Discover Oxfordshire: Gardens, Culture and History

Oxfordshire offers reasons to travel for a range of interests: from garden design and wildlife to libraries and museums, as well as brewing history and routes for cyclists and walkers.

Parkland, wildlife and gardens

Cotswold Wildlife Park is set in more than 160 acres of parkland. It is home to a wide variety of species, including many that are endangered in the wild, as well as more than 130 different bird species. During animal encounters, participants can help feed and care for the animals. As well as seeing the wildlife, the programme offers practical insights into animal care.

Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Oxfordshire, offers a different perspective on the landscape. The estate includes around 2,000 acres of parkland, which Capability Brown transformed into a natural-looking English landscape. It has a long tradition of public access; activities range from informal recreation to sporting events, craft and country fairs, music concerts and historical re-enactments. Some programmes may vary, so it is worth checking the relevant dates before attending an event.

Garden history and botanical diversity come together at the Oxford Botanic Garden: founded in 1621, it is the oldest botanic garden in the United Kingdom. More than 5,000 different plant species grow there. A space open to the public also displays treasures from the internationally significant scientific collection of the Oxford Herbaria. The garden offers more than a chance to see individual plants: its scientific collection is also part of the visitor experience.

Libraries, tours and collections

In Oxford, the Bodleian Library offers a 30-minute tour as a way to get an introduction to the world of libraries. The Duke Humfrey’s Library is the oldest reading room at the University of Oxford. Another option is the City of Oxford Walking Tour, developed by the Bodleian Libraries in partnership with the Oxford Guild of Tour Guides and led by qualified, accredited guides. This gives you the choice between a short guided library experience and a city walk with qualified guides. Check the latest booking details for the tours in advance.

The Ashmolean Museum was open to the public from the day it opened. Today, the Ashmolean Museum has the largest collection of Chinese greenware outside China. This adds another cultural highlight to your trip, distinct from the history of the libraries and the botanical collections.

Woodstock’s crafts and English garden history

The Woodstock Gallery at the Oxfordshire Museum showcases examples from the town’s civic and industrial history. It describes Woodstock’s glove industry as the second most important after Worcester’s. It also reports that the production of cut steel work brought the town’s reputation as far as Europe in the 18th century. These subjects offer insight into different aspects of local craftsmanship, from glove-making to metalworking.

The Woodstock Textile Trail also tells the story of the town: its 17 textile pictures are mostly embroidered, with some painted. The trail includes a rare surviving piece of 18th-century needlework depicting the design of a Roman mosaic floor. Rousham House and Garden offers another historical perspective on design. The grounds represent the first phase of English landscape gardening and retain features that delighted visitors as far back as the 18th century.

On foot, by bike and with a taste of local food

Oxfordshire has almost 4,000 kilometres of public rights of way. These include footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways. For those planning a cycling route, the official online cycle map suggests traffic-free routes as well as routes for more experienced cyclists. One specifically named ride runs from Heyford to Oxford along the southernmost section of the Oxford Canal. Check the conditions before setting off on this cycle ride.

At Hook Norton Brewery, tours combine technology and brewing history: they include a visit to the original steam engine and an explanation of how the beers are made. The tour ends with a half-hour beer tasting. The free museum explores the history and heritage of the brewery and the village. The brewery also serves locally sourced food for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Visitors can therefore choose between several aspects of the experience: the tour, tasting, museum and food.

Discover more destinations: North Leigh, Aston, Milcombe, Witney, Bletchingdon, Bicester, Watlington, Hethe, Garford, Deddington, Woodstock, Chesterton, Kingham, Henley On Thames, Great Milton, Faringdon, Duns Tew, Culham, Clare, Chipping Norton, Chinnor, Charlbury, Burford, Aston Rowant, Alvescot, Mollington, Middle Aston, Fifield, Ipsden, Great Rollright, Standlake, Horspath, Beckley, Holton, Stratton Audley, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Long Wittenham, Adderbury, Forest Hill, Steventon, Sparsholt, South Stoke, Shipton Under Wychwood, Oxford, North Stoke, Nettlebed, Minster Lovell, Kingston Bagpuze, Chadlington, Ambrosden, Clanfield, Swinbrook, Wantage, Wallingford, Thame, Shipton-On-Cherwell, Drayton, Hailey, Hook Norton, Waterperry, Kidlington, Goring, Church Handborough, Clifton Hampden, Murcott, Benson, Bloxham, Eynsham, Banbury, Bampton, Abingdon, Waterstock, Kingston Blount, Dorchester, Weston-On-The-Green, Letcombe Regis, Charney Bassett, Didcot, Coleshill.

For the regional travel overview: South East England.