Known as the 'City of Dreaming Spires' with many fine stone buildings, Oxford is most famous for its University which is made up of over 30 colleges. Christ Church Meadow is a tranquil grazed area with river walks. Note that the River Thames is known as the Isis where it flows through Oxford. Gloucester Green Bus & Coach Station is just over ¼ mile from the Rail Station. Oxford PlusBus tickets are valid within the Oxford urban area.
Recommended book: Oxford City Walks
The University of Oxford is made up of over 30 colleges and many are open for visitors to see their
chapels, cloisters and quadrangles. University, Balliol and Merton Colleges are the oldest, all founded in the late 13th century.
Open arrangements vary, please see the website or ask at the Tourist Information Centre.
www.ox.ac.uk
Established in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum is the oldest museum in the UK.
It houses Oxford University's extensive collections of art and antiquities. Admission free.
Open Daily 1000-1700.
www.ashmolean.org
Guided tours of the Castle by costumed character guides. Cafe.
Open Daily, see website to book tour.
www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk
Modern and contemporary art. Exhibition programme. Cafe. Admission free.
Open TWThFS 1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700.
www.modernartoxford.org.uk
The story of the city and the University.
Open M-S 1000-1700, closed BH.
www.oxford.gov.uk/museumofoxford
Instruments of Western Classical music from medieval times to the present day. Admission free.
Open M-F 1400-1700.
www.bate.ox.ac.uk
Take a tour of the historic Old Bodleian Library or explore the newly renovated Weston Library.
The entrance in Catte Street is the best one to use. Exhibitions programme. Cafe.
Open Daily, see website for times and to check for event closures.
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
The world's finest collection of historic scientific instruments housed in the world's oldest
surviving purpose-built museum building. Admission free.
Open TWThFSSu 1200-1700.
www.hsm.ox.ac.uk
An important collection of Old Master paintings and drawings.
Open see website to book visit.
www.chch.ox.ac.uk
The oldest botanic garden in Britain with plants from around the world in a compact site.
Open Daily 0900-1700 (1600 Nov-Feb).
www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk
The Museum houses Oxford University's collections of zoological, entomological, paleontological
and mineral specimens. Admission free.
Open Daily 1000-1700.
www.oumnh.ox.ac.uk
Extensive collections of anthropology and archaeology from human history around the world. Admission free.
Open TWThFSSu & BH 1000-1700, subject to change at Easter and Christmas.
www.prm.ox.ac.uk
A World Heritage Site with over 300 years of history. Home to the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough
and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Formal gardens and extensive Parkland. Events and exhibitions.
Cafes and Restaurants.
Open Mar-Nov, Daily 1000-1700.
www.blenheimpalace.com
Bus S3 from Rail Station to entrance then ½ mile walk through the Park.
About 40 minutes journey. Daily every 30 minutes. Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Charlbury, Hanborough and
Oxford Parkway.
Woodstock is a picturesque market town. Galleries in the museum cover the human and natural history of Oxfordshire.
Museum Garden. Exhibitions programme. Cafe. Tel. 01993 811456. Admission free to Museum.
Open TWThFS 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1700.
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk
Bus see Blenheim Palace but alight at the next stop.
The Arboretum is part of Oxford University's botanic garden. Trees include many North American conifers.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700. Nov-Mar, see website.
www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk
Bus X39/X40 from St Aldates (¾ mile from station) to Nuneham Courtenay
(alight second stop at far end of village). 13 minutes journey, Daily ½-hourly.
Operated by Oxford Bus.
The gardens feature a spectacular herbaceous border, roses, a wisteria tunnel, shade-loving plants
and a small knot garden. Arboretum and riverside walk. Tearoom.
Open Daily 1000-1700.
www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
Bus X7/X8 from station forecourt to Waterstock Turn,
then 1¼ miles walk. 30-35 minutes journey, M-S about every 15 minutes, Sun & BH ½-hourly.
Operated by Arriva.
Buses also operate from Haddenham Thame Parkway.
Wallingford is an attractive and historic market town with old buildings, narrow streets, an elegant bridge over the River Thames and remains of a royal castle. Earthworks of the castle can be seen in the Castle Gardens and Castle Meadows. Visit the Museum for details of the castle, including its destruction immediately after the Civil War. Leaflets for town and local walks are available from the Tourist Information Centre. The Thames Path passes through Wallingford.
TI Town Hall. Tel. 01491 826972.
www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thamespath
Bus X39/X40 from St Aldates (¾ mile from station) to Wallingford Market Place.
40 minutes journey, Daily ½-hourly. Operated by Oxford Bus.
Buses also operate from Cholsey, Goring & Streatley
and Henley-on-Thames.
The history of Wallingford from earliest times to the present day, covering the early Saxon fortified town,
the prominent medieval royal castle and its destruction, the River Thames and bridge, and local inhabitants including Agatha Christie.
Features include a Victorian street scene and a scale model of Wallingford station.
Open Mar-Nov, TWThFS & BH (also Sun Jun-Aug) 1400-1700, opens 1030 on Sat.
www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk
Bus see Wallingford above.
Witney is a busy market town in the Cotswolds with a 17th century Butter Cross.
It became prosperous from the wool trade and a Wool and Blanket Trail can be downloaded from the website.
The archaeological remains of the Bishop's Palace can be seen protected under a modern roof (open M-F 1000-1700).
Bus S1 from Park End Street (near Rail Station) to Witney Market Square.
42 minutes journey, M-S every 15 minutes, Sun every 20 minutes.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Charlbury and Hanborough.
TI Tel. 01993 775802.
A small museum of covering the history of Witney, including the local industries
of brewing and blanket making. Exhibitions programme.
Open Apr-Oct, WThFS 1000-1600.
www.witneymuseum.org.uk
Bus see Witney above.
A 13th century manor house and its grounds giving visitors an insight into farm life.
Walled garden, picnic orchard. Demonstrations, tours and animal feeding. Adventure play area. Events programme. Cafe.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 0930-1630.
www.cogges.org.uk
Bus see Witney above, then walk ½ mile.