The Excursions

The Oxford Colleges

There are so many beautiful university buildings in Oxford that it would take months to visit them all properly, but we can show you the pick of the bunch in this walking tour of some of the best architecture of the university, taking in The Bodleian library, the Radcliffe Camera, the Divinity School, Christchurch college, and of course not forgetting the Grand Hall, the stunning dining hall used to film the dining scenes at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Click on the link below to find out more about visiting the university.

Punting in Oxford

A trip to Oxfordshire wouldn’t be complete without partaking in the centuries-old tradition of lazily punting down the river where the Thames meets the Cherwell. Follow in the wake of famous students from Lewis Carroll to Margaret Thatcher on one of these quintessential boats unique to Oxford and Cambridge – England’s gondolas! You can float away admiring the scenery as an Oxford student gives you the guided tour while punting you along, or, why not have a go at mastering the technique yourself? Click on the link below to find out more.

Bicester Village Shopping

It is difficult not to be seduced by the sumptuous luxury of this very different kind of shopping experience. Home to very high-end designer brand boutiques and classy restaurants, at Bicester Village you can find top designers from Gucci to Prada to Lanvin, Oscar de la Renta and everyone in between, all at reduced prices and housed in pretty ski-chalet-style boutiques. Be sure to have a coffee, pastry or lunch in style at the luxurious Café Wolesley or Soho Farmhouse while you’re here.

Bicester Town Historical Trail & Market

Bicester has a very long history dating back to Roman times and an active history society who have put together this interesting trail taking in all the town’s historical buildings. Follow the map and discover the tucked-away gems of the town including the 12th century St Edburg’s church and Market Square dating from the 16th century. Combine the trail with a stroll round the market stalls on one of the town’s busy trading days and practise your English with our friendly traders while snapping up some bargains.

Partake in the quintessentially English tradition of afternoon tea at this beautiful Oxfordshire manor house. Little sandwiches, cakes, tarts and scones with cream and jam will be served with pots of tea and, if you are feeling indulgent, why not a glass of champagne? Digest in style with a walk around the manor’s beautiful gardens or a game of croquet afterwards.

Hook Norton Brewery

In Scotland you would visit the whiskey distillery, in Ireland you would surely visit the Guinness brewery, and in France, a vineyard. Here in England our traditional local tipple is real ale, a type of beer brewed using a warm fermentation method resulting in a sweet, full-bodied and fruity taste.

Blenheim Palace

Widely recognised as England’s most beautiful palace, and the only one to be given UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Blenheim is an absolute must-see when in Oxfordshire. Admire the stunning grounds designed by the legendary eighteenth-century royal gardener Capability Brown, and explore the magnificent palace, still inhabited by the twelfth Duke of Marlborough and his family, where Winston Churchill was born and Princess Diana played as a child.

The picturesque riverside town where William Shakespeare was born and spent much of his lifetime, Stratford-on-Avon, is just a 45-minute drive from Bicester, and is well worth a visit. The house where Shakespeare was born and later lived with his wife and children, the house where his mother Mary Arden lived as a young girl, and the house where his wife Anne Hathaway was born are all still standing and open to visitors, while the town itself has a thriving high street with many beautiful shops and historic buildings.

Stonehenge

The enigmatic monument at Stonehenge is estimated to be 4,500 years old, and is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. Come with us to marvel at these ancient stones and explore their fascinating history at the site’s visitor centre.

During the First World War, Highclere Castle was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers run by the 5th Countess of Carnarvon. Highclere Castle has been used as a filming location for several films and television series, including 1990s comedy series Jeeves and Wooster, and achieved international fame as the main location for the historical drama series Downton Abbey (2010–15) and the 2019 film based on it.