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: 188
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Towns & Villages
Bruern
An Abbey is recorded at Bruern as early as 1147. The monastery was small and disreputable even compared to others in the Cotswolds, with a racy history of succession plots, deposed abbots and riots!
Historic Site
Oxford
The Bodleian is a working library & part of the University of Oxford. It is housed in remarkable buildings which form the historic heart of the University, & has been seen in TV shows such as Inspector Morse, & films such as Harry Potter.
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.
Towns & Villages
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.
Towns & Villages
Witney
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…
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
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.
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.
Museum
Oxford
History of the city and university. Discover the cities earliest residents, medieval crafts, civil war stories, famous literary connections and the growth of a modern city.
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…
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.
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…
Boat Hire
Henley-on-Thames
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…
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.
Vineyard
WALLINGFORD
Brightwell Vineyard was first planted in the late 1980's and acquired by its present owners in 2000. It covers 16 acres and grows 8 varieties of grape including Bacchus, Chardonnay, Huxelrebe, Dornfelder and Pinot Noir.
Town
Didcot
Didcot is a town and civil parish in Oxfordshire and the area around has been inhabited for at least 9000 years.
Boat Hire
OXFORD
The Cherwell Boathouse is an iconic restaurant and punt station close to the centre Oxford. Established in 1904 and it has been a family run for over 50 years as a working Boathouse and restaurant with over 80 handmade punts in the water.
Towns & Villages
Black Bourton
Near to Bampton, this village is worth a visit to see the outstanding 13th century wall paintings in the church. There is also a thriving vineyard producing nine different wines. Visitors are welcome but it’s best to phone in advance (01993 842028).
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.