Guidebook for Charlbury
Food Scene
One of Charlbury's 3 main local pubs, with amazing food and beer garden... It's a 2 minute walk from the house. It's the nicest pub, reflected in the prices. Nice place to go for early breakfast too! It's been bought by some nice folk from Notting Hill recently (Pelican) and is due to open Spring 2023...
40 locals recommend
The Bull
Sheep StreetOne of Charlbury's 3 main local pubs, with amazing food and beer garden... It's a 2 minute walk from the house. It's the nicest pub, reflected in the prices. Nice place to go for early breakfast too! It's been bought by some nice folk from Notting Hill recently (Pelican) and is due to open Spring 2023...
Great Indian takeaway/ delivery place... Ask for less/no oil and they will do this for you.
Fiveways station
Great Indian takeaway/ delivery place... Ask for less/no oil and they will do this for you.
Cosy deli - great coffee and lunch. Little back room with toys and books... Check the opening times...
11 locals recommend
Charlbury Deli & Cafe
Market StreetCosy deli - great coffee and lunch. Little back room with toys and books... Check the opening times...
The Daylsford Organic Farm, farm shop spa, restaurant, gorgeous place to hang out and eat, drink, walk. Child-friendly.. https://www.daylesford.com/
Look out for the events and workshops.
69 locals recommend
Daylesford
The Daylsford Organic Farm, farm shop spa, restaurant, gorgeous place to hang out and eat, drink, walk. Child-friendly.. https://www.daylesford.com/
Look out for the events and workshops.
Great food quaint atmosphere, booking essential. Tickets are £65 per person and can be brought from the restaurant (just pop by), emailing enquiries@wildthymrestaurant.co.uk or calling 01608 645060.
http://www.wildthymerestaurant.co.uk/
26 locals recommend
Wild Thyme Restaurant with Rooms
10 New StGreat food quaint atmosphere, booking essential. Tickets are £65 per person and can be brought from the restaurant (just pop by), emailing enquiries@wildthymrestaurant.co.uk or calling 01608 645060.
http://www.wildthymerestaurant.co.uk/
Wild Rabbit, in Kingham. Good food and service. David Cameron, our esteemed (?) former PM eats there as it's next door to his village, Churchill…
127 locals recommend
The Wild Rabbit
Wild Rabbit, in Kingham. Good food and service. David Cameron, our esteemed (?) former PM eats there as it's next door to his village, Churchill…
This traditional fish and chip shop in Long Hanborough delivers and you can order online. Monday and Wednesday are gluten free day there!
Tel. +44 1993 883110 or 01993 357450
https://www.offthehookdelivery.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/offthehookfishandchips
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g3360344-d4723470-Reviews-Off_the_Hook-Long_Hanborough_Cotswolds_England.html
7 locals recommend
Off The Hook fish and chips and pizza
68 Main RdThis traditional fish and chip shop in Long Hanborough delivers and you can order online. Monday and Wednesday are gluten free day there!
Tel. +44 1993 883110 or 01993 357450
https://www.offthehookdelivery.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/offthehookfishandchips
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g3360344-d4723470-Reviews-Off_the_Hook-Long_Hanborough_Cotswolds_England.html
This is a mecca for cheese lovers, and set in pretty Moreton-in-Marsh. A 25 minute drive away.
They stock more than 120 different artisan and farmhouse cheeses, with a real focus on local quality producers, followed by British territorial cheese (Cheshires, Lancashires, Caerphilly etc.) and high quality French, Spanish & Italian cheese. Olives and Antipasti, Cheese Wedding Cakes & Hampers made to order.... https://www.cotswoldcheese.com
6 locals recommend
The Cotswold Cheese Company
5 High StThis is a mecca for cheese lovers, and set in pretty Moreton-in-Marsh. A 25 minute drive away.
They stock more than 120 different artisan and farmhouse cheeses, with a real focus on local quality producers, followed by British territorial cheese (Cheshires, Lancashires, Caerphilly etc.) and high quality French, Spanish & Italian cheese. Olives and Antipasti, Cheese Wedding Cakes & Hampers made to order.... https://www.cotswoldcheese.com
The Swan, Ascott-under-Wychwood
4 Shipton RdRather lovely pub food and lovely refurb...
Entertainment & Activities
This is our wonderful public library (with sweet childrens' area, playpark, Nine Acres sports field, gym (you can do things like pilates or circuits classes here ad hoc - just ask Jason or whoever you find at the reception as you walk in) and cafe...
Charlbury Community Centre
Enstone RoadThis is our wonderful public library (with sweet childrens' area, playpark, Nine Acres sports field, gym (you can do things like pilates or circuits classes here ad hoc - just ask Jason or whoever you find at the reception as you walk in) and cafe...
This is an amazing museum dedicated to storytelling and books and the like. There's also a cafe. Kids love it. There are also good events so keep your eye on the website. https://www.storymuseum.org.uk/
20 locals recommend
The Story Museum
42 Pembroke StThis is an amazing museum dedicated to storytelling and books and the like. There's also a cafe. Kids love it. There are also good events so keep your eye on the website. https://www.storymuseum.org.uk/
Chipping Norton lido – the outdoor pool, open in the summer. http://chippylido.co.uk/
10 locals recommend
The Lido, Chipping Norton — Open-Air Swimming Pool
Fox CloseChipping Norton lido – the outdoor pool, open in the summer. http://chippylido.co.uk/
This has a lovely soft play area for rainy days and is a lovey place to hang out with kids. It's in Bourton-on-the-Water, a 20-minute drive away. While you are there (Bourton is a tourist destination), walk along the river, visit Birdland or the Model Village? https://cotswoldclubhouse.co.uk
6 locals recommend
Cotswold Clubhouse
This has a lovely soft play area for rainy days and is a lovey place to hang out with kids. It's in Bourton-on-the-Water, a 20-minute drive away. While you are there (Bourton is a tourist destination), walk along the river, visit Birdland or the Model Village? https://cotswoldclubhouse.co.uk
The nearest cinema... In a parade of shops opposite Marks and Spencers and with a Cafe Rouge next door so you can combine it with a meal out...
20 locals recommend
Cineworld Cinema Witney
The nearest cinema... In a parade of shops opposite Marks and Spencers and with a Cafe Rouge next door so you can combine it with a meal out...
TY Cycles offer cycle hire with free collection and delivery and only ask for 12 hours notice. What could be easier - bikes delivered and collected from your accommodation!
TY Cycles
TY Cycles offer cycle hire with free collection and delivery and only ask for 12 hours notice. What could be easier - bikes delivered and collected from your accommodation!
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens
Sightseeing
Blenheim Palace (where Churchill was born. Winston Churchill was born in 1874 and spent much of his life here and indeed it is where he proposed to his wife) and the village of Woodstock IS a five-minute drive away. Lovely to have lunch or high tea... and also some interesting historical audio tours. It's free to wander round the grounds - lovely gardens - but you will have to pay to go inside the house. This entitles you to go on the various tours. If you pay for one day, you get an annual pass for the same price. It's worth 'converting' your ticket to this annual pass.
http://www.blenheimpalace.com
657 locals recommend
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace (where Churchill was born. Winston Churchill was born in 1874 and spent much of his life here and indeed it is where he proposed to his wife) and the village of Woodstock IS a five-minute drive away. Lovely to have lunch or high tea... and also some interesting historical audio tours. It's free to wander round the grounds - lovely gardens - but you will have to pay to go inside the house. This entitles you to go on the various tours. If you pay for one day, you get an annual pass for the same price. It's worth 'converting' your ticket to this annual pass.
http://www.blenheimpalace.com
The Bodleian Library – a working library, which forms part of the University of Oxford. It is housed in a remarkable group of buildings that form the historic heart of the University. Keep up with the exhibitions which change: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson
104 locals recommend
Bodleian Library
Broad StreetThe Bodleian Library – a working library, which forms part of the University of Oxford. It is housed in a remarkable group of buildings that form the historic heart of the University. Keep up with the exhibitions which change: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson
New College, founded in 1379, is one of the larger colleges at the University of Oxford, and is particularly well-known for its Chapel and Choir. You can go to choral evensong there free and hear them sing. It's young men from the college and choristers from the boy's school. Wonderful. Check times of evensong before you go as they can vary week/weekends. NB no evensong during holidays.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186361-d195357-Reviews-New_College-Oxford_Oxfordshire_England.html
New College Lane
New College LaneNew College, founded in 1379, is one of the larger colleges at the University of Oxford, and is particularly well-known for its Chapel and Choir. You can go to choral evensong there free and hear them sing. It's young men from the college and choristers from the boy's school. Wonderful. Check times of evensong before you go as they can vary week/weekends. NB no evensong during holidays.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186361-d195357-Reviews-New_College-Oxford_Oxfordshire_England.html
Anne Hathaway was married to William Shakespeare and the 500-year-old cottage is where Anne Hathaway grew up and lived when she was courted by the poet.
https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/anne-hathaways-cottage/
75 locals recommend
Anne Hathaways Cottage station
22 Cottage LnAnne Hathaway was married to William Shakespeare and the 500-year-old cottage is where Anne Hathaway grew up and lived when she was courted by the poet.
https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/anne-hathaways-cottage/
Hop on bus if you want to see Oxford from up high with an entertaining commentary.
https://www.citysightseeingoxford.com/
12 locals recommend
City Sight Seeing Oxford
44 - 45 High StreetHop on bus if you want to see Oxford from up high with an entertaining commentary.
https://www.citysightseeingoxford.com/
Walk in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth 1. It's a drive away but worth it for a day
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/?utm_campaign=aka_kenilworth_castle_21
19 locals recommend
Kenilworth Castle
Castle GreenWalk in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth 1. It's a drive away but worth it for a day
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/?utm_campaign=aka_kenilworth_castle_21
Drinks & Nightlife
Lovely pub, great for food but also great for drinks. In winter, lovely toasty fire...in summer, great garden at the back with tables...
Another local pub. Award wining selection of brews...This is a drinking pub rather than a gastro pub (for that we go to the Bull opposite)
11 locals recommend
The Rose and Crown
14 N Parade AveAnother local pub. Award wining selection of brews...This is a drinking pub rather than a gastro pub (for that we go to the Bull opposite)
Soho Farmhouse
The Bull
Sheep StreetArts & Culture
Fabulous museum in Oxford. You can get there by getting the train from Charlbury - that's probably easiest. Also you can take a bus from outside the Bell bus.
Good for family trips as there are great things for children of all ages.
https://www.ashmolean.org
374 locals recommend
Ashmolean Museum
Beaumont StreetFabulous museum in Oxford. You can get there by getting the train from Charlbury - that's probably easiest. Also you can take a bus from outside the Bell bus.
Good for family trips as there are great things for children of all ages.
https://www.ashmolean.org
This an eccentric little museum in Woodstock. I go there more for the kids activities which happen throughout the holidays on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check it out on the website:
https://www2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/childrens-activities-oxfordshire-museum
There is a nice cafe and it's a good spot if you are in Woodstock...
32 locals recommend
The Oxfordshire Museum
14 Park StThis an eccentric little museum in Woodstock. I go there more for the kids activities which happen throughout the holidays on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check it out on the website:
https://www2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/childrens-activities-oxfordshire-museum
There is a nice cafe and it's a good spot if you are in Woodstock...
Stratford-upon-Avon is steeped in the history of its most famous resident, William Shakespeare. This Warwickshire country town contains the home where Shakespeare was born, the cottage where Anne Hathaway resided before their marriage and the church where the couple is buried. Need a break from the Bard? The town also boasts Europe's largest butterfly farm.
You can watch the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) plays here at the wonderful theatre.
https://www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/in/stratford/
533 locals recommend
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is steeped in the history of its most famous resident, William Shakespeare. This Warwickshire country town contains the home where Shakespeare was born, the cottage where Anne Hathaway resided before their marriage and the church where the couple is buried. Need a break from the Bard? The town also boasts Europe's largest butterfly farm.
You can watch the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) plays here at the wonderful theatre.
https://www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/in/stratford/
The Pitt Rivers Museum. If you are interested in anthropology and cultures, this is a must. Check out the workshops that they organise. https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk
97 locals recommend
Pitt Rivers Museum
Parks RoadThe Pitt Rivers Museum. If you are interested in anthropology and cultures, this is a must. Check out the workshops that they organise. https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk
The New Oxford Theatre is the best theatre around – for both theatre and music.
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/
42 locals recommend
Oxford New Theatre
24-26 George StThe New Oxford Theatre is the best theatre around – for both theatre and music.
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/
The North Wall – a great new arts centre/theatre, composer George Fenton contributed to its building… he was a local Oxford boy (St Edward's). It's in Summertown, the north of Oxford. http://www.thenorthwall.com
10 locals recommend
The North Wall Arts Centre
South ParadeThe North Wall – a great new arts centre/theatre, composer George Fenton contributed to its building… he was a local Oxford boy (St Edward's). It's in Summertown, the north of Oxford. http://www.thenorthwall.com
Shopping
This is the famous retail outlet where people come from all over the world - seriously. If you are in to your designer clothes etc for cheap. You can get the train directly form Charlbury...
217 locals recommend
Bicester Village station
Station ApproachThis is the famous retail outlet where people come from all over the world - seriously. If you are in to your designer clothes etc for cheap. You can get the train directly form Charlbury...
This is the nearest town. It's a sweet market town with a Waitrose, plenty of stores from camping to toys to pharmacies... It's a 10 minute drive or a bus drive away...
60 locals recommend
Witney
This is the nearest town. It's a sweet market town with a Waitrose, plenty of stores from camping to toys to pharmacies... It's a 10 minute drive or a bus drive away...
hipping Norton is the highest town in Oxfordshire, situated on the western slopes of a The 'wool' church of St Mary at Chipping Chipping Norton is set on a hillside that was once the site of a Norman castle. 'Chipping' is derived from ceapen, an old English word meaning market. Alternatively the meaning comes from the medieval word Chepynge meaning long Market Square. The lively little town has a vibrancy about it, but remains unpretentious and the everyday lives of those who live and work there have so far not been overshadowed by the effects of tourism - in other words its a 'real' Cotswold town with 'real' shops and fondly known as 'Chippy' to the locals. Lovely bookshop, an Aldi on the outskirts, and a Co-op and Sainsburys also.
90 locals recommend
Chipping Norton
hipping Norton is the highest town in Oxfordshire, situated on the western slopes of a The 'wool' church of St Mary at Chipping Chipping Norton is set on a hillside that was once the site of a Norman castle. 'Chipping' is derived from ceapen, an old English word meaning market. Alternatively the meaning comes from the medieval word Chepynge meaning long Market Square. The lively little town has a vibrancy about it, but remains unpretentious and the everyday lives of those who live and work there have so far not been overshadowed by the effects of tourism - in other words its a 'real' Cotswold town with 'real' shops and fondly known as 'Chippy' to the locals. Lovely bookshop, an Aldi on the outskirts, and a Co-op and Sainsburys also.
Essentials
This is where we all get groceries! It's a 5 minute walk through the town. It's open 7am to 10pam, 7 days a week.
It has a good gluten free section.
And this is also the local post office. Just ask at the payment desk.
32 locals recommend
The Co-operative Food
Albion StreetThis is where we all get groceries! It's a 5 minute walk through the town. It's open 7am to 10pam, 7 days a week.
It has a good gluten free section.
And this is also the local post office. Just ask at the payment desk.