Must-see attractions in Oxford & the Cotswolds

  • The Long Walk, the pathway leading to Windsor Castle is 2 1/2 miles long.

    Windsor Castle

    Windsor & Eton

    The world’s largest and oldest continuously occupied fortress, Windsor Castle is a majestic vision of battlements and towers. Used for state occasions, it…

  • The beginning of Long Walk in Windsor, Berkshire, which is straight path that links Windsor Castle with Snow Hill in Windsor Great Park

    Windsor Great Park

    Windsor & Eton

    Windsor Great Park stretches south from Windsor Castle almost all the way to Ascot, 7 miles southwest. It covers just under 8 sq miles and holds a lake,…

  • Blenheim Palace, UK - August 30, 2014: The Palace, the residence of the dukes of Marlborough, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ; Shutterstock ID 215696488; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

    Blenheim Palace

    Oxfordshire

    One of the greatest stately homes in Britain, and a Unesco World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace is a monumental baroque fantasy, designed by Sir John…

  • United Kingdom, England, Oxford, Courtyard of Christ Church

    Christ Church

    Oxford

    With its compelling combination of majestic architecture, literary heritage and double identity as (parts of) Harry Potter’s Hogwarts, Christ Church…

  • Duke Humfrey's library, the Bodleian Library

    Bodleian Library

    Oxford

    At least five kings, dozens of prime ministers and Nobel laureates, and luminaries such as Oscar Wilde, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien have studied in Oxford's…

  • Front entrance to the Ashmolean Museum in Beaumont Street.

    Ashmolean Museum

    Oxford

    Britain’s oldest public museum, Oxford’s wonderful Ashmolean Museum is surpassed only by the British Museum in London. It was established in 1683, when…

  • Gloucester Gloucestershire UK 1st JULY 2019  Iconic and historic Gloucester Cathedral with tourists ; Shutterstock ID 1443426806; your: Bridget Brown; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI Image Update

    Gloucester Cathedral

    Oxford & the Cotswolds

    Gloucester’s spectacular cathedral is among the first and finest examples of the English Perpendicular Gothic style. Benedictine monks built a Norman…

  • Inside the grounds of Magdalen College.

    Magdalen College

    Oxford

    Guarding access to a breathtaking expanse of private lawns, woodlands, river walks and even its own deer park, Magdalen ('mawd-lin'), founded in 1458, is…

  • Displays in the Pitt Rivers Museum.

    Pitt Rivers Museum

    Oxford

    If exploring an enormous room full of eccentric and unexpected artefacts sounds like your idea of the perfect afternoon, welcome to the amulets-to-zithers…

  • Stowe Gardens

    Oxford & the Cotswolds

    The glorious Stowe Gardens were shaped in the 18th century by Britain's greatest landscape gardeners. Among them was master landscape architect Lancelot …

  • Arlington Row

    The Cotswolds

    Bibury's most famous attraction, this ravishing row of rustic cottages – as seen in movies like Stardust – was originally a 14th-century wool store,…

  • Corinium Museum

    The Cotswolds

    Most of this wonderful modern museum is, of course, dedicated to Cirencester’s Roman past; reconstructed rooms, videos and interactive displays bring the…

  • St Albans Cathedral

    Oxford & the Cotswolds

    Vast out of all proportion to the modern town, St Albans’ majestic cathedral was founded as a Benedictine monastery by King Offa of Mercia in AD 793,…

  • International Centre for Birds of Prey

    Oxford & the Cotswolds

    Watch raptors swoop and dive at this large, long-standing countryside complex, 2 miles southwest of Newent (follow signs). There are three flyings per day…

  • Cotswold Falconry Centre

    The Cotswolds

    Home to over 150 birds of prey (owl, vulture, eagle and, of course, falcon), this exciting spot stages displays of the ancient practice of falconry at 11…

  • Sudeley Castle

    The Cotswolds

    During its thousand-year history, this magnificent castle has welcomed many a monarch, including Richard III, Henry VIII and Charles I. Half a mile…

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    Radcliffe Camera

    Oxford

    Surely Oxford’s most photographed landmark, the sandy-gold Radcliffe Camera is a beautiful, light-filled, circular, columned library. Built between 1737…

  • Waddesdon Manor

    Oxford & the Cotswolds

    A remarkable French Renaissance chateau-style fairy-tale palace, Waddesdon Manor was completed in 1889 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, who wanted to…

  • Hatfield House

    Oxford & the Cotswolds

    For over 400 years Hatfield House has been home to the Cecils, one of England’s most influential political families. This magnificent Jacobean mansion was…

  • Berkeley Castle

    Oxford & the Cotswolds

    This superb red-stone castle has been home to the Berkeleys for nearly 900 years, and little has changed since it was built as a sturdy Norman fortress…

  • Slimbridge Wetland Centre

    Oxford & the Cotswolds

    A pioneer in wetlands conservation, this 325-hectare reserve, beside the River Severn 5 miles northeast of Berkeley, is a haven for migratory and resident…

  • Verulamium Museum

    Oxford & the Cotswolds

    Based in what looks outside like a suburban house, this modern and highly engaging museum celebrates everyday life in Roman Verulamium. Assorted galleries…

  • Painswick Rococo Garden

    The Cotswolds

    England's only surviving rococo garden, half a mile north of Painswick, was laid out by Benjamin Hyett in the 1740s as a vast 'outdoor room'. Restored to…

  • Uffington White Horse

    Oxfordshire

    On the lower slopes of its high namesake hill, this elegant, minimalist horse image is the oldest chalk figure in Britain. Created during the Bronze Age,…

  • Exterior of Merton College.

    Merton College

    Oxford

    Founded in 1264, peaceful and elegant Merton is one of Oxford’s three original colleges. Like the other two, Balliol and University, it considers itself…

  • Outside the New College chapel

    New College

    Oxford

    New College isn’t really that new. Established in 1379 as Oxford’s first undergraduate college, it’s a glorious Perpendicular Gothic ensemble. Treasures…

  • Outside the castle walls, Oxford Castle.

    Oxford Castle and Prison

    Oxford

    Little now remains of Oxford Castle, which was built for William the Conqueror in 1071, and largely destroyed after the English Civil War because the…

  • Looking over to All Souls College, founded in 1438, the souls in question are those of soldiers who died in the Hundred Years' War, Oxford

    All Souls College

    Oxford

    One of Oxford’s wealthiest and most tranquil colleges, All Souls was founded as a centre of prayer and learning in 1438. Much of its facade dates from…

  • 16th century Brasenose College.

    Brasenose College

    Oxford

    Small, select and elegant, Brasenose College was founded in 1509. A Brasenose Hall, belonging to Oxford University, already stood here by 1262, however,…

  • The spire of Church of St Mary the Virgin, a 14th century tower that offers great views of Oxford and Nuffield

    University Church of St Mary the Virgin

    Oxford

    The ornate 14th-century spire of Oxford’s university church is arguably the dreamiest of the city’s legendary ‘dreaming spires’. Otherwise, this is famous…

  • Runnymede

    Windsor & Eton

    Over 800 years ago, in June 1215, King John met his barons in this unassuming field, 3 miles southeast of Windsor. Together they hammered out an agreement…

  • Outside the museum

    Museum of the History of Science

    Oxford

    Students of science will swoon at this fascinating museum, stuffed to the ceilings with awesome astrolabes, astonishing orreries and early electrical…

  • The Trinity Chapel, the college was founded in 1555, but most buildings date from the 17th century

    Trinity College

    Oxford

    Founded in 1555, this small college boasts a lovely 17th-century garden quad, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Its exquisite chapel, a masterpiece of…

  • The front of the Exeter College

    Exeter College

    Oxford

    Founded in 1314, Exeter is known for its elaborate 17th-century dining hall, which celebrated its 400th birthday in 2018, and ornate Victorian Gothic…

  • The front of the Queens College on High Street

    Queen's College

    Oxford

    Known for its musical excellence, this college is steeped in esteem and heritage. Although founded in 1341, its main claims to architectural fame are the…

  • The covered entrance to Modern Art Oxford

    Modern Art Oxford

    Oxford

    Showcasing stimulating temporary exhibitions in its bright white airy galleries, and graced with a spacious cafe and a good shop, this excellent museum is…

  • The Bridge of Sighs

    Bridge of Sighs

    Oxford

    As you stroll along New College Lane, look up at the steeped Bridge of Sighs linking the two halves of Hertford College. Completed in 1914, it's sometimes…

  • Bletchley Park

    Oxford & the Cotswolds

    During WWII, the very existence of Bletchley Park was England’s best-kept secret. By breaking German and Japanese codes, as dramatised in the 2014 film…