Oxford & Beyond – 4 Days / 3 Nights

Join us on this 4 day break to Oxford.  The honey-gold buildings, dreaming spires and riverside setting are just part of Oxford's charm.  The city took 800 years to crate and has centuries of history to unveil whilst at the same time it has not failed to remain in the present.  Oxford is extremely compact, with so many places of interest, from the sights to the shops all within eash reach of each other and at every turn, narrow streets lead to the most delightful gardens and cloisters.

Suggested Holiday Hotels:

The 4* Oxford Hotel is the ideal place to stay when exploring Oxford and the surrounding area.  Hotel features include a heated indoor swimming pool, fully equipped gym, restaurand and bar.

Suggested Tour Itinerary:

Day 1
Depart during the morning and travel to Oxford making an appropriate comfort stop en-route. On arrival we will meet a local guide for a two hour walking ‘Oxford Past & Present Tour’. The tour will finish at the Weston Library, part of the Bodleian Library, where their ‘Marks of Genius’ exhibition is taking place, and where parts of the Magna Carta are on display as part of its 800th anniversary. Entrance to the library and exhibition are free of charge, therefore not compulsory. The coach will then pick up from an approved central pick-up point for the short journey to our hotel – the 4* Oxford Hotel, where accommodation is reserved for three nights on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis. 

Day 2
Day at leisure in Oxford. The coach will depart from the hotel after breakfast and travel the short distance into the city centre.  However, due to local restrictions for coaches there may still be a short walk involved to the major colleges and attractions.A visit to one of the many colleges is recommended.  Magdalen is the most beautiful college with its tower - a dramatic sight for visitors entering the city.  Perhaps take an open-top bus tour and see the places where Inspector Morse solved his crimes. (Not included in the price). 
During the late afternoon we rejoin the coach for the journey back to the hotel.

Day 3
After breakfast the coach will depart for Folly Bridge in Oxford where the group will board a boat at 09.15 hrs for a cruise on the River Thames to Abingdon. On arrival the coach will be waiting to transfer the group to Wallingford, where you may wish to visit the Wallingford Museum, browse in Wallingford’s antique shops, take a leisurely stroll around the Castle Gardens, the former site of one of England’s most impressive citadels, or trace the remains of Wallingford’s Saxon past. Wallingford also has a strong presence in murder mystery fiction.  Agatha Christie lived and worked in Wallingford, taking influence from local landmarks and residents in Winterbrook for stories such as Miss Marple. More recently, Wallingford is the location of Causton in the TV series Midsomer Murders. After time at leisure the group is booked onto the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway, which has an Agatha Christie themed weekend. The 30 minute single journey will take us to Cholsey, where Agatha Christie’s remains are buried in the churchyard. After time at leisure the coach will depart for the journey back to the hotel. 

Day 4
After breakfast we must check out of the hotel and travel via the Cotswold villages to Batsford Arboretum. Here you can either just browse the visitor centre, shop and café or, for those who wish to enter the Arboretum, they can do so at the cost of approx. £6.50 per person, payable locally. During the mid afternoon the coach will depart for the journey back to your local area, arriving during the early evening.