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How to Spend 24 hours in Lincoln

24 hours in Lincoln will see you meander down cobbled streets, stroll around historic castle grounds and push yourself up one of the steepest hills in England. Famed for its medieval cathedral and its links to the Magna Carta, Lincoln is teeming with history, culture and some pretty incredible architecture. I spent 24 hours in Lincoln when I met up with my friend and fellow travel blogger Rachel last summer and we had a wonderful weekend soaking up the sunshine on one of the hottest days of the year. Here’s an overview of what we got up to, including recommendations of where to eat, drink and stay, and how I’d recommend you spend your 24 hours in Lincoln…

 

Visit Lincoln Cathedral

 

No trip to Lincoln is complete without paying a visit to the beautiful Lincoln Cathedral, located at the top of Steep Hill. With history dating back to 1072, the year of its construction, Lincoln Cathedral was built in the Early Gothic style and is the fourth largest in England, with only Liverpool Cathedral, York Minster and London’s iconic St Paul’s Cathedral ahead of it. It is widely known that the cathedral held one of only four remaining copies of the original Magna Carta, which is now proudly on display in Lincoln Castle instead. From the outside, the cathedral is impressive and doesn’t look dissimilar to Paris’s stunning Notre Dame, whilst inside there are vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows and stone carvings of famous Lincoln Imps.

 

Walk up Steep Hill

 

Lined with independent shops, cafe’s, restaurants and tea rooms, Steep Hill is one of Lincoln’s most famed attractions, and is the gateway to the Cathedral Quarter. Connecting Lincoln Cathedral and Castle with the rest of the city, this steep, cobbled street is a must-see during your 24 hours in Lincoln. First used by residents when the city was called ‘Lindum Colonia’, the Roman inhabitants expanded the settlement down the hill, and archaeological excavations proved that the hill was once lined by steps during that time. Nowadays, Steep Hill, with a 16.12º gradient, has been named the fourth steepest street in England by the Ordnance Survey. Please note that Steep Hill isn’t suitable for those with accessibility needs, but the Steep Hill Shuttle can help you get to the top instead.

 

Go to the historic Lincoln Castle

 

 

One of the most famous medieval castles in Great Britain, and built on the site of a pre-existing Roman fortress by William the Conqueror in 1068, a visit to Lincoln Castle is an absolute must for your 24 hours in Lincoln itinerary. The castle has two mottes, making it one of only two castles of its kind in England, with the other one at Lewes, East Sussex. One of the best preserved medieval castles in the country, Lincoln Castle was used as a prison and court throughout history, and is still used as a Crown Court even today. Inside the castle you can find one of only four surviving exemplars of the famous Magna Carta from 1215. The castle is open to the public seven days a week, and you can either buy tickets for the castle itself, to walk around the medieval walls, or both! If you are tight on budget you can also walk around the castle grounds for free, but this will not get you into either the castle or the walls itself.

 

Wander along Brayford Waterfront

 

After we had spent an hour or so at the Waterside Shopping Centre, located right in the middle of the city and home to a wide range of high street stores, we took a wander down to the waterfront’s north side to check out the Brayford Waterfront. There we found plenty of restaurants and bars as well as luxury hotels and a multi-screen cinema. We didn’t get chance to dine here during our 24 hours in Lincoln, but we both thought it would make a lovely place for lunch or dinner, and if the weather is nice you can enjoy an alfresco meal whilst overlooking the waterfront on a summer’s day. You can also take a trip on the famous Brayford Belle, a boat which takes you around the Fossdyke Canal and Brayford Pool, where you can learn all about the area’s history.

 

Where to stay

 

 

There are many hotels and b&b’s from which to base yourself from for your 24 hours in Lincoln, with well known hotel chains littered across the city. We opted to stay at the Premier Inn Lincoln Centre, as it was cheap and cheerful and in a great location. At £39 for the night it was an absolute steal and was the perfect base for our stay. The room was spacious, the check in was easy, and there was a restaurant on site for booking breakfast, lunch or dinner if you wished. Being just a 15 minute walk from the train station was really handy, and the rest of the city was even closer on foot too. I’d definitely recommend a stay at the Premier Inn for your trip to Lincoln, but the Doubletree by Hilton, Castle Hotel and The Lincoln Hotel looked like great places to stay too. Apparently the rooftop bar on top of the Hilton is a great place for cocktails but it was a bit out the way and we didn’t have time to go there during our short 24 hours in Lincoln.

 

Where to eat and drink

 

 

The great thing about Lincoln being quite a small city is that everything feels quite close together. The shops, bars and restaurants are all within walking distance of the river, cathedral and train station, meaning there’s no part of Lincoln that feels too far away. We tried quite a few food and drink places during our short 24 hours in Lincoln, and it was a great way to get to know the city a little bit better. For lunch and sweet treats I’d recommend Stokes Cafe, they’ve got one located on the main High Street, and another at the back of the castle on Union Road. It was the first place Rachel and I stopped as we arrived in Lincoln, with our suitcases in tow, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Later on that afternoon we had a couple of cocktails in the sunshine at The Lion and Snake, a lively bar with a big beer garden located in the Bailgate area of the city. For dinner on the Saturday we headed to Wildwood, a cute grill restaurant serving huge portions of Italian classics – we had a pizza and calzone which were bigger than our heads! For cocktails that night we headed to The Curiosity Shop and Carousel Bar, both of which were super cute and good fun for a night out. The next day, just before we caught our trains home, we had a delicious Sunday lunch at The Horse and Groom, located by the Brayford Waterfront area. There are just over 300 restaurants in Lincoln, and there were so many places I got recommended, including Ole Ole for authentic tapas, The Strait and Narrow for delicious cocktails and Browns Pie Shop for amazing pies.

 

I had a fantastic time during my 24 hours in Lincoln, made even better by the glorious sunshine we were treated to all weekend long. Lincoln is the perfect place for a UK staycation, with plenty of sights to see and excellent places to eat and drink. The shopping is great, the history is interesting and the nightlife is good fun. Have you visited Lincoln before? I’d love to know what you thought of it! I’ll certainly be spending another 24 hours in Lincoln at some point in the future and can’t wait to revisit this pretty English city.

Love Jess x

 

 

 

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7 Reasons to book a city break to Palma de Mallorca

 

Last year my sister and I took a city break to Palma de Mallorca and we had the most amazing weekend enjoying lots of sun, sea and sangria! Being the capital of Mallorca, the biggest of the Balearic islands, Palma is a real Spanish gem and the perfect place for a European city break. Its combination of harbourside hotels, traditional tavernas and beachfront bars make Palma a fantastic city to visit. There was so much to see and do and we packed a lot in to our short time there, but I would recommend a minimum of 3 or 4 nights as this is a great amount of time to see all the sights and enjoy some relaxation too. From walking through the pine forest towards the historic castle, to exploring the incredible cathedral or whiling away a few hours lazing on the beach, Palma is a fantastic place for a sunny getaway no matter what time of year you travel. With that in mind, here are 7 reasons to book a city break to Palma de Mallorca.

 

Flights from the UK are short/cheap

 

With flights to Palma from just about every UK airport, this Spanish city is extremely accessible and super easy to get to, no matter what corner of the country you might be flying from. Flights range in price and vary between airlines, with low cost carriers such as Ryanair, Wizz and Easyjet offering multiple flights daily. BA, Jet2 and TUI are also popular choices with lots of flight options from various UK airports. With a flight time of approximately 2.5 – 3 hours, a city break to Palma de Mallorca is perfect if you are looking for a short weekend getaway in Europe. You can find out more info about flights to Palma on the Skyscanner website.

 

There is so much to see and do

There is so much to see and do in Palma that you will struggle to fit it all in if you only have a few days, but that just means you will have to return one day, right?! Must-sees would be the beautiful Cathedral and Bellver Castle, both of which are jewel’s in Palma’s crown and are not to be missed. Walk through a shaded pine forest to get up to the castle on top of the hill where you’ll be treated to stunning views over the harbour, but watch out for the many steps on the way back down! The cathedral and its incredible gothic architecture inside is also a sight to behold. A visit to the beach is  a good idea (as I have explained further down this post), plus checking out the food market at San Juan Mercado Gastronomico is perfect for foodies. Don’t forget to spend some time just walking around the quaint cobbled streets too and taking in the atmosphere that makes Palma so special.

 

The nightlife is great 

 

Palma is a popular place for stag and hen do’s, mainly due to its close proximity to the UK and its frequency of flights from UK airports. With cheap flights and a huge choice of budget-friendly hotels and Airbnb’s, it’s little wonder that Palma is a great choice for stags and hens who are looking for a fun-filled getaway. There are lots of bars and clubs dotted around the city, as well as hundreds of restaurants to choose from, so there’s no end of fantastic places to visit. The city was super lively when we were there as we travelled over a weekend; we saw plenty of brides to be during our city break to Palma de Mallorca, and I think it would be an amazing place to celebrate your last weekend of freedom!

 

You can enjoy a beach day

 

It was a real treat to have a beach day right in the middle of what was a very busy city break to Palma de Mallorca as it gave us a few hours to relax and simply enjoy the sunshine. There are a few beaches dotted a few miles outside Palma, but the main one is Ca’n Pere Antoni beach which is close to the centre of the city. A short 1km walk along a footpath/cycle route that runs along the coastline, Ca’n Pere Antoni can be reached on foot from Palma Cathedral in approximately 20 minutes. The sandy beach stretches for 750 metres and there are plenty of sunbeds and parasols to hire, as well as toilets and showers for your convenience and a few bars and restaurants too. During the summer season there are watersports to enjoy, and the sea is perfect for swimming in!

 

It’s a great foodie destination

 

There are some fantastic cafe’s, bars andrestaurants in Palma, making it an amazing city for food lovers. Whether you want to people watch with a pastry near the Cathedral or devour delicious tapas on one of the many side streets, there is something for everyone. My sister and I found  a multitude of Spanish, Italian and Mediterranean style restaurants located in the Santa Catalina area as this was close to the hotel we were staying in, plus there were a few bars located nearby too. This was a really lively area and great for couples or groups looking to extend their night and stay out late for a few drinks after dinner. If, however, you are staying closer to the Cathedral area, it might be better to stay close to the historical centre and eat in one of the many bars or restaurants that surround the shops and cafe’s.  We found some brilliant places to eat on the streets around Plaza la Reina too.

 

The historic Cathedral is amazing

 

No city break to Palma de Mallorca would be complete without paying a visit to the city’s stunning Cathedral. Dating back to the 13th century and built in a Mediterranean Gothic style, the Cathedral is one of the most visited sights in Palma and the beating heart of the city. The 44m high central nave makes it one of the tallest Cathedrals in Europe and its stunning stained glass windows are truly a sight to behold! We spent hours just wandering around the Cathedral and the water right in front of it, eating ice cream and marvelling at the architecture from all angles. One of my favourite things about the Cathedral was that there was an amazing violinist busking outside every day; he played incredible music that just sounded so beautiful and caught the ears of hundreds of passers by each day, so we spent lots of time in this area. You can buy tickets online to enter the Cathedral, prices are EUR 9 per adult. Please note the Cathedral is closed to tourists on Sunday’s.

 

Combine it with a cruise and stay

 

If you’ve never done a cruise before, I highly recommend starting with a European one instead of a Caribbean one to give you a taste of life at sea without venturing too far from the UK. Marella Cruises by TUI offer several Mediterranean cruises that start/end in Palma, and also give you the option of adding on a few nights in the city at the end of your cruise too. This can be an amazing way to relax and unwind after a busy week-long cruise, plus it’s great to spend a few days exploring one destination fully rather than flitting between several ports every day. Check out the Marella Cruises website for some inspiring itineraries – not an ad or sponsored at all, I just love their cruises and think Palma would make a brilliant place to hop on board! You can also read this post of my first ever Mediterranean cruise to get more of an idea of what to expect from your first cruise.

 

So there we have it, there are my 7 reasons to book a city break to Palma de Mallorca. I had such an amazing time in Palma that I already cannot wait to plan a return visit soon. I stayed in the gorgeous Hotel Costa Azul during my city break to Palma de Mallorca, and it was the perfect base. Located right opposite the pretty marina, we were about a 15 minute walk to the old town and the Cathedral area but right around the corner from plenty of bars and restaurants so it was a perfect location for us. I would highly recommend staying at Hotel Costa Azul; the rooms were super spacious and clean, with our balcony overlooking the marina, and we loved the sea-front spa and pool as well! Have you visited sunny Palma before? I’d love to hear what you thought of it, and to hear all of your recommendations too!

Love Jess x

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A day out in Oxford with Treasure Hunt Oxford

Last weekend I was given the opportunity to see my home city through the eyes of a tourist as I headed to Oxford to take part in a guided route around the city with Treasure Hunt Oxford. Aimed at those wanting to explore some of Oxford’s hidden gems as well as the typically touristy areas too, Treasure Hunt Oxford makes for a quirky way to see one of the UK’s most popular cities. As I was born in Oxford and have lived in Oxfordshire my whole life, I know the city extremely well and of course have visited Oxford many times before, but this tour actually took me to some places I had never been to which was a pleasant surprise! I brought my two sisters and one of their boyfriends along for our day out and the weather was amazing which definitely helped, but we had such a lovely day. Here’s a little bit more about Treasure Hunt Oxford and what we got up to on our day out…

 

About the Treasure Hunt team

Founded by best pals and business partners Ian & Paul, Treasure Hunt UK is designed to showcase hidden areas of some of the UK’s best loved cities. As well as Treasure Hunt Oxford, you can also play the game in a number of other UK cities including Bath, Cambridge, Manchester, Liverpool and York. Ian & Paul had set up an internet security company which wasn’t going particularly well, but in a last ditch attempt to create something fun they put together a treasure hunt game instead. Paul wrote up some clues and planned a route around his home city of Liverpool, whilst Ian put his art degree to good use and drew the maps and, before they knew it, they were up and running on WhatsApp and Treasure Hunt was born!

The Treasure Hunt team are very flexible; if your plans change or the weather isn’t great you can cancel for free and rearrange for another time. The Treasure Hunts are best suited to adults and children over the age of 8; there is lots of walking involved and younger children may struggle to keep up the pace, plus the clues were hard enough for us adults so I can only imagine that the kids would find it a lot harder!

 

How it works

 

Once you’re all booked in and have chosen your date of play, you will receive an email 48 hrs before the game with a link to instructions which need to be downloaded ahead of your game. I didn’t open the link until we were actually at the start point at Oxford Castle and it was absolutely fine – the download is just on a web browser and each player can open the link on their phone separately so you don’t have to just rely on one phone during the game.  You’ll then be sent a series of clues by Treasure Hunt Oxford’s very own Captain Bess, who will be your virtual guide for the day.

Each clue will lead you to your next location around the city, and you’ll be asked a number of riddles which need answering before you can continue. Some of the riddles were actually quite difficult and we certainly needed to use the ‘hint’ button a few times! We learnt a lot about Oxford throughout the day though and I really enjoyed the historical references that were part of the clues – we even noticed things about the city we had never seen before, like a mural of St George and his dragon high up on the corner of St Michael’s street, something I would never have spotted had Captain Bess not told us to look up!

 

The sights you’ll see

 

 

 

 

During our day with Treasure Hunt Oxford we saw all the classic Oxford landmarks including the Radcliffe Camera, Bodleian Library, Sheldonian Theatre, Carfax Tower and the Bridge of Sighs to name but a few. We also walked through the Covered Market, the Westgate Shopping Centre and criss-crossed our way through some of the famous college buildings of Oxford University. As each clue is revealed you cover more areas across the city and end up seeing most of Oxford by the time the game is over. The treasure hunt started at Oxford Castle, located right next to Westgate, and finished up at St Aldates, near to the Royal Blenheim pub.

We passed countless pubs, bars, cafe’s and restaurants along the way and the best thing about Treasure Hunt Oxford is that you can take as much or as little time as you like to play the game. We completed it in 3hrs 9mins and that was because we stopped to use the toilets a few times and also had an hour long lunch break in the middle! The treasure hunt covers approximately 3 miles of walking so it’s a great way to discover the city on foot and get your daily steps in too. As the tour is private and self-guided, you don’t need to meet any other people to physically take part, and it’s all outside so you can adhere to social distancing at all times too.

 

 

As you can tell, I had a lovely day out taking part in Treasure Hunt Oxford and it made for something really unique to do, especially for someone who has visited Oxford hundreds of times before! I love my home city so much and I will never get bored of it, but it can feel quite samey sometimes, so it was nice to do something a little bit different on this visit. A huge thanks to Treasure Hunt Oxford for having me, and I can’t wait to take part it another of their treasure hunts in a different UK city very soon! If you’d like to book a game of your own head over to the Treasure Hunt website and enter my unique code JWJ-BLOG-10 to receive a 10% discount at the check out until the end of 2021!

NB. My tickets for the game were gifted by Treasure Hunt Oxford but, as always, all views are of course my own. I did not receive payment for this article.

 

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6 of the Best Holiday Parks for Caravan Holidays in the UK

Caravan holidays in the UK; you either love them or you hate them. Personally, I love them! I have many fond memories of spending summer after summer staying in caravan parks across the country. From the sandy beaches of Cornwall to the rugged hills of the Lake District, caravan holidays in the UK are perfect for travellers of all ages and offer affordable accommodation in some of Britain’s best loved destinations. Whether you’re travelling with kids as part of a family, or with adults as part of a group of friends, caravan holidays in the UK make for a wonderful getaway across our four nations. Here’s my list of 6 of the best caravan parks from which to enjoy a fun-filled staycation this summer…

 

Loch Lomond Holiday Park, Scotland

 

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First up on my list of parks for the best caravan holidays in the UK we’re heading all the way to bonnie Scotland. Perfectly positioned on the banks of Loch Lomond, the Argyll Holidays Loch Lomond Holiday Park offers a fantastic waterside retreat for families, couples and groups of all ages. Boasting an array of caravans, lodges and glamping pods to choose from, there are plenty of accommodation options to suit your every need. There’s a variety of onsite facilities including a laundrette and convenience shop, TV lounge with pool table, kids adventure play area and numerous hiking trails from which to enjoy loch-side walks. You’ll also find a small dog beach and areas where you can launch boats and jet ski’s as well as a place to hire kayaks from too. All of Loch Lomond Holiday Park’s lodges are pet friendly so you can take your four-legged friends away with you as well.

 

 

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa, Somerset

 

Nestled in the heart of Somerset’s Mendip Hills, Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa offers both an active mini break and relaxing staycation all rolled in to one. Close to the fascinating towns of Cheddar, Wells and Axbridge, as well as being in the middle of some of Somerset’s best hiking routes, this resort by Darwin Escapes offers luxury lodges, excellent sports facilities and a fantastic pool and spa. I stayed here a couple of years ago with my family for a new years eve retreat and it was the perfect way to say goodbye to one year and ring in another! Kids will love this place; there’s a tennis court, football pitch and trampoline section as well as woodland walks dotted around the entire site. For the adults, a relaxing spa treatment and use of the pool and gym will certainly be welcome. There’s also an onsite restaurant, mini bowling alley, Costa Coffee shop and souvenir shop at Reception. Don’t forget to visit the incredible caves and climb Jacobs Ladder at nearby Cheddar, or explore the medieval town of Wells too. Check which lodges are pet friendly before you book as not all of them are!

 

 

St Ives Bay Holiday Park, Cornwall

 

Another of my favourite parks for caravan holidays in the UK is St Ives Bay Holiday Park down in Cornwall. This is the first place I ever went on holiday as a six month old baby and my parents took me and my sisters back every year for our summer holiday until we first went abroad when I was 8! I have fond memories of spending many summers at this holiday park and it is just perfect for families with young children. Located in Hayle and just a 15 minute drive to St Ives itself, the park has private access to a gorgeous 3 mile long sandy beach and there’s an amusement arcade, indoor swimming pool, crazy golf course and a tennis court onsite, as well as a restaurant and bar. You can enjoy stunning sea views from many areas of the park, and there are plenty of coastal walks nearby. Lots of the chalets, caravans and camping pods have recently been upgraded and new wooden lodge style caravans have been introduced for this summer season too. Sadly pets are not permitted here but the park still makes for a wonderful Cornish getaway.

 

Little Sea Holiday Park, Dorset

 

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Located close to both the dramatic Jurassic Coast and the bustling harbour town of Weymouth, Littlesea Holiday Park by Haven Holidays is in a fantastic location from which to explore all that Dorset has to offer. The beautiful Lulworth Cove and iconic Durdle Door are both nearby, as is Monkey World and Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park which make great family days out. For activities there are two heated swimming pools joined by a lazy river which is great for kids, plus there’s archery, tennis, adventure golf and a nature trail too. Onsite facilities include a supermarket, launderette, coffee shop, outdoor play areas, amusements arcade and no less than four food and drinks venues. In terms of accommodation, opt for a 2 or 3 bedroom Standard, Deluxe, Prestige or Platinum caravan or choose one of the 2 or 3 bedroom luxury lodges which offer floor to ceiling glass windows and spectacular views of the park. Dogs are most welcome at Littlesea!

 

 

Tan Rallt Holiday Park & Spa, Wales

 

Up next on my list of the best parks for caravan holidays in the UK is Tan Rallt Holiday Park in Wales. Situated in Conwy, this holiday park is perfectly positioned to enjoy some of the best attractions and landmarks in North Wales. You’ll be close to Snowdonia National Park, Llandudno and Llanddulas, as well as the harbourside town of Conwy with its historic Castle and Town Walls.  Although close to some wonderful Welsh tourist sites, and within easy reach of the local beach, Tan Rallt is a hidden gem tucked away in the valleys. Onsite at Tan Rallt you’ll find the Cliffs Bar and Restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks throughout the day. There’s also The Retreat Spa with first class facilities including a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and well equipped gym, plus the Silver Birch Golf Club is a five minute drive away.  You can choose to stay at either caravans or lodges during your stay at Tan Rallt, and dogs are welcome for an additional charge and extra deposit.

 

 

Lakeland Leisure Park, The Lake District

 

 

Last but by no means least on my list of recommended places for caravan holidays in the UK we are headed to the glorious Lake District, another of my favourite places in the UK! Located in Cumbria, this Hoseasons Lakeland Leisure Park is close to the Victorian seaside resort of Grange-over-Sands and within easy reach of some of the most popular areas of the Lakes, including Ambleside, Bowness and of course Beatrix Potter World! The park is perfect for those who love water, with an abundance of lake based activities such as kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding which can all be done from the water sports centre onsite. You’ll also find a 9 hole golf course, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a brand new Aerial Adventure treetops course too. The arcade amusements, bar and restaurant and entertainment venues offer plenty of things to see and do, and there’s also a tennis court, outdoor play area, boating lake, shop and launderette too. Choose from 2 or 3 bedroom Standard, Prestige or Deluxe caravans, some of which are pet-friendly.

 

So there we have it, my list of 6 of the best parks for caravan holidays in the UK. I have stayed in a couple of these parks before and many more across the country over the years. There’s just something about caravan holidays in the UK which make for wonderful summers and I have many happy memories from family holidays staying in many different caravan parks. Travelling in your own caravan? Take the hassle (and cost) of hiring one of the park’s caravans by staying in your own instead! All of these parks have the option to use your own caravan, enabling you to pitch up and make your own home away from home whilst having access to all the facilities on site too. Make sure you have valid insurance before you travel though, and remember it only takes 5 minutes to compare static caravan insurance quotes online. How many caravan parks have you stayed in, and what are your thoughts on caravan holidays in the UK? I’d love to know where your favourite parks are!

NB. This post was sponsored by The Insurers but all thoughts and words are of course my own.

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8 of The Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Oxfordshire

 

Restrictions are slowly starting to ease, pubs are slowly starting to reopen and we can finally start eating outdoors in restaurants again – so it seems the next phase of our UK roadmap is going well! I’ve already written about my favourite walks and hikes in my local area of the Cotswolds so thought I’d put together a bumper dining guide for you to enjoy too now that things are opening up again. I have loved having meals out with friends down the pub again, but one thing I have really struggled with is knowing which places have the best gardens or are best set up for outdoor dining in Oxfordshire before indoor dining resumes on 17th May 2021. That’s why I thought I’d put together my bumper guide of local places to book dinner or drinks here in Oxfordshire, and they have all been tried and tested over the years by yours truly! Hungry? You will be by the time you get to the end of this list…

 

George & Dragon, Long Hanborough

 

 

Up first on my list of 8 of the best restaurants for outdoor dining in Oxfordshire is the George & Dragon in the pretty village of Long Hanborough. Close to the A40, and within easy reach of both Witney and Oxford, the George & Dragon is in a great location. It’s perfect for a pub lunch stop after a busy day of walking the grounds of nearby Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, or Pinsley Woods in Church Hanborough. They have made a huge effort to be Covid safe with their outdoor dining areas as they have multiple tables with umbrellas as well as a separate dining terrace adorned with fairy lights that look great after dark. There’s lots of free parking, the outdoor terrace is first come first served and you can just turn up but if you want a table I’d recommend booking in advance. The best time to go is on a Friday night when cocktails are £5 and they have a great atmosphere!

 

The Evenlode, Eynsham

 

 

Enjoying another great location just off the A40, the Evenlode at Eynsham is a traditional pub with seven en-suite bedrooms too. They have a huge garden out the front with large umbrellas offering shelter from the elements and there’s a small terrace right outside the entrance which is a little more covered. The friendly staff are on hand to give out blankets when it’s cold outside and the pergola has pretty fairy lights too. I booked in advance during my last visit, at lunch time on a Saturday afternoon, and it was fairly busy despite the weather not being great so I would make sure you book in advance when possible although they were accepting walk ins too. Free onsite parking is available on a first come first serve basis.

 

The Hollybush, Witney

 

 

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A personal favourite of mine and somewhere I have visited many times over the years, the Hollybush is located on Corn Street right in the centre of Witney. Their garden out the back has recently been redesigned to offer a fantastic outdoor dining in Oxfordshire experience with large tables, seating areas and big covers too. There are cosy blankets, patio heaters and four gorgeous private dining houses which are new for 2021. The smallest dining house is available for 2-4 guests with a £90.00 deposit and a £90.00 minimum spend, whilst the other three dining houses can seat 4-10 guests comfortably, with a £90.00 deposit and a £180.00 minimum spend. Their new chef has whipped up a delicious new menu and The Hollybush was recently featured on a list of the top 50 pubs in Oxfordshire by expert local guide The Cotswold Gentleman.

 

The Mermaid, Burford

 

 

Up next on my list of 8 of the best restaurants for outdoor dining in Oxfordshire is The Mermaid, located on the bustling high street in Burford. There are tables with umbrellas out the front if you want to sit and people watch but the enclosed garden at the back of the pub is a gorgeous little suntrap when the weather’s good, plus there are strings of fairy lights to gaze at when it’s dark. Prices are very reasonable for Burford and there are lots of dishes to choose from on their eclectic menu. There is no parking so you’ll either need to try and nab a space on Sheep Street or head down to the public car park at the bottom of the hill by the river Windrush.

 

Horse and Radish, Minster Lovell

 

 

Another firm favourite of mine is Minster Lovell’s Horse and Radish, slap bang in the middle of Burford and Witney just along from the A40. This place has stunning views of the rolling hills and fields in the distance and it’s certainly one of the prettiest gardens for outdoor dining in Oxfordshire in my opinion! Although there is a limited menu at the moment the food is delicious and they do incredible pizza’s from their brand new wood fired oven. There’s plenty of free parking and if you fancy a nice walk you can leave the car and walk to and from Little Minster to see the Minster Lovell Hall and Ruins, an English Heritage site dating back to the 14th century.

 

Victors, Oxford

 

 

We’re heading over to the dreaming spires of Oxford now on my list of 8 of the best restaurants for outdoor dining in Oxfordshire. I usually head to Victors, on the rooftop of the Westgate shopping centre, when I have a girls night out. Their interiors are so beautiful with lilac wisteria and pink blossom hanging from the ceiling and their cocktails are incredible (the candyfloss one is my favourite!) The menu is made up of small plates and pizzas which taste great too. In order to be Covid safe, Victors have launched their pop up ‘Riviera on the Roof’ event which features covered seating adorned with their signature wisteria for up to six people. A real treat of a venue, this restaurant is perfect for a special occasion and offers tonnes of great selfie opportunities. Westgate has a multi-storey car park below and is only £3 to park after 5pm, but if you fancy a drink the nearest bus stop is less than a 3 minute walk away.

 

 

Blue Boar, Witney

 

 

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Another place I have been visiting for the past 10 years or so is the Blue Boar in Witney. Located in market square, right at the heart of the town, the Blue Boar serves up delicious Italian style pizzas, pastas, risottos and more. Their woodfired pizzas and calzones are a must and they do a great range of drinks from the extensive bar menu. The garden to the rear is quite narrow but long enough to hold a number of tables and is fully covered with umbrellas, heaters and a marquee too. Park nearby on Church Green or the Waitrose car park as there is no car parking at the pub itself. I have celebrated many birthday’s and enjoyed plenty of meals with friends at the Blue Boar and it remains one of my favourite restaurants for outdoor dining in Oxfordshire.

 

 

The Perch, Botley

 

 

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Last but by no means least on my list of 8 of the best restaurants for outdoor dining in Oxfordshire is The Perch in Botley. Just a 20 minute walk (or a 5 minute drive) from central Oxford, The Perch is a pretty little gastro-pub offering a delicious menu in a pretty riverside setting. There are lots of tables, covered and uncovered, dotted around the large gardens. At night the fairy lights glisten and there’s an outdoor bar area too. You’ll also find a hedge covered walkway through a wrought iron arch at the back of the garden which leads you to the banks of the river Isis. Leave the car at the pub and follow the river along Port Meadow for a scenic walk to Oxford city centre and back.

 

These are just 8 of the best restaurants for outdoor dining in Oxfordshire but there are plenty more I could have added to this list. Being a local Oxfordshire resident I have spent many afternoons/evenings enjoying lunches/dinners al fresco and the restaurants on this list have some of the best gardens in the county. If you’re planning a little visit to the Cotswolds don’t forget to check out my ultimate Cotswolds weekend itinerary for all my top tips and tricks! After 17th May, when we can resume indoor dining, I will still be going to these restaurants because their interiors are just as beautiful as their outdoor counterparts! But for now you can take my word for it and get booking some of my picks for the best restaurants in Oxfordshire for outdoor dining. How many will you tick off this summer? The heat is on…