Walking Holidays in Oxfordshire
The perfect hotel along the Thames path, The White Hart is the hotel of choice for your Oxfordshire walking holidays. If you’re taking in the great Oxford Canal walk then we are right at the start and a great place to base from.
The local surrounds are famed for their easily and moderate walks and the reception team have a great many of them, ready and printed for your ease!
We also offer a great take away walkers picnic. Enquire on booking or arrival with the reception team.
Stonor Park
Close to Henley on Thames, Marlow and a stone’s throw from London, is the ancient home of the Stonor family, dating back to the twelfth century, this has been their family home for over 850 years.
Nestled in a Chiltern Valley the house dominates a magnificent view of the beautiful deer park and woodland. Beyond the warm red brick Jacobean façade, a stroll through the house is a vivid walk through history.
Highlights include the grand Gothic revival hall, atmospheric 17th century library and dramatic long gallery opening onto the beautiful Italianate gardens, with borders full of seasonal flowers and stunning lily ponds. The house and park host a number of very special events throughout the years, and its proximity to the White Hart Hotel makes it the perfect place to stay when visiting Stonor.
The Local Area
Watlington offers a traditional market town welcome and is reputedly England’s smallest town, nestling in the shadows of the Chiltern Hills.
With origins dating back to the 6th century, the proximity of the Icknield Way, civil war connections, and mention in the Domesday Book, Watlington is certainly steeped in history. The fine 17th Century Town Hall is accompanied by many 16th century and Georgian buildings, as well as the venerable church of St Leonard’s. Watlington exhibits the specialist shops, pubs, small businesses, and great hospitality, which make it the very epitome of a small English Market town.
The Chiltern Hills rise above the town and offer much to the outdoor enthusiast. The Icknield Way (Ridgeway National Trail) runs within ½ mile, as do Shakespeare’s way, and the Oxfordshire Way.
Watlington is surrounded by charming villages, each with a distinctive character, historic buildings, and in many cases, a welcoming pub. The White Hart Hotel being one! Routes between these villages make an excellent day or half day’s walk, and a fabulous way of enjoying the superb countryside and landscape.
Glorious Oxford is just a few miles away, and offers the wealth of historic and educational tours along with something for the Harry Potter fans as well as feast of great restaurants and shops.
Bicester Village
The White Hart is the ideal base to grab a bargain when visiting Bicester Village, sitting in the Oxfordshire countryside, first opened its doors in 1995. Since then, this pedestrianised, open-air setting has grown to include more than 150 boutiques lining the Village’s beautifully landscaped streets.
Boutiques from British and international luxury brands – offering year-round savings on the recommended retail price – sit alongside restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy all-day dining and on-the-go culinary treats.
Open seven days a week, the Village offers an array of services, including a multilingual Concierge, Personal Shopping, Hands-free Shopping and Virtual Shopping.
Royal Ascot
Let the White Hart Hotel serve as your accommodation for Royal Ascot. The world famous racecourse rich in history and heritage, hosting one of the world’s most prestigious race meetings, Royal Ascot, as well as 21 racedays and numerous non-racing events each year is located a short drive from The White Hart.
Founded in 1711 by Queen Anne who, when riding out from Windsor Castle, came across a piece of land “ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch” and thus Ascot Racecourse was born. In the 300 years since, champions have been crowned and legends made and now you have the perfect place to stay just a short drive away.
There is no event in the social calendar quite as revered as Royal Ascot. After all, it’s reserved for the best; the best in racing, the best in hospitality – and, of course, the best in style. This is racing at its most exquisite. Nothing more, nothing less. Whether you’re in the Royal enclosure, queen anne enclosure, village ow Windsor enclosure the White Hart Hotel is the perfect accommodation options for all your Royal Ascot needs.
Don’t forget – you can also pre order your picnic perfect for car park 1-2-7 or taking into the different enclosure here.
Garsington Opera
The White Hart is just a short drive and the perfect hotel close the Garsington Opera which each summer gives performances of great artistic quality in its spectacular Opera Pavilion, set within the extraordinary natural beauty of the Chiltern Hills.
The festival presents a programme of four operas each year during a seven-week summer period, often including a Mozart opera. Attracting high-profile performers, the Garsington experience combines artistic excellence with a warm welcome and excellent dining to create a very special experience for all.
The festival works in partnership with the world-renowned Philharmonia Orchestra and the internationally acclaimed The English Concert. The contributions of both orchestras and the enthusiasm and vibrancy of the Garsington Opera Chorus, most of whom are just out of music conservatoires, are integral to the Garsington Opera experience.
Garsington Opera was founded in 1989 by the late Leonard Ingrams and his wife Rosalind at Garsington Manor, near Oxford. Following Leonard’s untimely death, Garsington Opera moved to the Wormsley Estate, home of the Getty family, in 2011.
Don’t forget – you can also pre order your picnic perfect for the opera here.
Henley Regetta
Henley Royal Regatta is undoubtedly the best-known regattas in the world, and a highlight of both the summer sporting calendar and the social season. The White Hart provides the perfect bases to enjoy all your Henley experiences, Close enough to drive but enough distance to not pay over the odds for beautiful hospitality in a welcoming small independent and dog friendly hotel.
The Regatta attracts thousands of visitors over the week, and spectators are thrilled by over 300 races of an international standard, which can include Olympic rowers, as well as crews new to the event.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned Member, the Regatta is sure to offer you a great day out – with plenty of racing action, great food & drink, and an electric atmosphere and there’s no better place than the White Hart set of your Henley experience from.
Don’t forget – you can also pre order your picnic perfect for the regatta here.
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