Food
Days Out
Beach
Bike & Hike
Sports
Nature
Gardens
Activities
Historical
Eating & Drinking
Branca opened its doors in late 2000, offering Oxford a contemporary Italian bar and restaurant. The restaurant seats 110 and serves nothing but quality food with quality ingredients.
Formerly a florist and greengrocer, Gee's, Oxford's fine dining restaurant, was converted by present owner Jeremy Mogford 15 years ago. The menu is based on seasonal food, local produce and fine ingredients.
Fun Days Out
Snakes and Ladders is a huge indoor playground fitted to the brim with climbing frames, ball ponds, cargo nets and slides. A ride on electric motor bikes is also not to be missed.
Delve into the dark side of Oxford's alleyways and streets and find out about its ghostly past, if you dare! With its many colleges and historic buildings, it's a great place for ghostly goings on.
Norden Farm Centre for the Arts has been a focal part of the community since 2000, it provides a suitable venue for both amateur and professional performers to show their talents, to locals and visitors. The centre is also a favourite of local art groups and touring companies. A large number of people walk through the doors each week to enjoy the assortment of live shows, films, and partake in the workshops and classes they operate or to dine in the Cafe. The Gallery allows you to see contemporary art by local artists and the exhibitions change every three to four weeks. The Cafe Bar is open daily serving refreshments and food, there is a range of sandwiches, soups, hot dishes, daily specials and Sunday roasts available, the pre dinner theatre menu offers great value for money. The centre has a full and varied schedule so do check the calendar on the Website to see what events are taking place. Norden Farm Centre for the Arts provides the perfect venue for people to enjoy the arts in a relaxed and welcoming setting, where they can see local talent and sit back and have a coffee or meal with friends or family, a great all round venue.
Absolutely Combat is the latest and probably the best combat experience you can have. Forget the pain of being shot with a paint ball and laser quest is so last year, this is the newest and best experience so far. Take yourself away from the computer and put yourself in a real environment where you get to hide behind obstacles and move through different rooms whilst avoiding being shot by the opposition. It still maintains the technical aspect in that you get real time hit feedback, so you know precisely when you have been hit or have scored, this eliminates any possibility of cheating. In addition you get real time statistics on each gaming gun that provides a constant feed on your score, your health and your ammunition levels and tells you when you need to reload. As with a real combat mission the purpose is to attack and defend without losing too many of your team or allowing the opposition to capture your flag. The game is suitable for those over the age of 8. Absolutely Combat provides a fun and interactive gaming experience in a safe environment that is loads of fun and suitable for all ages.
Home to a fascinating and varied collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates from all over the world, the park encourages a greater understanding and respect for wildlife. Lots to see and do, making it a great family day out.
Beach
No recommended Beach found within 30 miles of this property.
Biking & Hiking
On this tour you can visit some of the scenes seen on the TV show Inspector Morse, with lots of stories along the way. See the places where the famous TV detective cracked the crimes of Oxford.
A circular route beginning and ending at the Iron Age Hill. Ride through the pretty villages and up through the Broughton Downs, admiring the beautiful landscape.
Alresford Millennium Trail - 29.7 Miles (47.5 KM)
The trail starts in the beautiful Georgian town of Alresford, one of the prettiest in Hampshire. A very easy walk using roads and public byways, it takes you all around this lovely town.
Golf & Sports
This is a large outdoor heated swimming pool with free swimming for kids, relaxation area, outdoor play area and refreshments.
Try tenpin bowling at Farnborough Bowl, a 10 lane centre offering fun for all ages including bowling in the dark with cosmic glow lighting.
Nature Reserves
No recommended Nature Reserves found within 30 miles of this property.
Gardens & Woodlands
Stonor Park is one of England's oldest manor houses and is set in beautiful surroundings. The park, with its herd of fallow deer can be accessed via public footpath.
This is a family run children's farm with all the character of a traditional farm but in a safe, secure, friendly environment. An exciting day out for everyone.
The park has a visitor centre that houses countryside displays and a café. There are also exciting adventure playgrounds for toddlers and older children, including an aerial runaway.
Alice Holt Forestry offers a fantastic day out in lovely natural surroundings. The forest is so well maintained and beautifully kept, a credit to the forest rangers and other helpers. There is so much going on here from lovely woodland walks and cycles, hide and seek, den making, horse riding, fishing, taking a picnic or having a go at "GO Ape", or maybe take a quiet stroll in the more remote areas of the forest. You can hire a bicycle here so don't need to take your own. The trails and walks are well marked and laid out and you can get maps to help you get around. They organise throughout the year a wealth of events, activities, workshops and musical performances, there is something for everyone to get involved with. There is a new play area on the Habitat Trail in addition to Timberline, the 3D Maze and the Play Wood, there is so much for younger visitors here. There is a nice cafe that is warm and welcoming, it serves a nice choice of light refreshments and snacks. The park is perfect whatever the season and offers lots to see and do and is the best of the great outdoors. Although there is no admission charge for the park, there is a charge for the car park and it can get expensive. Alice Holt Forestry is very popular and can get busy but there is lots of room for everyone to have a fun day out, the facilities are great and the park is so well kept the perfect venue to let children let off steam in a safe environment.
Local Attractions
A city centre cinema showing up to date films (check website for times). Free and disabled parking is available and the centre is wheelchair friendly.
Formerly The Oxford Apollo, now under the name of New Theatre, this exciting venue offers a wide range of shows and events — check the website for up to date listings.
Fringilla, Larus and Sula are three beautiful luxury river cruisers that are available to hire, these lovely boats will allow you to experience the waterways of Windsor, Maidenhead and Runnymeade. Each cruiser is tastefully decorated with comfort and relaxation in mind, abroad these stunning boats you will be able to enjoy the beauty of these local waters in a tranquil and relaxing setting. Leave all your stresses and hectic schedules onshore, step aboard and allow yourself to get away from the hustle and bustle for a period of time. Take in the local wildlife, flora and fauna as you cruise along these peaceful waters, stop at the numerous attractions along the way including lovely villages, Windsor Castle, Windsor Racecourse, Cliveden Reach, the charming village of Bray with its gorgeous riverside houses and probably the worlds best chef Heston Blumenthal's renowned restaurant The Fat Duck. All of these boats come with a fully qualified experienced skipper, the appropriate insurances, life jackets, first aid kits and fire fighting equipment for your personal safety.
Dorney Lake - 23.6 Miles (37.8 KM)
Dorney Lake includes an Arboretum and Nature Conservation area, and is open to the public who come to enjoy this outdoor space where you can walk, jog, observe the rowers and canoeists on the lake or just enjoy this great open space. The main purpose of Dorney Lake is a contemporary world-class rowing and flat-water canoeing centre situated in an amazing 450 acre parkland. It was where the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Rowing and Kayaking Regattas took place. Today it provides a premier water sports venue and is the training ground for Eton College Boat Club, it allows individuals and teams to train in rowing, canoeing or dragon boating. In the Boathouse gymnasium there are full training facilities allowing you to keep your fitness levels up. Dorney Lake offers training and coaching courses, and throughout the year operates a number of important sporting events, it is worth checking the calendar to see what is taking place and calling down to support the participants.
Tally Ho Stables caters to all riders regardless of ability. They are as comfortable with novice riders as they are with experienced riders, the staff are all highly qualified and professional. They provide fully supervised rides and hacks in the Great Park and the route you take will be dependent on your skill and abilities levels. Tally Ho Stables provide the horses and all essential equipment for riders, the horses are gentle and well behaved. You will ride through some stunning ancient forests with wonderful views and will hopefully see the parks resident deer, the surroundings are lovely and peaceful allowing you to get the most from your ride. In the summer months they offer evening rides as well. There is a fully stocked riding shop on the premises. You can rest assured that you will leave Tally Ho stables having had a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable ride.
The Firestation Centre for Arts and Culture is a contemporary arts venue in the centre of Windsor, that is open seven days a week. This intimate venue has a friendly and energetic vibe. It hosts an exhilarating schedule of music, comedy, theatre, dance, film and artworks. Throughout the year the calendar is is crammed with cultural events such as productions, shows, art exhibitions, music gigs and much more so you will need to check their Website to see what is on. The venue has a fully licenced bar where you can relax and chill before and after the performance. In addition a range of classes and clubs are run here that you can get involved in. The Firestation is the type of venue all towns should have, fun, entertaining and loads going on.
The Watercress Line heritage railway, so called because of the vast quantities of watercress it used to transport up to Covent Garden Market, makes for a charming day out in its own right.
Historical & Heritage Sites
An open air museum inside a massive modern building, a network of streets with shops, a village green and even a pub dating back to Victorian times — a surprise around every corner.
Maidenhead Heritage Centre is a great source of information on the local area, and takes in the varied history from Roman times right through to present day. There is a permanent exhibition, "Story of Maidenhead" that encompasses lots of items, the oldest dating back more than 4000 years, the towns involvement in racing cars, the renowned Hammer House of Horror films, the growth of the railways, World War II and so much more. On the first floor of the museum is "Grandma Flew Spitfires" that is an exhibit dedicated to Air Transport Auxiliary, it has probably the largest collection of ATA memorabilia and records around, the story is told through uniforms, photographs, letters, log books, local records, diaries and personal recollections. Whilst here for a charge you can experience the amazing Spitfire simulator. The centre runs a number of different events and different exhibitions during the year so if thinking of visiting do check to see what is taking place. Maidenhead Heritage Centre is an astounding and intriguing place to visit, the staff are so friendly and helpful, there is so much to see and do and the exhibits are done in a way that they will appeal to both adults and children alike.
Over 40 vehicles are on display. Most are buses in the ownership of the museum. Some are privately owned buses on long-term loan for exhibition to the public.
Dorney Court is a magnificent Tudor Manor House that has been in same family for more than 500 years. This impressive and noble house stands in beautiful landscaped gardens and looks out onto acres of established parkland and flocks of sheep grazing in the encircling meadows. The interior of the house is stunning with it's enchanting gabled roofs, wood panelling, impressive collection of fine oak furniture, paintings, family portraits and tapestries that adorn the walls, there is so much to see and observe. But be observant as there are lots of hidden gems like the 17th century priest hole or perhaps the balding spectre of Dorney Court's ghost. The house today still retains its charm and warmth and appears to have gone unchanged over the years. The gardens are equally stunning and worth exploring from the shimmering waters of Saxon Pike Pond, the Norman ice house, rose gardens, herbaceous borders and ornamental trees, here you are rewarded with peace and tranquillity and a place of escapism amongst the beautiful surroundings. Dorney Court is a truly mesmerising and stunning house that has been lovingly maintained to retain its character and charm and is further enhanced by the glorious gardens.
Blenheim Palace is located in 2000 acres of stunning parkland at the heart of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds and yet is only 8 miles from Oxford. It is a world heritage site and well known as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
You are invited to hop on board the famous GWR locomotives and explore hands on the ways of this beautifully restored railway. Learn about the extraordinary people whose stories are embedded in the history of these fascinating trains, from their original conception, to their build and subsequent journeys. Visitors are also told of the life of the maverick genius that was Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who created the GWR.
Museum of Farnham is located in a charming Georgian town house in the centre of the town. The museum illustrates the social and economic history of Farnham through the ages from its humble beginnings, through to its hop growing boom and Victorian grandeur. It also delves into the lives of its more notable residents. In addition you will find a vast art and craft collection, located in the gallery. There are frequently changing temporary exhibits that cover a broad spectrum of topics as well as permanent exhibits, the displays and artefacts are well laid out and have lots of information about them. They are open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10.00am to 5.00pm and there is no charge for entry. During the school holidays they organise drop-in craft activities and workshops as well as running a monthly museum club, for children. Adults can enjoy the Heritage Open Days and lectures that they hold during the year. Outside is a lovely walled garden that are historically planted. Staff are great so helpful, friendly and knowledgeable too, they will happily answer your questions and advise on the local area and things to do. There is a nice shop that socks a good range of goods many are local products. Museum of Farnham gives a glimpse into the fascinating history of the area, it is not a large museum so doesn't take long to get around but, it has lots to interest you during a visit and the garden is lovely.
The Rural Life Centre is a country life museum that is located in Farnham, and depicts the history of farming over the past one hundred and fifty years, with a wonderful collection of antique farm implements. It is located in ten acres of fields, woodland and barns, and is home to a a number of exhibits, that are well displayed. A number of areas of genuine village and rural life are also shown in authentic individual settings. You can visit an old school room, chapel, an Anderson shelter and see tradesmen at work like a blacksmith and a carpenter, children can dress up in old fashioned clothes during a visit and don't miss the dolls house it is excellent. Throughout the year they organise a number of events that include, demonstrations, hands on activities, crafts and much more, excellent for younger visitors as they can get involved. During the summer months the Old Kiln Light Railway Society operates rides on the light railway. The museum opens on Wednesday through to Sunday as well as Bank Holiday Mondays, from 10.00am to 5.00pm, there is a charge for admission, details are on the website. There is also a children's play area, arboretum, gift shop and picnic areas. The Old Kiln Cafe serves a nice selection home cooked food as well as snacks that are well priced. The staff are lovely so friendly, polite, helpful and knowledgeable and will happily answer any questions you might have. The Rural Life Centre gives a fascinating and insightful glimpse into a bygone era, it is well laid out and makes for an interesting day out for all the family, a must if you are in the area.
