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Oxford Maps & Attractions Guide
Oxford maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Oxford
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Oxford
Attractions - Things to do
1. Sudeley Castle
www.sudeleycastle.co.uk |
What is it? Set against the beautiful backdrop of
Cotswold Hills, Sudeley Castle is steeped in history. With royal
connections spanning a thousand years, it has played an important
role in the turbulent and changing times of England's past. The
Castle was once home to Queen Katherine Parr (1512-48), following
her marriage to Sir Thomas Seymour, and Lady Jane Grey. Henry VIII,
Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth I all visited Sudeley. King Charles
I stayed here and his nephew, Prince Rupert, established his
headquarters at the Castle during the Civil War. Following its
destruction by Cromwell's troops, Sudeley lay neglected and
derelict for 200 years. However, its romantic situation and ruins
attracted many visitors, including King George III. In 1837 Sudeley
was bought by John and William Dent, successful businessmen from
Worcestershire, who began an ambitious restoration programme; the
castle is still home to their descendants. Within the Castle's
apartments are a range of historic possessions dating from the
Civil War and an important art collection including paintings by
Van Dyck, Rubens, Turner, Reynolds, Claude and Jan Steen. The
romantic 14-acre grounds are worth a visit from March to September
and are the setting for outdoor Shakespeare performances, concerts,
and other events in summer.
Hours of Operation: Castle open daily 10.30am to 5pm (31 March to 28
October)
Phone:(0)1242 602 308 |
2. Stratford-Upon-Avon
www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk |
What is it? The quaint and picturesque country town,
Stratford-Upon-Avon (which, as its name suggests, rests on the
banks of the River Avon) is the historic birthplace of William
Shakespeare. Visitors can explore Shakespeare's birthplace; Mary
Arden's House, where his mother lived before marrying his father;
his wife, Anne Hathaway's cottage, as well as the school
Shakespeare attended. Stratford-Upon-Avon is within easy access of
the Cotswolds, set in the beautiful, rural Warwickshire
countryside.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
3. Bodleian Library
Central Bodleian site is off Broad Street and in Radcliffe
Square
www.bodley.ox.ac.uk |
What is it? Chief among Oxford's many academic and
architectural attractions is the unique Bodleian library, which is
spread throughout several buildings across the city. The central
core of this collection of buildings is set in Radcliffe Square and
includes the historic Duke Humfrey's Library, dating from the 15th
century, and the gothic Divinity School with its magnificent
vaulted ceiling, which is open to the public. Only members can use
the reading rooms of this library, which contains a copy of every
book printed in Britain since 1610, and no books are ever loaned
out. Guided tours are available to view the main
buildings.
Hours of Operation: Tours from the quadrangle, Broad Street, depart
10.30am, 11.30am, 2pm and 3pm Monday to Saturday.
Phone:Bookings and information: (0)1865 277 224 |
4. Ashmolean Museum
Beaumont Street
www.ashmolean.org |
What is it? The Ashmolean Museum houses a fascinating and
extensive collection of art and archaeology covering four thousand
years of history, ranging from the ancient civilisations of Egypt,
Greece and Rome to the 20th century, and including sculpture,
ceramics, musical instruments and paintings. It is the United
Kingdom's oldest museum, founded in 1683.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm.
(From June to August the museum stays open until 7pm on Thursdays).
Closed 1 January and 24-26 December
Phone:(0)1865 278 000 |
5. Christchurch Picture Gallery
Entrance in the Canterbury Quadrangle, Christchurch
College
www.chch.ox.ac.uk |
What is it? Christchurch, one of Oxford's most renowned
university colleges, possesses an important collection of about 300
paintings and 2,000 drawings, mainly by the Italian masters. Works
by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Rubens are to be seen here,
along with examples from Van Dyck, Frans Hals and Hugo van der
Goes. The entire collection cannot be displayed at one time because
of space constraints, but the exhibition changes every few months.
There are also displays of 18th-century glass and Russian
icons.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 5pm, Sunday 2pm to 5pm
(1 April to 30 September). Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 1pm, 2pm
to 4.30pm, and Sunday 2pm to 4.30pm. (1 October to 31 March).
Closed Easter week and 22 December to 3 January
Phone:(0)1865 276 172 |
6. Carfax Tower
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What is it? The photo opportunity afforded from the top
makes it worthwhile climbing the 99 stairs of the Carfax Tower in
the centre of Oxford's shopping district. The tower top is the best
place from which to view the 'dreaming spires' of this
architecturally beautiful city. The tower is the only remnant of
the 14th-century St Martin's church, demolished in 1896 to improve
the traffic flow at the junction of Cornmarket and Queen Streets.
On the first floor a display depicts the history of the church,
while information boards on the tower top identify the landmarks
and spires in the panoramic view. On the eastern side of the tower
is a clock with two figures that strike the quarter
hours.
Hours of Operation: Daily 10am to 3pm (November to February), closing at
4pm in March
Phone:(0)1865 792 653 |
7. Botanic Gardens
Rose Lane
www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk |
What is it? The oldest Botanic Garden in the country,
Oxford's bountiful botanical collection of more than 7,000 species
of plants has been growing for four centuries. It was founded as a
'physic garden' by the Earl of Danby in 1621, but today its
biodiversity is renowned as being greater even than that of a
tropical rainforest. One does not, however, have to be a
horticulturalist to enjoy the beautifully planted walled garden,
exotic greenhouses, herbaceous borders, rock and water gardens that
make up this botanic feast.
Hours of Operation: Daily from 9am. Closing time varies between 4.30pm
and 6pm depending on the season
Phone:(0)1865 286 690 |
Oxford Holidays guide
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Transport -Regular buses operated by different
companies link all parts of Oxford and surrounding towns and
villages.
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