Wondering where to go this weekend?
Here are some ideas:
Ashmolean Museum - Britain's oldest public museum founded in 1683. A
rich collection of paintings, sculpture, silver, ceramics coins and musical instruments.
Bodleian Library - Houses a copy of every book published in the UK plus a wealth of books back to antiquity.
Bate Collection of Musical Instruments - over 1000 instruments including
Handel's harpsichord. (01865 286261)
The University Botanic Garden - 377 year old walled garden with tropical Lily House, Palm House and Arid House.
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History - world-wide collection of
zoology, entomology, geology and mineralogy. Dinosaur display includes 40ft Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Local Pubs with Literary Connections http://www.homesteadbb.free-online.co.uk/oxon.html
Pitt Rivers Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology - World-wide collection of
strange and beautiful objects collected by travellers, scholars, colonial officers and
students. Includes masks, mummies, textiles and toys. Rooms include an Elizabethan Inn and Victorian Kitchen.
Museum of Oxford - Situated at the Town Hall the museum tells the story of the city
and its people from prehistoric times to the present day.
Museum of History of Science - Opened in 1683 as the original Ashmolian Museum displays scientific instruments, chemical apparatus, clocks and astrolabe.
Sheldonian Theatre - Built by Christopher Wren at the beginning of the 18th
century, used both for
University events and music concerts.
University College visits - most colleges welcome visitors and conducted tours are available.
Blenheim Palace - Built by Sir John Vanbrugh for John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough as a gift from the nation following his victories over the French including the battle of Blenheim in 1704. -
Bernwood Forest - Local wooded walks and adjacent BBOWT meadows with orchids and other wild flowers. Forestry Commission - car park take Oakley Road from Horton cum Studley.
Boarstall Tower - 14th century fortified house. NT
Boarstall Duck Decoy - 17th Century duck decoy in working order. NT
Bicester Village shopping - The expanding shopping village for designer labels at bargain prices with 24 new shops opening in the next few months. Including Aquascutum, Benetton, Burberry Fred Perry, Versace, DKNY, Racing Green, Polo Ralph Lauren, Jaeger, Nicole Fahri, Tag Huer, Waterford, Wedgewood.
Cogges Manor Farm Museum, Witney - A working museum with its historic manor house and original Cotswold stone farm buildings, with demonstrations of traditional farming methods.
Cotswold Wildlife Park - Large zoological collection set in 160 acres of beautiful parkland around a listed Victorian Manor House.
Cotswold Water Park - Britain’s largest water park. 132 lakes created by gravel extraction, covering over 30 square miles - 50% larger than the Norfolk Broads and still growing.
Didcot Railway Centre - A Mecca for
steam train enthusiasts. Visitor Information, Great Western Society's steam
collection, calendar and events, refurbishment projects, most accessible
collection of steam locomotives in Southern England, major family tourist
location in Oxfordshire and Thames Valley.
Long Crendon Courthouse - 15th century two story building. NT
Otmoor RSPB reserve. Opened July 2000 with wetlands for both summer and winter visitors. Accessible from Beckley via Otmoor Lane.
Oxford Castle - New Road, Oxford see further details (Tours round the old prison and climb the tower)
Rousham Park
River Thames and Isis with punting and boating. Two sites - Magdalen Bridge and the Boat Site off the Banbury Road.
River & Rowing Museum,
Henley-on-Thames
The River and Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames
Waddesdon Manor - Magnificent French style house built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 1870s. Unique collection of 18th century French furniture with many items from Versailles.
Waterperry Gardens - Gardens leading down to River Thame with Garden Centre and Tea Rooms.
There are many other places to visit within 45 minutes including The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock; Vale & Downland Museum, Wantage; Banbury Museum; Bishop's Palace, Witney; Charney Bassett Mill; Swalcliffe Barn, Museum of Modern Art, Oxford; Oxford University Press Museum; Christ Church Picture Gallery, Oxford; Abingdon Museum; Venn Mill, Garford, Tom Brown's School Museum, Uffington; Wallingford Museum; Oxford Bus Museum, Long Hanborough and many more.