Sponsored post: In collaboration with Hotels.com, but all views are my own.
Travel plans have been in flux for much of this year as safety regulations related to COVID-19 change almost weekly. Even as vaccination programmes roll out, it will take some time before things settle down to some semblance of “normal” (whatever that may now be). But that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the beautiful countryside and coastline that Britain has to offer.
Love it or loathe it, the word staycation has become a part of our vocabulary. And at the moment, it’s a fabulous way to have a change of scene for a few days. So why not make a last-minute booking and enjoy a getaway? In this post, we look at using Oxford as the base for your next staycation.
Exploring Oxford
Even if your main goal is to explore the surrounding countryside, be sure to allow at least one day to see some of the city itself, and some of the university. With 39 colleges, you’ll find a wide variety of architectural styles, from the English Gothic of Magdalen College Tower to the functionalist design of St. Catherine’s. Also stop by the Tower of St. Michael at the city’s North Gate. It is one of the few remaining examples of Anglo-Saxon architecture in the country.
The Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum was the first in the UK, founded in 1621. Covering 130 acres, both areas serve as an important research base for conservationists and botanists, while providing visitors with plenty of space to ramble and immerse themselves in nature.
For some inspiring views across Oxford, climb to the top of St. George’s Tower at Oxford Castle. Norman baron Robert O’Doyly oversaw construction of the castle after William the Conqueror’s invasion in 1066. By the 18th century, it served as a prison. Parts of the original castle and the prison are open to visitors.
Out and About
There are dozens of great ideas for day trips from Oxford. The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers plenty of walking trails and is partly in Oxfordshire. Alternatively, take a scenic drive through the picturesque villages of the Cotswolds.
Blenheim Palace is just a short drive or bus ride from Oxford. Once there, you can easily spend a day roaming the extensive grounds and admiring the house, Winston Churchill’s ancestral home.
Also within day-out range is Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-Upon-Avon where you can visit various properties linked to the playwright, including my personal favourite, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
And there are so many more options: Highclere Castle for Downton Abbey fans, the Regency city of Bath…. Or how about staying in town – this is an Oxford staycation, after all – and having a lazy afternoon on the River Cherwell? Don’t forget the wine.
A Reminder About Safety
Wherever you choose to enjoy a quick getaway, be it Oxford or some other wonderful part of the country, don’t forget to pay attention to current safety guidelines. Look for the GoodtoGo logo and check with local tourism offices. This BBC link also has a handy feature, allowing you to check local regulations according to postcode. Have fun but stay safe!
We love Oxford, there is so much to see, regardless of your interests, be it education, history, architecture or something more modern like Harry Potter or Inspector Morse. We have done a Harry Potter and an Inspector Morse walking tour and they were brilliant, even despite the latter being a July day when it didn’t stop raining all day.
Last time we spent a weekend in Oxford, even though it’s only a couple of hours from Southampton, staying overnight at the Malmaison, which occupies what used to be the old prison. Definitely worth a stay in our opinion, and walking around the inside of the hotel it’s reminiscent of being in Porridge!