The Nature Discovery Centre of Thatcham is a popular tourist attraction in the area which draws over 75,000 visitors every year since its opening in 1995. Located at the border of the Thatcham lake, it offers pristine views of the beautiful countryside and a prime spot for nature and bird walks. It is popular among families for the wide variety of educational activities it offers for kids as well as its picnic facilities and adventure playgrounds. A wildlife club offering memberships to children between the ages of 0 to 16, has many wildlife programs where members are taught to appreciate the environment while learning a host of outdoor skills. The center leases out two rooms on its premises for various events such as weddings, receptions, dinners, conferences and meetings. An lakeside cafe serving refreshments, a gift shop and toilets with disabled access are available at the site.
Standing over the entrance to the most famous Oxford college, Tom Tower is a landmark in itself. This imposing octagonal tower with a lead-covered cupola was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1682. It was constructed on top of an archway and turrets dating from the 16th Century and houses Great Tom - the loudest bell in Oxford. Weighing more than seven tons, the bell chimes 101 times at 9.05p every evening to recall not only the 101 students residing in Christ Church when the tower was completed, but also the time by which they were supposed to be in bed.
Blenheim Palace has been the home of the Dukes of Marlborough since 1704, when Queen Anne gave a ruined royal manor and dukedom to John Churchill as a gift for his victory at the battle of Blenheim on the Danube. Winston Churchill also happened to be born here - look out for the Churchill exhibition, which includes the bed he was born on, and many personal belongings, including books, photographs and letters. His tomb is in the graveyard of St Martin's church in nearby Bladon. The palace also sometimes plays host to major concerts.
Christ Church Cathedral serves as a college chapel for Christ Church College, and is also the cathedral of the diocese of Oxford. The Anglican cathedral dates back originally to the 12th Century, and is a beautiful edifice that is famed for its high arches and towering pillars. In the 16th Century, the Cathedral was taken over by Cardinal Wolsey, and soon after by Henry VIII himself. The cathedral choir is one of the finest in the city.
A local brewery, Hook Norton Brewery offers visitors guided tours to enable them understand its history and workings. As a part of its brewery tour, visitors get to see their old steam engine and how the brewery produces its wide range of delectable beers. Once they step outside, they get a glimpse of their Shire horses who deliver the locally produced beer to their pubs in different locations. Visitors can also explore the museum and the visitor centre inside its premises. Hook Norton Brewery is a classic example of a brewery built with a Victorian tower.
Otmoor RSPB reserve is a picturesque nature reserve shrouded in absolute tranquil, and is largely a wetland. The place is resplendent with beauty in winter, and is visited by waterfowls, wildfowls and waders in this season. A huge chunk of this site is reserved for agriculture, and this has eventually culminated to an increase in the number of songbirds inhabiting this area. Dragonflies and damselflies are frequently observed fluttering over the wetlands. This reserve is also known for its beautiful reedbed.