Events and Excursions

Excursions
Outings are usually guided walks within public open space with, in a few cases, access into a church or other public building, and this element may have to be omitted if access is not available at the time. The number of places for each outing is limited but we will keep a reserve list in case of cancellations.

We are not charging for the cost of the guides but, if there is cost for access into buildings, we will ask for payment in advance. Refreshments may be offered, the cost of these can be usually made on the day.

Each member must make a separate booking as we have a limited number of places for each excursion. If a member would like to bring a friend, please give the friend's name but use the member's email address so we can allocate the booking correctly.

These excursions are only for OAHS members but if you would like to join OAHS, please see our Joining Details Page

To see any bookings you have already made, please log in to view your membership details and scroll down to Event Bookings where you can see all bookings you have made.

If you need to cancel, please email excursions@oahs.org.uk

Confirmation and joining details will be sent by email. Please watch for announcements on the website, and make sure that we have your email address - you can check the details we hold for you by logging in. There will not be any paper booking forms.

If you have any queries please contact the Excursion Secretary: excursions@oahs.org.uk.

Disability Policy
Members with limited mobility must contact the Excursions Secretary, email: excursions@oahs.org.uk) before booking an excursion to discuss whether special access arrangements can be made to buildings or locations. The Society will do its best to accommodate special needs, but reserves the right to refuse access to its events where, in the judgement of the Committee, the safety of an individual or of other participants is put at risk.

Tour of the Grandpont Area


Date: 17 April 2025
Time: morning
Leader: Liz Woolley
Location: Grandpont, Oxford
Cost: Free
No of Places: 20
Closing Date for Bookings: 14 April 2025


Bookings for this event are now closed

A guided tour of the Grandpont Area of South Oxford with local historian Liz Woolley, an experienced speaker, guide, tutor, researcher and writer who is keen to help individuals and groups to enjoy finding out about the history of their local area.

Booking Essential

Grandpont is a late Victorian suburb, but the history of this area goes back to the early medieval period when south of what is now Folly Bridge was all open marshy meadowland, bisected by a huge causeway or grandpont of forty arches, the site of the original oxen ford which gave the city its name. Later the area was home to Oxford’s first waterworks, railway station and football ground. Folly Bridge itself accommodates a number of historic and somewhat eccentric buildings including Salter’s Steamers’ warehouses, workshops and offices, a toll house and a castle!

History Tour of Adderbury


Date: 07 May 2025
Time: afternoon
Leader: Anthony Wagg
Location: Adderbury
Cost: Free
No of Places: 20
Closing Date for Bookings: 05 May 2025


Book a place

A history tour of the beautiful north Oxfordshire village of Adderbury with local historian, Anthony Wagg; approximately 1.5 hours of walking. There is parking outside St Mary's church. The walk will end with tea/coffee and cake in The Red Lion Pub.

Booking Essential

Adderbury is noted for the many honey-coloured limestone cottages and houses in the older parts of the village. East Adderbury's manor house is 16th-century and features diamond-patterned brick chimney-stacks. The Grange, also in East Adderbury, was built by John Bloxham of Banbury for Sir Thomas Cobb, first Baronet of Banbury, in 1684.

The S4 bus Oxford - Summertown - Banbury runs regular buses to and from the village.

Tour of the Commonwealth War Graves, Botley


Date: 12 June 2025
Time: afternoon
Leader: Dick Richards
Location: Botley, Oxford
Cost: Free
No of Places: 30
Closing Date for Bookings: 09 June 2025


Book a place

A guided tour of the Commonwealth War Graves in Botley Cemetery.

Vehicle access is permitted to this cemetery and regular buses serve Botley Road, and the Seacourt Park and Ride is within walking distance.

Located in North Hinksey, Oxford (Botley) Cemetery is the largest of the 167 Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) sites in Oxfordshire and contains some 740 burials. The war cemetery, in Oxford, features a Cross of Sacrifice, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and a shelter building, designed by Sir Edward Maufe. The cemetery is also one of only 12 sites in the United Kingdom to feature a Stone of Remembrance, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, which is usually reserved for cemeteries with more than 1,000 burials. A wide variety of other nationalities are represented in the burials here, including Italians, Czechs, Poles, Dutch, Belgians and the only Greek soldier buried in the United Kingdom. A further 36 German servicemen are buried in a separate plot. During the Second World War, Oxford (Botley) Cemetery was designated as a Royal Air Force Regional cemetery and now contains 461 graves of members of the air forces.

Tour of Exeter College Library, College Hall and Chapel


Date: 04 September 2025
Time: afternoon
Leader: Joanna Bowring
Location: Oxford
Cost: Free
No of Places: 20
Closing Date for Bookings: 01 September 2025


Book a place

A guided tour of the newly designed and refurbished Jackson Library of Exeter College and chapel ending with tea in the hall, with Joanna Bowring, College Librarian.

Booking Essential

British architecture studios Nex and Donald Insall Associates have renovated Exeter College's neo-gothic library at the University of Oxford, originally constructed by George Gilbert Scott in 1857.

Addressing a need for additional study spaces and improved accessibility of the Grade II-listed building, the studios implemented a series of contemporary interventions including the addition of new entrances, a staircase and a lift.