Attractions
Blenheim Palace
Address: Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1PP, UK .Blenheim Palace (/ˈblɛnɪm/ BLEN-im[1]) is a country house in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. It is the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough. Originally called Blenheim Castle, it has been known as Blenheim Palace since the 19th century.[2] One of England's largest houses, it was built between 1705 and 1722, and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.[3]
The palace is named after the 1704 Battle of Blenheim. It was originally intended to be a reward to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough for his military triumphs against the French and Bavarians in the War of the Spanish Succession, culminating in the Battle of Blenheim. The land was given as a gift, and construction began in 1705, with some financial support from Queen Anne. The project soon became the subject of political infighting, with the Crown cancelling further financial support in 1712, Marlborough's three-year voluntary exile to the Continent, the fall from influence of his duchess, and lasting damage to the reputation of the architect Sir John Vanbrugh.
Designed in the rare, and short-lived, English Baroque style, architectural appreciation of the palace is as divided today as it was in the 1720s.[4] It is unique in its combined use as a family home, mausoleum and national monument. The palace is notable as the birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill.
Following the palace's completion, it became the home of the Churchill (later Spencer-Churchill) family for the next 300 years, and various members of the family have wrought changes to the interiors, park and gardens. At the end of the 19th century, the palace was saved from ruin by funds gained from the 9th Duke of Marlborough's marriage to American railroad heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt.
Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park
Address: Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park, Elsfield Way, Oxford OX2 8ES, UK .Cutteslowe Park is a public park in Cutteslowe in North Oxford, England. It was established in 1936[1] when Oxford City Council acquired land of the former Cutteslowe Manor farm, whose house still stands at its centre. More land was acquired in 1937 and 1938, including purchases from the Dean and Chaplain of Westminster. The original manor house dates from at least the mid-17th century, being shown on a 1670s map by Michael Burghers.
To the north and east the park is bounded by working farmland, while it is bordered to the West by 1960s–70s housing developments of Cutteslowe.
Sunnymead park, just inside the north-east arc of the Oxford ring-road, was once a council tip which was covered and reconditioned from the 1980s onwards. In 2006 Oxford City Council united the two parks, which now form a single administrative unit called Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Address: Parks Road, Oxford, UK .The Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH) is a museum that showcases a wide range of natural history specimens belonging to the University of Oxford. It is situated on Parks Road in Oxford. The museum was established in 1850, although initially, it didn't have its own dedicated building. Instead, the natural history specimens were scattered across various museums throughout the city. The construction of the museum's current building was undertaken in 1860, thanks to the efforts of Sir Henry Acland, who commissioned its creation, and the architects Benjamin Woodward and Thomas Dean.
The architecture of the museum is characterized by a Neo-Gothic style, and it is quite visually appealing. The main hall of the museum features a glass roof supported by cast iron pillars, dividing the space into three distinct aisles. Along the ground and first floors, you can find secluded arcades adorned with stone columns. These columns are intricately decorated with various natural motifs, such as branches and leaves. Within the museum, numerous statues pay homage to prominent scientists, including Aristotle, Darwin, Bacon, and Linnaeus.
The museum's collections encompass a wide variety of natural history disciplines, including zoology, entomology, paleontology, geology, and mineralogy. Visitors can explore a remarkable assortment of specimens, from crabs collected by Charles Darwin to fossils, dinosaurs, and fascinating insects. Notably, the museum's prized possession is the head and claw of the last known Dodo bird.
Shortly after its opening, the museum gained notoriety as the location for the "Great Debate" between the Bishop of Oxford and Thomas Huxley, a botanist and avid supporter of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. This historic debate revolved around the clash between evolutionary science and religious beliefs, making it one of the most renowned debates in history.The Bridge of Sighs
Address: New College Lane, Oxford OX1 3BL, UK .Hertford Bridge, often called the Bridge of Sighs, is a skyway joining two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane in Oxford, England.
Oxford Castle & Prison
Address: 44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford OX1 1AY, UK .Step inside and do 1,000 years of time... Oxford Castle & Prison is a visitor attraction and an ancient heritage site, with a past stretching back 100 decades.
The Rollright Stones
Address: Little Rollright, Chipping Norton OX7 5QB, UK .The Rollright Stones are a complex of three Neolithic and Bronze Age megalithic monuments near the village of Long Compton, on the borders of Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. Constructed from local oolitic limestone, the three monuments, now known as the King's Men and the Whispering Knights in Oxfordshire and the King Stone in Warwickshire, are distinct in their design and purpose. They were built at different periods in late prehistory. During the period when the three monuments were erected, there was a continuous tradition of ritual behaviour on sacred ground, from the 4th to the 2nd millennium BCE.[1]
The first to be constructed was the Whispering Knights, a dolmen that dates to the Early or Middle Neolithic period. It was likely to have been used as a place of burial. This was followed by the King's Men, a stone circle that was constructed in the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age; unusually, it has parallels to other circles located further north, in the Lake District, implying a trade-based or ritual connection. The third monument, the King Stone, is a single monolith. Although its construction has not been dated, the dominant theory amongst archaeologists is that it was a Bronze Age grave marker.
The British philologist Richard Coates has proposed that the name "Rollright" is from the Brittonic phrase *rodland rïx 'wheel enclosure groove', where *rïx 'groove' refers to a narrow valley near Great Rollright and *rodland 'wheel enclosure' refers to the King's Men circle.[2] By the Early Modern period, folkloric stories had developed about the Stones, telling of how they had once been a king and his knights who had been turned to stone by a witch. Such stories continued to be taught amongst local people well into the 19th century. Meanwhile, antiquarians such as William Camden, John Aubrey and William Stukeley had begun to take an interest in the monuments. Fuller archaeological investigations were undertaken in the 20th century, culminating in excavations run by George Lambrick in the 1980s. The site is listed by Historic England as a scheduled monument and was first designated in 1882.[3]
In the 20th century, the stones became an important site for adherents of various forms of Contemporary Paganism, as well as for other esotericists, who hold magico-religious ceremonies there. They also began to be referred to more widely in popular culture, being featured in television, literature, music and art.
University of Oxford Botanic Garden
Address: Rose Lane, Oxford, UK .The Oxford Botanic Garden, founded in 1621, is a serene and historic place covering 1.8 hectares along the river Cherwell. Home to 5,000 plant species, it features herbaceous borders
History of Science Museum
Address: 48 Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3AF, UK .Built in 1683 to house Elias Ashmole's collection, the building was the world's first purpose-built museum building and was also open to the public. The original concept of the museum was to institutionalize the new learning about nature that appeared in the 17th century and experiments concerning natural philosophy were undertaken in a chemical laboratory in the basement, while lectures and demonstration took place in the School of Natural History, on the middle floor. Ashmole's collection was expanded to include a broad range of activities associated with the history of natural knowledge.[citation needed] In 1924, Lewis Evans donated his collection of historic scientific instruments, creating the Lewis Evans Collection. In 1935, with more donations, the museum's name was changed to the Museum of the History of Science. In 2018, the museum was renamed the History of Science Museum.
Tom Tower
Address: Christ Church, St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1DP, UK .Tom Tower is a bell tower in Oxford, England, named after its bell, Great Tom. It is over Tom Gate, on St Aldates, the main entrance of Christ Church, Oxford, which leads into Tom Quad. This square tower with an octagonal lantern and facetted ogee dome was designed by Christopher Wren and built 1681–82. The strength of Oxford architectural tradition and Christ Church's connection to its founder, Henry VIII, motivated the decision to complete the gatehouse structure, left unfinished by Cardinal Wolsey at the date of his fall from power in 1529, and which had remained roofless since. Wren made a case for working in a Late Gothic style—that it "ought to be Gothick to agree with the Founders worke"[1]—a style that had not been seen in a prominent building for a hundred and fifty years, making Tom Tower a lonely precursor[2] of the Gothic Revival that got underway in the mid-18th century.[3] Wren never came to supervise the structure as it was being erected by the stonemason he had recommended, Christopher Kempster of Burford.[4]
Tom Tower seen from immediately adjacent to the St Aldates entrance to Tom Quad
Tom Gate, the main entrance to Christ Church, beneath Tom Tower, looking in towards Tom Quad
In 1732–34, when William Kent was called upon to make sympathetic reconstruction of the east range of Clock Court in Wolsey's Tudor Hampton Court Palace, he naturally turned to the precedent of Tom Tower for his "central ogee dome with its coronet of pilaster-like gothick finials".[5] The tower of Dunster House at Harvard University is a direct imitation of Tom Tower, though its details have been Georgianised, and stones from Christ Church are installed in one of the house's main entryways.
Tom Tower was the inspiration for the Clock Tower (formally the Old Arts Building) at the University of Auckland
Ashmolean Museum
Address: Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PH, UK .The Ashmolean is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology, founded in 1683. Our world famous collections range from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art.
Pitt Rivers Museum
Address: South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PP .The Pitt Rivers Museum has an impressive display of strange and beautiful objects that have been collected from all over the world by travellers, officers and students
The Turrill Sculpture Garden
Address: Summertown Library, South Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JN, UK .The Turrill Sculpture Garden is shows contemporary sculpture in a peaceful garden setting, freely open to the public. Changing displays of works by local and national sculptors for sale.
Radcliffe Camera
Address: Radcliffe Camera, Radcliffe Sq, Oxford OX1 3BG, UK .The Bodleian Libraries lends items from its collections to public exhibitions in libraries, museums and archives around the UK and the world. All loans are administered by the Exhibitions
Weston Library
Address: Bodleian Library, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BG, UK .The Weston Library offers free, inspiring exhibitions featuring the libraries’ rich collections, a unique gift shop and a lovely café set against the backdrop of the floating book stacks in.
Oxford St. Aloysuis R C Church
Address: 25 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HA, UK .The Oratory is a vibrant centre of Catholic life. Our church is open every day for Mass, confessions and prayer in the heart of the city of Oxford
Court Place Farm
Address: Marsh Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 0NQ, UK .Beautiful place to visit.
St. Anne's College
Address: Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HS, UK .Founded in 1952, St. Anne's is one of the largest of the Colleges at University of Oxford, which offers undergraduate and graduate level studies for both men and women.
Pembroke College
Address: Pembroke Square, Oxford OX1 1BP, UK .A friendly Oxford University College conveniently located in the centre of Oxford, with beautiful gardens and architecture dating from the 15th century.
The Covered Market
Address: Market Street, Oxford OX1 3DZ, UK .Oxford Covered Market features more than 50 traders selling fresh produce, gifts, fashion, flowers and jewellery, and provides a unique showcase for the very best in local crafts, food and drink
Sainsbury's Local
Address: SUFFOLK HOUSE, 263 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford, UK .Local shops
Tesco Express
Address: 263 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford, UK .Supermarket
M&S Simply Food
Address: 242-254 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford, UK .Supermarket
Boots
Address: 221 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7HQ, UK .Pharmacy
COOK Oxford
Address: 237 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7HN .Frozen food store
Westgate Oxford
Address: Queen St, Oxford OX1 1PE, UK .Shopping Centre
Wild Honey
Address: 12 South Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JL, UK .Health food shop
Taylors Summertown
Address: 239A Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford, UK .OXFORD'S GOURMET SANDWICH & DELI CO.
Majestic Wine
Address: Unit 4, 276, Majestic Wine, Majestic Summertown, 292 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7DY, UK .Wine shop
GAIL's Bakery Summertown
Address: 251 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford, UK .Bakery
Oliver Bonas
Address: 228-240 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7BY, UK .Clothing Shop
Temptations Dessert Lounge
Address: 231 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford, UK .Dessert
Holland & Barrett - Oxford Summertown
Address: 241 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford, UK .Health food shop
Pompette
Address: 7 South Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JL, UK .French fare with vegetarian options & imported wines served in a warm, refined restaurant.
Service options: Reservations required · Has outdoor seating · Serves vegan dishes
Address: 7 S Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JL
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 11 pm
Updated by phone call 7 days ago
Menu: pompetterestaurant.co.uk
Burnout BBQ
Address: 263 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7HN, UK .Barbecue restaurant
Kopitiam - Oxford
Address: SUFFOLK HOUSE, Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7HN, UK .Malaysian restaurant
Joe's Bar & Grill
Address: 260 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7DX, UK .British cafe/bar and restaurant with booth seats, chandelier and an all-day menu, plus weekly music.
Service options: Has outdoor seating · Serves great cocktails · Has live music
Address: 260 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7DX
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 9:30 pm
Updated by others 12 weeks ago
Price per person: £10–30
Reported by 69 people
LB's Lebanese Cuisine
Address: 253 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7HN, UK .Lebanese restaurant
Service options: Serves vegan dishes
Address: 253 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7HN
Open ⋅ Closes 3:30 pm
Menu: facebook.com
Price per person: £1–10
Reported by 10 people
Crêpeaffaire Oxford
Address: unit 3, 280 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7DY, UK .Cafe
Mamma Mia Pizzeria Summertown
Address: 9 South Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JL, UK .Rustic trattoria with checked tablecloths, serving classic Italian cuisine & thin-crust pizzas.
Service options: Has outdoor seating · Has kids' menu
Address: 9 S Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JL
Closes soon ⋅ 3 pm ⋅ Reopens 5 pm
Menu: mammamiapizzeria.co.uk
Reservations: mammamiapizzeria.co.uk
Providers
Price per person: £10–20
Reported by 164 people
New Dancing Dragon Bar & Restaurant
Address: 283 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JF, UK .Chinese restaurant
Airy restaurant serving Asian cuisine including Cantonese, Sichuan, Malaysian, Singapore & Thai.
Service options: Has outdoor seating · Serves vegetarian dishes · High chairs available
Address: 283 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JF
Hours: Closes soon ⋅ 3 pm ⋅ Reopens 5:30 pm
Updated by this business 6 weeks ago
Menu: newdancingdragon.co.uk
XI' AN OXFORD
Address: 197 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7AR, UK .An extensive menu of classic & creative Chinese dishes with wine & beer, suitable for large parties.
Thursday5–9:45 pm
Friday5–9:45 pm
Saturday5–9:45 pm
Sunday5–9:30 pm
MondayClosed
Tuesday5–9:45 pm
Wednesday5–9:45 pm
Spice Lounge
Address: 193 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7AR, UK .Pan-Indian dishes served in a serene, contemporary dining room and on an outside terrace.
Pizza Express
Address: 232-236 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7BY, UK .Pizza restaurant
Boss Kebab Oxford
Address: 263 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7HN, UK .Takeaway
Mumbai Express Oxford
Address: 193 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7AR, UK .Indian takeaway
St Clare's, Oxford
Address: 139 Banbury Rd, Oxford, UK .St Clare's is a coeducational private, international day and boarding college in North Oxford, England offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma, a Preparatory IB programme, English language courses, University Pathways, Gap Year study and IB teacher training workshops.
Oxford Scholastica Academy
Address: 8 South Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JL, UK ."Our Oxford Summer School and Online Courses give students the edge to help them succeed, find their purpose, and make a difference in the world Our transformational programmes for 12- to 18-year-olds combine university-style teaching with academic
Cherwell School
Address: Marston Ferry Rd, Oxford OX2 7EE, UK .The Cherwell School is a secondary school with academy status on the Marston Ferry Road in Oxford, England.
