Must-see attractions within 1 hour of Oxford Belfry
There’s so much to see and do when you stay at the Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa. Here are some of our favourite attractions within one hour’s drive.
Christ Church
30 minute drive
Explore Christ Church, the University of Oxford’s prestigious college responsible for educating famous scientists, historians and politicians. Stop by the Picture Gallery to see a collection of Old Master paintings, look out for spots that featured in the Harry Potter films and head out onto The Meadow to take the weight off your feet.
Perfect for: getting to know the university
Bodleian Old Library
25 minute drive
See where famous writers such as Oscar Wilde, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien studied, browse over 13 million printed items and take in the stunning sight of the second-largest library in Britain, affectionately known as ‘The Bod’.
Perfect for: bookworms and bibliophiles
Ashmolean Museum
24 minute drive
Enter Ashmolean Museum, Britain’s first public museum and the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology dating back to 1683. Take a closer look at more than 120,000 treasured objects from pre-history to Picasso, including Egyptian mummies, samurai suits of armour and much more.
Perfect for: curious minds
Oxford Botanic Gardens
25 minute drive
Appreciate the beauty of plants and greenery in the oldest botanic gardens in the UK. Explore a collection of rare and endangered trees from around the world at the Harcourt Arboretum and stop by the Herbarium Room for a glimpse of an internationally important collection of dried plant specimens.
Perfect for: green fingered guests
River Cherwell
25 minute drive
It’s not a trip to Oxford without a spot of punting on the River Cherwell. Enjoy the quintessential Oxford experience as you steer, paddle and float along the water and take in university parks and calming countryside views.
Perfect for:keen sailors and boaters
Oxford Castle & Prison
27 minute drive
Explore hundreds of years of Oxford fascinating history when you spend the day at Oxford Castle & Prison. Step inside 18th century prison cells, go underground into a candle-lit crypt and climb up 101 steps to take in panoramic views of one of the world’s most famous university cities.
Perfect for: true crime fans
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
23 minute drive
From the world's first scientifically described dinosaur to the only surviving remains of dodo soft tissue, the seven million specimens found on Parks Road include some of the most important natural history samples accessible to the public today.
Perfect for: an educational day out
Pitt Rivers Museum
23 minute drive
A museum that focuses on revealing differences and parallels between cultures around the world, Pitt Rivers arranges artefacts by type rather than time or region. More than 500,000 objects are carefully curated with an aim to educate learners of all ages.
Perfect for: a fresh take on museums
Blenheim Palace
31 minute drive
The birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to 300 years of Oxfordshire history. Take in the grandeur of state rooms and get a better understanding of life in the stately home through the ‘Upstairs’ and ‘Downstairs’ tours.
Perfect for: history buffs
Greys Court
31 minute drive
Set in the idyllic Henley-on-Thames, Greys Court is a picturesque 16th-century mansion with stained glass windows and tranquil gardens. Grounds at the 280-acre estate include wisteria-covered arches, an octagonal fountain and a hedge maze that make the perfect backdrops for your holiday snaps.
Perfect for: a peaceful day of exploring
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