Guide to Oxfordshire
Top 10 Must Do
In no specific order, here’s OX Living’s definitive top 10 ‘must do’ guide to Oxfordshire.
Or, if you’re looking for some more inspiration here’s our Top 10 Must See in Oxfordshire.
- Punting from The Cherwell Boathouse
- Shopping at Bicester Village
- Bill Spectre’s Oxford Ghost Trail
- A day trip to Burford, the Gateway to the Cotswolds
- Choral Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral
- Climb to Oxfordshire’s highest point, White Horse Hill, Uffington
- A Tour and Tasting Session at The Oxford Artisan Distillery
- ‘Messing about on the river’ at Henley-on-Thames
- Dine at one of Oxfordshire’s Michelin-starred or Bib gourmand restaurants
- Walk the Thames Path between Oxford and Abingdon and return by leisurely river cruise
1. Punting from The Cherwell Boathouse
Bardwell Road, Oxford, OX2 6ST
Punt season is mid-March – mid-October, 10:00-dusk. Weekdays £18 per hour, weekends £20 per hour.
Quintessentially Oxford, this has to be done. Pack your favourite nibbles and tipples and prepare to set adrift on the River Cherwell, with only a lengthy metal pole and one paddle to leisurely navigate your way upstream or downstream past the University. Yes, it’s slightly eccentric but a great way to entertain visiting friends! The Cherwell Boathouse restaurant is right next door to the punt station, offering creative menus and an extensive wine list. 80 punts are available and it’s six people per punt maximum. Get there early to avoid waiting at the weekends.
2. Shopping at Bicester Village
Pingle Drive, Bicester OX26 6WD
Open Mon-Fri 09:00-19:00, Sat 09:00-20:00 Sun* 10:00-19:00 (*larger stores open at 11:30 for browsing, 12:00-18:00 for shopping)
Stagecoach S5 and X5 operate approx. every half hour from Magdalen Street, Oxford.
Grab yourself a bargain from 160 boutiques featuring world-famous brands including Mulberry, Gucci, Versace, Ted Baker and Michael Kors. There are plenty of places to eat too if you have any money left for sustenance! For a more relaxed shopping experience try a midweek evening expedition to avoid the crowds.
3. Bill Spectre’s Oxford Ghost Trail
£10pp. Meet outside the gift shop at Oxford Castle (OX1 1AY) on Fri/Sat at 18:30 or at the Visitor Information Centre, Broad Street at 18:55
Book your tour here
Be prepared for giggles, screams and fascinating tales about Oxford’s darker side as your costumed guide entertains and horrifies you as you walk the streets of one of the most historic and haunted cities in Britain. This will get your weekend off to a frighteningly good start! The castle and prison are well worth a visit too – more information here.
5. Choral Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral
Tom Gate, St Aldates (under the big tower), Oxford
Free, 18:00 Tue-Sun
The Christ Church Cathedral Choir was founded 500 years ago and is renowned globally for the youthfulness of its sound and adventurous musical programming. Sitting quietly and listening to them sing, combined with the cathedral’s magnificent architecture and fantastic acoustics, creates a truly remarkable and humbling experience. Did you know that the choir sung the TV theme tunes for Mr Bean and The Vicar of Dibley? And finally, this might be the only cathedral in the world to operate in its own special time zone. Called ‘Old Oxford Time’, it is five minutes later than GMT (or BST), so services that are listed to start at 18:00 actually start at 18:05 GMT/BST.
4. A day trip to Burford, the Gateway to the Cotswolds
853 Swanbrook Coaches from St Giles, Oxford, three times daily and takes 45 mins
The view from the top of Burford High Street portrays an iconic Cotswolds’ scene. Sweet mellow stone houses with traditional mullioned windows, a number of inns steeped in history and a selection of quaint shops line the road as it sweeps down to the bridge over the Windrush River. Take a stroll to see the Tudor Market House, 15th century almshouses and England’s oldest pharmacy (founded in 1734). There are a couple of lovely circular walks along the river and rolling countryside, or enjoy afternoon tea at Huffkins on the High Street and at Burford Garden Centre, just outside the town. It’s a five-minute drive to the Cotswold Wildlife Park, which takes the concept of a zoo to another dimension. Rhinos happily graze in front of the stately home, and you can observe a host of other creatures including lions, penguins and giraffes in natural enclosures.
6. Climb Oxfordshire’s highest point, White Horse Hill, Uffington
Uffington, SN7 7QJ
Open from dawn until dusk. Pay and display car park, £2 for up to two hours, £4 for the day. Free for National Trust members.
On a clear day, you can admire the views stretching out over six counties from the top of this remarkable National Trust site, making the climb up worth it! The whole area is steeped in ancient history and folklore. See the beautiful form of the Bronze Age Uffington White Horse carved into the chalk escarpment of the Ridgeway, walk over the Iron Age hillfort crowning the hill, spot the Neolithic burial mounds and the Giant’s Steps on the steep sides of The Manger, carved during the last Ice Age. And in the shadow of White Horse Hill, did Saint George really slay his dragon with a sword on top of flat-topped Dragon Hill? It is said the dragon’s blood poisoned the ground, leaving a white scar. This question, and more, can be debated afterwards in the comfort of one of the nearby village pubs. Hop five miles away into Wiltshire and try the acclaimed Royal Oak at Bishopstone, serving generous organic food, with proper fires in winter and newspapers year round.
7. A Tour and Tasting Session at The Oxford Artisan Distillery
Old Depot, South Park, Cheney Lane, Oxford, OX3 7QJ
Standard tour (45 minutes) £20, Founder’s tour (90 minutes) £50
Distillery shop Mon-Fri 11:00-15:00, Sat 11:00-17:00, Sun 14:00-16:30
Tours can be booked here
Get the insider knowledge on grain to glass distilling at this unique artisan distillery where ancient heritage grains, sustainably grown on four local organic farms, are exclusively used in the production of vodka, gin, absinthe and rye whisky. The behind-the-scenes tour explains the journey from grain to bottle, with an opportunity to ask questions and taste a selection of the spirits, so it’s best not to drive there! Walk from the city centre in 30 minutes, or jump on a bus heading for the Oxford Brookes University campus.
8. ‘Messing about on the river’ at Henley-on-Thames
X38 Thames Travel River Rapids service from St Aldates, Oxford runs every 2 hours and takes 1hr 8 mins.
There are many ways to enjoy the River Thames as it flows through one of its most famous stretches at Henley. During the summer, take a scheduled trip with Hobbs of Henley or Salters Steamers, or if you are feeling adventurous, hire a powered boat or rowing boat from Hobbs. You can even take to the water in a canoe with Henley Canoe Hire. Upstream of Henley Bridge, enjoy a picnic or BBQ by the river at Mill and Marsh Meadows, or follow the Ale Trail and acquaint yourself with ten of the town’s traditional pubs. For a sporting spectacle combining world class rowing on the river with the best features of an English garden party, don’t miss the Henley Royal Regatta, which takes place from July 3rd-7th 2019.
9. Dine at one of Oxfordshire’s Michelin-starred or Bib gourmand restaurants
You don’t necessarily need a special occasion to push the boat out and sample exquisite cuisine. Michelin’s ‘Bib Gourmand’ is awarded to restaurants and pubs offering exceptionally good food at moderate prices, specifically menu items priced below a maximum of £28. Booking in advance however, is pretty much essential! Details of Oxfordshire’s 2 star, 1 star and Bib Gourmand dining establishments from the Michelin Guide 2019 are listed below:
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons
Church Road, Great Milton OX44 7PD
215 Banbury Road, Summertown, OX2 7HQ
Main Street, Murcott, OX5 2RE
Bib Gourmand
243 Iffley Road, OX4 1SJ
38 Magdalen Road, OX4 1RB
Langford GL7 3LF
10. Walk the Thames Path between Oxford and Abingdon and return by leisurely river cruise
A designated National Trail, the 184-mile long Thames Path runs the length of the river, from its source in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier in Greenwich. The ten-mile section from Oxford to the historic town of Abingdon takes about four hours to walk and offers a unique perspective of the city and rural countryside. Pass the city’s famous boat houses and continue to Iffley Lock and its ornamental stone bridge. Stop off at the Isis Farmhouse (open Fri-Sun) for a pub lunch or cream tea. A few miles downstream is Sandford Lock, which has the greatest fall of water on the Thames, and an impressive weir, known as the Sandford Lasher. Pop into the Kings Arms (open every day) for refreshments. As you approach Abingdon, with its magnificent town hall and abbey, founded in 675AD, cross the river at Abingdon Lock and finish at Abingdon Bridge. The original bridge was built in 1422 with 14 arches and today’s bridge retains a medieval feel. Return to Oxford by bus, or cruise back along the river with Salters Steamers (departing daily from Abingdon Bridge Marine at 16.45 from 25th May – 8th September, arriving in Oxford (Folly Bridge) at 18:30).