Summer socialising

Are you looking for a team-building activity or a place to catch up with colleagues this summer? Our list of local businesses below brings together unique activities, eating and drinking options and outdoor spaces in Oxford city centre that are perfect for summer socialising.

Unique activities 

• Hoyle's Backgammon & Beers!
  • 3rd Thursday of every month - 7pm - The Market Tap 
• Hoyle's Chess and Cheers 
  • 1st Thursday of every month - 7pm - The Market Tap 
• OxTrail 
  • 6 July - 7 September - Various locations 
• Jewellery and ceramics classes 
  • Various dates - Kina Ceramics 
• Literary events for grown ups with The Story Museum 
  • Various dates - The Story Museum 
• Workshops and exhibitions at Ashmolean 
  • Various dates - Ashmolean museum 
• Book clubs, story times, book signings and more hosted by Waterstones
  • Various dates and locations
• Author conversations hosted by Blackwells 
  • Various dates - Blackwells, Broad Street 
• The Oxford Shakespeare Festival 
  • Various dates - The Oxford Castle and Prison 
• Exhibitions and displays 
  • Various dates - Bodleian Libraries 
• Exhibitions and guided tours
  • Various dates - Pitt Rivers Museum
• Climb a Saxon tower
  • Various dates - The Saxon Tower at St. Michael at the North Gate
• Concerts, events and 360 degree of the city at the top of the Tower
  • Various dates - University Church
• Wine and spirit tastings
  • Various dates - The Oxford Wine Company 
• Lectures, walks, fairs and foraging
  • Various dates - Oxford Botanic Gardens 
• Alice tea parties, exhibitions and art classes 
  • Various dates - Christ Church College 
• Punting including chaffered punts and row boats
  • Various dates - Magdalen Bridge 
• River cruises 
  • Various dates- Folly Bridge 
• River cruises and boat hire with Salter's Steamers 
  • Various dates - Folly Bridge 
• Board game cafe 
  • Various dates - Thirsty Meeples, Gloucester Green 
• Real Tennis 
  • Various Dates, Oxford University Tennis Club 

Eating and drinking with outside seating

• Bbuona 
• Broad Street cafes 
• Chequers 
• Gloucester Green Market
• Quod 
• Slug and Lettuce 
• The Covered Market
• The Story Museum 
• The Bear Inn 
• The Crown 
• The Folly 
• The Head of the River 
• The House 
• The Red Lion 
• The Swan and Castle 
• The Turf Tavern 
• The Varsity Club 
• The White Rabbit 
• Vaults and Garden cafe 
• Westgate roof terrace 

Outdoor spaces 

• Broad Street 
• Christ Church Meadow (closing times apply)
• Market Street 
• University Park 

Missed something? Let us know by emailing citycentre@oxford.gov.uk.