Madeleine's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Oxford is full of history and culture, museums and theatres, cafes, bars, restaurants and nightlife. Explore the colleges of the famous university, hire a punt from The Cherwell or Magdalen Bridge Boathouses for an afternoon’s trip along the river or visit Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford Castle, the Ashmolean Museum, the Bodleian Library, the Natural History Museum and fascinating Pitt Rivers Museum or the Botanic Gardens. You can book walking tours that cover all sorts of things including the film locations for Harry Potter.
With excellent shopping facilities at the new Westgate Centre and the ancient Covered Market together with an abundance of places to eat, Oxford has it all. It’s easy to reach either via public transport (10 minutes walk from The Pool House) or drive to the Park and Ride 15 minutes away and catch a frequent bus to the centre of the city.
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Oxford
Oxford is full of history and culture, museums and theatres, cafes, bars, restaurants and nightlife. Explore the colleges of the famous university, hire a punt from The Cherwell or Magdalen Bridge Boathouses for an afternoon’s trip along the river or visit Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford Castle, the Ashmolean Museum, the Bodleian Library, the Natural History Museum and fascinating Pitt Rivers Museum or the Botanic Gardens. You can book walking tours that cover all sorts of things including the film locations for Harry Potter.
With excellent shopping facilities at the new Westgate Centre and the ancient Covered Market together with an abundance of places to eat, Oxford has it all. It’s easy to reach either via public transport (10 minutes walk from The Pool House) or drive to the Park and Ride 15 minutes away and catch a frequent bus to the centre of the city.
A UNESCO World Heritage site dating from 1705 and comprising a perfect example of an 18th-century princely dwelling surrounded by parkland created by the famous landscape gardener ‘Capability’ Brown and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Located just outside the charming town of Woodstock with independent shops and eateries. Accessible by car in around 35 minutes from The Pool House or by public bus from Oxford city centre.
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Blenheim Palace
A UNESCO World Heritage site dating from 1705 and comprising a perfect example of an 18th-century princely dwelling surrounded by parkland created by the famous landscape gardener ‘Capability’ Brown and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Located just outside the charming town of Woodstock with independent shops and eateries. Accessible by car in around 35 minutes from The Pool House or by public bus from Oxford city centre.
One of the National Trusts’s most visited properties, built in the style of a French chateau with beautiful gardens surrounded by views of Oxfordshire and the Chiltern Hills with frequently- changing exhibitions.
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Waddesdon Manor
One of the National Trusts’s most visited properties, built in the style of a French chateau with beautiful gardens surrounded by views of Oxfordshire and the Chiltern Hills with frequently- changing exhibitions.
London is easily reached for a day trip. Park at Haddenham and Thame Parkway (a 15 minute drive away, parking charges apply) and catch a Chiltern Line train to London Marylebone. There are two trains an hour during the day and the journey takes around 50 minutes.
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London
London is easily reached for a day trip. Park at Haddenham and Thame Parkway (a 15 minute drive away, parking charges apply) and catch a Chiltern Line train to London Marylebone. There are two trains an hour during the day and the journey takes around 50 minutes.
Burford is a popular town at the gateway to the Cotswolds, 27 miles (approx 40-45 minutes drive) from The Pool House and home to some great shops, restaurants and tourist attractions. Be sure to visit Minster Lovell with its ruins of a 15th century hall or Burford Garden Centre for a fabulous cafe and high-end and stylish homewares en route. The Cotswold Wildlife Park, Stow-on-the-Wold and Cirencester are all within easy reach of Burford.
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Burford
Burford is a popular town at the gateway to the Cotswolds, 27 miles (approx 40-45 minutes drive) from The Pool House and home to some great shops, restaurants and tourist attractions. Be sure to visit Minster Lovell with its ruins of a 15th century hall or Burford Garden Centre for a fabulous cafe and high-end and stylish homewares en route. The Cotswold Wildlife Park, Stow-on-the-Wold and Cirencester are all within easy reach of Burford.
With a thriving weekly market on Tuesdays (9am to 2pm) and a vibrant high street with independent shops, excellent cafes and pubs, Thame (5 miles from The Pool House) is charming and characterful and is good to visit for a couple of hours. There is a small museum, an amateur theatre (The Players Theatre) and a leisure centre and the town often features in Midsommer Murders due to its architecture and iconic boat-shaped high street which offers a quintessentially English experience. Thame town hall features as ‘Causton Town Hall.’
There are plenty of events running throughout the year such as the Thame Food Festival, country shows at Easter, Music Festivals in the summer and a Street funfair in September as well as a very popular Arts and Literature Festival in October. A local village, Towersey, hosts a music festival in August. The Thame Town Hall Information Centre has details of trails around the town and surrounding countryside.
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Thame
With a thriving weekly market on Tuesdays (9am to 2pm) and a vibrant high street with independent shops, excellent cafes and pubs, Thame (5 miles from The Pool House) is charming and characterful and is good to visit for a couple of hours. There is a small museum, an amateur theatre (The Players Theatre) and a leisure centre and the town often features in Midsommer Murders due to its architecture and iconic boat-shaped high street which offers a quintessentially English experience. Thame town hall features as ‘Causton Town Hall.’
There are plenty of events running throughout the year such as the Thame Food Festival, country shows at Easter, Music Festivals in the summer and a Street funfair in September as well as a very popular Arts and Literature Festival in October. A local village, Towersey, hosts a music festival in August. The Thame Town Hall Information Centre has details of trails around the town and surrounding countryside.
Stately home’s 8 acres of beautifully landscaped ornamental gardens (entry fee applies to visit the ornamental gardens) with free-to-visit nurseries, a quality plant sales centre, garden shop, gallery, gift shop, small museum and a tea room. Waterperry hosts a variety of events throughout the year including plays, story telling and opera in the outdoor amphitheatre during the summer months. 6 miles from The Pool House.
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Waterperry Gardens
Stately home’s 8 acres of beautifully landscaped ornamental gardens (entry fee applies to visit the ornamental gardens) with free-to-visit nurseries, a quality plant sales centre, garden shop, gallery, gift shop, small museum and a tea room. Waterperry hosts a variety of events throughout the year including plays, story telling and opera in the outdoor amphitheatre during the summer months. 6 miles from The Pool House.
The home of British motorsport, 33 miles from The Pool House.
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Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone CircuitThe home of British motorsport, 33 miles from The Pool House.
Once the top-secret home of the WWII code breakers, this is now a vibrant heritage attraction just under an hour’s drive (27 miles) from The Pool House.
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Bletchley Park
Sherwood DriveOnce the top-secret home of the WWII code breakers, this is now a vibrant heritage attraction just under an hour’s drive (27 miles) from The Pool House.
20 miles away, a lovely town to explore with the river, shops and the River and Rowing Museum and Greys Court (National Trust) close by.
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Henley-on-Thames
20 miles away, a lovely town to explore with the river, shops and the River and Rowing Museum and Greys Court (National Trust) close by.
Another lovely town on the river, slightly smaller than Henley, with fantastic views from the suspension bridge and river walks, 20 miles away but only a 20 minute drive. Parking can be tricky so, if so, head towards Court Gardens Leisure Centre and you may find a spot on one of the residential roads nearby. It’s then a short walk to Higginson Park (nice cafe and river walks) and the bustling High Street for shopping.
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Marlow
Another lovely town on the river, slightly smaller than Henley, with fantastic views from the suspension bridge and river walks, 20 miles away but only a 20 minute drive. Parking can be tricky so, if so, head towards Court Gardens Leisure Centre and you may find a spot on one of the residential roads nearby. It’s then a short walk to Higginson Park (nice cafe and river walks) and the bustling High Street for shopping.
There’s lots to do in Windsor, including tours of the Castle, 32 miles away.
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Windsor
There’s lots to do in Windsor, including tours of the Castle, 32 miles away.
If you’re interested in Harry Potter, this is 40 miles away (about 45 minutes by car.)
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Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden
Warner DriveIf you’re interested in Harry Potter, this is 40 miles away (about 45 minutes by car.)
An interesting museum for Aston Martin fans only 20 minutes from The Pool House. Essential to book tickets 24 hours in advance. Combine with a trip to The Waterfront Cafe in nearby Benson perhaps or a visit to the Crazy Bear farm shop as you pass through Stadhampton.
Aston Martin Heritage Trust
An interesting museum for Aston Martin fans only 20 minutes from The Pool House. Essential to book tickets 24 hours in advance. Combine with a trip to The Waterfront Cafe in nearby Benson perhaps or a visit to the Crazy Bear farm shop as you pass through Stadhampton.
Food scene
Great food in a relaxed setting with plenty of atmosphere in the nearby market town of Thame, 5 miles away.
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The Thatch
29-30 High StGreat food in a relaxed setting with plenty of atmosphere in the nearby market town of Thame, 5 miles away.
Probably the best place to eat out in Thame. The Black Horse is a Raymond Blanc venture and offers excellent food at fair prices. Always busy so do book ahead. Be sure to ask for a table in the beautifully decorated converted barn as tons nicer than the pub area.
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The Black Horse
11 CornmarketProbably the best place to eat out in Thame. The Black Horse is a Raymond Blanc venture and offers excellent food at fair prices. Always busy so do book ahead. Be sure to ask for a table in the beautifully decorated converted barn as tons nicer than the pub area.
Our local pub with traditional food only a 10 minute walk from The Pool House across our paddock, turn right once you’re over the stile and then down a pavemented hill to the main road.
Fox & Goat
Oxford RoadOur local pub with traditional food only a 10 minute walk from The Pool House across our paddock, turn right once you’re over the stile and then down a pavemented hill to the main road.
Delicious French food at a beautifully refurbished gastropub in the picturesque village of Great Haseley, a five minute drive away.
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La table d'Alix at The Plough
Rectory RoadDelicious French food at a beautifully refurbished gastropub in the picturesque village of Great Haseley, a five minute drive away.
A wonderful dog-friendly Scandi cafe with lifestyle store in the charming village of Haddenham with its church, duck pond and large garden centre. Haddenham is often used in the filming of Midsommer Murders and is about a 15 minute drive away.
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Norsk
7 Ft EndA wonderful dog-friendly Scandi cafe with lifestyle store in the charming village of Haddenham with its church, duck pond and large garden centre. Haddenham is often used in the filming of Midsommer Murders and is about a 15 minute drive away.
Another great cafe, this time in the charming market town of Thame. Be sure to visit on a Tuesday when the market is in full swing.
The Woodworks Trading Ltd
27 Upper High StAnother great cafe, this time in the charming market town of Thame. Be sure to visit on a Tuesday when the market is in full swing.
Black Goo Cafe and Tap room
14 Butter MarketA fun cafe with enormous cakes in Thame.
The Lamb Inn
Lovely food in a village five minutes drive away
Great for coffee, brunch, home made ice cream and lunch a short drive away from Bicester Village.
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The Milk Shed
Northampton RoadGreat for coffee, brunch, home made ice cream and lunch a short drive away from Bicester Village.
Exemplary food in the charming village of Brill with their own butchers. Make sure to walk down Windmill Street to the common and Grade II listed windmill with incredible views. Brill is one of the highest places for miles.
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The Pointer
27 Church StExemplary food in the charming village of Brill with their own butchers. Make sure to walk down Windmill Street to the common and Grade II listed windmill with incredible views. Brill is one of the highest places for miles.
An authentic and popular Italian in Thame offering coffee, pastries, crepes, ice cream, lunch and dinner.
Gloria's
2 Greyhound WalkAn authentic and popular Italian in Thame offering coffee, pastries, crepes, ice cream, lunch and dinner.
Monkey Puzzle Thame
A great café with a large rear garden.
A new buzzy cafe/ restaurant/lounge bar with all day menus in the heart of Thame on the High Street
Candelo Lounge
A new buzzy cafe/ restaurant/lounge bar with all day menus in the heart of Thame on the High Street
The Crazy Bear Stadhampton
Bear LaneA super farmshop and a couple of fun restaurants
A lovely gastropub 9 miles from The Pool House in a rural location
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The Mole Inn
A lovely gastropub 9 miles from The Pool House in a rural location
GAIL's Bakery Thame
Popular cafe and bakery
Michelin starred food
Situated a five minute drive or taxi ride away in the nearby village of Great Milton, the Michelin-starred Le Manoir de Quat’ Saisons offers haute cuisine in a beautiful setting. Transport from the Pool House is easy using local taxi firms.
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Church RoadShopping
A very popular discount retail outlet with a variety of designer bargains and a host of eateries including Cafe Wolseley and Farmshop, an off-shoot by the team behind Soho House, 16 miles from The Pool House.
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Bicester Village
A very popular discount retail outlet with a variety of designer bargains and a host of eateries including Cafe Wolseley and Farmshop, an off-shoot by the team behind Soho House, 16 miles from The Pool House.
Home to John Lewis, global brands, eclectic rooftop bars and restaurants with views over Oxford and a modern and luxurious cinema and indoor junkyard golf in the centre of the city.
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Westgate Oxford
Queen StreetHome to John Lewis, global brands, eclectic rooftop bars and restaurants with views over Oxford and a modern and luxurious cinema and indoor junkyard golf in the centre of the city.
Our favourite supermarket, a five minute drive away in Thame, although the town also has a Sainsburys and a Co-op as well as two independent butchers and two delis, Umbertos and What’s Cooking. There is also a large Asda closer to The Pool House in nearby Wheatley.
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Waitrose & Partners
108 Crockhamwell RdOur favourite supermarket, a five minute drive away in Thame, although the town also has a Sainsburys and a Co-op as well as two independent butchers and two delis, Umbertos and What’s Cooking. There is also a large Asda closer to The Pool House in nearby Wheatley.
A two minute walk from The Pool House, Sandy Lane Farm has an organic farm shop open on Thursday- Saturday morning. Housed in an old barn at the heart of the farm, the shop sells a variety of fresh, organic seasonal veg, cakes, bread (there’s a cool mini- bakery in a converted horsebox behind the threshing barn) , preserves, cheese, milk, eggs and a selection of meat from the farm’s own free range, outdoor reared pigs and sheep as well as offering delicious takeaway coffee.
Sandy Lane Farm
Farm Sandy LnA two minute walk from The Pool House, Sandy Lane Farm has an organic farm shop open on Thursday- Saturday morning. Housed in an old barn at the heart of the farm, the shop sells a variety of fresh, organic seasonal veg, cakes, bread (there’s a cool mini- bakery in a converted horsebox behind the threshing barn) , preserves, cheese, milk, eggs and a selection of meat from the farm’s own free range, outdoor reared pigs and sheep as well as offering delicious takeaway coffee.
Activities
Oxford Wet N Wild
Drayton RoadAqua park and SUP hire
Oxford Ice Rink
Oxpens Road
Kassam Stadium
Cinema, bowling, laser quest and more
A straightforward course open to the public for pay and play only a few minutes drive away
Waterstock Golf Club & Driving Range
Thame RoadA straightforward course open to the public for pay and play only a few minutes drive away
A more challenging golf course with lovely views a few minutes drive away
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The Oxfordshire
Rycote LaneA more challenging golf course with lovely views a few minutes drive away
Just off the A404, about 20-25 minutes away- adult sailing tuition
Bisham Abbey Sailing and Navigation School
Marlow RoadJust off the A404, about 20-25 minutes away- adult sailing tuition
Moose Canoe Hire River Thames
Marlow RoadLocated at Bisham Abbey, 20-25 minutes away., SUP and canoe hire.
Shotover Country Park
Old RoadPopular with mountain bikers and dog walkers
Queenford Lakes Water Sports Centre
Open water swimming and other water sports
Open water swimming- free parking at the north end, off Godstow Road, dogs welcome
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Port Meadow
Walton Well RdOpen water swimming- free parking at the north end, off Godstow Road, dogs welcome
A 200m lake for open water swimming at the Bicester Hotel and Spa in Chesterton
Bicester Hotel Performance Centre
A 200m lake for open water swimming at the Bicester Hotel and Spa in Chesterton
Wild Pig Hot Air Balloon
Hot air ballooning over Oxfordshire