What to Do in Oxfordshire

Stonor is one of England’s oldest manor houses and owned by the same family for over 800 years.  The imposing building houses a collection of family portraits, beautiful stained glass, old Master Drawings, European Bronzes, an early 19th century wallpaper of Paris as well as contemporary ceramics.  There is also a 13th century chapel in the grounds.

Eight Acres of beautiful landscaped ornamental gardens, with a small museum and Saxon Church as well.  The gardens have trees, shrubs, flowers, classical borders, modern planting, secret corners and long vistas, with specific garden areas of the Formal Garden, Mary Rose Garden and a Water Lilly Canal.  The museum displays ancient tools and implements, and the small Saxon church has collections of ancient glass, brasses, plaques and floor tiles.

The University of Oxford Botanic Garden has three sections; the Glasshouses, classic garden features and the Walled Garden.  Plants are grown in the garden to support teaching programmes.  The garden is also a national reference collection with 7,000 different types of plant.

Harcourt Arboretum is at it’s most colourful during the months of May, June and October.  In spring there is a 10-acre woodland and in summer a 37-acre meadow full of wild flowers.  As well as the dramatic trees and shrubs there are also themed planted in six beds.

Blenheim Palace is a stunning baroque Palace dating back to the 18th century. The Palace has been the family home of the Churchill family for over 300 years and subsequent Dukes have made differences to the structure and gardens. As well as the State Rooms and collection of carvings, porcelain, tapestries and painting, the 2,100 acres of parkland are also a huge draw, with sweeping lawns, formal gardens and a grand lake. A spectacular battle will take place at Blenheim Palace with a mighty jousting tournament on the South Lawn featuring.

The Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials 9th-12th September, is in its 20th year of running.  The world's best riders  as will be competing and thousands of spectators watching.  Dressage takes place all day on Thursday and Friday and cross-country on Saturday. Show jumping takes place on Sunday.  In addition to the eventing action there are lots of other activities in other arenas, Pony Club and Riding Clubs team competition on Thursday and Friday, plus more than 175 retail outlets.

October Half Term Spooky Halloween  23rd-31st October.  Skeletons rattling and spooky story-telling. Can you find 'Funny bones' body parts in 'The Maze of Bones' the world's largest symbolic hedge. Are you brave enough to meet resident story teller Bill Spectre and Colin - The Crow-in-the-Know? A spooky miniature train ride brings you to the Pleasure Gardens where the spooky hunt 'All things Halloween' is waiting for you....

A Fairytale Christmas   13th November-12th December. Special exhibition highlighting the recent filming of the classic tale 'Gulliver's Travels'  due for release in December in which Blenheim Palace appears as the Palace of Lilliput. Throughout the Christmas season the Palace will be decorated with displays depicting highlights from the classic tale of a giant lost in the miniature land of Lilliput. Glowing fires provide a warm welcome in the State Rooms and each will feature displays bringing the magic of this much loved tale to life including in The Great Hall a travelers theme with a boat and hot air balloons amidst the grand scale of magnificent Christmas trees. In the Saloon the grand table will be set for a Royal Lilliputian feast as featured in the film.