The palace has been the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough ever since John Churchill won the major Battle of Blenheim in 1704. It is also the birthplace of his descendent Winston Churchill. Nowadays the palace, along with its park and gardens, is open to the public and is the site of many large events.
Rousham is entirely unspoiled and uncommercial. No tea room or gift shop; just gorgeous gardens for you to explore. Perfect for a picnic! The walled garden features espalier apple trees, a pigeon house, parterre, and herbaceous borders. A sunken ha-ha wall separates a fine herd of endangered Long-Horn cattle from park visitors
The remnants of the Roman villa at North Leigh are situated in a serene setting by the Evenlode river. One of the larger villas in Roman Britain, it was most active in the early 4th century and featured courtyards and bath suites. The site’s finest feature is a gorgeous floor made of mosaic tiles.
Explore traditional English villages made of honey-coloured stone. Take in splendid, lively market towns. Marvel at nature in acclaimed reserves and at some of the most well-known arboretas in Britain. Cool off in lakes or walk through breath-taking landscapes along historic trails.
Visit the city of dreaming spires and all its world-famous attractions including the Ashmolean Museum, The Oxford Botanic Gardens, and Bodleian Library. Soak in the beautiful historic architecture. If visiting during Summer don’t miss your chance to go punting along the river!
This renowned shopping outlet in the Oxfordshire countryside features over 160 boutiques of the most coveted brands in the world including Jil Sander, Mulberry, The White Company, and Bamford. There is also a great variety of restaurants, farm shops, and cafes.
The Plough Inn, built in 1772, is a classic example of an English thatched pub. There’s a blazing log fire in the inglenook during winter, and a large beer garden for summer. A vast wine list and properly stored real ales. Fantastic home cooking available at affordable pricing. Family and dog-friendly
The family-friendly Bull Inn can be found in the charming Cotswold village of Charlbury. This historic building from the sixteenth century has been sympathetically modernised to give visitors a warm and comfortable home-away-from-home experience.
This historic pub is located in the charming Oxfordshire village of Wootton, close to Woodstock and Blenheim Palace. The food is Michelin-recommended and focuses on seasonal, organic fare from the Cotswolds.
This community-run cafe and delicatessen serves the best coffee and home-baked cakes and bread. The Charlbury Deli and Café is a popular spot for lunch with its variety of freshly made sandwiches, quiche, jacket potatoes, deli boards, and small plates.
A family-friendly pub on the outskirts of Woodstock, The Duke of Marlborough serves pub classics and gastro-style food, well-kept real ales, locally sourced coffee, and a well-chosen wine list. There are roaring log fires as well as outside dining. There’s even table tennis and a pétanque court!
A local pub, wine bar, and small plates restaurant. The Back Lane Tavern is the sister pub to The Duke of Marlborough and features a beautifully balanced food menu of both British classics and global street food. Make sure you try the tapas!
There are plenty of quiet country lanes and bridleways in the Cotswolds, making it ideal for cyclists. While it may be difficult to avoid some stretches of uphill travel, the majority are short and easy, and your efforts will have earned you a guilt-free drink and meal in one of the inns that have been thoughtfully positioned along your route!
The Cotswold countryside makes for countless scenic walking routes. Masons Cottage has maps for guests to use to explore the area. The path to the side of the cottage through the white door shown in the external photos takes you onto the bridle path and there are lots of different routes you can take across the fields and down to the river.
There are a number of golf courses nearby to choose from. Most notably there is Wychwood Golf Club – one of the top golfing destinations in the area. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and Wychwood woodlands. You don’t need to be a member to play, making it great for holiday-makers.
If you travel south from Masons Cottage you’ll find Farmoor Reservoir which is home to many watersports activities including the SUP Paddleboarding Club and the Oxford Sailing Club.
Farmoor Reservoir is also a hotspot for anglers. There are many great fishing spots dotted around the area – for both river and stillwater fishing. Make sure you have a rod licence though!
If you fancy a bit of pampering why not indulge in a little spa therapy. In the same village as Masons Cottage, you’ll find Kate at Stonesfield Massage who specialises in massage therapy for women.
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