Blenheim Palace

Woodstock. Open Saturday 12 February to Friday 16 December 2011. Open Daily - Saturday 12 February to Sunday 30 October 2011 Open Wed to Sunday - Wednesday 2 November to Friday 16 December 2011

Ticket Prices for 2011 season Palace, Park & Gardens.  Ad-£19:00; Con-£15:00; Ch-£10:50; Fam-£50:00 Park & Gardens.  Ad-£11:00; Con-£8:00; Ch-£5:50; Fam-£28:00. Annual Pass Special Offer – Why not upgrade your Palace ticket to an Annual Pass for FREE, giving you 12 months access to Blenheim

Official Website

Set in the Oxfordshire Cotswold’s, Blenheim Palace is considered to be one of the finest baroque houses in the country, a gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, in recognition of his famous victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.  Inside the Palace can be found a superb collection of tapestries, paintings, porcelain and furniture in the magnificent State Rooms.

Sir Winston Churchill was born in the Palace in 1874 and a permanent exhibition about him is located next to his birth room – both are included in the Palace tour. He is buried in a simple grave in the nearby church at Bladon. A separate exhibition, ‘Churchills’ Destiny – the story of two great war leaders’, celebrates the achievements of Winston and his great hero and ancestor, John Churchill.

A State-of-the-art visitor experience is open in the heart of the Palace called ‘Blenheim Palace: the Untold Story’, 300 years of exciting tales at Blenheim Palace are brought to life through animatronic figures and innovative film and projection technology, seen through the eyes of the servants.

Surrounding the Palace are over 2,000 acres of beautiful ‘Capability Brown’ parkland, lakes, fountains and formal gardens.  A miniature train connects the Palace to the Pleasure Gardens, where, amongst a range of fun activities for children, can be found the Marlborough Maze, the Butterfly House, the Lavender Garden and ‘Blenheim Bygones’ exhibition.

A very busy events programme is on offer throughout the year, including jousting tournaments, half-term costumed entertainment, evening concerts and the Palace dressed for Christmas.

Get there: Bus - The number S3 to Woodstock runs from Oxford Train station and Gloucester Green to the gates of Blenheim Palace on Hensington Road in Woodstock. Please ask the bus driver to identify the appropriate stop. The bus runs every 30 minutes. For the timetable and prices visit www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables/S3 for more information on the route visit http://www.stagecoachbus.com/S3.aspx. Car - drive north from the city center on Woodstock Road, follow signs to Woodstock (10-15 minutes)

Stonehenge

Amesbury. Open 16 Mar to 31 May 9:30am - 6pm; 1 Jun to 31 Aug; 9:00am - 7pm; 1 Sept to 15 Oct 9:30am - 6pm; 16 Oct to 15 Mar 9:30am - 4pm

Admission £5.50/£2.80. Official Website

StonehengeThough it looks exactly like you'd imagine from the pictures, nothing compares to seeing it with your own eyes. It is quite extraordinary. Walk slowly around the outer circle while listening to an audio tour describe what you're looking at.

Get there: Take a mini-bus tour from Oxford - call 308300, or drive south from Oxford on the A34 to the A303 towards Amesbury.

Cotswolds

The Cotswolds are a low-rise ridge of limestone hills that straddle the western edge of Oxfordshire and the eastern side of Gloucestershire. The Cotswold area has famous cities, such as Bath, well-known beautiful towns, and hundreds of little villages.

Throughout the area, the buildings were made using the local honey-coloured limestone - on everything from the stone floors in the houses to the tiles on the roofs - giving the area an incredible architectural tone. There are many places to visit in the Cotswolds, and one thing you can be sure of when wandering around the area - whatever villages you may stumble over, are sure to be absolutely stunning.

Get there: It would take days upon days to visit all the villages in the Cotswolds, but if you rented a car, head west on the A40, and start in Burford, making your way from there. It's worth picking up a map or book of the cotswolds in your local news agent. Another option is to take a tour - Cotswold Roaming does half day tours of the nearest villages to Oxford, as well as full day tours that go deeper into the Cotswolds. Call for details 01865 308300.

London

Getting to London isn't a problem, it's narrowing down what you want to do while you're there! Once in London, the possibilities are endless - Eat! Shop! Sight-see! See a play! Take a cruise on the Thames! Whatever you do, you're sure to have a wonderful time.

Get there: Getting to London from Oxford is easy. There are direct buses and trains that leave frequently. Buses take about 1 1/2 hours during off peak, and the train takes about 1 hour. See our How to Get Here page for more details on these modes of transport.

Bicester Village Shopping Outlets

50 Pingle Drive, Bicester 01869 323200. Official Website

Bicester VillageOnly about a 20-30 minutes drive from Oxford, Bicester Village is a large retail outlet, with everything from designer women's and men's clothing to homewares, shoes, jewellery, and lingerie for up to 60% off! There are places to eat when you need some more energy to keep on shopping.

Get there: Bus - Stagecoach bus numbers 27 and X5 offer a daily service every half hour to Bicester Village from Magdalen Street in Oxford (outside Debenhams). Car - Take the M40 motorway to junction 9. Follow the A41 for 2 miles towards Bicester and continue to follow signs to 'Village Retail Park' and 'Bicester'

Bletchley Park

Wilton Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 6EB 01908 640404. Admission £10. Official Website

During World War II the German armed forces top secret codes were broken at Bletchley Park, providing the allies with vital information towards their war effort. The site played host to a diverse group of code breakers, including Alan Turing and Dilly Knox. Among the ciphers that were broken were Enigma and Lorenz. See a real Enigma machine, scores of WWII and Winston Churchill memorabilia.

Get there: Train - Take the train from Oxford to Milton Keynes Central, transfer to Bletchley. The journey should take about 1 1/2 hours. Check timetable here. Car - Take the M40 motorway to junction 10 (A43/B430 exit) to the A43 to the A421 (towards Buckinghamshire). Follow the signs to Bletchley Park. Journey will take about one hour.

Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon, Near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 OJH. Phone: 01296 653226.

Garden, aviary, woodland playground, shops & restaurants:
Open weekends only from 8 January 2011, 10.00-5.00. Adult: £8.00, Child: £4.50, Family: £20.50. House: Closed until Wednesday 30 March 2011. Official Website

A magnificent house and grounds in the style of a 16th century French chateau built for the Rothschilds in the late 19th century. The Manor contains a world-renowned collection of French furniture, paintings and decorative arts. The manor is currently owned by the National Trust, and there are 45 rooms on view.

Get there: Bus - Take the Arriva the Shires & Essex #280 bus from Carfax towards Aylesbury. In Aylesbury, take the Arriva the Shires #16/17. The journey should take about 1 3/4 hours. Car - Drive north on Woodstock Road, take the 3rd exit onto the A34, enter next roundabout and take 2nd exit onto Oxford Road. Enter next roundabout and take 3rd exit onto Boundary Way. Enter next roundabout and take 3rd exit onto Aylesbury Road, which becomes A41. Follow signs. By car, the journey should take about 45 minutes.

Broughton Castle

Banbury, Oxfordshire. Phone: 01295 276070. Admission £7/£3, or £3 for the garden only.

Last admission to the house is 4.30pm on all open days. 24 and 25 April 2011: Easter Sunday and Monday >> 2pm - 5pm. May and June 2011: Wednesdays, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays>> 2pm - 5pm. July and August 2011: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays >> 2pm - 5pm. September (untll the14th): Wednesdays and Sundays >>2pm -5pm. Official Website

This beautiful castle, a location for part of the movie 'Shakespeare in Love', is the home of Lord and Lady Saye and Sele, and has been owned by the same family for over 600 years. It was built in 1300 and 1550 and contains a 3-acre moat, medieval great hall, vaulted passages, arms and armour from the Civil War, beautiful gardens and parks, a tea room and a gift shop.

Get there: Banbury is on the M40, 23 miles north of Oxford. Enter Banbury and at Banbury Cross take the B4035 west signposted to Shipston on Stour then, after about two miles, turn right in Broughton village at the crossroads by the Saye & Sele Arms pub and follow the signposts to Broughton Castle. By car, the journey should take about 45 minutes.

Harcourt Arboretum

Nuneham Courtenay, Oxfordshire. Phone: 01865 343501.

January, February, November and December
Open daily 9.00am until 4.30pm . Entry: Admission charges apply during the weekends. Weekdays by donation.

March, April, September and October
9.00am until 5.00pm, Last admission 4.15pm. Admission charges apply 7 days a week.

May to August
9.00am until 6.00pm, Last admission 5.15pm. Admission charges apply 7 days a week.

Admission Prices
Annual Pass (valid for 1 year from date of purchase) £12.50. Concessionary season ticket £10.50. Day ticket £3.80. Concessionary day ticket £3.00. Children in full-time education accompanied by their parent or guardian, disabled visitors and their carer Free

Official Website

Located just 6 miles south of Oxford in the village of Nuneham Courtenay, the Harcourt Arboretum is an integral part of the plant collection of the University of Oxford Botanic Garden. With 130 acres of ornamental trees, woods and meadow, there is plenty of space to explore and a wide variety of things to see. The Arboretum's colours and atmosphere change with the seasons, from the yellow daffodils and the purple haze of the bluebells in the spring, through to the glorious azaleas and rhododendrons. The summer brings out the flowers in the wildflower meadow, and the rich reds, oranges and golds of the maples provide colour throughout the autumn.

Get there: Car - From the ring road, get off at the A4074 towards Nuneham Courteney (south of the city). The arboretum is on your right, 4 miles from the ring road. Bus - Thames Travel provides regular bus services from Oxford stopping in Nuneham Courtenay. The arboretum is located just 2 minutes walk south of the village. Take buses X39/X40/X41, 105/106 & 115/116 from St. Aldates.

Waterperry Gardens

Nr. Wheatley, Oxfordshire, England. OX33 1JZ Phone: 01844 339254.

Open every day except between Christmas and New Year and during Art in Action (July 21st – 24th 2011).
High Season (Feb – Oct) 10am to 5.30pm.  Adults £6.10, concessions £4.80, children aged 16 and under free.
Low Season (Nov – Feb 2012) 10am to 5pm.  Adults and concessions £4.30.  Children aged 16 and under free. Official Website

Waterperry Gardens – eight acres of beautifully landscaped ornamental gardens, a quality plant centre housed in a Victorian walled garden, Garden Shop, Gift Barn, Gallery, Rural Life Museum and Teashop offering home-baked lunches and some of the best cakes in the county!  Year round events and Arts, Crafts and Gardening Courses.

Kelmscott Manor

Lechlade, Glos. GL7 3HJ Phone: 01367 252486.

Our 2011 season will run from Saturday 2nd April until Saturday 29th October 2011. House and garden open Every Wednesday and Saturday, 11am to 5pm. House and Garden: Adults £9.00; Children (8 to 16 years) £4.50; Students in f/t education and with a valid student's card £4.50; one carer accompanying a disabled person FREE. Kelmscott Manor is a member of the Historic Houses Association. Garden only: £2.50 Official Website

Kelmscott ManorKelmscott Manor was William Morris's summer home. The Grade 1-listed Tudor farmhouse was built in 1570 next to the River Thames on the edge of the village of Kelmscott. It contains work by Morris and his associates, including furniture, textiles, carpets and ceramics.

Get there: Leave Oxford via Woodstock Road. At the Wolvercote Roundabout, turn left onto the A40 towards Witney. At Witney take A4095 to Faringdon. The Kelmscott turning is signposted on the right, after the village of Clanfield. Follow the signs to Kelmscott and Kelmscott Manor. Bus: Stagecoach service no. 100, Oxford Gloucester Green to Carterton (approx. 1 hour), or Stagecoach service no. 200, Oxford George Street to Carterton (approx. 1 hour). At Carterton, pick up the Stagecoach (minibus) service no. 19 to Clanfield (approx. 10 mins.) Clanfield is approximately 3 miles from Kelmscott. Either a walk (south along the A4095 and then right along Langley Lane, signposted Kelmscott and follow the signs but note that most of this route is without any footpath) or a taxi ride

Buscot Park & The Faringdon Collection

Faringdon, SN7 8BU Phone: 08453 453 387.

From April - September. House & Grounds £8.00 / Grounds only £5.00. Children half price / National Trust Members Free. Opening times - 2pm - 6pm. Last admission to House: 5.00pm. Tea Room open on House open days, from 2.30 to 5.30pm. Check website for open days. Official Website

Buscot ParkBuscot Park is home to the Faringdon Collection, an extraordinary array of paintings, furniture and objets d'art which includes paintings by Rembrandt, Reynolds, Rubens, van Dyck and Murillo, and a small but important collection of drawings.

Get there: Buscot Park lies between the small towns of Lechlade and Faringdon, on the A417. The nearest rail station is at Swindon (10 miles away), while a number of bus services operate to Lechlade: Thamesdown 67 Swindon––Faringdon (Fridays only); Carterton 64 Swindon––Carterton; Thamesdown 77 Swindon––Cirencester (both the last two services pass close to the rail station in Swindon).

The 67 and 77 services only go to Lechlade: alight here – there is then a 2 3/4 mile walk to Buscot Park.

Stowe Landscape Gardens

Buckingham, Buckinghamshire MK18 5EH Phone: 01280 822850.

Gardens, Tea room, and Shop closed Mondays and Tuesdays all year round, and Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 Nov - 24 Feb (parkland open every day from dawn til dusk). Official Website

Stowe Landscape GardensA beautiful creation of the 18th century, Stowe is one of Europe's most influential landscape gardens. Hidden amongst spectacular vistas and vast open spaces are magical secret corners, hidden meanings and over 40 monuments and temples. Visitors can also take a tour of Stowe House or explore the 300 hectares (750 acres) of surrounding historic parkland, including the newly restored 100-hectare (250-acre) Deer Park. Stowe is the perfect setting for a family picnic or for those seeking peace and tranquillity, with walks and trails for all to enjoy.

Get there: 3ml NW of Buckingham via Stowe Avenue, off A422 Buckingham–Banbury road. Motorway access from M40 (exits 9 to 11) and M1 (exits 13 or 15a). Approximately 30 minutes from Oxford.

One day coach tours to Bath, Brighton, Cambridge, Cotwolds, Isle of Wight, London, Stonehenge, Wales, Warwick and Stratford, Windsor and Hampton Court, or even a weekend trip to Edinburgh

Sea Oxford Bus Tours provides guided tours to these fabulous destinations. For information about the tours, times, prices, and the guides (one of whom is the son of the Lord Mayor of Oxford!), visit their website.