Things to do in Oxford, the Cotswolds & Bath

In Bath, walk around the Great Bath at the Roman Baths, then soak in naturally warm, mineral-rich water at Thermae Bath Spa, whose open-air rooftop pool can be used by day or after dark. Oxford's Bodleian Library runs guided tours of rooms such as the Divinity School and Duke Humfrey's Library, Blenheim Palace in Woodstock is the UNESCO-listed birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and King's College Chapel in Cambridge is known for its fan-vaulted ceiling. Stroll beside the River Coln to the 14th-century weavers' cottages of Arlington Row in Bibury, explore Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon and stand before the prehistoric stone circle of Stonehenge. Further afield, tour Brighton's Royal Pavilion, walk the chalk grassland of Seven Sisters Country Park to Cuckmere Haven and admire the stained glass of Canterbury Cathedral; in the festive season, Bath Christmas Market and the illuminated trail of Christmas at Blenheim Palace add winter sparkle.

Good to knowStonehenge general admission is pre-booked, and going inside the stone circle needs the separate Stone Circle Experience; Blenheim Palace and King's College Chapel tickets are cheaper when bought online. Bibury gets extremely busy in summer and on sunny weekends, so arrive early or late in the day. Thermae Bath Spa slots are booked online and the minimum age is 16 with proof of age, and last entry to the Roman Baths is an hour before closing.