Luxury self-catering accommodation in Oxford

There is no doubt that this city, about an hour and a half from London, is best known for its gold-standard university and sprawl of colleges stretching out to the suburbs, but there is much more to be discovered on a weekend break here. Book a self-catering home and historians can spend hours in the world’s oldest public museum, the Ashmolean, with displays of Egyptian mummies and Raphael drawings. For a birds’ eye view, climb the 99 steps of Carfax Tower; back down again and Oxford Castle & Prison is perfectly positioned in the heart of town.

A walking tour will ensure you hit all the hotspots, but with the city tucked deep into the Cotswolds, there's also much to be said for setting out into the hills for a day of hearty hiking. While out and about, pay a visit to the beautifully baroque Blenheim Palace. Set in landscaped parkland with a maze and butterfly house, take the Untold Story tour to fully experience the history of the house. Shoppers sneaking off to nearby Bicester Village will find designer treats in the year-round sales; bag some goodies then have a fashion show back at the house.