Oxfordshire offers a beautiful English countryside with the inspiring city of Oxford at its heart. Visitors can explore rural landscapes, villages, and towns or follow walking and cycling trails to discover treasures. Oxford is renowned for its history, architecture, and University and offers cultural attractions, festivals, and sights along the river. It's an excellent destination year-round, whether for a city break or cultural getaway, located just 50 minutes from London by high-speed rail.

1. Visit Oxfordshire and discover one of the most
beautiful English counties, with the most
inspiring city at its heart...
Offering so much to see and do all year round, Oxford and Oxfordshire makes an excellent
destination for all, whatever the weather.
Explore Oxfordshire's rural landscape, unspoilt villages and market towns, or maybe follow
one of the county's many walking trails and cycling routes to discover the unexpected
treasures and delights.
If you're looking for a cultural getaway or a romantic city break then Oxford is a must.
Renowned for its history and heritage, exquisite architecture and ancient University, Oxford
sits at the very heart of this rural county. Take time out to enjoy the county's bustling
market towns, discover the film and literary connections or simply watch the world go by
while sipping a drink by the river.
Widen your horizons by visiting world class museums, family appeal attractions or a variety
of festivals held throughout the year catering for all ages and interests.
It's easy to visit Oxfordshire; Oxford is just 50 minutes from central London on the high
speed rail link or 90 minutes by frequent bus services.
We look forward to welcoming you to Oxfordshire.
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Oxford
www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com

2. Few regions can boast Oxfordshire's variety, beauty, heritage and luxury.
Discover towns and villages surrounded by the greenest
of Oxfordshire countryside.
• Head west to the Cotswold hills where grey stone villages nestle in
secluded valleys.
Visit Burford, one of the most picturesque towns in England, or
pop into Woodstock after a morning at Blenheim Palace for
afternoon tea, or stroll around the many antique shops on offer.
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• At the very heart of the county we have Oxford
- the city of 'Dreaming Spires'. Oxford will surprise
and enchant you with its magnificent architecture,
impressive yet intimate colleges, romantic rivers, Faringdon
and hidden nooks and crannies. The whole place
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Visit the Ashmolean – Britain's first public museum, or take a walk around the
city on one of our official guided walking tours to get an insight into college life.
Oxford

3. • Head North: the Ironstone Hills' gently undulating landscape is
ideal for walking, cycling and golf - followed by a relaxing spa
treatment.
Visit thatched villages such as Great Tew and visit great houses
like Broughton Castle and Chastleton House .
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• Head East: the wooded Chiltern Hills, once a focus of
industrial activity, now shelter quiet country pubs and flint
houses, dating back hundreds of years.
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• Head South where the River Thames dominates, ailway R
and towns such as Abingdon, Wallingford and Henley grew up along
its banks.Visit Didcot Railway Centre, with Britain's only 7ft gauge, and the replica
GWR locomotive, Fire Fly.
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www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com

4. A Pageant of Oxfordshire Gardens
A Suggested Group Itinerary
Thursday
On the way into Oxford, we’ve arranged a special tour of the scented gardens and herbaceous
borders at Waterperry Gardens, formerly a School of Horticulture for Ladies. Once checked
in to your hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free until dinner. Overnight in Oxford for 3
nights.
Friday
Today’s walking tour will include visits to some of the University college gardens that are
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rarely seen by the general public. We’ve also included a special tour of the Oxford
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University Botanic Garden, the oldest in the country dating back some 380 years. You might
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collection at the Botanic Garden.
Saturday
At 10am you’ll be at the gates to Blenheim Palace, where, before seeing the fabulous
collections inside the ancestral home to the Duke of Marlborough, we’ve lined up an
expert-led Garden Discovery Tour. Before returning to Oxford, you will also visit the
wonderful and historic garden at Rousham House which represents the first phase of
English landscape design created by William Kent (1685 - 1748).
Sunday
Like all English counties, Oxfordshire offers an extensive selection of private properties which
Waterperry photos
open when at their best as part of the National Garden Scheme. Few of them, however, offer
such a long list of entire villages that open between May and July. There were 19 group
Waterperry G openings in the 2010 edition of the Yellow Book and, depending on your choice of dates in
ardens 2011, we are sure to be able to find one where the visit will begin with a pub lunch and
before your return journey home, will finish with tea and cakes at one of the gardens being
visited.
Group Travel
If your group is looking for history, culture, shopping, theatre, entertainment or the great
outdoors, whether you have got a few days or just a morning, then Oxford and Oxfordshire
makes the perfect destination for your group.
There's an array of unique things to see and do in Oxfordshire and we are situated within an
hours drive from London.
We have some great ideas for accommodation and group tours and how you can experience
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the "Exclusive Oxfordshire" during your stay. Plus suggestions for your itineraries to make
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Please visit our website for more ideas:
www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/group-travel
Or contact us on 01865 252409 or email: Jo Butler - jbutler@oxford.gov.uk
www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com