Great value fares when you travel to Oxfordshire by train with GWR
Travel to Oxfordshire by train with GWR (Great Western Railway) with up to 50% off selected advance tickets in the Great British Rail Sale!
Oxfordshire has it all! From arts, culture and heritage in the vibrant city of Oxford to the hidden treasures in Oxfordshire's countryside.
Enjoy up to 50% off selected Advance tickets with GWR during the Great British Rail Sale. Book between now and 2 May for travel until 27 May 2022.
Oxfordshire Artweeks
From Saturday 7 to Sunday 29 May, explore amazing art for free in wonderful venues during Oxfordshire Artweeks, the UK's oldest and biggest artist open studios and pop-up exhibition event.
The city of Oxford revolves around its prestigious university, established in the 12th century. The architecture of its 38 colleges in the medieval centre led poet Matthew Arnold to nickname it the 'City of Dreaming Spires'. The River Thames flow along the western and southern edge of the city and is easily accessible - beyond the river is predominately countryside and the River Hotel is well located in the middle, walk one way to the city, walk the other way to explore nature.
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For more on Oxford's attractions follow these excellent magazines, Living In Oxford and Experience Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace offers a wonderful day out for all the family, situated in the delightful town of Woodstock, 8 miles from Oxford and 20 minute drive. Bus S3 travels from Oxford Rail Station and takes around 30 minutes.
Blenheim palace was built between 1705 and 1722. The Park and Gardens at Blenheim provide a majestic formal setting for the Palace. You will be inspired by the majesty of the Palace, delighted by the interior filled with treasures and intrigued by the apartments devoted to Sir Winston Churchill. There are gardens in a variety of styles; lakes to row on, an adventure play area for children and even a narrow-gauge railway to take you from car park to the Palace. Blenheim Palace was built for the National Hero John 1st Duke of Marlborough and his Duchess Sarah, given by Queen Anne as a gift in reward for his military services.
Nearby Bladon is famous as the final resting place of Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Britain during the Second World War.
Upcoming Events
Battlefields and Baroque
The story of the 1st Duke of Marlborough.
A courageous leader in battle, John Churchill's victories over Louis XIV forever changed the face of Europe and led to the building of Blenheim Palace and him gaining the title of the Duke of Marlborough, both gifted from Queen Anne.
Date 15th April - 19th June 2022
Annual Pass Free with Annual Pass, no need to pre-book.
Oxford University is made up of 38 colleges spread across the city, most located in the small compact easily navigable city centre. There are many different buildings, including academic departments, colleges and halls, located around the centre of Oxford. Many University buildings, such as gardens, libraries and museums, as well as many of the colleges, are open to visitors during the day.
Nuffield College is the closest main college building to the River Hotel which is conveniently located just across from Oxford Castle; five minutes walk from the hotel.
The River Hotel and indeed most of West Oxford is built on Christ Church owned land, making Christ Church one of the wealthiest of the main colleges. Christ Church is also famous for educating some of Britain's Prime Ministers, author Lewis Carroll and more recently the film location of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books. You can reach Christ Church via a leisurely walk along the towpath of the canalised River Thames to Folly Bridge.
Upcoming Events
At Hinksey Heights - The Oxford Golf Course - you will find an 18 hole championship course with the most remarkable views of Oxford's 'dreaming spires'. Set just on the edge of the city there is also the 939 yard nine hole Par 3 Spires Golf Course as well as a foot-golf course.
The River Hotel is on the west of Oxford and only a ten minute from the Hinksey Village and North Hinksey Golf Club, accessed from the A34.
The Sheldonian Theatre, an exquisite Grade I listed building situated in Oxford’s city centre, is the official ceremonial hall of the University of Oxford. Some of the ceremonial activities that take place in the Theatre include matriculation, graduation ceremonies, Encaenia and Congregation. The Theatre is open to the public to visit when not in use.
This unique historic Oxford venue, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, can also be hired for concerts, meetings, lectures, talks and other events.
The Sheldonian Theatre is in the centre of Oxford and a 15 minute walk from the River Hotel.
Upcoming Events
Enjoy one of the best indoor 360 degree panoramic views of Oxford from the Cupola.
Gaze up at the Sheldonian’s magnificent ceiling painted by Robert Streater during the reign of King Charles II.
Learn about the Sheldonian’s journey from past to present day through our colourful and informative display boards.
University of Oxford Museum of Natural History
Founded in 1860 as the centre for scientific study at the University of Oxford, the Museum of Natural History now holds the University’s internationally significant collections of geological and zoological specimens. Housed in a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture, the Museum’s growing collections underpin a broad programme of natural environment research, teaching and public engagement.
Upcoming Event
3 FEBRUARY – 15 MAY
Bringing together the celebrated art of Kurt Jackson with reflections from Oxford University researchers, this new exhibition explores biodiversity across British landscapes and considers the future of our country's habitats.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Main Court – 10:00 to 17:00 – Booking is required for groups only
Offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of the City, but conveniently located right at its heart, is a green oasis offered by University Parks. Aiming to be available for the enjoyment of members of the University, local residents, and visitors to Oxford the park is open to the public almost every day of the year until dusk (the only exception being Christmas Eve) and boasts a choice of walks, a large collection of trees (there are over 100 different varieties from all around the world) and plants and space for informal games and picnics. For those that enjoy sport there is the opportunity, depending on the season, to catch a game of cricket, lacrosse, tennis, football or rugby.
The Pitt Rivers Museum displays archaeological and ethnographic objects from all parts of the world and all time periods. It is truly a global museum. The museum is also a teaching and research institution and the curators are also university lecturers in either cultural anthropology or prehistoric archaeology. The museum was founded in 1884 when General Pitt Rivers, an influential figure in the development of archaeology and evolutionary anthropology, gave his collection to the University of Oxford.
The museum is located next to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, University Parks is nearby. Situated in north Oxford, it is a 20 minute walk from the River Hotel through the centre of town.
Upcoming Event
Beyond the Binary
Gender, Sexuality, Power
1 June 2021 – 30 June 2022
Special Exhibition Gallery & Interventions throughout the Galleries
https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/event/beyond-the-binary
Founded in 1683 the Ashmolean is the world’s oldest public museum with incredibly rich and diverse collections ranging from Egyptian mummies to Pre-Raphaelite paintings to contemporary art.
The Ashmolean is open from Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 10am–5pm.
The rooftop restaurant entrance is on St Giles with some marvellous views during the day.
It is a 15 minute walk from the River Hotel to the Ashmolean Museum, along Hythe Bridge st and Beaumont street.
WELCOME BACK
EXHIBITION NOW OPEN
PISSARRO FATHER OF IMPRESSIONISM
Open 18 February – 12 June 2022
Find out more & book your ticket
There has been a theatre on George Street for almost 185 years. The first theatre was built in 1836, and a second in 1886. In 1908, the Dorrill family took over the venue and finally in 1934, the third Theatre opened; the ‘New Theatre’.
Upcoming Shows
Waitress
Live at New Theatre Oxford
Mon 25 Apr - Sat 30 Apr 2022
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/waitress/new-theatre-oxford/
Hire the beautiful Oxford Town Hall in the heart of Oxford for weddings, conferences, meetings, concerts, festivals, social events and exhibition
Upcoming Event
The Holywell Music Room is the oldest concert hall in Europe, built in 1742, and is famed for its excellent acoustic. Handel is among the many famous composers and musicians to have appeared here.
