As summer enters its final weeks, many of us are looking to make the most of the heatwave with a last-minute escape closer to home.
With warm weather expected to continue well into September, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy a UK city break – and Oxford offers the perfect combination of history, culture and memorable summer experiences.
From how to get there to the best places to stay, The Store reveals its top tips for making the most of a visit to this iconic city.
What to do
Cool down with a punting trip – Begin the weekend on the water with one of Oxford’s best-known summer activities. A punting trip offers a slower way to explore the city’s rivers and green spaces while providing some respite from the summer heat. Visitors can take control of their own punt or choose a chauffeured trip before continuing into the city centre.
Explore the Ashmolean Museum – Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean is the University of Oxford’s Museum of Art and Archaeology and Britain’s first public museum. Its world-famous collection spans millennia and includes over 1.2 million objects.
Throughout August, families can get creative at Family Fridays, a series of free drop-in workshops inspired by treasures from across the Ashmolean’s remarkable collection. Each week offers a new activity, from designing miniature homes and creating original artworks to experimenting with different materials. From August to October, visitors can also discover more about the Museum’s history and collections through guided tours every Friday and Saturday.
Open-air theatre at Oxford Castle – Complete the weekend with a performance at the Oxford Shakespeare Festival, which runs at Oxford Castle & Prison until 22 August 2026. Now in its 16th year, the festival transforms the historic Castleyard into an atmospheric open-air theatre, with productions staged beneath the evening sky against a backdrop of ancient stone walls.
The castle runs a full programme beyond the festival, too. The Standard Guided Tour takes you up St George’s Tower and down into the 900-year-old crypt in the company of a costumed guide, while the family-friendly Spectre Ghost Tour is a theatrical evening walk through the city’s darker corners.
Pastries at Proof Social Bakehouse – Created by the team behind Oxford-based social enterprise Tap Social Movement, the bakery produces a changing selection of pastries, including cherry and almond croissants, tiramisu doughnuts and cheese and chutney Danish pastries. Proof also provides paid training and employment opportunities for people during and following prison sentences, making it both a popular local bakery and a purpose-led social enterprise.
How to get there
Oxford is easily accessible by public transport, with direct trains from London Paddington and London Marylebone which take around 45 minutes and Birmingham which takes just over an hour. Fares start from approximately £28 for an adult return ticket from London and £50 from Birmingham. There is also The Oxford Tube, a 24-hour coach service running regularly between Oxford and Central London, and by car Oxford can be easily reached via the M40 motorway.
Where to stay: The Store
For visitors planning an overnight or weekend stay in Oxford, The Store is a place to relax, discover and unwind. Set within a landmark former department store on Broad Street, it brings together Oxford heritage, contemporary design, destination dining, rooftop views and restorative wellness under one roof.
Guests can spend the day exploring the city, then return for house cocktails made with The Store’s exclusive spirits – created in collaboration with Hawkridge Distillers and served in the downstairs bar and on the roof terrace, which is open from Thursday to Sunday. With floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace, the rooftop is one of Oxford’s most striking settings for a sundowner and a few plates from the Terrace Summer menu. Treadwell Restaurant serves A La Carte and Seasonal Set Menu dining, while the all-day Sips and Scavengers menu can be enjoyed throughout the hotel.
The spa offers a quieter counterpoint: three treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, thermal relaxation area, experience shower and a 24/7 gym, with treatments by Oskia, Verden and Votary. With dining, drinks, wellness and panoramic views in one building, The Store is a complete Oxford escape.
About The Store, Oxford
Set within the walls of the former Boswells department store, The Store reimagines an Oxford institution as a seven-floor, 101-room hotel where heritage meets contemporary style. Opened in May 2024 in partnership with hospitality experts Reef Origin and EQ Group, the hotel is the convergence of two historical buildings sensitively restored by Urban R, Reef Origin’s team of architects and designers. Shaking up the city’s social scene, the result is a striking fusion of history and chic, modern interiors – defining a new era for Oxford where elegance meets energy.
More than just a place to stay, The Store is a hive of activity drawing locals and visitors alike with its vibrant atmosphere, immersive experiences, and striking window displays – showcasing collaborations that celebrate its retail heritage. The first of three distinct dining options, destination restaurant Treadwell serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an intimate, urban setting. Offering a fresh take on British classics, enjoy inventive dishes with seasonal ingredients and a classic Sunday roast. Ascend to the rooftop bar where floor-to-ceiling glass frames unrivalled views of the city, with an outdoor terrace perfect for cocktails at golden hour. The ground floor bar is open daily for coffees by Oxford-based Newground Coffee, with a ‘Sips & Scavenger Bites’ menu for casual dining with street-side views. A destination in itself, The Store houses a spa by OSKIA with extensive treatments, a steam room, sauna, thermal relaxation area and sleek gym by Nohrd. Whether indulging in wellness, sipping cocktails with a skyline backdrop, or exploring the city from its heart, The Store is Oxford’s new cultural hub.
