The White Hart is the finest hotel in Oxfordshire for walking adventures, perfectly positioned along the Thames Path. Our historic hotel sits right at the start of the great Oxford Canal walk, while the White Hart’s celebrated Oxfordshire restaurant provides the perfect beginning and end to each day’s exploration.
The local surroundings are famed for their easy and moderate walks. Our reception team have a great many of them, ready and printed for your ease!
We also offer a great takeaway picnic for walkers. Enquire on booking or arrival with the reception team.
Just 15 miles from The White Hart, 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 in Oxfordshire makes it the perfect place to stay when visiting Stonor.
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 a wealth of historic and educational tours, something for Harry Potter fans, and a feast of great restaurants and shops.
Just 22 miles from our Oxfordshire hotel, Bicester Village offers world-class shopping in a beautiful setting. Since opening its doors in 1995, this pedestrianised, open-air destination has grown to include more than 150 boutiques and become one of the region’s most visited attractions.
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.
Make the White Hart your choice of hotel in Oxfordshire for Royal Ascot events. Located just 30 miles from the world-famous racecourse, we offer the perfect retreat after a day at the races.
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.
It was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne, who came across a piece of land “ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch” when riding out from Windsor Castle. And thus, Ascot Racecourse was born. In the 300 years since, champions have been crowned and legends made. 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 or Windsor enclosure, the White Hart Hotel is the perfect place to stay for all your Royal Ascot needs.
Don’t forget – you can also pre-order your picnic, which is perfect for car park 1-2-7 or taking into the different enclosure here.
Looking for the perfect stay in Oxfordshire during opera season? The White Hart sits just 14 miles from the spectacular Garsington Opera, making us the ideal hotel for music lovers.
Each summer, Garsington Opera 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 Royal Regatta is undoubtedly the best-known regatta in the world and a highlight of both the summer sporting calendar and the social season. The White Hart provides the perfect base to enjoy all your Henley experiences just 15 miles away. Our Oxfordshire restaurant offers early breakfast for race days and late dining for post-event meals – 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.
Whether you’re looking for a memorable stay in Oxfordshire, seeking one of the region’s finest restaurants, or planning a special event, The White Hart offers everything you need. Our location puts you within easy reach of:
Contact us today to plan your perfect Oxfordshire experience.
What food is Oxfordshire known for?
Oxfordshire is famous for its local delicacies, including Oxford Blue cheese, Oxford Sauce (a spicy Worcester-style sauce), Banbury cakes, and traditionally raised Cotswold lamb. Here at the White Hart restaurant, we celebrate these local specialities alongside modern British cuisine, showcasing the best flavours our country has to offer.
Is Oxfordshire worth visiting?
Oxfordshire is absolutely worth visiting for its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. From the historic spires of Oxford to the rolling Chiltern Hills, ancient sites like Stonor Park, world-class shopping at Bicester Village, and prestigious events like Henley Regatta, Oxfordshire offer experiences for every type of traveller.
How do I spend a day in Oxford?
Start your Oxford day with a morning visit to the historic colleges, followed by a tour of the Bodleian Library. Take lunch in the covered market, then explore the Ashmolean Museum. End your day punting on the River Thames. The White Hart Hotel is just 12 miles from Oxford, making it the perfect base for your city exploration while offering a peaceful countryside retreat.
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