Oxfordshire blends historic university city charm with scenic countryside and heritage sites.
11 Oct (this Sunday)
A fully illustrated talk by Ellis Jones explores the life of actor David Garrick, his Temple to Shakespeare, and his connections with France and the Huguenots. The talk takes place at the Dairy at Waddesdon Manor.
Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire is a French Renaissance-style château set in expansive Victorian gardens featuring ornate fountains, a rococo aviary, and a woodland playground. Visitors can explore the impressive art collection inside the manor, enjoy family-friendly outdoor activities, guided garden walks, and dine at onsite restaurants and cafes.
7 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
Visitors can spend time looking at Rembrandt van Rijn’s *Self-portrait in a Feathered Bonnet* with a free audio guide as part of a slow-looking experience at Upton House.
Upton House and Gardens in Warwickshire is a 1930s honey-coloured country house featuring a world-renowned art collection and fine Chelsea porcelain, set within dramatic terraced gardens designed for leisure and pleasure. Visitors can explore the accessible ground floor of the house, extensive gardens, enjoy the Pavilion Café, and take part in family-friendly outdoor activities and seasonal events.
9 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A Halloween activity trail around New Inn for children aged six and under, with playful actions such as walking like a mummy, flapping like a bat and meowing like a cat.
Stowe House is a lavish historic English country house known for its pioneering 21st-century restoration project, set within the renowned Stowe landscape with enchanting gardens. Visitors can explore the interior of the house and enjoy accessible facilities and food options onsite.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
An interactive display explores the history and family tree of the Rothschild family, including their connections to Waddesdon Manor and their interests in art, horticulture, nature and sustainability.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
A display celebrating the transfer to the National Trust of two paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds: portraits of Joanna Leigh and the actor David Garrick. It also explains the Acceptance in Lieu scheme through which the works entered the national collection.
Waddesdon Manor is a Grade I listed Neo-Renaissance country house in Buckinghamshire, England, managed by the National Trust and owned by the Rothschild Foundation. It features remarkable art collections, formal gardens, an aviary, and historic wine cellars, with public access including exhibitions, dining, and child-friendly activities.
31 Mar–2 Apr, 7–9 Apr…
Join a volunteer-led guided tour at Stowe Gardens to learn about the gardens’ history. Tours last approximately one hour to 90 minutes and begin at Bell Gate.
Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire are a prestigious English landscape garden featuring extensive parkland, architectural monuments, classical temples, and historical structures designed by prominent 18th-century architects and gardeners. Managed by the National Trust, the gardens offer a significant outdoor visitor experience with preserved landscapes and classical architecture, a visitor centre, and a rich heritage of garden design.
9 Oct
A relaxed opening of Waddesdon Manor’s historic house, with reduced noise, no videos and flexible entry and exit times for visitors who would benefit from a calmer visit. It is designed for neurodivergent adults and children, along with their family, friends or carers.
11 Oct (this Sunday)
Bloomsbury Baroque present a concert celebrating actor David Garrick and his connections with France and the Huguenot community. Music by distinguished composers is interspersed with short narratives about Garrick and the Huguenots.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
A 45-minute guided tour explores selected objects in A Rothschild Treasury, sharing stories about their history and the Rothschild family’s collecting tradition.
Nether Winchendon House is a Grade I listed Medieval and Tudor manor house in Buckinghamshire, featuring historic architecture and surrounded by extensive gardens and parkland. Visitors can tour the house on selected dates by pre-booking.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
A guided tour around Coleshill explores the lost Coleshill House, the estate’s secret Second World War training history and the former Model Farm, now home to the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre. The tour includes a walk of approximately 1 km and a chance to look around an exhibition afterwards.
Coleshill Village & Parkland is a historic rural estate offering walking trails through farmland and parkland, alongside indoor experiences such as tours of a replica Second World War bunker and a traditional watermill. Visitors can enjoy heritage skills courses, a café, and a country pub on site.
9 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Follow a zombie-themed trail through Stowe Gardens, solving puzzles to help a scientist find an antidote and clear the zombies from Lamport. The trail is designed for children aged 6 and over.
Buckingham Chantry Chapel is a historic 15th-century chapel in Buckingham, noted for its Norman doorway and status as the oldest building in town. Owned by the National Trust, it is currently open to the public as a second-hand bookshop, offering visitors insight into medieval ecclesiastical architecture and local heritage.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
A guided walk exploring the history of Coleshill Mill and the River Cole, including how the river powers the mill and the lives of its millers. If water levels allow, visitors can see the historic machinery operating and learn about restoration plans for the river.
Badbury Hill is a scenic outdoor woodland area featuring an ancient Iron Age hill fort, notable bluebells and beech trees, and family-friendly walking trails with play areas. It offers historical and natural exploration opportunities in a peaceful setting.