Daredevil pilots put their machines through their paces at the annual Royal International Air Tattoo, attracting visitors to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Watch hundreds of aeroplanes, ranging from speedy jets to state-of-the-art pilotless aircraft, take to the sky for breathtaking shows.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Fairford's St Mary's Church is well worth visiting for its 28 precious stained glass windows, made circa 1480 for the spaces they still occupy 500 years later. The windows decorate a classic "wool" church, built of Cotswold stone in the perpendicular style in the 15th century.
Available :
Daily
The annual Truck Festival at Hill Farm in Steventon near Oxford is organised with the sole intention of showcasing quality music and having fun. A village fête meets Woodstock, entertainment here is grassroots and intimate rather than commercial and impersonal.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Swindon's STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, housed in a restored Grade II-listed railway building, takes visitors back in time. There are a number of reconstructed scenes that tell the story of the legendary line and those who built it.
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Daily
The National Monuments Record Centre (NMRC) in Swindon is the public archive of English Heritage. The historic collections held here include over ten million documents, photos and plans of architecture, archaeology, listed buildings, aerial photography and social history throughout England.
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Tue, Wed, Thu, and Fri only
Swindon Art Gallery has a burgeoning reputation as one of the best collections of British contemporary art to be found outside London. The collection was established after a donation of works by local benefactor, H J P Bomford.
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Daily; not Sun
The McArthur Glen outlets is a shopping concept pioneered in the UK, offering designer-hungry shoppers heavily discounted, quality merchandise. The 110-shop Swindon Designer Outlet is located in the city's renovated Great Western railway station.
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Daily
On the former Wroughton Aerodrome site, Swindon's Science Museum is the main repository for the Science Museum's national collections, from a Lockheed Constellation airliner to hovercrafts. Please note the museum is only open to groups by pre-arrangement.
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Daily
Dating from the 18th century, Lydiard Park was originally a medieval deer park. The 260 acres include a lake and ornamental flower gardens, while the house contains numerous elegant state rooms, a unique painted window and 18th-century Lady Diana Spencer room.
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Daily
Swindon's Butterfly World houses more than 30 different species of butterfly. The enormous hothouse contains tropical plants, little streams and rustic bridges, waterfalls and fishponds. There is also a separate mini-beast room with creepy crawlies like tarantulas, scorpions and snakes.
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Daily
Dating back to the Middle Ages, when goldsmiths plied their trade here, Oxford's atmospheric Covered Market is a souk-like shopping experience with lots of little shops to browse through. Local specialities include Oxford blue cheese and marmalade.
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Daily
Lounge on brown leather banquettes at Oxford Castle's sleekest drinking haunt. The Living Room attracts a sophisticated, fashionable crowd who sip expertly-mixed cocktails and bottled lagers. Check out the terrace on warm summer evenings.
Available :
Daily
Built in 1071 for William the Conqueror, Oxford Castle was once a royal residence, a centre for justice and then a prison, up until 1996. The castle's dark history of violence, executions and escapes is now revealed to visitors.
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Daily
The Westgate, as locals call it, is Oxford's best shopping mall, with plenty of fashion brands, homeware and speciality shops. There is something for everyone here, from the latest computer games and mobile phone accessories to quality teas and party dresses.
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Daily
Housed in a renovated church complete with stained-glass windows, the popular Freud Cafe bar frequently has live music and is popular with students. The menu features light snacks and a wide selection of pizzas.
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Daily
Oxford becomes even more intellectual when the annual Literary Festival takes place. Over 350 writers descend on the beautiful Christ Church College for a week of talks, debates and discussions. Topics are satisfyingly varied - expect some very distinguished guests.
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Mar - Apr 2013 (annual)
Oxford's Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology is Britain's oldest public museum. It houses the University of Oxford's collections of art and antiquities from the civilisations of the ancient world to the present day.
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Daily; not Mon
Costumed performers act out scenes from Alice in Wonderland as Lewis Carroll's tale is brought to life in Oxford's quads and squares. Hosted by the Story Museum, this fantastic family day out recreates Alice's journey down the rabbit hole.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Each spring sees venues across the city host a series of shows, workshops and talks as part of Dancin' Oxford. From ballet to bhangra, and everything in between, this festival caters for professional dancers and spectators alike.
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Feb - Mar 2013 (annual)
A chance to discover and enjoy some of the city's most interesting buildings and spaces, Oxford Open Doors allows the public to enter buildings that are usually inaccessible. With over 100 venues taking part, there's something to interest and inspire everyone.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
CIAO, the Children's International Arts Organisation, is an Oxford-based performing-arts organisation for young people. Celebrating its work, the annual CIAO! Festival takes place throughout the city and features a programme packed with performances, workshops and school days.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
Some of Oxford's most historic venues, including the Ashmolean Museum and the Bodleian Library, host concerts at the annual Oxford Jazz Festival. A star-studded line-up performs over four days in beautiful surroundings.
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Apr 2013 (annual)
Oxfringe, which runs alongside the famous Oxford Literary Festival, features around 150 events including literary talks, concerts, theatre shows and exhibitions. The festival takes place at venues across the city including the Old Library and the Simpkins Lee Theatre.
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May - Jun 2013 (annual)
Against the backdrop of the city's famous spires, Oxford Pride brings together lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transsexual communities for a week of entertainment. The festival peaks with the annual parade and a series of parties throughout the city.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Oxford Chamber Music Festival was established by violinist Priya Mitchell. The idea is to gather together international musicians for three days of intensive rehearsals followed by four days of concerts in various venues around town.
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Sep - Oct 2013 (annual)
Eights Week is the biggest event of the year for keen rowers at all the 30+ colleges of Oxford University. Each is set against the others in a "bumps" racing competition to find the best college rowing team.
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May 2013 (annual)
The annual Oxford Folk Festival takes over Oxford Town Hall and other venues for a host of performances, ceilidhs and workshops. First held in 2004, it is now a major spring event, reflecting the resurgent interest in all things folk.
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Apr 2013 (annual)
Every Ascension Day, members of St Michael's congregation process through Oxford marking out the parish boundary by beating specially marked stones with sticks. Since some of the stones are in bars, pubs and shops, startled and bemused onlookers are common.
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May 2013 (annual)
The Oxford to Cambridge Bike Ride in aid of the British Heart Foundation links England's two most famous university cities. Starting in Oxford, the 89-mile route heads through Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, into the Cambridgeshire fenlands before ending in Cambridge.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
The popular historic Oxford City Royal Regatta is held along a beautiful stretch of the Isis (River Thames). It takes place over two days, with a 1000-metre course on the Saturday and a 500-metre sprint the following day.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
Centuries-old traditions are upheld for Oxford May Day by the population of this student town. Spectators gather in their thousands to hear the choir of Magdalen College sing in the new May dawn from the top of their chapel tower.
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May 2013 (annual)
St Giles' Church and street fill with craft stalls and entertainment, celebrating the wealth of tradition and antiquity inherent in the city of Oxford. The annual fair and flower festival has celebrated St Giles' Day in this manner for centuries.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
As the oldest English-speaking university in the world, Oxford lays claim to eight centuries of continuous existence. It houses many treasures - in building and park form - and any visit to the town should include at least one of its gems.
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Daily
From humble beginnings in 2002, the Oxford Lieder Festival has established itself as the leading celebration of song in the UK. Concerts, masterclasses, talks and workshops are held in Oxford University's Jacqueline du Pré Music Building and Holywell Music Room.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
As the biggest and best bookshop in one of the world's great academic cities, Blackwell's is a sight bibliophiles cannot miss. Discover books examining every academic pursuit imaginable, as well as children's books and secondhand bargains.
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Daily
Oxford's eminence as one of England's most beautiful cities and an outstanding academic centre is encapsulated in the sprawling Bodleian Library. The complex of historical buildings contains one of the most comprehensive collections of literature in Europe.
Available :
Daily
These Sunday concerts in Oxford began in 1986 and have established themselves as one of the UK's most successful chamber music series. Visitors can enjoy performances by excellent musicians and ensembles in the stunning setting of the Holywell Music Room.
Available :
Sun only
Taking place in the 18th-century Holywell Music Room in Oxford's city centre, the town celebrates May Day with a special festival of concerts and lectures. The programme explores topics relating to literature, science and music.
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May 2013 (annual)
The Pitt Rivers Museum is the ethnographic museum of Oxford University, a treasure trove of man's creations from all over the world. Discover artefacts from a witch in a bottle to Hawaiian feather cloaks and a Kalabari household shrine.
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Daily
Spring Board Festival gives classical music fans the chance to see up-and-coming stars perform at Oxford's Jacqueline du Pré Music Building. A day of intimate recitals is followed by an evening concert with pianist Melvyn Tan and violinist Levon Chilingirian.
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
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