Oxford

The Ashmolean Museum houses a fascinating and extensive collection of art and archaeology covering four thousand years of history, ranging from the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome, to the 20th century. Exhibitions include sculpture, ceramics, musical instruments, and paintings, all housed in a striking old building. Founded in 1683, it is the United Kingdom's oldest public museum and one of the oldest museums in the world. The collection is extensive and impressively varied so there is something to interest all visitors. There is a restaurant and a gift shop at the Ashmolean.

Website : www.ashmolean.org

Chief among Oxford's many academic and architectural attractions is the unique Bodleian Library, which is spread throughout several buildings across the city. The central core of this collection of buildings is set in Radcliffe Square and includes the historic Duke Humfrey's Library, dating from the 15th century, and the Divinity School with its magnificent Gothic vaulted ceiling, which is open to the public. Only members can use the reading rooms of this library, which contain a copy of every book printed in Britain since 1610, and no books are ever loaned out. Guided tours are available to view the main buildings. The library hosts many fantastic exhibitions and events and it is worth checking what's on during your visit to Oxford.

Website : www.bodley.ox.ac.uk

The photo opportunity afforded from the top makes it completely worth climbing the 99 stairs of the Carfax Tower in the centre of Oxford's shopping district. The tower-top is the best place from which to view the 'dreaming spires' of this architecturally beautiful city. The tower is the only remnant of the 14th-century St Martin's Church, demolished in 1896 to improve the traffic flow at the junction of Cornmarket and Queen Streets. On the first floor a display depicts the history of the church, while information boards in the tower-top identify the landmarks and spires in the panoramic view. On the eastern side of the tower is a clock with two figures (known as the 'Quarter Boys') that strike the quarter hours.

Christchurch, one of Oxford's most renowned university colleges, possesses an important collection of about 200 paintings and 2,000 drawings, mainly by the Italian masters. Works by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Rubens are to be seen here, along with examples from Van Dyck, Frans Hals and Hugo van der Goes. The entire collection cannot be displayed at one time because of space constraints, but the exhibition changes every few months. There are also displays of 18th-century glass and Russian icons. Budget at least an hour to soak up the lovely sights.

Website : www.chch.ox.ac.uk

The oldest botanical garden in the country, Oxford's enormous collection of more than 7,000 species of plants has been growing for four centuries. It was founded as a 'physic garden' by the Earl of Danby in 1621, but today the Oxford Botanic Garden's biodiversity is renowned for being even greater than that of a tropical rainforest. One does not, however, have to be a horticulturalist to enjoy the beautifully planted walled garden, exotic greenhouses, herbaceous borders, and rock and water gardens that make up this botanic feast - the plants are wonderfully arranged, and provide a memorable and calming aesthetic experience. An ideal site for a picnic, take the whole family along for an unforgettable day spent in immaculate natural surroundings.

Website : www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk

The quaint and picturesque country town of Stratford-Upon-Avon (which, as its name suggests, rests on the banks of the River Avon) is the historic birthplace of William Shakespeare. Visitors can explore Shakespeare's birthplace, Mary Arden's House (where his mother lived before marrying his father), his wife Anne Hathaway's cottage, as well as the school Shakespeare attended. Stratford-Upon-Avon is within easy access of the Cotswolds, set in the beautiful, rural Warwickshire countryside. A vintage train service, the 'Shakespeare Express', offers a fun way to access Stratford-Upon-Avon from Birmingham or Henley. Even those who are not much interested in the biographical details of the Bard will find Stratford-Upon-Avon charming.

Website : www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk