People can be forgiven for believing that a short break in Oxford is all about visiting all those historic university colleges and Inspector Morse’s favourite pubs. The reality is that there is also a wide variety of other fun activities to be enjoyed in the city and the surrounding area.

Provided the weather is reasonably clement, you just have to take one of those famous punting trips on the 2 rivers with which Oxford is blessed, the Cherwell and the Thames, or the Isis as it is known in the area. Each flat bottomed punt holds up to 5 people including the punter. A bottle of Pimms or Champagne is considered obligatory if the experience is to be optimised. You can hire your punt from Howard C & Sons at Magdalen Bridge or from Salters Boat Hire next to the Head of the River pub on Folly Bridge.

If you are feeling even more adventurous, why not consider hiring a comfortable canal boat and exploring the Thames and the South Oxford Canal which meander through local countryside and through the city itself. College Cruisers are a family firm and their boats are painted in traditional Oxford Blue. They are located at Combe Road Wharf.

For really sensational views of the City of Dreaming Spires and Blenheim Palace, why not book a balloon flight from adventureballoons.co.uk ?  Lift off is from Oxford’s South Park.

If you have children aged over 8 or are just simply young at heart yourself, Outdoor Lasertag is a fun way to exercise and the harmless infrared guns they use cater for all levels of fitness and are sturdily built with life-like sound effects, realistic weights and real scopes. This is just one of the novel activities available at the Culham Adventure Park, a few miles outside the city.

The park also boasts Oxfordshire’s first ever Tree-Top High Ropes course with Rope Bridges, Tarzan Swings and Zip Slides set high in the trees in 50 acres of woodland. There is full safety training for all new participants and this is a great way of kicking off birthday, stag and hen parties (ideally before anyone starts drinking).

For anyone with any energy left, Oxford has its own ice-rink and is one of the few locations where speedway and greyhound racing take place. Both are staged at the Greyhound Stadium in Sandy Lane and are well worth trying once if you’ve never been before.

Visit hotels in Oxford and explore this beautiful city.

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Oxford has been home to some of Britain’s most famous writers, poets and novelists and there’s no better time to visit this historic city than to coincide with the UK film release of The Hobbit and January’s 200^th anniversary of the first publication of Pride and Prejudice.  Both J. R. R. Tolkien and Jane Austen have links to the city, and local hotel group Four Pillars Hotels is offering a range of amazing offers on winter breaks from December through to March 2013 starting at just £59 per person per night including dinner, bed and breakfast.  And children stay and eat breakfast for free*.

The four-star Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel is located less than half a mile from the centre of Oxford, where both Tolkien and his great friend C S Lewis – author of The Chronicles of Narnia – were professors, at Pembroke College and Magdalen College respectively.     Jane Austen was tutored in Oxford by the widow of a former Principal of Brasenose College, and her father and brother became Fellows of St John’s College. The perfect location for your literary explorations, Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel is set in acres of tranquil parkland and features 170 stylish bedrooms and suites, a full-service restaurant and bar, as well as recreational facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam-room and gymnasium.

Four Pillars also have three other hotels in and around the Oxford, the picturesque riverside Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, Oxford Whitney Four Pillars Hotel and Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel.  Prices at Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel start at just £42 per person per night.

For full details and conditions on Four Pillars Hotels’ winter offers, or to book, please visit www.four-winter.co.uk or call 0800 374 692.

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Are you anticipating the Christmas blues when January kicks in? Not sure what to do with your time now that Christmas is over? Then why not take some time out to visit the Cotswolds this January – what could be more inviting than our beautiful scenery and great food, alongside excellent attractions to visit? Here a just a few attractions that you could visit during your stay!

Sudeley Castle

The historic Sudeley Castle is right at the heart of the Cotswold Hills near Winchecombe in Gloucestershire. Its award-winning gardens spans over a thousand years and contains many varied tales of royal associations, wars and periods of neglect and subsequent restoration which makes it the perfect place to visit during your stay.

Tewksbury Abbey

For those looking to take in a bit of local culture you could pay a visit to Tewksbury Abbey. Despite the fact that the Abbey was founded in 1087, the construction of the modern Abbey didn’t actually begin until 1102. The Abbey was originally constructed solely for the purpose of housing Benedictine monks; however the Norman Abbey was near completion when it was consecrated in 1121. Furthermore, the Abbey is the currently largest surviving Norman tower in the country.

Westonbirt Arboretum

If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, then why not visit the historic, early Victorian picturesque landscape and internationally important tree and shrub collection.  The vast collection of 16,000 trees (2,500 different species) come from a number of world countries such as China, North America, Japan, Chile and other tropical climes. The collection was started back in the 1850’s by Robert Holford who owned the property at the time.

Gloucester Cathedral

Another fantastic attraction is Gloucester Cathedral which is still used every day for worshipping and has a fantastic musical tradition. It was built over 1300 years ago and has undergone a number of architectural adjustments over the years. It plays host to some incredible medieval glass along with its own exhibition, superb cloisters and the crypt. Better still it was setting for some of the scenes from the Harry Potter films which were filmed in the stunning cloisters.

Roman Baths

For those interested in Roman history, why not make your way over to the Roman Baths attraction situated in the original Roman town of Bath. Take a stroll round, Britain’s only hot spring, the Romans constructed a fantastic temple and bathing complex which still flows with natural hot water. See the water’s source and make your way around the Baths, where Romans once walked on the ancient stone pavements which surround the steaming pool. Furthermore, the extensive ruins and treasures from the Spring are well maintained and demonstrated in the most prestigious way using the best in modern interpretation.

Whether you are looking for a traditional New Year break, a weekend break to get over your January blues, or just a peaceful time to relax and unwind, you are bound to find what you want this New Year in one of our Four Pillars Hotels. Locations include Oxford, The Cotswolds and Bristol.

http://www.four-pillars.co.uk/

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As Christmas approaches once again, people are gripped by the usual mixture of warm anticipation and sheer panic. Christmas Day itself is always a time for celebration and family get-togethers and the subsequent days leading up to New Year’s Eve are an opportunity for restful recovery and socialising with friends and relatives. The problem is in getting from here to there without getting too stressed out. This is particularly applicable to the fairer sex as they seem to be the ones lumbered with most of the work.

Considerate husbands and partners can help by either doing more of the work themselves and / or arranging a short break away from it all in either November or early in December. The beauty of the latter is that this time of year is classed as low season and there are some really tempting deals on offer from well- appointed hotels which have every facility on hand including swimming pools and relaxing spa treatment rooms.

Having someone else take care of the cooking, cleaning and bed-making somehow makes Christmas shopping less of a strain and can actually make the exercise an enjoyable experience. Those taking such a pre-Xmas break in the Oxford area will find all the big name shops that they are likely to need together with the unique seasonal ambiance of the City of Spires.

The Christmas atmosphere in Oxford is brought vividly to life in the city on Friday November 23^rd when the Christmas Light Night is staged. Centred on the famous lantern procession this evening event features light, dance, art, live music and performance, all thrown together with a generous helping of festive cheer. Oxford’s museums, Castle Quarter, Town Hall and Museum of Oxford, theatres and galleries throw open their doors to the public for one-off late night viewings of their exhibitions and displays enhanced by special performances.

This kicks off the build-up to Christmas in style and sets the tone for what visitors can expect during the run-up to the big day itself. 2012’s events include the ever popular Christmas choral concert at Christchurch Cathedral on Friday 14^th and Thursday 20^th of December at 8pm. Recent readers of Christmas writing at this perennial favourite include Jeremy Irons and Robert Hardy and it is a closely guarded secret which star is booked for this year.

For a complete contrast, it is well worth making the short journey to Blenheim Palace, arguably Britain’s finest.  This year from 10^th November – 14^th December (Wednesday to Sunday inclusive) the Palace will be decorated in a very special theme telling the Christmas story of the Three Kings.

Visitors to the Palace will be able to follow the journey of the Three Kings through the State Rooms decorated in glittering gold and festooned in silk. Two magnificent Christmas trees will stand in splendour in the Great Hall, surrounded by palm trees in pots bejewelled in the colours of the Far East. From the balcony above the Great Hall, the Star of Bethlehem will shine out to guide the Three Kings on their way. Baubles and crystals on lush ribbons, shining golden leaves, clusters of peacock feathers and striking turquoise and emerald green marabou fans will provide an exotic welcome to the Palace.

http://www.four-pillars.co.uk/

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Oxford Lieder Festival – Friday 12th – Saturday 27th October

The Oxford Lieder Festival is held throughout October every year. It aims to celebrate singers and musicians and this year will include: Sarah Connolly, Florian Boesch, Lucy Crowe, Alice Coote, James Gilchrist, Katarina Karnéus, Robert Murray, Birgid Steinberger, Wolfgang Holzmair and many others.

Concerts will be held every night and in addition there will be a series of lunch-time and late-night recitals, a programme of master classes, workshops and talks.

The opening recital will be performed by the French soprano Sandrine Piau at 8pm on the 12th October. She’s known throughout the world for her opera performances and she will be accompanied by Roger Vignoles; they will open the festival with a selection of French songs.

For music lovers, this festival is one not to miss. There are recitals everyday so you’ll be able to attend at least one on your visit!

Alison Pullen New Paintings – Tuesday 2^nd October – Tuesday 6^th November

Alison Pullen is a sought after interiors painter, she will be showing a series of new paintings throughout October at the Sarah Wiseman Gallery. Her work includes a beautiful illustration of the Observatory at Green Templeton College.

Alison is said to be an expert at portraying daylight, pattern and textures; she has also been commissioned to complete works for private collectors and for the throne room at Buckingham Palace. Her collection is worth a look for art lovers.

It’s almost Halloween!

There are a number of events around Oxford at Halloween, located in some of the eerie and old buildings – Perfect to get a little spooked!

Blenheim Palace – Witches and Wizards –  27th October – 4^th November

The palace offers Halloween activities for all the family throughout the half term week.

Witches and Wizards Trail at the Pleasure Gardens – The trail is great for the kids and will be held during the weekdays in half term. Hunt the gardens and follow the clues to find the ten items you’d find in a witch or wizards house! After exploring the palace, children will also get the chance to decorate their own scary pottery in the Garden room.

At the weekends, Cat Weatherill will tell ghostly tales at the indoor cinema and also during half term week you can take part in one of the spooky palace tours. Hear stories from the night guards and visit Grace Ridley in the visitor experience “Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story”.

Ghost Fest

Ghost fest is a universal tradition and was launched in Oxford 7 years ago; ghost hunting is back at Oxford Castle – Unlocked.

There are a number of thrilling events at Oxford Castle throughout October as part of Ghost Fest!

After Dark Dinners

The castle has got together with The Big Bang, Pizza Express, The Living Room and Malmaison Brasserie. They will offer visitors a sinister journey through the castle, taking you to the most haunted locations, which will be topped off with a stunning three course meal in the castle quarter.

Scary Tours

The tours take you to the dark side of the castle; explore the most haunted rooms including the dark atmospheric 900 year old underground Crypt.

Overnight Ghost Hunts – Not for the faint-hearted!

The castle is steeped in history of bloodshed and imprisonment, and has had a number of reported ghost sightings. If you’re brave enough stay overnight for Vigils and Séances in some of the most eerie rooms of the castle. Will you spot the figure often seen in the Crypt?

Make plans for half term now and book your hotel in Oxford.

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Royal International Air Tattoo Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 July at RAF Fairford

Few events can rival the intensity, drama and spectacle on offer at the world’s greatest air show. The Air Tattoo, one of the UK’s premier outdoor events, will return this summer with an extravaganza of entertainment for all the family. Alongside the thrilling flying action, visitors will be treated to non-stop entertainment on the ground – so whether a wide-eyed first timer for a seasoned air show veteran, the experience will be breath-taking.

With over 250+ aircraft participating each year, upwards of 140,000 visitors and support from the Royal Air Force and some of the world’s leading aerospace companies, the Royal International Air Tattoo has been acknowledged as not only the world’s largest military air show but also one of the UK’s premier outdoor events for the whole family!

Best of British Show Saturday 26- Sunday 27 August at Kemble Airfield

Cotswold Airport presents a brand new event celebrating the Best of British. Join us over the August Bank Holiday and enjoy a fantastic Flying Display, entertainment in the Arena, live music from the Sound Stage, fabulous food and much, much more.

Fly to the Past Air Show Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 September at Oxford Airport

Fly to the Past is a unique air show, at a unique venue using a unique audio visual production to support the aerobatic displays. We celebrate the history of flight with live filming of the aircraft to giant screens and an all-surround sound system that delivers a live commentary supported by a soundtrack of historic audio clips and music scores. A movie in the sky!

Events at Blenheim Palace

Battle Proms Saturday 14 July

Every summer thousands of concert-goers pack up a picnic, stock up on fizz and join the party in the stunning grounds of Blenheim Palace for the Battle Proms Concert.

Picture a balmy summer evening with friends, sublime music, daring horsemen, fantastic fireworks, cannon fire and even a breath-taking Spitfire display. Over the last 15 years the organizers of the Battle Proms have developed what is now one of the most distinct and comprehensive concert programmes in the UK; this is an exceptional evening not to be missed!

Mini & VW Show Sunday 15 July

This year’s Mini and VW takes place during the summer where fans will head to the beautiful Park here at Blenheim Palace for a joint event organised by Andrew Greenwood. Mini and VW shows are a new and growing concept. The show is a gathering of clubs and private enthusiasts as well as trade stands and jumble stands, where the public can purchase VW/Mini parts and accessories as well as having the chance to see many customised and cherished motors on display.

Whether you’re a Mini and VW fan, or you just enjoy the opportunity to browse the show set within stunning surroundings this should be just the ticket, with club stands, trade stands, concourse and also an auto jumble. At joint Mini and VW shows you can expect to see some cool alternative accessories from the air-cooled scene and perhaps find some inspiration for your Mini project too.

Oxfordshire Classic Car Show Sunday 26 – Monday 27 August

Blenheim Palace offers a superb venue for the 7th Oxfordshire Classic Vehicle Show (Sun & Mon) with a Supercar Picnic & Bike Display on the Monday August Bank Holiday.

A spectacular gathering of classic cars from vintage through to kit and custom will be on display in the palace grounds on 26th and 27th August. Blenheim Palace provides the most appropriate venue and work in partnership with vehicle event specialist Andrew Greenwood’s Classic shows to organise an event to excite, amuse & educate vehicle enthusiasts & the general public alike. This two day event has the added bonus of vehicle judging and an experienced motor commentator to talk us through the day’s events. On the Monday there’s a Supercar Picnic and Bike Display taking place so it promises to be a good two day event and something well worth attending

Blenheim Park International Horse Trials Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 September

The Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is in its 22nd year and is now firmly established in the eventing calendar with the world’s best riders as well as the thousands of spectators who come each year to watch the event.

With the magnificent backdrop of Blenheim Palace the first phase of the competition “Dressage” takes place all day on Thursday and Friday, in which a series of pre-set movements are judged subjectively. On Saturday the cross-country, which is the pivotal part of the whole competition takes place over big solid fences and water jumps across the River Glyme on a timed course which runs around the stunning Parkland of the Palace grounds. The finale, which is the Show Jumping takes place on Sunday in front of the South Lawn of Blenheim Palace.

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!

MGB 50th Anniversary Rally Sunday 23 September

The MG Car Club and MG Owners Club are jointly celebrating their 50th Anniversary with a Birthday Party in the magnificent surroundings of Blenheim Palace where their early photo shoot days took place.

This memorable day is open to MG’s spanning all eras and aims to get you, the MG enthusiast, fully involved and entertained! A display of MGB’s covering all models from the production years – together with examples of other cars which shared the same basic chassis. Significant companies supporting MGB 50, are MG Motor, Heritage Motor Centre, Moss Europe, British Motor Heritage and Brown and Gammons. The chosen charity for the MGB 50 year is Macmillan Cancer Support

If you are interested in Oxfordshire accommodation whilst visiting any of these events then click here

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