Many visitors make their way to Oxfordshire to visit Oxford (university) and don’t think to see and do what is beyond Oxford itself, often just a short drive away! There is much on offer in Oxfordshire both inside and out of Oxford city itself, so here’s a quick Guide of what to see in Oxfordshire to help you on your way!
Oxford City
You can’t come to Oxfordshire without visiting Oxford itself. Oxford University is in fact made up of many colleges, which students enroll in, and these colleges come under the umbrella of Oxford University itself (confusing to international visitors!)
When in Oxford itself, many of the colleges are open to the public, most of them free. Other great attractions to visit include the Bodleian Library and Duke Humphrey Library (used as a filming location for the Harry Potter films). The Pitt Rivers library is another popular stop, but it would be impossible to see it all!
Blenheim Palace
Nearby to Oxford is Blenheim Palace which you often don’t hear about, but is absolutely worth a visit to! At the palace you can see the stately rooms, wander the (amazing) gardens, have a picnic in the huge and impressive grounds, or have a bite to eat inside at the palace cafe. The gift shop is also impressive and needs half an hour at least! Lots of great quintessential British goodies to take home – they even sell garden gloves and books!
Woodstock
Blenheim Palace is located in the small township of Woodstock, about a 20 minutes drive from Oxford. Because Oxford accommodation is hard to come by and often very expensive, it is a great choice to instead stay in Woodstock and catch the bus into Oxford and back out at the end of the day (runs every 20 mins for 6 pounds return – bargain!)
In Woodstock there are some great small hotels, B&Bs and restaurants. I chose to stay at the Feathers Hotel which was very comfortable and had a great breakfast!
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Back in Oxford itself, this is one sight that simply cannot go unmissed. The Natural History Museum of Oxford has an impressive display of animals (even some alive), dinosaurs, and an incredible collection of artefacts from all around the world. There are over 100,000 on display at any one time!
River Thames
You might be wondering why there is a photo of London in a blog about Oxford!? It’s no mistake! The River Thames runs all the way through Oxfordshire! This makes for a great day boat (or float) trip, especially in the summer!
Cotswolds in Oxfordshire
One of the most picturesque areas of England is the Cotswolds, and some villages and towns are located in Oxfordshire! Those included in Oxfordshire are: Burford, Woodstock, Witney, and Chipping North. If you’re up for an adventurous road trip, be sure to venture beyond Oxfordshire to see more of the Cotswolds as they truly are spectacular!
Thanks to Visit Oxfordshire for arranging my visit to the region! Check out Visit Oxfordshire for more information and ideas on what to see and do in the area!
Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.
