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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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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…

 

 

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Christmas at Blenhiem Palace: The Most Festive Place in the Cotswolds

 

 

 

Last weekend I had the pleasure of being invited to the VIP press launch of Christmas at Blenheim, an exclusive event being held at beautiful Blenheim Palace in the heart of Oxfordshire. Located in Woodstock, just 10 miles from the city of Oxford, Blenheim Palace is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country, and is open all year round. As the Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, tourists gather in their thousands every year to explore the house and it’s stunning grounds. As a local Oxfordshire girl I’ve been going to Blenheim since I was around 5 or 6 years old, and have been an annual pass holder many times. Blenheim is the perfect place for a family day out, a dog walk or just for a lazy stroll around the lake on a Sunday morning. The market town of Woodstock is worth a visit too, and I always pop in to some of the little shops, pubs and café’s when I’m stopping by – The Black Prince is a firm favourite of mine! The festive Christmas at Blenheim event was first launched back in 2016 and I can’t believe I haven’t visited until now! I’ve been wanting an excuse to attend so, when I was invited to the VIP press launch, I just couldn’t resist bringing my mum along for the ride and getting us both into the Christmas spirit. Here’s what we got up to, and what you can expect from your visit to Blenheim this Christmas…

 

 

The Great Court

 

 

Upon arrival we were taken into the Orangery for a welcome drink and a speech by the CEO of Blenheim before mingling and enjoying some festive nibbles. The Orangery is part of the estate I have never been to before, but it is decorated beautifully and is host to regular events at Blenheim, as well as being used as a restaurant serving evening meals, lunches and afternoon tea. Between the Orangery and the gift shop, with the small café inside, lies the Great Court. This is the starting point for the festivities of Christmas at Blenheim Palace and it’s home to food stalls serving Bratwurst sausages and gourmet burgers as well as yummy churros and delicious donuts too. Opposite the food stalls you’ll find a helter-skelter, a carousel and a couple of other fairground favourites; tokens for which can be purchased at an additional cost. The Great Court looked super pretty all decorated in sparking lights, and got us feeling festive the moment we walked through the entrance archway.

 

The New Christmas Markets

 

 

A new attraction for 2018, the New Christmas Markets are located right in the middle of the main courtyard, just in front of the palace itself. Lined with lights and Christmas decorations, the markets sell every kind of gift you can think of, from cheese, chocolate and wine to portraits, bath products and pets toys. My mum and I spent some time wandering around the markets before we did the Cinderella exhibition and it was really lovely to see so many stalls set up all selling lots of fab gifts. We then sat down in the outdoor seating area (which was actually pretty small given that there were so many stands!) and indulged in a traditional German Bratwurst. The smells of the meat cooking, mixed with the smells of the sweet treats on sale, made our mouths water and I can see how people really get into the Christmas spirit whilst visiting this section!

 

The Fairytale Cinderella Experience

 

 

Another new attraction for this year, the Fairytale Cinderella Experience was something I was really looking forward to seeing as I am a TOTAL Disney Princess 😉 Upon entrance into the main palace you are greeted by Christmas tree after Christmas tree, glittering with lights, bows, flowers, stars, anything you can think of that is slightly sparkly is waiting for you in the entrance hall! We said hello to one of the staff members before heading off on the Experience. I’ve been to the palace many times so know what all the rooms are like, but the sheer amount of twinkling lights and decorations made it so much more magical and they have really done a fantastic job of making the palace look extra special. Each room is decorated with props and clothing from a certain character from Cinderella, so you have Prince Charming, the Wicked Stepmother, the Ugly Sisters and then lovely Cinderella herself right at the end, with a gorgeous display of her dresses illuminated against a back drop, and the stunning glass slipper encased in a glass box! There are of course some of Cinderella’s friends dotted throughout the trail and I think you are supposed to count the mice in each room along the way, but I was totally distracted by the sheer beauty of every room that I totally forgot to count! I was really impressed by the Cinderella Experience and I do think it is worth the money to pay extra and see this exhibition whilst you’re at Blenheim for the evening… it was truly magical!

 

The Illuminated Christmas Lights Trail

 

 

This was what we had been waiting for, the main reason I wanted to attend and the focal point of the entire event, the Illuminated Christmas Lights Trail was the last stop on our itinerary for the evening and it certainly didn’t disappoint! I had seen so many photos online which looked amazing but, if I’m honest, totally didn’t do the place any justice, and it doesn’t really look as good until you see it in person. But let me tell you, it is well worth being surprised and seeing everything up close and personal as every single section is just incredible! You’ll be taken on a winter wonderland and lead through a variety of different areas including a tunnel of lights, a majestic waterfall, a sea of flowers hanging from the trees and a singing statue in the middle of the lake. The lights, the animation, the music, everything is seriously spectacular and I could have done that trail over and over again. It takes around an hour to complete the trail, maybe a little longer if you have small kids who want to run around and take everything in, and there are some muddy paths and steep hills in places, so be careful if you’re bringing the buggy. The trail was the best part of our entire evening and I would recommend that everyone does this part of Christmas at Blenheim Palace as it’ll leave even the Scrooges amongst us feeling full of festive cheer!

 

 

As I’m sure you can tell from the insane amount of twinkly lights and Christmas trees, I had such a fantastic time at Blenheim for this event and it really got me feeling festive!  Everything from the Great Court to the Christmas Markets looked absolutely stunning, and the attention to detail on some of the décor was second to none. The brand new Cinderella Experience was better than I thought it was going to be, and I can see this being a real hit with kids and adults alike – especially if they’re visiting the Palace for the first time. The real crowning glory though was of course the Illuminated Christmas Lights Trail which totally blew me away. Every single section was expertly decorated, with the music, lights, silhouettes and props looking incredible from every angle. I honestly had the most magical time at Blenheim and I really can’t wait to go back again next year! Have you been to the Christmas at Blenheim Palace event before? Let me know what you thought of it, and I would love to see all your festive photos!

Don’t forget to head to the Blenheim Palace website to purchase your tickets for this event, but be patient as it is hugely popular. I spoke to the CEO of the Estate when I was at the press launch and he told me that a whopping 82,000 tickets had already been sold before the launch night had even started, so get yours here if you want to book your preferred dates! Tickets cost £36pp for combined entrance to the Cinderella Experience and the Illuminated Christmas Lights Trail, whilst tickets to just the Lights Trail cost £26pp.

NB. Big thanks to the fab teams at Flamingo PR and Blenheim Palace for hosting me on this wonderful event! My tickets to Christmas at Blenheim Palace were provided to me complimentary for the purpose of this review, but all thoughts, words and photos are of course my own.

 

 

 

 

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