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Oxfordshire is a county that is located relatively close to London, the Oxfordshire Travel Guide looks at the county and what there is of interest here for visitors. 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 that make this a scenic part of the UK.



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Oxfordshire Guide

Overview and Attractions
Oxfordshire Hotels
Oxfordshire Map
Oxfordshire Weather
Cheap Plane Tickets



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, 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 worlds most celebrated universities. 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 has been an array of famous students to this college, including Albert Einstein who studied for a brief period in the 1930s. The College has to date produced 13 Prime Ministers, a number of Cabinet ministers, Bishops and civil servants. Visitors can see the great hall and the cathedral, Christ Church was the setting for `Hogwarts’ in the Harry Potter films. This continued Christ Church’s association with children’s literature the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland were inspired by Christ Church. For further information please see:

Christ Church College

Didcot has always had strong railway links and hosts the Didcot museum 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 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 many of which are regarded as being of 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, so there is plenty to see and do. For further information please see:

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

Modern Art Oxford is recognised as among the UK’s top public galleries and is renowned for the quality of its exhibitions, publications and activities. It has work from artists from around the world and there is an emphasis on contemporary art that visitors can enjoy. For more information please see:

Modern Art Oxford

In the University of Oxford Botanic Garden you will find over 7,000 types of plants in garden, glasshouses, rock and water gardens, which are housed in the oldest botanic garden in Britain. Plants are grown to support the teaching programme at the university and for conversation projects, the huge range of plants here make these gardens among the most diverse collections in the world. The three main sections of the gardens provide a great chance to see a wonderfully diverse range of plants. For further information please see:

University of Oxford Botanic Garden

Blenheim Palace is located a few miles outside Oxford. The palace is grand and its grandeur greets visitors to this historic place. The palace is home to 11th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, it is imposing with a wonderful sense of history and offers a great place for tourists to visit. It is located in over 2,000 acres of wonderful parkland, the Palace is set in a most memorable scene with lawns and gardens surrounding it and there is also a lake. 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 a highlight and should not be missed. For more information please see:

Blenheim 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. For more information please see:

Uffington White Horse

Theatre lovers can visit the New Theatre Oxford that is located in the centre of the city. There are many shows playing around the year, the shows are varied and cater for all tastes, you are likely to find a show here 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 more information please see:

New Theatre Oxford

For those that enjoy nightlife Raouls bar in Jericho is a chic, stylish bar where there are a huge and inventive variety of cocktails for you to try. Enjoy the great atmosphere in the bar whilst sipping cocktails and enjoying snacks that are also served here. For further information please see:

Raouls Bar

Clubbers can visit the Po Na Na nightclub in Oxford where you can dance the night away. There is a vibrant atmosphere 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. For further information please see:

Po Na Na

Accommodation in Oxfordshire is available to suit a range of budgets from those on a tight budget to those wishing to stay in a more luxurious hotel. It is wise to do your research and ensure your hotel is actually located at a convenient location for your needs and offers the facilities you require. There are a range of budget, mid range and exclusive hotels available in Oxfordshire, for further information please see:

Selection of Oxfordshire Hotels

For a full list of Oxfordshire Hotels please see:

Oxfordshire Hotels


The tour of Oxfordshire with the Oxfordshire Travel Guide has revealed a county that is full of history and character. Oxfordshire is fortunate to have buildings and monuments of historic interest and one of the world elite universities. The visitors flock here from far and wide and with so many things for visitors to see, do and enjoy it is not difficult to see why. 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.

Oxfordshire Travel Guide

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