OXFORD

Probably the best way to explore Oxford is on foot with an Official

Blue/Green badge guide, booked through the Tourist Information Centre
on Broad Street. Official Walking Tours are offered morning and
afternoon throughout the year (except 25/12).
You can hire a bike (on Broad Steet)or use shanks' pony to get around -
almost all the sights are within a square mile. The Botanic Garden,
designed as Britain's first 'physic garden' of medicinal plants, is a haven
of tranquillity where you can watch punts drift by on the River Cherwell
or listen to the crack of the cricket ball from the playing fields opposite.

COTSWOLDS
Where is the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds is an area in South-central, West Midlands and South
West England. It covers an area of 800 square miles and runs through
five counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire,
and Worcestershire. It is easy to get around the Cotswolds by public
transport, by rail (ideally situated at the heart of the British Rail
network), by bus (with the National Express network) or by road (with
excellent links to the M4, M5 and M40). It is also possible to travel to
the Cotswolds by air – the closest airports are Birmingham and Bristol,
approximately 1 to 1.5 hour drive away.
You could never run out of things to do in the Cotswolds! The
Cotswold hills cover a vast area of natural beauty, historic sites, and
family-friendly attractions, that makes it so perfect for a memorable visit
or holiday. The Cotswolds is the UK’s second largest protected
landscape and its ancient beech woodlands, thatched cottages, honey-
coloured dry stone walls and centuries-old buildings will leave you
feeling like you have travelled back in time.

Cotswolds: what to do
Walk through the towns and explore the beautiful cottages and local arts
and crafts. The wool trade, which made the Cotswolds very wealthy
centuries ago, contributed to the building of many churches which are
now known as ‘wool churches’. St James’ Church in Chipping Camden
is a fine example of the wealth contributed towards building such
beautiful churches. There are also century-old skills still being practiced
that contributes to restoring and building more dry stone walls; the skill
of dry-stone walling is still being practiced and taught since 5,500 years
ago and also thatching. William Morris, the Victorian poet, designer,
craftsman, socialist and founding father of the Arts and Crafts
movement, chose Kelmscott Manor as his inspirational Cotswold retreat
and the country house and gardens are open to the public to explore from
April to October each year.

Not to miss are the Rollright Stones Monuments, an ancient site which
legend tells a story of a failed king who was turned into a solitary stone,
while his guards were turned into standing stones and arranged into a
giant circle, the Stroud Farmers Market on Saturdays in the market town
of Stroud, the magnificent Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site boasting a long and diverse history and also where
Sir Winton Churchill was born, and visiting the ‘Venice of the
Cotswolds’, Bourton-on-the-Water located next to the River Windrush.

Things to do in the Cotswolds with families

Pay a visit to the enchanted Fairytale Farm! With their exciting
adventure playground, an enchanted walk with a surprise around every
corner and a chance to meet their amazing animals, there is so much to
see and do. It is a sensory and learning wonderland for all the family.

Places to visit in the Cotswolds

TV & Film Locations in the Cotswolds
There are many filming locations around the Cotswolds that have been
used in mega movies such as Harry Potter, Sherlock, and Bridget Jones
Diaries. But the most popular show that brings many visitors to
Oxfordshire villages Bampton, Cogges, Swinbrook, and Shilton is
Downton Abbey. The charming village of Bampton was used to film the
village of ‘Downton’ and is, therefore, one of the most popular places to
visit for Downton Abbey fans along with Cogges Manor Farm, used in
the TV drama as the Yew Tree Farm.

Tours of the Cotswolds

There are many things to do in the Cotswolds, with the area covering
towns such as Woodstock, Witney, Burford, Bampton, Minster Lovell,
and Moreton-in-Marsh. The best way to explore the area will be to book
a guided tour; cycling, walking or driving! The local guides can guide
you through the villages and introduce you to some of the best local
hidden gems you would not have heard about. Tours in the Cotswolds in
the Summer is the busiest and the most popular time to visit, Autumn
and Winter are known to amaze visitors with blazing Autumn colours
and beautiful frosty views in Winter.

Walks in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds has some beautiful walks and is a glorious area for
walking with pretty villages and beautiful countryside. If you like
walking and you are looking for some of the best routes to explore, here
are 10 great walks in The Cotswolds that you can find on the
Oxfordshire Walks app.

Read on to find out more about what you can see and do to experience
the Cotswolds that will leave you wanting to visit again!

Places to stay in the Cotswolds

StayCotswold has an unrivalled range of cottages and beautifully
renovated barns with over 30 properties located in Oxfordshire. From
secluded rural locations, to village and town properties the
StayCotswold portfolio has something for everyone. You can also book
a cottage, apartment or lodge holidays with Snaptrip Holiday Cottages
for your next break and choose from a wide range of prices and styles.

Things to do in The Cotswolds

 Batsford Arboretum
 Blenheim Palace
 Fairytale farm
 The Bear hotel
 Kelmscott Manor
Experience The Oxfordshire Cotswolds
Day 1 – Woodstock to Witney
Morning
Start your journey in the historic town of Woodstock, home to The
Oxfordshire Museum as well as antique shops and great pubs. No
visit to Woodstock would be complete without a visit to Blenheim
Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Sir
Winston Churchill.

A few minutes further along the bus route is Long Hanborough train
station. The station is on the Great Western Railway (GWR) line
linking London Paddington to the Cotswolds.
Afternoon
Further along is North Leigh Roman Villa, one of the largest villas
from Roman Britain set on the banks of the River Evenlode. It’s a
2.5km walk from the bus stop on the main road, but worth the pretty
walk to see a near complete mosaic tile floor dating back to the 3rd
century.

Jump back on the bus and the next stop is the old market town of
Witney. The town is home to Cogges Manor Farm, where visitors can
feed the pygmy goats, play in the adventure park, or learn about the
history of the 13th century manor house.
Hotel Options
Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford: If you wanted to stay closer to Oxford
city centre, contemporary Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford is a great
base for adventures in and around Oxford. The hotel also features
Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse, Bar and Grill.

Oxford Witney Hotel: Just a short walk from the historic centre of the
town Witney, the Oxford Witney Hotel offers great accommodation
at a great value with elegant en-suite bedrooms, extensive business
and conference facilities, leisure facilities and a contemporary
Brasserie and bar.
Day 2 – Witney to Burford
Morning
From Witney, your journey will take you through the picturesque
village of Minster Lovell. Explore the riverside ruins of 15th century
Minster Lovell Hall.

Afternoon
Another 8km from Minster Lovell, leave the bus in Shilton. Nearby is
Crocodiles of the World, the UK’s only crocodile zoo. Enjoy plenty
of photo opportunities, feeding displays, crocodiles talks and much
more.

Finally, the route stops in Burford, frequently referred to as the

‘gateway to the Cotswolds’. Home to rows of idyllic honey stone
cottages, tea shops and boutiques, Burford is a place full of character
and Cotswold charm.
Hotel Options
StayCotswold: For a self-catered stay, StayCotswold has a fantastic
range of cottages, barns and family homes to hire. Their wide
portfolio of luxury self-catering properties can cater for couples
looking for a romantic bolthole, to larger family or friends groups
looking to get together in Oxfordshire. From secluded rural locations,
to village and town properties the StayCotswold portfolio has
something for everyone.

WOODSTOCK
Things to do in Woodstock
Woodstock is a fine Georgian town located in the Oxfordshire
Cotswold and has a distinct Royal heritage, containing many
attractive period buildings: the 18th century Town Hall; the Church of
St Mary Magdalene with its Norman doorway, early English windows
and a musical clock, which plays tunes hourly.
It’s a great place from which to explore the county, as it’s only eight
miles north west of Oxford, with regular bus services linking
Woodstock and the city and train stations at Long Hanborough and
Oxford Parkway.

Woodstock’s main visitor attraction is the World Heritage site

Blenheim Palace – the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and
currently home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough.
Blenheim Palace is open all year round boasts a magnificent palace,
Capability Brown landscaped gardens, and a year-round programme
of events including Countryfile Live.

In the centre of Woodstock is the Oxfordshire Museum which details

the county’s history. The Museum is bigger than you might think with
galleries exploring Oxfordshire’s story from the Jurassic period
through to Anglo-Saxons and Victorians. The Garden Gallery also
hosts an exciting and varied programme of touring exhibitions.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Woodstock, The Bear Hotel is a great

option. One of the finest four-star hotels in Oxfordshire, this 13th-
century coaching inn combines history and culture with luxurious
facilities.

Woodstock has a good choice of independent shop, galleries and a

great selection of places to eat and drink.
Be sure to check out Blenheim Palace’s year-round events calendar,
Woodstock’s Literary Festival and Christmas Lights.

Woodstock and its surrounding area are lovely places to walk and to
explore the countryside.