LOCAL AREA

No trip to Oxford is complete without visiting some of the University of Oxford's iconic buildings. You can discover the manicured lawns and 16th-century stone buildings of Christ Church College, or wander among the books at the impressive Bodleian Library. They should keep the kids interested too, as both places featured in a number of Harry Potter films.

See the city's most popular sights with a one- or two-day pass on the Oxford open-top bus. Tickets let you get on and off as many times as you like, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace. The bus stops at a number of well-known University of Oxford buildings, as well as Oxford Castle, with a recorded audio commentary and sweeping city views as you travel.

Shoppers looking for luxury fashion should visit Bicester Village, 45 minutes' drive from the hotel. Once a sleepy market village, this outlet mall is now a major attraction, drawing six million visitors every year. You can hunt for bargains at more than 130 boutiques offering high-end brands like Dior and Prada at heavily discounted prices. Rest your feet at the on-site restaurants and cafés.

If you're on a budget, some of Oxford's historic buildings and churches offer free entry. Look out for free music recitals and art exhibitions in college chapels too. Entry is free to the Ashmolean Museum of art and archaeology, as well as the Museum of the History of Science, both 15 minutes' drive from the hotel. The Oxford Playhouse offers discounted standby tickets for evening performances.