Days out in Oxfordshire
Key facts
| Blenheim gardens and parkland | Open daily, 10am to 3.45pm, ticket needed |
|---|---|
| Christmas at Blenheim | 13 November to 3 January |
| White Horse Hill | Views across six counties |
| Earth Trust land | Free, 365 days a year |
A full day out suits a second or third date, when you already know you get on. Oxfordshire has a palace, chalk hills and quiet riverside woods within easy reach. Here are three ideas.
Blenheim Palace
The palace's gardens and parkland are open daily, with a Walled Garden, a maze and a butterfly house. Free Wellbeing Walks run all year round for ticket holders, so check prices first.
Source: Blenheim Palace: Things to do, checked 8 November 2026
White Horse Hill
Walk up past Dragon Hill, where St George is said to have killed the dragon, to the Iron Age hillfort at the top. Look down into The Manger, a steep dry valley left at the end of the last Ice Age.
Source: National Trust: Visiting White Horse Hill, checked 8 November 2026
Wittenham Clumps
The Earth Trust's land around the Clumps is free every day of the year, with walks through woods, meadows and along the Thames. Little Wittenham Wood is a protected woodland next door.
Source: Earth Trust: Explore Earth Trust, checked 8 November 2026
Questions
Do we need a ticket for Blenheim's park?
Yes, the gardens and parkland are ticketed. Book online and check prices before you go.
Is White Horse Hill hard to walk up?
It is a proper hill, so wear good shoes. Take it slowly and enjoy the views on the way.
Which day out is free?
Wittenham Clumps and the Earth Trust land are free all year. White Horse Hill is open hillside on the Ridgeway, but check the National Trust's parking details.
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