There cannot be a better time to book yourself a mini-break. Everyone tends to feel so deflated in January after all of the excitement of Christmas and New Year, so why not book yourself a treat that will have you looking forward to January instead of dreading it? You could head north and explore beautiful Yorkshire, you could go west and wander in stunning Wales or perhaps the east will tempt you as you head for the coast in Norfolk. If it is south that beckons to you, we would suggest that you look no further than Oxford, as we share 5 things to do in Oxford.
Oxford Botanic Gardens and Arboretum
This is Britain’s oldest botanic garden and covers 130 acres.
Amble around and discover the glasshouses, the walled garden, the lower garden, the herbarium room and so much more before heading to the beautiful arboretum.
You can find out more here.
Harry Potter Locations Tour
This is an absolute must-do for any Harry Potter fan.
The tour lasts for an hour and forty-five minutes and you get to look inside either the New College or the Christchurch Harry Potter film site. In both cases, the tour also includes entry to the Divinity school film site at the Bodleian Library.
The tour groups are usually small and you will be led by a fellow Potterhead and enthusiast. There’s even a Harry Potter quiz to enjoy.
You can find out more here.
Blenheim Palace
This is actually outside of the city centre, around about fifteen to twenty minutes drive away. If you are staying in the centre without transportation, then you could travel to the palace in style with Oxford Taxi Company.
An opportunity to explore 300 years of history awaits you as you walk through the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Meander around the formal gardens, marvel at the palace staterooms and soak up the history that surrounds you.
You can find out more here.
Sightseeing Bus Tour
If you want to see it all and get a sense of everything that Oxford has to offer, then you should take advantage of the sightseeing bus tour.
It is a hop-on, hop-off tour and your ticket is valid for either 24 or 48 hours. You can jump off at any of the 20 stops to explore further before getting back on again and the bus stops are sprinkled all over the city.
If you choose to stay on the bus for the full tour, it lasts around an hour and includes a commentary talking you through the sights that you are taking in.
You can find out more here.
Oxford University
You cannot visit Oxford without appreciating its famous university. There are 38 colleges and you can find the buildings spread out all over the city.
You could join a walking tour given by an Oxford student. You will get to go inside one of the oldest colleges during this two hour tour. Groups are small to ensure that you have plenty of opportunities to explore and ask questions.
You can find out more here.