Oxfordshire Travel Guide

Ashdown House, Oxfordshire - © David McManamon

Introduction and Overview

Oxfordshire is a county that is located relatively close to London, the Oxfordshire Travel Guide looks at the local attractions, places of interest and offers useful tourist information. The area guide includes travel information on local transport and travel, events, facts & figures, entertainment, maps and accommodation.

The county has two notable ranges of hills, these being the Cotswolds to the west and the Chilterns to the east.

Most visitors come to Oxfordshire for the famous attractions in Oxford and its colleges but apart from Oxford and its associated attractions, tourists can enjoy a lovely countryside littered with charming villages and towns in this scenic part of England.

The villages on the banks of the rivers are particularly pretty and in keeping with England's green and pleasant land. The Oxfordshire Cotswolds has long been a favourite for those seeking a bit of peace and quiet and a countryside retreat, the region has some charming villages, with cottages exhibiting the famed Cotswold limestone.

The city of Oxford is the main centre in the county and its most famous attraction Oxford University ensure the compact city is a favourite among tourists. Visitors from around the world come to the city to see one of the best known and celebrated universities in the world.

The university includes over 30 colleges that are located around the city and range in size providing visitors with the opportunity to tour the colleagues and see some historic sites.

The city of Oxford is compact in size and many attractions in the city centre can be explored by foot. City attractions include the Carfax Tower, Oxford Botanic Garden and the Cornmarket area.

Banbury is a market town located in the North of Oxfordshire. In the town visitors can find the Castle Quay Shopping Centre by the Oxford Canal, Banbury Museum is located in the centre of the town, the museum showcases the history of the town over the years and includes a range of collections, artefacts and displays.

Local historic sites include Tooley’s Boatyard dating back to the 18th century with guided tours available.

Bicester is a town located in the North East of Oxfordshire. The town is home to the Bicester Village Shopping Centre, a designer outlet centre where shoppers can find designer brands at discounted rates.

Bicester has a number of independent and specialist shops in the town and retains its market town character with regular farmers and Friday markets. Visitors can enjoy traditional English pub food and English cream teas along with firm favourite fish and chips.

The town of Didcot is located approx 10 miles from Oxford. It is well known for its most famous attraction the Didcot Railway Centre that includes a collection of steam locomotives, workshop, displays, museum and a demonstration line reliving the golden age of the train.

The town includes a number of local parks and gardens where visitors can enjoy a stroll in tranquil surroundings.

Henley-on-Thames is a town located in South Oxfordshire on the Rover Thames. Notable buildings include the historic church and town hall whilst the market square and local shops provide interesting places for visitors to explore.

The town is synonymous with the Henley Royal Regatta, the rowing event takes place in July each year attracting some of the world’s finest rowers.

The Henley Festival of Music and Arts is an annual festival that takes place beside the River Thames and Henley Bridge and includes a range of musical entertainment and exhibitions of sculptures and art. With the Chiltern Hills close by Henley offers visitors with some scenic walks and wonderful views.

The market town of Abingdon-on-Thames is located to the south of the county. The Abingdon County Hall Museum is located in a historic 17th century Grade I listed building, the museum includes a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions, artefacts and displays.

The town once had Abingdon Abbey, however it has demolished following the dissolution of the monasteries, there are still some remaining abbey buildings such as the bakehouse, granary and the 13th century Checker Hall.

The small town of Woodstock is located to the north of Oxford, a charming and scenic town, Woodstock is a market town situated in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds that includes a choice of independent shops specialising in arts, crafts and antiques, inns and tea shops.

The Oxfordshire Museum is located in the town centre, the museum showcases over 200 years of history in Oxfordshire and includes a range of exhibitions, artefacts and displays. Woodstock is famous for its association with Blenheim Palace, the stately home is the birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill and is a World Heritage Site.

Chipping Norton is a market town located in the Cotswolds Hills in the north west of the county. The Chipping Norton Museum of Local History includes a range of exhibits, artefacts and displays showcasing the history of the town over the years. The town includes a choice of independent shops, pubs and inns.

The location in the scenic Oxfordshire Cotswolds offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a number of scenic walks surrounded by scenic countryside.

Oxfordshire is a county that is full of history and character. The county is fortunate to have buildings and monuments of historic interest and one of the world elite universities. Visitors travel here from far and wide attracted by the range of things for visitors to see and do.

For most tourists a trip to Oxfordshire is likely to be a visitors dream, you can explore much of Oxford by foot and take in the atmosphere helping to appreciate the historical significance of the area. The county is close to London meaning day trips are possible for those visitors based in London.

It also makes a great location for a weekend or bank holiday break with the short travelling time involved.



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