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Ashmolean Museum

Oxford 2

Self-guided walks for the Curious...

Explore Oxford city centre with two self-guided heritage walks with a treasure hunt theme. Discover Oxford's "hidden treasures" whilst having a fun day out with family and friends!
Oxford's Ashmolean Museum was the first museum in the world to be opened to the public when it was officially opened in 1683. All over Oxford's buildings are gargoyles (technically 'grotesques' as these don't spout water) - some in the shape of faces, some animals, some entire people. Oxford was the country's capital city during the Civil War. Hitler was intending to use Oxford as his capital if he conquered England which is one of the reasons it was not bombed. Residents and natives of Oxford are known as Oxonians.

EXPLOREDISCOVERENJOY

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The Booklet

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Curious About... Oxford 2

  • An exploration of Oxford's city centre with two self-guided heritage walks with an optional treasure hunt. Completing the treasure hunt keeps everyone actively engaged, and urges you to look up, down and every which-way - so you won't miss out on any of the city's treasures.
    Explore, Discover, and Enjoy!
  • Most clues are chosen for their historical value, so you'll learn about the diverse culture, significant people and extraordinary events which have influenced Oxford in becoming what it is today.
  • This is an outdoor, unsupervised activity - so you can go at a pace which suits you, whilst keeping you healthy!
  • A Curious About walk is a fun and social activity for all the family and friends. Different people can take on different roles - follow the map, identify picture clues, read directions, etc - it's ideal for children from the age of 6, and if you can walk/wheelchair it, you're young enough!
  • The two walks have been designed so that the second one follows on from where the first one ends. Do both, or have a breather and do the second one another day! They both start and finish in the heart of the city - so buses, trains and car parks are easily available to get you there and back.

1. Observatory Quarter to Saxon Tower - 1.5 miles / 2.4 kms
From the Radcliffe Observatory this walk takes you along the modern Observatory Quarter, past ancient churches and stately Oxford Colleges to the world renowned, fabulous and unique Pitt Rivers Museum. See the pub much frequented by CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, walk past colourful restaurants, a theatre, a vibrant open-air market, a broad street where martyrs were burnt, to finish at an 11th century Saxon Tower in the heart of the city.
1.5 hoursOK

2. Saxon Tower to Oxford Castle - 1 mile / 1.8 kms
Starting at a Saxon Tower you can climb, this walk takes you past the Oxford Union, many colleges and churches, and a busy pedestrian Square. Now walk alongside the delightful Castle Mill Stream, before immersing yourself in the Castle Quarter, with its bustling bars and restaurants, a striking castle mound, and the ruins of the castle itself with its towers, former prison, ancient crypts and stunning views.
1 hourOK

Each booklet has a page dedicated to the history of the city and 2 pages summarising each walk with suggestions on what to visit along the way. Walk 1 has 21 clues & walk 2 has 14 - both with detailed directions to follow. There are interesting stories about important people, places & events along the way; detailed instructions on how to find a clue if you're stuck; and a comprehensive map with the routes marked on.
Buy a booklet by clicking on the Add to Basket button, then either checkout, or continue shopping. Checkout takes you through payments via a quick & secure process managed by a third-party company called SendOwl. At the end of the payment process SendOwl will email you a confirmation email (inc download link if relevant).

Downloads
You have 14 days to complete your download, and up to 3 attempts are permitted. If you buy the print-at-home version you will need to print it on normal A4 paper and the email you receive, with the download link, explains how best to fold the pages to make it into an A5 booklet. If you buy the download to mobile version you will need pdf reading software on your phone or tablet, eg using the Adobe Acrobat App (free).

Printed Copy
The booklet has a flexible cover, which has been professionally printed. The inside pages are printed to order, to ensure that they are as up-to-date as possible. We post booklets out 1st class Royal Mail, usually the same, or next working day. A small postage & packing charge is added.

"Yesterday my sister and I had a brilliant day in Oxford following the Town and Gown walk in your Curious About... Oxford book. We had a fantastic time, and it gave us an opportunity to look at new things we'd never noticed before in a very familiar city to us. Thank you."


Latest Revision : September 2023


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Oxford 2

Places you'll pass along the way - tap an image for more detail