Oxford’s George Street of old. Situated in a prime location, the pub’s curiously traditional exterior stands out from the surrounding identikit chain bars and restaurants, whilst the new, lovingly restored interior envelops you…
Pub/Inn
Woodstock
Mouthwatering magic from our award winning chefs, served day and night, and lovingly created with only the finest local ingredients.
For further details please visit www.thekillingworthcastle.com
Pub/Inn
Swinbrook
A dreamy Cotswold inn serving award-winning food, the Swan pins its colours to the mast of the flagpole stood outside its doors.
Shop
Oxford University Shop offers the most comprehensive range of Oxford University merchandise.
Historic House / Palace
Banbury
Sulgrave Manor is a superb example of a modest Manor House and Garden of the time of Shakespeare, and was the home of George Washingtons direct ancestors. In 1539 the Manor was bought from Henry VIII by Lawrence Washington a successful Northampton…
Nature Reserve
Bruern
Foxholes is a tranquil woodland sloping down to the River Evenlode with year-round colour and wildlife interest but particularly noted for its springtime bluebells.
Managed by Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, this 66ha (165 acre) reserve has a…
Museum
Wantage
The museum is housed within a converted 16thC cloth merchant's house.
An interactive auditorium presents the history of the Vale and Downland area. Special collections from across the Vale display the story of Wantage and the rural life of its…
Café
Oxford
Cafe open all day serving coffee, pastries, lunches and famous afternoon tea and tea cakes and cream tea's.
Speciality: Mushrooms on toast, Loco mess desert, handmade bread with Loco chutney.
Historic House / Palace
DAVENTRY
NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTY
Elizabethan Manor House, home of the Dryden family. Unaltered since 1710. A grand church is all that remains of the Augustinian Priory (Exhibiton in Church). Interesting formal garden.
Pub/Inn
Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
For those seeking the traditional Cotswold experience or those who have a desire for walking the King’s Head, sitting behind the village green, ticks all the boxes.
Historic Site
Oxford
Secular venue for the principal meetings & public ceremonies of the university.
Historic House / Palace
Wallingford
The home and workplace of Dr Edward Bach who created The Bach Flower remedy system in the 1930s. The gardens contain many remedy plants and the house features Dr Bach's consulting room.
Museum
Oxford
Our schools performances, exhibitions and workshops help children engage with and enjoy stories. Transforming your
school into a ‘story museum’ for the day can be one of the most inexpensive, inclusive and powerful ways of stimulating everyone’s…
Historic Site
Oxford
Oxford's oldest building, boasting the oldest stained glass in Oxford. Associated with William Shakespeare, William Morris and Charles I.