#1 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Oxfordshire
~0.10 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
The University Church of St Mary the Virgin (St Mary's or SMV for short) is the largest of Oxford's parish churches and the centre from which the University of Oxford grew. It is situated on the north side of the High Street, and is surrounded by university and college buildings.
St Mary's has one of the most beautiful spires in England and an eccentric baroque porch, designed by Nicholas Stone, facing High Street. Radcliffe Square lies to the north and to the east is Catte Street. The 13th century tower is open to the public for a fee and provides good views across the heart of the historic university city, especially Radcliffe Square, the Radcliffe Camera, Brasenose College and All Souls College.
|
#2 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
The Radcliffe Camera
Oxfordshire
~0.12 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to The Radcliffe Camera
|
#3 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
The Oxford Story
Oxfordshire
~0.17 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to The Oxford Story
The Oxford Story was a major tourist attraction in Oxford giving the local history but has now been closed down
|
#4 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Sheldonian Theatre
Oxfordshire
~0.17 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Sheldonian Theatre
The Sheldonian Theatre, located in Oxford, England, was built from 1664 to 1668 after a design by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford. The building is named after Gilbert Sheldon, chancellor of the university at the time and the project's main financial backer. It is used for music concerts, lectures and university ceremonies, but not for drama.
What came to be known as the Sheldonian Theatre was Wren's second work, and was commissioned by Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury. With the triumph of the Restoration and with it the Church of England, Dean Fell sought to revive a project proposed in the 1630s by the late William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury: a separate building whose sole use would be graduation and degree ceremonies.
In the past these increasingly rowdy occasions had taken place in the university's church of St.-Mary-the-Virgin-on-High. "The notion that 'sacrifice is made equally to God and Apollo', in the same place where homage was due to God and God alone, was as repugnant to Fell and his colleagues as it had been to Laud."; with this in mind they approached the current Archbishop of Canterbury Gilbert Sheldon, both for his blessing, his assistance, and a donation.
Sheldon was forthcoming with all three. He initially gave an impressive £1,000 (£113,113 today) and pledged to gather the needed money from like-minded sponsors. He had little luck, however, and ultimately financed nearly the entire £14,470 (£1,636,744 today) himself, in an age where a mid-level craftsman's wage was typically between £2 and £4 per year.
Nothing is known for sure of Wren's first designs for the Sheldonian, but the finished building was a sharp, unmistakable break from the Gothic past. Wren designed the Sheldonian based on Serlio's engraving of the D-shaped Theatre of Marcellus in Rome in the first century BC.
Like any Mediterranean theatre of that time, the Theatre of Marcellus had no roof: the audience relied on a temporary awning for inclement weather. But 17th century Oxford was not ancient Rome, and the Theatre needed a permanent roof. Yet the span of the D-shaped roof was over 70 feet (21 m). No timbers existed that were long enough to cross that distance, and Wren dismissed the obvious solution of a Gothic roof. Instead, he decided to use the "geometrical flat floor" grid developed twenty years before by Oxford professor John Wallis.
|
#5 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Magdelen Bridge Boathouse
Oxfordshire
~0.41 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Magdelen Bridge Boathouse
It is possible to hire punts from a small boathouse at the base of the bridge next to Magdalen College.
http://www.riverthames.co.uk/boat/hire/1732.htm
|
#6 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
City Centre Oxford
Oxfordshire
~0.49 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to City Centre Oxford
|
#7 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Oxford Central Train Station
Oxfordshire England
~0.58 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Oxford Central Train Station
Oxford is a mainline railway station serving the city of Oxford, England. It is about ten minutes' walk to the west of the city centre, and on the line linking Reading with Birmingham New Street. It is also on the line for express trains from London Paddington to Hereford via Worcester. It is a starting point for fast and local trains to London Paddington and for local trains to Reading, Worcester and Bicester Town. The station is operated by First Great Western, and also used by CrossCountry and occasionally Chiltern Railways trains.
|
#8 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
City Centre Witney
Oxfordshire
~10.06 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to City Centre Witney
|
#9 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Lardon Chase, the Holies and Lough Down
Streatley
~16.49 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Lardon Chase, the Holies and Lough Down
Lardon Chase, the Holies and Lough Down are three adjacent National Trust countryside properties in the English county of Berkshire. They are situated on the edge of the Berkshire Downs above the village of Streatley and overlooking the Goring Gap. Together they comprise an outstanding area of 27 hectares (67 acres) of downland and woodland with many attractive walks and views.
Lardon Chase, and a part of the Holies known as Holies Down, are also designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The properties lie within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Lardon Chase and Lough Down comprise a spur of downland which lies to the west of Goring and Streatley. The slopes form one of the largest remaining areas of chalk grassland in the county and support a wide range of flowers and butterflies. The area has a long history of ancient settlements and there are several Neolithic and Iron Age forts. It is crossed by The Ridgeway and other ancient routes used by the Romans.
The Holies is a grassy coombe which is separated from Lardon Chase and Lough Down by the B4009 road from Streatley to Newbury. Before acquisition by the National Trust, the Holies was used for motorbike scrambling and turf stripping, resulting in considerable damage to the ground. Now the natural recolonisation of the bare land by chalk-loving plant species is being carefully nurtured and monitored.
All three properties are accessible from a car park located on the B4009, or by steeply climbing footpaths from Streatley village. Access is free, and available at all times.
|
#10 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
City Centre Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton
~18.04 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to City Centre Chipping Norton
|
#11 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Basildon Park
Cotswolds
~18.26 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Basildon Park
Basildon Park is a country house situated in the English county of Berkshire, between the villages of Upper Basildon and Lower Basildon and near the town of Reading, at grid reference SU611782. It is owned by the National Trust and is a Grade I listed building.
Present house
The Palladian mansion was built between 1776 and 1783 by John Carr for Francis Sykes, who had made his fortune in India. The interior is notable for its original delicate plasterwork and elegant staircase, as well as for the unusual Octagon Room. In 1838, it was bought by millionaire James Morrison to house both his family and his vast art collection. However, the house fell into disrepair after World War II. It was eventually rescued by Lord and Lady Iliffe, who restored it and filled it with fine pictures and furniture. The early 19th century pleasure grounds are currently being restored, and there are waymarked trails through the parkland.
Previous house
The previous house stood slightly west of the present building. It may have been built by Col. George Fane after the estate was purchased for his six-year-old son, Henry, by his sister, the Countess of Bath, in 1656. It was the home of the Viscounts Fane for just over a hundred years.
|
#12 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
City Centre Aylesbury
Aylesbury
~19.47 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to City Centre Aylesbury
|
#13 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
City Centre Buckingham
Buckingham
~20.64 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to City Centre Buckingham
|
#14 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Mapledurham House and Watermill
Berkshire
~20.66 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Mapledurham House and Watermill
Mapledurham Watermill is an historic watermill on the River Thames at the village of Mapledurham in Oxfordshire, England. The mill is driven by the head of water created by Mapledurham Lock and Weir and is preserved in an operational state.
A mill was already present at Mapledurham at the time of the Domesday Book. The central section of the current mill building dates back to the 15th century. Originally the mill had a single water wheel, on the river side of the building. The mill was increased in size in the 1670s, and a leat was constructed drive a second water wheel on the village side. It is this second wheel which is still in use today.
In 1690 the mill was leased to James Web for the sum of £60 per year. Around 1700 he expanded the mill again, to allow him to install the equipment to produce the refined flour that was becoming popular. His son Daniel Webb took over from him in 1726 at a rent of £100. In 1747, Thomas Atrum took over the mill at a rent of £150 p.a. in 1747, which was raised to £205 in 1776. In 1777 a barn was added on the mill island, and a wharf built to allow the mill to supply flour to the London market by barge. However by 1784 Thomas Atrum was bankrupt.
The mill continued to flourish, and as late as 1823 plans were drawn up to rebuild the mill in classical style. The advent of cheap imported flour from North America damaged the mill's prosperity, but it remained in use until just after the Second World War. It was restored and brought back into use in 1980.
|
#15 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Ashdown House
Oxfordshire
~20.83 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Ashdown House
|
#16 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
City Centre Henley on Thames
Henley-on-Thames
~21.11 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to City Centre Henley on Thames
|
#17 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Welford Park
Cotswolds
~21.61 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Welford Park
Welford Park is a country house and estate in the village of Welford, near the town of Newbury in the English county of Berkshire. Whilst of some historical significance, the estate is perhaps best known for its displays of Snowdrops in early Spring.
The church of Welford St Gregory, one of only two existing round-tower churches in Berkshire, is located adjacent to the house. The various chalk streams that make up the River Lambourn flow through the grounds.
Welford Park is built on the site of a monastic grange that belonged to Abingdon Abbey from Anglo-Saxon times. After the dissolution of the monasteries, King Henry VIII used the site for a hunting lodge. Later it was granted to Sir Thomas Parry, Comptroller of the Household to Queen Elizabeth I. His main residence was at Hamstead Marshall but, after his death in 1560, Welford was used as a dower house for his wife, who is buried in the adjoining church.
The existing house dates from about 1652 and was built for Richard Jones, the grandson of Sir Francis Jones, Lord Mayor of London in 1620, who had purchased the property in 1618. The house was remodelled by the architect Thomas Archer about 1700, which resulted in an additional storey and a facade decorated with ionic columns. The interior was again altered in 1840.
The house remains in the ownership of James Puxley, a local landowner and former High Sheriff of Berkshire, who is a distant relative of the Jones family.
|
#18 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
City Centre Banbury
Banbury
~21.63 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to City Centre Banbury
|
#19 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
City Centre High Wycombe
High Wycombe
~23.20 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to City Centre High Wycombe
|
#20 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Donnington Castle
Berkshire
~23.37 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Donnington Castle
Donnington Castle (51°25'11?N 1°20'17?W) is a ruined medieval castle, situated in the small village of Donnington, just north of the town of Newbury in the English county of Berkshire.
Donnington Castle was built by its original owner, Richard Abberbury the Elder, under a licence granted by Richard II in 1386 AD. The surviving castle gatehouse dates from this time. The castle was subsequently bought by Thomas Chaucer, the son of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer, as a residence for his daughter Alice, who later became Duchess of Suffolk. This family later fell out with the Tudor monarchs, and the castle became a Royal property. Both King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I visited Donnington Castle and the latter wanted to live there during her imprisonment by her sister, Queen Mary I, but this was not allowed.
By the time the English Civil War broke out, the castle was owned by the Parliamentarian Packer family but after the First Battle of Newbury it was taken for the King and held by Sir John Boys. Despite being besieged for most of the war, the castle succeeded in guarding the major routeways from London to the West Country and Oxford to Southampton, and during the Second Battle of Newbury, the castle was able to hold off the Parliamentary attackers. Finally, after an eighteen month siege, the garrison surrendered and were allowed to rejoin Royalist forces in Wallingford.
In 1646 Parliament voted to demolish the castle. All that remains of the castle today is the substantial four towered gatehouse, and the surrounding earthworks.
|
#21 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
City Centre Stow on the Wold
Stow-on-the-Wold
~23.46 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to City Centre Stow on the Wold
|
#22 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Central Train Station
Berkshire
~23.60 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Central Train Station
Langley railway station is a railway station in Langley, a suburb of Slough, Berkshire, England.
The station is served by local services operated by First Great Western 16.25 miles (26.15 km) west of London Paddington towards Reading.
The station is on the original line of the Great Western Railway which opened on 4 June 1838, but the station at Langley was not opened until 1845.
Adjacent to the station is the site of the former Langley Oil Terminal, last operated by EWS.
|
#23 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
UK Wolf Centre
Berkshire
~23.70 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to UK Wolf Centre
From their website:
The late Roger Palmer had kept wolves as a private individual for many years. The more he had learned about wolves the keener he had been to dispel the myths and misconceptions that surround them. Encouraged by his friend Erich Klinghammer the founder of Wolf Park in North America, Roger was persuaded to form the UK Wolf Conservation Trust.
The UK Wolf Conservation Trust has moved on from those early days. There are now three huge enclosures housing the Trust's six ambassador wolves. Look at the gallery for some photographs of our wolves. We have an adopt a wolf scheme that you might like to buy as gift for someone special, or for yourself for that matter.
The Trust is proud to provide financial support to a number of wolf conservation projects. We have a special relationship with Bulgaria, Croatia and Russia.
We have a whole range of interesting Wolf Conservation Presentations available which we are happy to bring to your group or club. Maybe you would prefer to come to the UK Wolf Centre? We can do that too, making the presentation in our new Education Centre where you may also get an opportunity to meet the wolves.
The membership of our Supporters Group has grown to nearly three thousand, with lots of new events and offers to make membership worth while and new things coming along all the time.
If you are not already a Supporter but still want to walk with wolves why not get a group of like-minded people together and hire the wolves for a private walk.
We have become much more pro-active on the education front. We employ an Education Officer who is building up a wide range of events and activities to promote conservation in all its guises to school children of all ages. We also provide interesting and rewarding work experience opportunities for college and university students.
We are working on new ideas to make our Wolf Seminars even more informative and interesting. This year we are refreshing the whole format. We hope you will approve of what we are doing.
We present Wolf Photographic Days at the Trust, so if you have a camera and want some new and exciting opportunities, look no further than our Photography Days.
|
#24 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
The Museum of Reading
Berkshire
~23.72 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to The Museum of Reading
The Museum of Reading (run by the Reading Museum Service) is in the Town Hall of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. It contains galleries describing the history of Reading and its related industries, a gallery of artefacts discovered during the excavations of Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester Roman Town), a copy of the Bayeux Tapestry and an art collection.
|
#25 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Reading Town Hall
Reading
~23.76 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Reading Town Hall
This town hall is located in the city of Reading. To learn more about Reading read the exerpt below:
Reading is known as a great place to live - just ask anyone who lives here! Noted for its award-winning schools and outstanding Town services, Reading is a community of excellence. Reading has a safe, small-town feel with welcoming neighborhoods where people know and care for each other, and the Town offers its residents many recreational and cultural opportunities, both within the community and as part of the greater Boston region.
Reading is a stable and progressive community that thoughtfully plans for its future. The community values and preserves its history and open spaces while actively supporting smart growth, and a vibrant downtown. Reading has a strong sense of community and a long tradition of civic engagement and volunteerism.
And as if that is not enough, Reading is located just 12 miles from the center of Boston with its many world renowned cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities. New England's beautiful beaches, mountains, and historic sites are a short drive from Reading. The center of Boston is a short 25 minute train ride from Reading's downtown, and Boston’s Logan International Airport is less than 15 miles away.
|
#26 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Museum of Reading
Reading
~23.76 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Museum of Reading
The Museum of Reading (run by the Reading Museum Service) is in the Town Hall of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. It contains galleries describing the history of Reading and its related industries, a gallery of artefacts discovered during the excavations of Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester Roman Town), a copy of the Bayeux Tapestry and an art collection.
The oldest part of Reading Town Hall is the Victoria Hall, which was constructed in 1786. In 1875 an extension and new frontage was designed in Victorian Gothic style by the architect Alfred Waterhouse. Its clock tower is still a distinctive Reading landmark.
In 1879 the foundation stone was laid for a new wing containing a library and museum, and the museum duly opened in 1883. Three art galleries were added in further extension in 1897.
In 1975 the civic offices moved out of the Town Hall, to Reading Civic Centre followed in 1985 by the central library, leaving only the museum and concert hall in use. After some debate, plans to demolish the Town Hall and replace it with a new cultural centre were dropped, and in 1986 refurbishment of the building started. The museum was closed for renewal in 1989, reopening in stages from 1993 (the Reading: People & Place gallery) to 2000.
|
#27 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Hexagon
Reading
~23.82 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Hexagon
The Hexagon is a well established multi purpose venue, in the heart of Reading.
|
#28 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Forbury Gardens
Reading
~23.86 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Forbury Gardens
Forbury Gardens is a public park in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. The park is on the site of the outer court of Reading Abbey, which was in front of the Abbey Church. Fairs were held on the site three times a year until the early 1800s.
The Dunedin, New Zealand, suburb of Forbury was named for the gardens by early resident William Henry Valpy, who was born in Reading.
|
#29 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
Oracle
Reading
~23.88 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to Oracle
Shopping mall located in town centre. Details of stores, events and online shopping at:
www.theoracle.com
|
#30 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
City Centre Reading
Reading
~23.91 miles from Oxford city center
Hotels Close to City Centre Reading
|
#1 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#2 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#3 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#4 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#5 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#6 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#7 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#8 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#9 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#10 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#11 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#12 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#13 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#14 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#15 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#16 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#17 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#18 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#19 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#20 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#21 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#22 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#23 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#24 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#25 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#26 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#27 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#28 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#29 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford
#30 of 30 Things To Do in Oxford