Oxfordshire

Banish boredom as the summer holiday weeks wear on. A refreshing hour or two in the space and beauty of one of our special places will reboot your kids and resurrect your day.

It doesn't take much to encourage a British person to think about a picnic. A glimpse of sunshine, a sniff of scotch egg or finding a blanket in the back of a car. Here are some great picnic spots near you.

Butterflies are perhaps our best-loved insects; bright, colourful emblems of warmth and sunshine. Why not see for yourself and enjoy a stroll in the sunshine at one of our brilliant butterfly spots across the Thames and Chilterns?

Which butterflies will you see flitting amongst the wildflowers on chalk downland? To help you identify the rare and common species, print off the pdf, fold in half lengthways, then concertina-fold to create a handy, palm-sized guide to take on your walk.

Butterflies are the diva of the insect world. They have the showiest outfits and they can also be incredibly picky about their food and lodgings. Find out how our rangers cater to their whims.

Our nature expert, Matthew Oates, has over 50 years of butterfly spotting experience. Here are his top tips to help you on your way to spotting these beautiful insects.

Oxfordshire is perfect for country walking. There are wildflower meadows on the Buscot and Coleshill estate along the river in west Oxfordshire. White Horse Hill offers incredible views over six counties and there are rolling hills for gentle walks on the Greys Court estate in Oxfordshire.

Find out the best summer gardens around Oxfordshire for drinking in the sight and scent of summer flowers and kitchen gardens heavy with fruit.