The county of Oxfordshire contains two medieval castles, at Oxford (largely intact) and Wallingford (ruined, and mostly disappeared), plus a small selection of other ancient sites such as Wayland's Smithy, a burial chamber, and the picturesque ruins of Minster Lovell Hall. The cathedral is Christ Church in Oxford, built at the end of the 12th century; one of England's smallest cathedrals. There are no major religious ruins.
In the northwest, Oxfordshire includes a small part of the Cotswolds, while the south borders two other scenic upland regions, the Chilterns and the North Wessex Downs; together, these three account for the majority of approximately 30 nature reserves in the county, of which Hartslock is one of the best, a noted location for rare orchids.
In the northwest, Oxfordshire includes a small part of the Cotswolds, while the south borders two other scenic upland regions, the Chilterns and the North Wessex Downs; together, these three account for the majority of approximately 30 nature reserves in the county, of which Hartslock is one of the best, a noted location for rare orchids.
Ancient Sites Crumbling ruins of a small Norman church, surrounded by fields, in a valley in the Chilterns; a scheduled ancient monument Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Photogenic ruins of a grand 15th century mansion, with a peaceful setting beside the River Windrush, lined by ancient trees Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Foundations of a Roman villa, inhabited from the 2nd to 5th centuries, in a rural setting close to the ancient travel route of Akeman Street Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Three ancient stone monuments near the east edge of the Cotswolds; a circle, a burial chamber and a standing stone Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Fragmentary remains of a major medieval fortification, beside a ford across the River Thames; almost completely destroyed after the Civil War Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Well preserved, partially reconstructed long barrow dating from around 3650 BC, in a relatively remote, tree-lined setting Rating: ★★★★★ |
Landscapes Extensive chalk grassland, and a small area of beech woodland, on sloping ground along the west edge of the Chilterns Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Chalk grassland and mixed woodland; plants include pasqueflower, wild candytuft and juniper Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Marsh, pools, wet woodland and damp meadows beside the River Thames, with a range of insect and plant life Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Calcareous grassland at the edge of the Chilterns, overlooking the River Thames - several rare plant species, including the monkey and lady orchids Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Chalk stream, ancient woodland and calcareous grassland, at the foot of the Lambourn Downs Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Atmospheric woodland with beech and other trees, on chalky soils of the Chiltern Hills; crossed by several paths Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Small area of ancient woodland habitat, once part of Wychwood, a Royal Forest in medieval times Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Small, L-shaped enclosure of moist grassland, sloping down to marsh and a stream, and bordered by a belt of trees Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Ancient beech woodland, 19th century plantations, meadows and rides, on chalk bedrock, home to many species Rating: ★★★★★ |