Traveling in North Oxfordshire is easy. It is a short drive away from London, Birmingham and other major cities in the U.K hordes of tourists make it to this part of the world each year, particularly in summer, to enjoy the rustic yet modern charm of its cottages, B&Bs, village walks and gastronomic delights.

if you visit North Oxfordshire as a tourist, there are a few things that must be on your itinerary.

Take a Tour of Historic Country Homes

Much of the old, still-standing homes in the North Oxfordshire villages are made of Cotswold stone. Historic cottages from the Victorian and Regency periods here are typically built of the iconic gingerbread colored local stones. Many of Banbury’s neighboring villages have Georgian houses of local ironstone. The small village of Hampton Poyle near Kidlington, for example, sits on the flat lower course of the Cherwell river, and is home to several dwellings from the 16th and 17th centuries.

While mansions like Blenheim Palace are naturally the big draws for their opulence, the well-preserved narrow alleys and back lanes of many Cherwell district villages can transport the visitor back to the past.

Stay at a Rural Self-Catering Cottage

The next best thing to admiring rustic homes is to stay in one yourself. A rural self-catering cottage stay or a stay at a farm or local B&B will distinguish you from the tourist crowd and offer you the chance to enjoy the peaceful North Oxfordshire countryside from up close. It is possibly to stay at refurbished barns fully equipped with modern amenities like WiFi, possibly an outdoor BBQ and easy access to local village pubs.

There are other accommodation options in the region, however. A search for boutique hotels in the district will throw up numerous offerings. The majority of these are centered around the major villages, though smaller hamlets like Milcombe, Tadmarton, Burdrop etc. have a village hotel where visitors can put up at. There are also several farms outside Chipping Norton and elsewhere, where specialty lodgings are available.

Shop for the Finest Produce at Local Farmers’ Markets

If you stay at a self-catering cottage and choose to cook your own food, the best thing you can do is explore the nearest farmers’ market. North Oxfordshire is largely agricultural and has large tracts of land under agriculture. The local farmers bring their fresh produce to the many farmers’ markets in the region, and cater to the excellent restaurants as well. When in this part of the world, try the cheese, meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, preserves, English mustard and other offerings of the farmers’ markets and you won’t be disappointed with the quality.

Join in the Local Festivities

From flower shows at Blenheim Palace to fireworks and a barn dance in the small village of Milton, there are many local events and festivities that you can join to feel less like a tourist. {NOTE TO DEVELOPER: Please link “Local events and festivities” with the article “Local Festivities in North Oxfordshire”}

Get Out Beyond Cherwell

Don’t limit yourself to attractions in North Oxfordshire. Get out to the Chilterns in the east, and The Ridgeway. The Ridgeway is a national trail that runs 87 miles along an ancient route through a surprisingly remote part of the country. Instead of attempting the entire trail between West Kennett in North Wessex Downs AONB and Ivinghoe Beacon northeast of the Chilterns, you could take up a part of the trail. From Banbury, you can also make a short trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon.