Holiday rentals and lettings in Oxfordshire

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday rental in Oxfordshire?
• Holiday rentals in Oxfordshire: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Oxfordshire: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Oxfordshire?

• Diverse property types: Choose from charming Cotswold cottages, barn conversions, luxury glamping cabins, and rural farmstays suited to romantic getaways, family holidays, and large group gatherings.
• Pet-friendly options: Many Oxfordshire rentals welcome dogs and pets, making them perfect for families wanting to bring their beloved companions.
• Premium amenities: Properties feature hot tubs, private pools, modern kitchens, and ample parking across countryside locations for comfortable self-catering stays.
• Charming local areas: Explore distinct villages like Woodstock near Blenheim Palace, Kingham for couples, Chipping Norton for families, and Faringdon for large celebrations.
• Excellent guest ratings: Premium properties in Oxfordshire are consistently praised by guests, who highlight their bespoke interiors and authentic countryside charm.

Oxfordshire offers a diverse range of holiday rentals, from charming traditional cottages and secluded cabins to luxury glamping cabins and rural farmstays. Look out for amenities such as:

• Pet-friendly properties
• Hot tubs and whirlpools
• Outdoor pools in select properties
• Modern kitchens with dishwashers and ovens

If a self-catering holiday home in Oxfordshire isn't quite right for you, consider staying at a B&B instead and letting someone else do the cooking.

What are the best areas to stay in Oxfordshire?

The table below details areas for specific interests:

Guests consistently give our Oxfordshire properties high scores. They're delighted by the warm welcome from hosts, the thoughtful décor, and the superb locations. Here are some of our top-rated properties from the last year:

1. Cottage 'The Cottage' with garden and parking - 9.8+: Guests love the quaint appearance of this traditional thatched cottage in the North Wessex Downs area. It sleeps four and its garden is ideal for pets.
2. Cottage 'Jubilee' with garden and fireplace - 9.6+: This five-person cottage makes a great base for exploring the Cotswolds. Guests rave about the homely atmosphere and nearby pubs.
3. Hut 'The Shepherds Hut' with hot tub and garden - 10.0: This two-person cottage is just the thing for a romantic getaway; it opens right onto a quiet, peaceful pond and boasts a hot tub for cosy nights in.

Oxfordshire is a truly exceptional county for a holiday, home to the world-class university city of Oxford, leafy suburbs, and some of England's most beautiful countryside. Head south-east to the Vale of the White Horse for traditional rural England, north of Oxford for honey-coloured stone villages such as Woodstock and Witney, or south to the riverside town of Henley-on-Thames.

✈️What is the best way to get to Oxfordshire?

Oxfordshire sits conveniently between London and Birmingham, well connected by road, rail, and air. Here are the most common ways to get there:

• By car: The M40 runs straight through Oxfordshire linking London and Birmingham, with the A34 providing a useful north-south route.
• By train: Oxford railway station has direct trains from London Paddington in around an hour, while Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railway also serve Banbury, Bicester, and other towns across the county.
• By air: London Heathrow and the smaller London Oxford Airport at Kidlington are the nearest airports, with Birmingham Airport also within easy reach.

🍴Where to eat in Oxfordshire?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons is the best rated restaurant in Oxfordshire. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest traveller Sarah recommends The Perch in Binsey, Oxford: this 17th-century thatched riverside pub sits just a stroll from Port Meadow and the Isis, serving hearty seasonal food in one of Oxford's oldest and most atmospheric gardens.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Oxfordshire is late spring and early summer (May to June), when bluebells carpet woodlands such as Stoke Wood and the countryside is at its greenest for punting on the river.

Summer (June–September)

• Best for: Garden visits and outdoor dining, plus punting on the river.
• Weather: Warm, with generally the driest and sunniest conditions of the year.
• Atmosphere: Lively, with gardens, pubs, and riverside spots busy with visitors.

Winter (November–March)

• Best for: Cosy pubs and historic sights, still open to explore and often better value.
• Weather: Cold, with shorter days and a higher chance of rain.
• Atmosphere: Quiet and low-key, with fewer visitors around the villages.

Shoulder season (April–May and September–October)

• Best for: Bluebells carpeting woodlands such as Stoke Wood in spring, or golden colours across the Cotswold villages in autumn.
• Weather: Mild and changeable, with fewer extremes than summer or winter.
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and considerably quieter than the summer months.

Our Oxfordshire hosts recommend visiting the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. This free museum is actually the oldest public museum in England, and features an impressive collection of Egyptian treasures.

1. Take a punt down the river
2. Visit Alice's Shop in Oxford
3. See the Uffington White Horse
4. Explore Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens
5. Tour Blenheim Palace in Woodstock

1. Take a punt down the river

   There's nothing more quintessentially English than punting along the Cherwell or Isis, stopping on a riverbank for a picnic among the meadow flowers before punting back.

2. Visit Alice's Shop in Oxford

   This historic shop near Christ Church featured in Lewis Carroll's 'Through the Looking-Glass', both as an illustration and part of the story, and now sells Alice-themed gifts and books.

3. See the Uffington White Horse

   This 110-metre chalk hill figure was cut into the ground in either the Iron Age or Bronze Age, and its true meaning is still debated by historians today.

4. Explore Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

   A great family day out near Burford, home to rhinos, giraffes, and many other exotic animals alongside beautifully maintained gardens.

5. Tour Blenheim Palace in Woodstock

   This UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Winston Churchill is one of England's grandest Baroque palaces, set in acres of landscaped parkland.