2025 South Oxfordshire District Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Stepping into Oxford is like entering a weighty historical tome. The ancient architecture, with its orderly yet varied layout, tells tales of bygone eras through every brick and stone. Wandering among the colleges of the University of Oxford, you're enveloped in a rich academic atmosphere, inspiring reverence for the great minds who once studied and researched here. The Bridge of Sighs spans the river like an exquisite work of art, carrying the dreams and reflections of generations of students. The numerous museums and libraries, housing countless treasures, immerse visitors in an ocean of knowledge from which it's hard to emerge. Oxford is a city brimming with charm—its history, culture, and academic heritage make it a place you'll never want to leave, with every corner offering unexpected delights and moving experiences. Below is a curated travel guide: • Must-Visit Attractions ◦ University of Oxford: A world-renowned institution comprising 38 colleges. Visit Christ Church College, Trinity College, and others to soak in the profound academic ambiance. ◦ Bridge of Sighs: A landmark of Hertford College, built in 1914 and named for its resemblance to Venice's Bridge of Sighs, making it a perfect photo spot. ◦ Ashmolean Museum: One of the world's oldest public museums, featuring Egyptian mummies, contemporary art, and more. ◦ Oxford University Museum of Natural History: Home to over five million natural history specimens, from dinosaur fossils to meteorite fragments. • Unique Experiences ◦ Punting on the River: Glide along the River Cherwell for a unique perspective of Oxford's riverside architecture, with boatmen sharing stories of the historic buildings. ◦ Bookstore Hopping: Blackwell's on Broad Street, hailed as "Britain's finest bookshop," is ideal for finding your next favorite read. ◦ Live Music: Enjoy folk performances every Sunday evening at The Half Moon in St. Clement's, or head to The Cellar and Bullingdon Club for bass-heavy beats and DJ sets. • Dining Recommendations ◦ The Eagle & Child: A historic pub where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, authors of *The Lord of the Rings* and *The Chronicles of Narnia*, once met. Savor traditional British fare here. ◦ Oxford Kitchen: Offers refined British and international cuisine in an elegant setting. ◦ Yeti Nepalese Restaurant: Delight in authentic Nepalese and Indian dishes. • Accommodation Tips ◦ Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons: A luxurious hotel set in a stunning manor with beautiful rooms. ◦ Malmaison Oxford: A uniquely stylish hotel that captures local charm. ◦ The Old Parsonage Hotel: Prime location near attractions like the Bridge of Sighs.

✨ A Magical Day at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, near Oxford. If you want to experience dreamy rural gardens and the finest French cuisine then this is the tranquil retreat you're looking for. We recently stepped a little outside our usual comfort zone and spent the day at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons — and what a treat it turned out to be. 🦋 Our visit began with a wander through the incredible gardens, which were genuinely stunning. The first corner I turned offered a fantastic glance at the country house style building (Picture 1). The Far Eastern-inspired areas were especially peaceful, with bamboo, water features, and winding paths that made it feel more like a serene retreat than a hotel garden (Picture 2). I was surprised to come across a Japanese Tea Garden amongst it all (Picture 3). ⛩️ Every path I took led me to further surprises - including an Eastern inspired wooden bridge (Picture 4) and a Japanese Maple tree (Picture 5). It was the perfect way to ease into the experience, cocktail in hand and blistering sunshine filtering through the trees. 🍽️ We went for the 7-course tasting menu, and the experience was something special. Here are some of my highlights: 🐟 I tried caviar for the first time with the confit salmon — paired with dill, cucumber, cauliflower, and a wasabi crème fraîche that brought just the right kick. That dish really stood out and set the tone for the evening (Picture 6). 🥩 Another favourite was the baby rack of lamb. It was tender, full of flavour, and came beautifully plated with an aubergine flower, sugar snap peas, and a vibrant herb purée that brought everything together (Picture 7). 🍓 And for dessert — the strawberry tart was the perfect summery ending. Crisp, sweet, and fresh, with strawberry sorbet and crushed pistachios adding a lovely contrast of textures (Picture 8). Le Manoir is definitely on the fancier end of the scale, but if you’re looking for a peaceful escape with exceptional surroundings and some truly memorable dishes, it’s worth the splurge. #oxfordtrip #LeManoir #OxfordshireEscape #TastingMenuExperience #GardenWanderlust #FoodieFinds

#readingtrip Address: Lower Basildon, Reading RG8 9NR, United Kingdom 🇬🇧 Basildon Park is an 18th-century country house set amidst 400 acres of stunning parkland. It is a perfect destination for a relaxing day out, offering a blend of history, natural beauty, and tranquillity. The park is managed by the National Trust, and it's a popular location for families, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers. The grounds are well maintained, and the house itself provides a glimpse into 18th-century life with elegant rooms and fascinating historical exhibits. Makes it a must-visit location for anyone in the reading area. Open every day from time: 10:00am until 17:00pm #basildonpark #history #visitreading

Beautiful hotel and the room is HUGE! We had lovely dinner here and would definitely come back again.

Tonight's stay in Oxfordshire should be a French hotel. Britain and France have always been competing in all aspects, but after experiencing the Ellen borough hotel last night and coming to this hotel, I feel that the French have won! This manor-style hotel really gives people a romantic and exquisite feeling~ The hotel has its own organic orchard, and the fruits with logos printed on them and provided in the guest rooms are all from their own orchard. We booked two rooms, one of which had a bathroom with linen carpet, which felt very nice. The hotel provides free champagne, bread and chocolate. I even like the smell of the soap in the bathroom. The full name should be Le Manoir Aux Quat'saisons A Belmond Hotel Oxfordshire This hotel has a large garden and great privacy. The lounge is decorated like a living room. Every coffee table is beautifully designed, and there are floral arrangements in many corners. Their good taste and thoughtful service can be felt everywhere. Another very important point is that the tap water in this hotel is filtered soft water. It’s the same feeling as when I stayed at Rosewood London last year. I couldn’t wash my hands clean. Hahaha. Everyone knows that the water quality in the UK is relatively poor. I feel it is safer to use soft water when washing your hair, brushing your teeth, washing your face, etc. when traveling. The hotel is a 20-minute drive from Oxford University, 5-star recommendation!

The Four Seasons Grange Hotel Oxford is located in the village of Great Milton in Oxfordshire, England💐. It is a fifteenth-century historic building🏠 🌻The hotel is famous for its picturesque pastoral scenery, surrounded by green lawns, orchards, and a kilometer-long lavender avenue, making it feel like stepping into a fairy tale world🫧 · 🏘️｜Where to stay The hotel has a total of 32 individually designed rooms and suites, each decorated in a retro and elegant style, equipped with private terraces and direct access to 11 gardens of different styles🌿. Each hotel room has its own theme. For example, "Botticelli" is a Renaissance-style themed room with stunning murals🖼️ · 🌟｜Hotel Highlights 💫The hotel restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars for 40 consecutive years 💫Located in a famous food destination in the UK, don’t miss it when you travel! 💫Unique and private British manor hotel in the UK, experience pure British elegance 💫Has a Michelin two-star restaurant and has been recorded by the BBC. Mint mango soup and chocolate fudge with pistachio ice cream are the restaurant’s specialty desserts 💫There are 11 gardens, such as Japanese Garden, Mushroom Valley, Fruit and Vegetable Garden, etc. It is very dreamy 💫80 acres of vegetable gardens around the hotel, growing 90 kinds of vegetables and more than 70 kinds of spices 💫The hotel cooking school has trained 23 Michelin-starred chefs 💫Having a lavender boulevard is like being in a fairy tale 💫Most of the manor’s ingredients are self-produced, ensuring freshness and naturalness · 🏹｜Special experience Cooking Classes🍴: The manor offers cooking classes every day, suitable for all experience levels - Explore Oxfordshire 🚘: University buildings - Bodleian Library - Oxford Botanic Gardens - Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill - Outdoor activities 🎣: fishing, hunting, target shooting, Cotswold sightseeing, horseback riding experience, etc. - Children’s exploration🍨: visit the kitchen, watch the bread baking process, or choose your favorite ice cream to taste - Explore nature🌿: Provide seed adventure manuals and garden trial activities to enrich the planting experience · 🚁｜Arrived by helicopter The hotel offers helicopter services from Heathrow/Micro/Birmingham/Luton (❗️Note: Arrangements need to be made in advance, the helicopter can park on the private helipad of the manor)

Yes lad

Hanley on Thames in Reading, a beautiful park with a lovely river, many lovely boat on the river, a nice place worth to pay a visit

Escape to the enchanting Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons, a Belmond Hotel in Oxfordshire, where luxury meets the pastoral charm. 🌳💐 Stroll through scented lavender paths leading to secret gardens, including a Japanese oasis and Mushroom Valley, promising a serene retreat from the hustle. Indulge in one of the 32 uniquely themed rooms, each a testament to Raymond's globetrotting inspirations. From the Renaissance grandeur of "Botticelli" to other artful havens, enjoy the finest comforts and fresh estate-grown bouquets. 🌍🛌 Feast at the two Michelin-starred restaurant, a testament to 28 years of culinary excellence. With ingredients sourced straight from the estate's gardens, Chef Raymond Blanc serves up a symphony of flavors. 🍴🌟 An hour from London, this manor-like sanctuary not only promises an exquisite dining experience but also exceptional service in a multilingual and pet-friendly environment. 🚗🐶 Your perfect countryside getaway awaits! 📍Church Rd, South Oxfordshire District, OX44 7PD, United Kingdom #Oxfordshire #OxfordshireHotel #OxfordshireTravel

#LondonAttractions The estate consists of a typical English country house, beautifully manicured gardens and extensive woodlands. The main building of the manor adopts an elegant Renaissance style, with a typical brick and tile structure on the exterior. The towering building reflects warm reddish-brown tones in the sun. When you enter the manor, you will feel the strong British country style. The park is shaded by green trees, and the neatly trimmed lawns and flower beds exude charming greenery and fragrance. Small pieces of art scattered among the ancient trees create a poetic pastoral atmosphere. Walking through it, you seem to hear the sound of time quietly passing by, and being in it is like being in a moving pastoral landscape painting. Basildon Manor truly embodies the pastoral beauty of the English countryside, combining architectural art with natural scenery, allowing visitors to experience the long-lost leisure and tranquility. It is undoubtedly a perfect epitome of the British countryside and is well worth a visit.

#LondonAttractions Bombay Dining is one of the top restaurants here that is worth trying. Not only does it serve top-notch cuisine, but it also creates an elegant and comfortable dining environment, making it a favorite among food explorers. Among them, the restaurant’s two signature dishes are particularly memorable: pan-fried duck liver and seafood platter. The former is crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside with a unique flavor; the latter is a wonderful presentation of various fresh seafood, with skillful cooking techniques and delicious taste. Being there and appreciating these two delicacies, you will be conquered by the charm of traditional Indian cuisine in an instant. In addition, the restaurant's dining environment is also unique, combining classic features with modern elements to create a comfortable and elegant dining atmosphere. Savoring authentic delicacies here will make you feel as if you are at a banquet in a distant foreign country.

Escape to the tranquil realms of Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons, a Belmond Hotel nestled in the charming village of Great Milton, Oxfordshire. This countryside retreat offers a serene atmosphere with a touch of traditional elegance. 🌺 Imagine strolling down a lavender-lined path, a whimsical gateway to a world featuring a Japanese garden, Mushroom Valley, and a verdant kitchen garden. 🌳🌸 Each of the 32 individually designed rooms is inspired by Raymond's travels, brimming with unique charm and creativity. Themes range from the Renaissance splendor of "Botticelli" to other artfully crafted escapes, all equipped with top-notch comforts and fresh bouquets from the estate. 🖌️🛏️ The on-site restaurant has maintained its two Michelin stars for 28 years, enveloped in blooms and sourcing ingredients from the estate's extensive vegetable gardens. Chef Raymond Blanc crafts exquisite dishes with the freshest produce for a truly delectable experience. 🍽️🌟 Located just an hour's drive from London, this manor-like hotel offers exceptional service and a dining experience produced from its own farm. The hotel also caters to a diverse clientele with a multilingual staff and is pet-friendly, making it an ideal getaway for all. 🐾🌍 📍Church Rd, South Oxfordshire District, OX44 7PD, United Kingdom #Oxfordshire #OxfordshireHotel #OxfordshireTravel

Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire This is a hotel located in the village of Great Milton in Oxfordshire, England. It has beautiful scenery, a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, and a traditional country manor experience. The one-kilometer lavender avenue at the entrance is like walking on a romantic fairy tale road. There are also 🌸Japanese gardens, 🍄Mushroom Valley, 🪴fruit and vegetable gardens in the manor, with a natural atmosphere like a paradise. · The hotel has 32 individually designed hotel rooms, each of which exudes the inspiration of Raymond's travels, full of unique charm and imagination! 🌈Each room has its own theme, for example, "Botticelli" is a Renaissance-style theme room, 🖼️The gorgeous murals are amazing! No matter which one you choose, you can enjoy top-notch comfort facilities. The seemingly random bouquets of flowers in the house are all freshly picked from the manor, with dew still hanging on them. · The restaurant 🍴 has maintained a Michelin two-star rating for 28 years. The 🍯Four Seasons Farm Restaurant is surrounded by flowers. Some of the ingredients 🧀 come from the 🫑vegetable garden covering more than 80 acres of the estate. Chef Raymond Blanc uses the freshest ingredients to cook the most exquisite and refreshing delicacies 🥑 · The front desk service is available in 🥑Portuguese, Polish, Dutch, Italian, Irish, French, Spanish, English, German, Catalan... which can better meet the needs of multi-national communication. The hotel allows pets 🐈‍⬛～ Friendly 🦮🐰🐱🐶