Oxfordshire is a county that is located relatively close to London, the Oxfordshire Travel Guide looks at the local attractions and what there is of interest here for visitors and offers useful tourist information. 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.
Overview and Attractions
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 essentially a relatively small centre that is a big hitter when it comes to tourist attractions, the crowds flock here to see the sites. Oxford University has helped put Oxford on the world map and ensures this town is famous the world over as home to one of the most celebrated universities in the world. The university is not one central college with a central campus. In fact the university consists of over 30 colleges that are scattered around the city, these colleges are independent entities but fall under the Oxford University umbrella. The various colleges range in size from the large and more visible to visitors to others that are much smaller and hidden away on small side streets. Many of the colleges are open to visitors however it is wise to always check the opening times to avoid disappointment.
Christ Church is the largest college in Oxford it is currently the only college in the world with a cathedral within its walls. There have been a number of famous students to this college, including Albert Einstein who studied for a brief period in the 1930s. The College has helped produced a large number of British Prime Ministers, a number of Cabinet ministers, Bishops and civil servants. Visitors can see the great hall and the cathedral, Christ Church is also known as the setting for `Hogwarts' in the Harry Potter films.
Didcot has always had strong railway links and hosts the Didcot Railway Centre located next to the railway where you will find among the largest collection of steam engines and a rebuilt station. For fans of steam railways there are “Sunday Steam Days” during the summertime. Long Wittenham, located close by has the Pendon Museum, where you can see model size recreations of a 1930s village and a model railway. Abingdon is a town lying on the River Thames, it is famous for its Abbey from the 7th century. The Abbey buildings are a popular place to visit in the town where you can learn more about the local history of the region.
Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology was established back in 1683 and has the distinction of being the oldest museum in the UK and one of the oldest in the world. It houses collections of antiquities and art works that have both great national and international importance. There is a huge range spread over several hundred years ranging from the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Rome and Greece to Renaissance Europe to the 20th century. The museum also features a Far Eastern collection along with sculptures, paintings, ceramics, coins, glass and musical instruments, there is plenty to explore here for visitors.
Blenheim Palace is located a few miles outside Oxford. Visitors are greeted with the impressive palace and the grandeur of the historic site. The palace is home to 11th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of former prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, it is imposing with a wonderful sense of history and offers an interesting place for tourists to explore.
Located in over 2,000 acres of scenic parkland, the palace is set in a most memorable scene with lawns and gardens surrounding it, there is also a lake on the grounds. Inside the Palace there is some very intricate detail in the carvings and the hand painted ceilings. There are also porcelain collections, tapestries and paintings shown in the rooms here. The state rooms in the palace are an impressive sight and for many visitors is one of the main highlights of the palace.
An intriguing attraction is Uffington White Horse, where the mysterious White Horse is carved into the chalk hillside above the village of Uffington. This has led to an array of possible interpretations of the carvings indeed some believe that it may be a dragon and not a horse. There are also conspiracy theories and the theory it was done as a signal to extraterrestrials. It is thought it dates back to the Bronze Age, but again this is open for debate. There is of course the question of why it was built and there is so far no definitive reason for this either, theories are abound relating to a tribal emblem or perhaps a Celtic symbol of the goddess Epona, whose job it was to protect horses. The horse is 374 feet from end to end.
Fan of the theatre can visit the New Theatre in Oxford that is located in the centre of the city. There are a range of shows playing throughout the year, the shows are varied and cater for all tastes, visitors are likely to find a show that will appeal to most theatre tastes. The theatre also caters for children in shows designed to appeal for to them, thus a fun family theatre afternoon or evening can be enjoy here by everyone.
For those that enjoy nightlife Raouls Bar located in Jericho, Oxford is a stylish, chic bar where visitors can try out one of the many an innovative cocktails on the impressive menu. Enjoy the great atmosphere in the bar whilst sipping cocktails and enjoying snacks that are also served here.
Clubbers can visit the Po Na Na nightclub located in St Giles in Oxford where you can dance the night away. There is a vibrant atmosphere with a Moroccan inspired decor and a variety of music to enjoy, there is also an extensive cocktail menu to choose from. There are a number of themed nights throughout the week, ensuring there is something for all tastes.
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.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
