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 141 to 160.
Towns & Villages
Wallingford
Voted one of the best countryside locations to relocate, Wallingford is well known for its location on the banks of the River Thames, taking its name from the crossing it provided to animals and people.
Boat
Lower Heyford
Oxfordshire Narrowboats is proudly independent. We offer a real voice at the end of the phone to help you choose the right boat and location for your valuable escape from the pressures of modern day living!
Our boats are fully equipped with…
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.
Pub/Inn
Clanfield
The Cotswold Plough Hotel, Clanfield, is a perfect example of a 16th century, stylish yet informal hotel in the Cotswold countryside. The restaurant menu offers imaginative and mouth-watering dishes and prides itself on using local Cotswold produce,…
Museum
Charlbury
Charlbury Museum is an independent museum, run entirely by volunteers. Its five rooms are crammed with exhibits revealing the history of this ancient market town. There is plenty here to interest both adults and children. The contents include:…
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Oxford
A victorian building opened in 1897 and still used for local government. Original rooms such as the Court Room and Council Chambers are available to view as is the City Plate Collection. Home to the Museum of Oxford from Spring 2012.
Theatre
Oxford
The New Theatre, Oxford, is owned by The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) who are the biggest theatre owners in the country, owning 40 theatres across the UK.
There has been a theatre on the corner of George Street for almost 170 years. During…
Museum
Long Hanborough
As well as over 30 buses on display, there are other numerous exhibits adding a period feel. Visitors can enter several of the vehicles and there are often free vintage bus ride.
Nature Reserve
Henley-on-Thames
In this secluded valley high in the Chilterns you will find a mosaic of habitats from birch, conifer and beech woodlands to chalk grassland and scrub.
Music Hall
Kennington, Oxford
The Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the leading orchestras in the UK. Praised as ‘excellent’ by Gramophone Magazine and ‘thoroughly impressive’ by BBC Music Magazine, the Orchestra’s reputation is based on the uncompromising artistic…
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…
Boat Trip
Oxford
Oxford River Cruises provides a range of luxury boat trips, sightseeing tours and unique picnic cruises in the heart of the historic city of Oxford.
Their vessels provide a comfortable and intimate setting for an unforgettable river experience…
Pub/Inn
Faringdon
The friendly, traditional village pub in Uffington with unrivalled views of the Bronze Age White Horse and Iron Age - Saxon Hill Fort.
Museum
Oxford
Collection of art and archaeology, from ancient Egypt to the 20thC. Paintings, sculpture, ceramics, silver, glass and coins, plus art from the Far East.
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.
Restaurants
Banbury
Situated in the thatched village of Wroxton, 5 minutes from Banbury, this former 17th Century manor house offers comfortable accomodation, excellent homemade food and a truly warm welcome.
Animal Collection / Zoo
Burford
One of Oxfordshire’s top attractions and one of the most beautiful zoological collections in the country is Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens. Get eye-to-eye with Giraffe, Walk with lemurs or watch rhinos graze on the Manor House lawns.
Spa
Witney
The Spa at Witney Lakes Resort provides you with the chance to taste the exotics as well as adding a touch of luxury to your regular treatments.
Nature Reserve
Reading
Ewelme is situated at the western end of the Chilterns, on the eastern slopesof the Thames valley. It is in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Gallery
Oxford
Established in 1965, Modern Art Oxford is one of the UK's leading public galleries renowned for the quality of its exhibitions, activities and publications.