Visit oxford

Offering so much to see and do, all yearround, Oxford and Oxfordshire make anexcellent destination for all whatever theweather. Explore Oxfordshire's variedlandscape, visitor attractions and rural heritageor experience walking trails and cycling routeswhich show you all the hidden treasures onoffer here, which makes it the ideal locationfor short breaks, holidays - and evenstaycations.

If you're looking for a cultural getaway or aromantic 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 ruralcounty.

Take time out to enjoy the county's bustlingmarket towns, discover the film and literaryconnections or simply watch the world go bywhile sipping a drink by the river in one of thestunning Oxfordshire Cotswolds villages.

Widen your horizons by visiting (free) worldclass museums, family appeal attractions or avariety of festivals held throughout the yearcatering for all ages and interests.

In Oxford and Oxfordshire you will findaccommodation to suit all budgets from 5 starcity centre hotels to family run B&B's andboating holidays on the River Thames.We haveplaces to stay to suit every taste and budget.Choose where to stay in any of the beautifulsettings found throughout the county ofOxfordshire and find the best accommodationconveniently placed for great days out.

It's easy to visit Oxfordshire; Oxford is just50 minutes from central London by train or90 minutes by frequent bus services. Oncehere, you can visit much of Oxfordshire bypublic transport including many of thecounty's picturesque towns and villages.

Oxfordshire...beauty at its best Visit Oxfordshire and discover one of the most beautifulEnglish counties, with the most inspiring city at its heart...

Discover for yourself...

Things to see and do... P2-4

Accommodation... P6

Itineraries... P7

Lunch stops... P8

2 THINGS TO SEE AND DO...THINGS TO SEE AND DO...

www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com

Whether your groups are culture vultures visiting our historical gems such as Britain'sGreatest palace - Blenheim Palace, Christ Church college or the Ashmolean Museum orthey like to indulge in a spot of retail therapy at Bicester Village - we can provide an arrayof activities all year round to keep your groups coming back for more.

If your groups are interested in gardens then look no further.We have an excellentchoice of gardens from the first Botanical Garden in Britain to marvellous landscaping atBlenheim Palace, Stowe and Buscot Park.

If you are looking for that relaxing break, Oxfordshire has all the ingredients needed.The idyllic villages located in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds offer some of the most stunningscenes in England and our market towns are hidden gems and offer great localexperiences throughout the county.For itinerary ideas please visit our website www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/group-travel

From the city of Dreaming Spires, Oxford to thewondrous countryside of Oxfordshire, there are somany fantastic things to see and do here for all groups.

Attractions with themed tours for groupsAshmolean MuseumBodleian LibraryOxford Official Guided Walking ToursBlenheim PalaceRiver & Rowing Museum

Top 5

Night Time in the City of OxfordAfter a full day of sightseeing and soaking upthe delights of Oxfordshire, why not relaxand take in one of the great night timeactivities on offer in Oxford? Visit the NewTheatre and catch up on some of showsfrom the West End or take in a traditionalperformance at the Oxford Playhouse.

Looking to catch the sunset over the spiresof Oxford? Why not book a private walkingtour with Oxford Official Guided WalkingTours, or find out about all ghosts and spookytales with Bill Spectre Ghost Trails. Sunsetriver trips and BBQ’s are also on offer duringthe summer months for groups.

Blenheim Palace

Bill Spectre ghost trails

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Cup & saucer

Oxfordshire’s HiddenSecrets for Groups• Broughton Castle will open especially for private group tours• Learn how to grow an orchid by a Chelsea Gold Winner at Newington Nurseries• Take a curator tour of the Ashmolean Museum and discover more about

this fabulous museum• Didcot Railway offer evening visits for groups• Get up close and personal with the animals at the Cotswold Wildlife Park• Be guided on a cycle with Bainton Bikes and see the fabulous

countryside of Oxfordshire• Treasure Hunts and Ghosts Trails at Oxford Castle Unlocked

Oxford Malmaison - Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea

Heythrop Park Resort - Tea served in the grandeur

of the Wedgewood Room

Newington Nurseries - Dine among flowers in the Orchid House

Macdonald Randolph - The quintessential British experience

with cake stands and cucumber sandwiches

Blenheim Palace - Champagne tea served on the water terraces

Top 5 venues for Afternoon Tea

Oxford Castle Unlocked


4 THINGS TO SEE AND DO...

Oxford and Oxfordshire are used as the backdropfor many TV programmes and flim locations – here are a few itinerary ideas for your groups.• Hogwarts’ dining room is the dining hall at Christ Church College• The village of Bampton is used as the village scenes in Downton Abbey• Blenheim Palace was used in The Young Victoria and Gulliver’s Travel – to name a few!• Didcot Railway has been used in the CS Lewis film Beyond Narnia• Shakespeare in Love was filmed at our very own Broughton Castle• Morse and Lewis is filmed throughout our glorious city of Oxford• Midsomer Murders is filmed throughout South Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

Oxfordshire meets Hollywood -Film and TV locations

3 hours in Oxford for your groupTake a 45 minute river cruise withSalter’s Steamers or Oxford RiverCruises and see the beauty ofOxford from the Thames.Thenstretch your legs on a walking tour ofthe city with Oxford Official GuidedWalking Tours and discover moreabout our fascinating city. Finish offwith a visit to Oxford CastleUnlocked and be guided through thehistory of this amazing prison.

FOR LOTS OF ITINERARY IDEAS PLEASE VISIT www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/group-travel

Gardens in Oxfordshire

Waterperry Gardens

Buscot ParkStoweOxford Botanical Gardens

Blenheim Palace

Top 5

Broughton Castle

Oxford River Cruises

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Southern Oxfordshire has always been atthe heart of England’s rich history. Thereare pre-historic Bronze and Iron Agesettlements, historic buildings, gardens,landmarks and even a Time Teamexcavation site which can all be explored.Lovers of the countryside will find areas ofnatural beauty and abundant wildlife. If youfancy a stroll along the River Thames or amore vigorous hike, there are many routes inrolling chalk hills or natural woodlands.

And the independent shops with personalservice make the towns a joy to visit.Wallingford lies just 13 miles from Oxford;Henley is a further 11 miles away and only35 miles from central London.

With its vibrant community life, andintriguing history, the market town ofWallingford has much to offer visitors. Thefirst settlers were drawn here by the RiverThames - and the river is still one ofWallingford's great attractions.

There's plenty more to enjoy - Wallingfordboasts an appealing town centre with agreat selection of independent shops, and arange of restaurants, cafes and hostelries.

There are fascinating corners ofWallingford to explore from Royal castleruins offering reminders of the Queens andKings who lived in Wallingford to antiqueshops and ornate parks, gardens and Saxonearthworks - all easily accessible from thetown centre. The Market Place with 17thcentury Town Hall still hosts many marketsincluding the Charter Market every Friday –a tradition since 1155.

Did you know that Midsomer Murders isfilmed in the area and that Causton is theoriginal fictional location of Wallingford? Orthat Agatha Christie lived in Wallingford andwrote her characters and stories aroundlocal landmarks? Set within a backdrop ofbeautiful Oxfordshire countryside,Wallingford’s hidden gems are ripe fordiscovery.

Henley on Thames enjoys aninternational reputation as home of theworld’s greatest rowing regatta and has thejoie de vivre of summer, yet is wonderful tovisit in all seasons.

A 12th century market town, Henley’shistoric heart sits a few strides from one of

the most beautiful stretches of the riverThames. With its view of the iconic 18thcentury bridge and St Mary’s church, themain street has many Georgian facades andover 300 buildings designated with specialarchitectural or historical interest.

Henley’s riverside location lends itself torelaxation, long lunches and shopping whereindependent retailers offer a personal touch.

The award-winning River & RowingMuseum has galleries dedicated to Rowing,Rivers and the history of Henley. It is alsohome to the magical Wind in the Willowsexhibition and Terrace cafe.

This is a town dedicated to enjoying thewater. Watch others messing about on theriver, or hire a boat and join in the fun – thesummer straw boater and stripy blazercombo is optional.

Numerous self-guided walks in and aroundboth towns are available from both touristoffices ensuring visitors make the most oftheir trip.

Visit the market towns of southern Oxfordshire:

www.southernoxfordshire.com

Visit historic, vibrant markettowns in southern Oxfordshire

www.southernoxfordshire.com


6 ACCOMMODATION...6 ACCOMMODATION...

In Oxford and Oxfordshire you will find accommodation to suit all budgetsfrom 5 star city centre hotels to family run B&B's and boating holidays onthe River Thames.We have places to stay to suit groups of all sizes.

Our wide selection of accommodation in andaround Oxfordshire, offer some great facilities tohelp you relax. Enjoy a game of golf or treatyourself to a luxury spa in one of our manyquality hotels which all welcome groups – TheOxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa and the BicesterHotel Golf and Spa. Try The Old Swan andMinster Mill in the beautiful OxfordshireCotswolds or the award winning Bay Tree Hotelin the stunning market town of Burford. If you’relooking to be located in the centre of the countyfor easy access to all our great attractions, thentry The Deddington Arms Hotel or HeythropPark Resor t.

You are spoilt for choice in the centre ofOxford for hotels. Looking for 5 star quality?Then try the Macdonald Randolph Hotel andvisit the relaxing Morse bar, or if you want to belocked away, stay in one of the conver ted cellrooms at the Oxford Malmaison and try toescape! Cotswold Lodge Hotel and Best WesternLinton Lodge are a stones throw from thecentre.

The Oxford Hotel, Hawkwell House and FourPillars Hotel also offer excellent retreats for groups.

Four PillarsAt Four Pillars Hotels we have been welcoming groupsand hosting events for over 30 years.We arerenowned for our attention to detail and take pride incaring for our guests.

Our experienced and dedicated staff will assist withthe organisation, offer ideas and ensure everything runssmoothly from your initial enquiry to the actual stay.

Our 6 hotels are conveniently located inOxfordshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, all ofwhich are easily accessible, have ample parking and canaccommodate a number of coaches.

With properties ranging from a Victorian mansion toa contemporary lakeside resort, we are bound to havethe perfect venue for a truly memorable visit, whateveryour preferred style and budget.

Accommodation in Oxfordshire

FOR INFORMATION ON COACH PARKING IN OXFORDSHIRE PLEASE VISIT www.vistoxfordandoxfordshire.com/group-travel

Macdonald Randolph Hotel

Four Pillars Hotel


7ITINERARIES...

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Day 1 Arrive in Oxford. Afterchecking in there’s freetime to ‘get your bearings’prior to dinner. Maybeinclude a trip to the Eagleand Child pub, meetingplace of the Inklings.Or drop in to ExeterCollege - Lyra's home inPhilip Pullman's trilogy.

Day 3This morning’s OfficialGuided Walking Tour ofOxford will concentrate on‘Inspector Morse andOxford Detectives’.Around midday, you’ll headinto the Oxfordshirecountryside for a pub lunchand spend the afternoondiscovering some of thelocations featured inMidsomer Murders aroundWallingford.

Day 4Spend an hour or two potteringaround the places associatedwith John Betjeman in theattractive South Oxfordshiremarket town of Wantage whichfeatured as Alfredston in ThomasHardy's Jude the Obscure.Continue to the charming villageschool at Uffington, described inTom Brown's Schooldays. Includea visit to the mysteriousprehistoric White Horse.

Day 2Today’s visit begins at the BodleianLibrary and includes the wonderfulDivinity School, Duke Humfrey'sLibrary (Hogwarts' Library) and theConvocation House.Then follows anOfficial Guided Walking Tour chosenfrom CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien,WhenAlice Met Harry,The Oxford LiteraryTour or even Oxford Children's StoriesTour. It could include a visit to ChristChurch, home of the real 'Alice' whoseGreat Tudor Hall inspired Hogwarts'Hall. Return to Christ ChurchCathedral for candlelit ChoralEvensong - an uplifting experience,quite different from a tourist visit.

The Radcliffe Camera

Official Guided Walking Tours

Prehistoric White Horse

Divinity School

LUNCH STOPS...

Dating back to 1710, the quirky English estate of Heythrop Park Resortcombines elegance with style and boasts two individual hotels within its 440acres of grounds. Heythrop’s Main House provides the perfect setting to enjoy aquintessential Afternoon Tea, served daily between 1pm until 5pm in the elegantWedgewood Suite, Charlbury Bar or Terrace Restaurant. Guests can enjoy apleasant stroll in the stunning grounds and maybe even be lucky enough to spotdeer, pheasants, munkjacks, kites and buzzards.

Heythrop Park Resort, Enstone, Oxfordshire, OX7 5UE www.heythroppark.co.uk tel: 01608 673333

Oxfordshire Hotels Ltd have four hotel restaurants, two in Oxfordshire - theWhite Hart in Dorchester on Thames, 8 miles south of Oxford and theDeddington Arms, 8 miles from Woodstock. Both with three staraccommodation and restaurants that welcome groups for lunch, afternoon teaor dinner.

Fixed Price Market Menus use mainly locally sourced ingredients in imaginativedishes - two course lunch at £11.95 and dinner priced at £16.95.

The White Hart Hotel & Restaurant- 01865 340074The Deddington Arms Hotel & Restaurant- 01869 338364www.oxfordshire-hotels.co.uk

Heythrop Park Resort

Oxfordshire Hotels

The Cherwell Boathouse is an iconic Oxford punt station and restaurant on thebanks of the river Cherwell, close to the centre of Oxford. Both the Restaurant andthe Marquee on the terrace overlooking the river are wonderful places for lunch ina beautiful setting with good views of all the river activity.The restaurant offers finefood based on seasonal ingredients with two courses and a glass of wine for £15.75,an award winning wine list and friendly attentive service. Alternatively we can offerbbq’s and buffets in a private space in the Marquee. Cream teas are also available onbooking, while there is the option of punting, a quintessential Oxford pastime.

Cherwell Boathouse. Bardwell Road, Oxford OX2 6ST Marquee/Restaurant: 01865 552746 Punting: 01865 515978 www.cherwell boathouse.co.uk [email protected]

The Cherwell Boathouse

Ideally located on the High Street in the centre of Oxford, is the MercureOxford Eastgate Hotel.The restaurant and lounge are ideal for group lunches and dinners and traditionalafternoon teas are our specialty. The one Rosette awarded High Table Restaurantprovides you with the best food, wines and service available.With its 64bedrooms, restaurant and lounge, the Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel is theplace for overnight stays, lunches, dinners and afternoon teas to suit your group’sneeds and budget.

Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel. 73 The High Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 4BETel: 01865 248 332 Fax: 01865 794 163 Email: [email protected]

Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel

No.1 Folly Bridge, Oxford's unique waterside Brasserie.Join us for breakfast, lunch or dinner on our large outdoor pontoon, or comeinside to our main restaurant year round which has fabulous views over the river.Our lunch and dinner menus start at £10.95 for 3 courses and provide a uniquedining opportunity ideal for groups of all sizes who are looking for a quick biteto eat or a more leisurely meal in beautiful surroundings.No. 1 Folly Bridge is also the embarkation point for scheduled boat trips,sightseeing and picnic cruises run by Oxford River Cruises.

For more information visit our website - www.no1-folly-bridge.co.uk orcontact us on 01865 201 293

No.1 Folly Bridge

The Feathers in Woodstock is an inviting country retreat renowned for itsexcellent cuisine and famous gin collection. Its delicious new set lunch menuoffers two-courses for £15, and is available in the Bar and Garden, Mondayto Saturday, Noon to 2.30pm.

The Feathers has an outstanding gin collection holding the Guinness WorldRecord for the largest variety of gins anywhere on the planet. There is aseven-course Gin Experience Tasting Menu available and gin tasting lessons.

Please call us to enquire: 01993 812291

The Feathers in Woodstock

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Visit oxford