Holly Grove House is located on the outskirts of the village of Highmoor. Surrounded by heavenly countryside, it is an idyllic spot where you can quickly enjoy the charms of Henley-on-Thames, Thame, Reading, Oxford, the Chiltern Hills and the Cotswolds.
Henley-on-Thames is the international home of rowing, sitting on a beautiful stretch of the River Thames and enjoying a picturesque sprinkling of shops, restaurants and cafes along its streets. It is a very stylish town that becomes packed during the Henley Royal Regatta, the Thames Traditional Boat Festival and the Festival of Music and Art. Thousands of people flock to the town during the five day regatta to be entertained by the 200 plus races with Olympians participating. The Thames Traditional Boat Festival was first held 37 years ago. It is a fun day out for the whole family with Punch and Judy, a pop up pub, trades and crafts from days gone by and much more. The gorgeous riverside walks and boating opportunities are very much part of the town. Fans of Midsomer Murders will recognise some of the locations used in the series such as Gabriel Machin’s butcher shop, Tudor House Antiques and the Argyll pub.
Thame is a very pretty, thriving market town situated at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, just 14 miles from Oxford. It boasts many historical buildings, beautiful parks, a museum, a theatre, wonderful shopping and a fabulous array of restaurants and bars. Thame grew from Anglo-Saxon roots and has become a very characterful town with plenty of medieval buildings standing aside those from the Georgian and Victorian periods. Thame enjoys an iconic boat-shaped high street and a market place. It is also frequently used as a filming location for ‘Midsomer Murders’. Thame hosts regular markets and arts and crafts fairs in the town hall. The town’s programme of events includes their Easter Country Show, music festivals in May and July, a bustling carnival and fete in June, the Towersey Festival in August, the Horse and Country Show, a food festival and fun fair in, the Arts and Literature Festival in October and a fun-filled Christmas lights fair. There are some wonderful trails in and around the town.
Oxford offers a trip into the brains of the nation. You can tour the hallowed halls of Britain’s oldest and most famous university and follow in the footsteps of famous poets and Prime Ministers. Several scenes from Harry Potter were filmed at various sites in the town including Oxford University’s Bodleian Library which is known to fans as Hogwarts Library. You can take a fun hop-on hop-off bus tour to explore the town, its culture, museums and fabulous architecture. You can delve into the past at the ancient Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum. You can step back in history among the Norman ruins of Oxford Castle, wander beneath the Bridge of Sighs or simply enjoy its fantastic array of restaurants and bars. It offers meandering waterways, lush green spaces and an outstanding shopping experience.
Fashion lovers and bargain hunters might want to head to Bicester Village, an impressive designer shopping outlet selling big name brands such as Ralph Lauren, Nike, UGG, Coach, Soho Home, Armani, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana and many more.
If you have time, you can also head into the Cotswolds to visit some wonderful towns and villages including Chipping Norton, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Tetbury and Chipping Campden. Many of the attractive market towns are old wool towns with amazing architecture, much of which features the gorgeous honey coloured Cotswold stone. Bourton-on-the-Water, like most of the Cotswolds, lies in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is the Venice of the Cotswolds with beautiful bridges crossing the River Windrush. Gorgeous cosy cafes line the pretty streets together with attractive houses. Stow-on-the-Wold is a delightful market town, one of the highest of the Cotswold towns, exposed on the 800 feet high Stow Hill at the crossroads with the Roman Fosse Way. The town boasts a fascinating history. At the height of the Cotswolds wool industry, it held annual fairs where as many as 20000 sheep were sold at one time. The Market Square is very attractive with its ancient cross, town stocks and an elegant array of Cotswold town houses and shops. You will find many fine antique shops, art galleries, gift and craft shops. Tetbury is another historic wool town. It is an architectural gem with many of the wool merchant’s houses remaining the same as they were in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Parish Church of St Mary’s has one of the tallest and most elegant spires in the UK. Tetbury is popular for its independent shops including antique shops, vintage and interior shops, exclusive boutiques and the Highgrove shop. Tetbury holds many regular events including the May Day Wacky Races, the Spring Bank Holiday Woolsack Races when contestants carry 65lb woolsacks up and down the 1 in 4 hill, the August Summer Show, the September Food and Drink Festival, the October Tetbury Music Festival and the Christmas Lights Switch-on. Close to Chipping Norton, you can visit Soho Farmhouse. Spread across 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, it offers many attractions including fabulous eateries from Japanese grill dishes at Pen Yen to Hay Barn’s delicious wood oven pizzas, horse riding, tennis, a fantastic spa, the Soho Health Club, an indoor-outdoor pool, clay pigeon shooting, boating on the lake and lots more. Close to this is the famous Diddly Squat Farm Shop which was opened in 2020 by Jeremy Clarkson and Lisa Hogan, a small barn with delicious foods and a full bar with cool draft beers, lagers, ciders and rose. Everything is produced on Diddly Squat Farm or by neighbours in the Cotswolds. It is just a few minutes from the house. Daylesford Organic Farm is also very popular, the iconic flagship Daylesford Organic location surrounded by clover-rich pastures where organic animals roam freely. You can buy fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs which are picked daily from the market garden and visit the award-winning farmshop and cafe. Beyond the farmshop is the Bamford Barn, Wellness Spa, Workshop, Cookery School and several options for indoor and outdoor dining.
The Region
Luxury self-catering holiday accommodation in Oxfordshire
Pack your bags and get ready for a holiday extravaganza in the heart of England in Oxfordshire, where Oliver's Travels’ luxury properties promise a vacation that is equal parts history, breath taking landscapes, culinary delights and quality time with your nearest and dearest.
First stop, the city of Oxford, a place that seamlessly mixes medieval charm with academic grandeur. Picture yourself strolling through the historic Oxford University, a collection of architectural wonders that have been around since the 12th century. You will marvel at the Bodleian Library and strike a pose next to the iconic Radcliffe Camera. You will feel the weight of centuries of tradition as you explore the hallowed halls of the colleges of Christ Church, Magdalen and New College.
Oxfordshire is not just about dusty old books and mortarboards. Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a statement of architectural brilliance and where Sir Winston Churchill came into this world. You can take a leisurely stroll through Capability Brown-designed gardens, feeling like royalty. The Ashmolean Museum, the oldest public museum in the world, invites you to time-hop through millennia with its extensive collection of art and artifacts. If eclectic displays are your thing, the Pitt Rivers Museum will take you on a wild journey through different cultures and periods.
For those who prefer the great outdoors, the Cotswolds are your playground. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, these rolling hills stretch into Oxfordshire, adorned with quaint villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford and Chipping Norton. You will get lost in charming streets, admire honey-hued cottages and indulge in the warm embrace of local pubs, where every pint feels like a hug from the English countryside.
The River Thames gracefully winds its way through the county, offering opportunities for leisurely walks along its banks or tranquil boat rides. Henley-on-Thames, famous for the Royal Regatta and fabulous festivals, is your go-to spot for riverside elegance. Boating enthusiasts, grab your captain's hat and casual strollers, prepare for a delightful riverside saunter.
Oxfordshire's magic doesn't end at its borders. Nearby cities and towns are calling your name. Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Roman Baths and Georgian architecture, is just a short drive away. Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, invites you to explore the Bard's legacy and enjoy performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Oxfordshire is a carnival of academia, architecture and awe-inspiring landscapes. Whether you are soaking in the academic allure of Oxford, exploring historic palaces and museums or strolling through the timeless Cotswolds, Oxfordshire promises a holiday that will captivate not just your mind, but your soul too.
