Oxfordshire – Things to do in Oxfordshire
What’s Oxfordshire famous for?
One of the most beautiful counties in England is Oxfordshire. The best things to do in Oxfordshire include visiting many market towns, stunning countryside, and outstanding chocolate box villages!
In Oxfordshire, England there is a wide range of places to visit. Oxford, the county’s capital, known as The City of Dreaming Spires, and home to the world-famous University of Oxford, the Ashmolean Museum, and the Bodleian Libraries. There’s also a thriving art and culture scene, with facilities like the Oxford Playhouse and the Old Fire Station hosting Oxford’s best year-round performances of theatre, dance, comedy, and other genres to experience.
Travel west to the Cotswolds for days out to the area’s towns of Witney, historically known for its blanket industry but now a lively market town, and Burford, a picture-perfect Cotswold town with an abundance of antique stores and restaurants. West Oxfordshire, unsurprisingly, is home to some unusual fauna. The UK’s only crocodile zoo, Crocodiles of the World, lies in Burford, and the Cotswold Wildlife Park is nearby, with over 260 species of animals.
To the north of Oxford is Woodstock, where tourists can find exquisite Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s birthplace and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hook Norton lies a little farther north, situated in the rolling Oxfordshire countryside, where you may have a pint of Hooky at the Hook Norton Brewery, which was founded in 1849. Bicester is a bustling market town in the north-west of the county that has grown tremendously in recent years alongside Bicester Complex, a luxury shopping village that attracts people from all over the world. Thame, a bustling market town nestled at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, is close by. The ancient town center includes a bustling High Street that hosts a variety of events, festivals, and markets on a regular basis.
Abingdon-on-Thames, which goes back to the Iron Age, is located to the south along the Thames River. Wallingford, further south along the river, is where Agatha Christie lived from 1934 to 1974. The village is one of the key filming locations for Midsomer Murders, which continues the crime fiction ties. Henley-on-Thames, a scenic town famous for the annual Royal Regatta, which attracts over 300,000 spectators every year, is located farther south east near the River Thames. You can easily plan your day out with the help of our interactive map.
What things are there to do in Oxfordshire, England?
Looking for things to do in Oxfordshire? You can get a sense of déjà vu with so many places being the source as a backdrop for television and film productions, from Morse to Harry Potter. Bampton and Greys Court, two locations utilised for filming in the hit ITV show Downton Abbey, are both located in Oxfordshire.
The lush and verdant Cherwell Valley, in the north of Oxfordshire, is centered on the lovely town of Banbury, where you can actually see a fine lady on a white horse – or at least a statue of her. With lots of little beautiful villages, school and church events and rolling hills, it’s just one of the busy market towns to see on an Oxfordshire tour.
Where are the best outdoor attractions to visit in Oxfordshire?
There are lots of beautiful outdoor things to see in Oxfordshire for the whole family:
Downton Abbey Village, Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds Day Trip from London
Even if you just have a short amount of time in Oxfordshire or London, you may still get out and experience the English countryside. On a day excursion to Blenheim Palace and picturesque Cotswolds villages, including the filming location of the TV program Downtown Abbey, tick off some of southern England’s greatest attractions without the hassle of vehicle rental and navigating.
Santa’s BIG Christmas Present Hunt (Self-guided Game + Tour) Cotswolds
Can you locate all of Santa’s gifts scattered over the region?
This holiday season, truly discover the Cotswolds with friends and family. Play the Big Festive Quiz and solve Christmas Riddles while seeing must-see attractions and hidden jewels to earn prizes and compete to become the UK’s Super Elf! A whole new way to travel, discover, and have fun… all thanks to the user-friendly Smartphone App!
Bicester Village Private Guided Shopping Experience
Shop until you’re blue in the face! Picture a village with numerous luxury brands all in one location, with the opportunity to buy everything at a discount. This must be music to the ears of a true shopper, right? This tour will take you to Bicester Village, a high-end outlet shopping center just outside of London that is ideal for anyone searching for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Bicester Village, located halfway between London and Birmingham, is home to more than 160 shops, as well as cafes and restaurants such Farmshop and the Villandry Grand Café. On brands like MaxMara, Hugo Boss, DKNY, and others, shoppers may save up to 70% off the regular price. A children’s play area, free wi-fi, valet parking, worldwide courier service, and hands-free purchasing are also available at the mall.
Garth Park features award-winning outdoor formal gardens, picnic benches, a lovely traditional bandstand, open space sections, a children’s play area, and a skate park.
What is there to do in Oxfordshire for kids?
Partyman World of Play
Imagine a place featuring multi-level play structures with all the best ball ponds, go-karts, comfortable seating for parents to unwind, and a constantly changing menu of freshly prepared cuisine. Visit Partyman World of Play for a fun day out or the ideal setting for your child’s birthday celebration. To make your party even more special, Partyman World Oxford has four specifically designed party rooms that you may rent for the duration of your event.
Scramm
A genuine live escape room with tons of things to do like solving clues, puzzles, and much more in order to escape their themed rooms in under an hour! They have lots of places to escape, with a Chocolate Factory, Bank Robbery, and Virus Room. They are Covid-friendly: when you arrive, they take your temperature and sanitize your hands. Between games, the rooms are cleaned.
Laser Kombat Oxford
Prepare for war with themed jackets, custom backpacks, and cutting-edge laser weaponry. Through fog-filled warfare zones, dodge fire and hunt opponents. To determine who wins the struggle for overall supremacy, race around and score points either independently or as part of a team. Their professionally trained Laser Tag staff will give you a fun briefing on how to play Laser Kombat, talk you through all the things you can and can’t do and will be on hand throughout the game to ensure that everything is fair on the battlefield! You can pick up a scoresheet from reception at the end of the game to compare results with your fellow Laser Kombat operatives.
Waterfowl Sanctuary and Children’s Farm
A picturesque farm, located in the heart of rural Oxfordshire, welcomes you and your family to come and vist their animals. Adults and children (under proper adult supervision) can handle baby animals in the sanctuary’s ‘Cuddle Corner.’ You may feed the critters and snuggle the pets, which range from rabbits and gerbils to emus and goats. They offer a spacious playground with a tractor, swings, a Wendy house, and many other outdoor things to do! Currently open by appointment only so get their contact details from their website to get in contact before you plan to visit.