Holidays in and around Oxford need not be a standard whistle-stop tour around sights and museums. Oxfordshire’s natural assets lend themselves to a variety of activities.
Cultural vacations
Oxford University’s Department of Continuing Education (tel: 01865 270 360; www.conted.ox.ac.uk) run summer courses – some residential – and programmes of lectures in a wide variety of subjects including creative writing, history of art, and philosophy.
ACE Study Tours (tel: 01223 835 055; www.acestudytours.co.uk) run high-quality cultural holidays in Oxford and other places. They will also tailor-make a tour to suit your needs.
Horse riding
Valley Farm Equestrian Centre
Mollington Lane, Shotteswell, Banbury; tel: 01295 730 576; www.valleyfarmequestriancentre.co.uk
With B.H.S.-qualified instructors, this school has something for riders of all ages and abilities. As well as day courses and a summer camp, there is the chance of hacking in beautiful countryside.
Standlake Equestrian Centre and Ranch
Downs Road, Standlake, Witney; tel: 01865 300 099; www.standlakeranch.co.uk
As well as tuition and other activities, this centre offers residential ‘Ranch Riding’ holidays and family ranch holidays in self-catering chalets.
Narrow boats
A holiday aboard a narrow boat will give you a taste for the sort of simple life evoked in Kenneth Grahame’sThe Wind in the Willows (which was inspired by the Oxfordshire countryside).
College Cruisers Narrow boats
Combe Road Wharf, Oxford; tel: 01865 554 343; www.collegecruisers.com
Offers 2- to 12-berth canal boats for short breaks or longer holidays.
Oxfordshire Narrow boats
Canal Wharf, Station Road, Lower Heyford, Bicester; tel: 01869 340 348; www.oxfordshire-narrowboats.co.uk
A 200-year-old working boatyard with a fleet of holiday narrow boats for hire.
Walking and nature holidays
Headwater (tel: 01606 720 199; www.headwater.com) organise walking and cycling holidays with accommodation and other arrangements all made for you. Their walk from Stratford to Oxford is especially popular.
Footpath Holidays (tel: 01985 840 049; www.footpath-holidays.com) runa variety of walking vacations, and will also tailor a trip along a particular theme (eg literary, historical), according to your requirements.
The Oxford Canal at Jericho.
APA Glyn Genin