Campsites Near Oxford

Whether you’re staying at one of our campsites in Oxford for the week or weekend, you’ll have no time to spare with our list of things to do in and around the city.

Visit the University of Oxford

As one of the most prestigious universities in the world, it’s no surprise that many people are eager to visit the University of Oxford. The university offers guided tours around the campus where visitors can see the stunning architecture of the buildings, the fabulous gardens and tour around the university's many museums and famous libraries.

If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter franchise, you’ll be able to spot some of the series' filming locations, including,

• The Bodleian Library which was used in four of the films as the Hogwarts infirmary. It was also the library in multiple movies.
• Christ Church College which inspired the Great Hall, and some of the scenes were filmed on the staircase.
• New College which was used as a set to film multiple scenes starring Harry and Draco.

If you’re a camper who enjoys art, history and beautiful views, Oxford University has gardens, libraries and museums with over 20 million objects, specimens and printed items. Some popular places to visit include:

• The Bodleian Library: Whether you’re a bookworm or enjoy stunning architecture, visiting the Bodleian Library is a must. The library is one of Europe's oldest libraries and Oxford's most recognised landmarks. It’s home to over 13 million printed items, and you can find manuscripts, rare books, printed ephemera, maps, music and digitalised content.
• The Ashmolean Museum: This was founded in 1683 and is a museum of art and archaeology. It holds world-famous collections ranging from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art. The museum tells human stories across multiple cultures and time.
• Pitt Rivers Museum: Founded in 1884, the Pitt Rivers Museum has more than 500,000 objects, photographs and manuscripts from all over the world.
• Museum of Natural History: Focused on the sciences of the natural environment, the Museum of Natural History has over 7 million objects and 30,000 zoological-type specimens. This spectacular museum is the second most visited university museum in the world.
• History of Science Museum: Home to a marvellous collection of scientific inventions, devices and instruments from different cultures, times and places in the world, the History of Science Museum is a great visit for people of all ages.
• The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments: On display, you’ll find Britain's most comprehensive collection of musical instruments made by important English, French, and German artisans.

Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum

Fun for all the family, the Oxford Botanic Gardens and Arboretum is the oldest botanic garden in the UK. It was founded in 1621 and aims to educate visitors on the importance of plants and how to conserve different ones from around the world. You’ll find over 130 acres of the world's rarest and endangered trees as well as over 5,000 different plant species.

Blenheim Palace

Uncover over 300 years of history and 2000 acres of beautiful landscapes at Blenheim Palace. Embark on a guided tour of the palace, which was home to the Duke of Marlborough and Sir Winston Churchill. After spending the day exploring the stunning art and literature, visit Clementine’s on the Lawn, a unique afternoon tea experience which takes place in a glass structure with a special view across the south lawn to the palace.

Oxford Castle & Prison

Located beside the River Thames is Oxford Castle & Prison. You can step back in time and take an interactive tour that uncovers over 1000 years of history behind the castle walls. For a spookier adventure, visit the castle and prison at 6:30pm on Friday for an unmissable ghost tour experience.

That’s not all. St Georges Tower, which served as a prison for over 800 years, offers panoramic views of Oxford and it’s one of the oldest buildings in the city.

Boat tours around Oxford

Why not travel around Oxford by boat? There are plenty of boat tours where you can enjoy sightseeing from the waters and take in the city’s stunning greenery, landscapes and views.

Oxford River Cruises not only offers this brilliant way of touring the city, but you can also select different packages and have a unique experience. These packages include:

• Afternoon tea cruise
• Cruise and dine
• Luxury boat hire
• Private boat hire
• Picnic cruise
• Evening cocktail cruise
• Cruise and tasting

If you're feeling more adventurous, another way to tour Oxford is by kayaking and canoeing. You don't have to be an expert at it either. Plenty of guided excursions are available where you can safely manoeuvre around the water and see all the magnificent sites and landscapes.

Oxford ghost tour

Oxford is full of spooky stories and a gruesome history. Take a tour through the city's haunted streets and enjoy an interactive experience brought to you by live actors.

Oxford artisan distillery

Proud to put sustainable farming at the heart of their distillery since 2017, Oxford artisan distillery works with local farmers to create a selection of bespoke drinks. You can take a whisky tour or distillery tour, where you’ll be able to sample award-winning beverages, learn about its history and see all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making each drink.

BMW Mini Museum

A great visit for car enthusiasts is the BMW Mini Museum. This museum is the largest and oldest Mini plant in the UK and offers guided tours of the assembly line. You can learn about the production of the car, the details that go into making it road ready and see the different models throughout the years.

More things to do whilst camping in Oxford

• Cotswold Wildlife Park: Home to the UK’s largest zoological collection, the Cotswold Wildlife Park is a great day out for the whole family. See giraffes, rhinos, lions and more.
• Crocodiles of the World: Another fun day out for animal lovers is Crocodiles of the World. This is the UK’s only crocodile zoo which is home to more than 150 crocodiles. You’ll also find alligators and caimans, as well as other reptiles.
• Port meadow: This is one of the largest open spaces in Oxford with the River Thames flowing through the heart of it. You’ll find plenty of wildlife, including cattle, horses and wildfowl.
• The Story Museum: Sharing stories through immersive exhibitions, events, galleries and more. The Story Museum makes for a fun day out for all ages.
• The Ultimate Picture Palace: A community-owned cinema and Oxford’s only independent cinema, the Ultimate Picture Palace shows a variety of films, from Hollywood blockbusters to classics and indie films.

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