Wednesday 3 December, 12:30pm: Oxford Preservation trust (OPT) tour of the Painted Room on Cornmarket in Oxford. This is one of the city’s hidden gems, with remarkable Elizabethan wall paintings and connections to William Shakespeare and John Betjeman. Booking here.
Wednesday 3 December, 6pm to 8pm: the Jericho Living Heritage Trust (JLHT) will host a special event at St Barnabas’s Church, Jericho, Oxford, to mark the publication of two new books in celebration of Jericho’s 200th anniversary. A Jericho Scrapbook is a 1955 compilation of wide-ranging reminiscences, photographs, commentary, and ephemera, annotated by local historian Mark Davies. Jericho – a Celebration combines a visual treat of new watercolours by Jericho artist Valerie Petts, with historical commentary by Mark. The two books will be available together at a special introductory price, and can be signed by the authors; all proceeds go to JLHT. The event is free and there’s a complimentary glass of wine for anyone who pre-books.
Saturday 6 December: Oxford Bottle Collectors’ Fair at Didcot Civic Hall. Dozens of stalls selling antique bottles, pot lids, flagons, tins, postcards and advertising signs – many from Oxfordshire – offer the perfect opportunity to score unusual Christmas presents. Open 9am to 2pm; admission £5 at 9:00am, £2.50 at 9:30am, and free after 10:30am. Refreshments, auction, raffle, and free car parking. Contact Simon Somerscales for further information.
Saturday 6 December, 5pm: a talk by architectural historian Harry Spain about the Church of St John the Evangelist in New Hinksey, South Oxford, and its nationally-renowned architect Sir John Ninian Comper. Part of the Dedication Festival to celebrate the church’s 125th anniversary. The talk is free and open to all; no need to book; find out more here.
Ongoing until Sunday 7 December: 24 Men of Grandpont and Cold Harbour 1939-45, an exhibition to commemorate the men from South Oxford who died in the Second World War at St Matthew’s Church, Marlborough Road, OX1 4LW. Gives a fascinating insight into the war and how it affected one small suburban community. Visitors can learn about what Oxford – and South Oxford – were like in this period, about women’s roles, and about wartime evacuees, and discover the stories of the local men who went to fight, their families and neighbours. The exhibition is open 10am to 12 noon on Mondays to Saturdays, and 2pm to 4pm on Sundays. Free and no need to book; further information here.
Sunday 7 December, 3:00pm to 4:30pm:follow-up drop-in event to mark the publication of two new books in celebration of Jericho’s 200th anniversary. A Jericho Scrapbook is a 1955 compilation of wide-ranging reminiscences, photographs, commentary, and ephemera, annotated by local historian Mark Davies. Jericho – a Celebration combines a visual treat of new watercolours by Jericho artist Valerie Petts, with historical commentary by Mark. St Barnabas’s Church.
Wednesday 10 December, 1pm: The Museum of Oxford’s popular series of lunchtime talks continues, with historian Tim Healey speaking on A 17th-century Christmas. Further information and booking here.
Saturday 13 December, 2:30pm: Oxford Preservation trust (OPT) tour of the Medieval Merchant’s House on East St Helen Street in Abingdon. This is the oldest house in the town, with a restored gallery window dating from c. 1430. Booking here.
Saturday 10 January 2026: opening of a new exhibition, Warneford 200 – Mental Health Through the Ages at the Museum of Oxford. The exhibition is part of a project marking 200 years of mental health care at the Warneford Hospital in Oxford. The Warneford, which opened in July 1826, is the oldest psychiatric hospital still in clinical use in the UK. The Warneford 200 project will reflect on its long and complex history, recognising the experiences of patients, families, and staff whose stories have shaped the evolution of mental health care. Events running throughout 2026 will include a travelling exhibition, workshops, public lectures, oral histories, a garden installation and more, at locations all over Oxfordshire. Read more on the project website.
Tuesday 16 December, 11am: Local historian Mark Davies will give a talk entitled What a Liberty! Memorable Moments along Oxford’s Ancient Boundaries at Magdalen College, Oxford. Mark will explore dramatic and amusing incidents from five centuries of the ceremonial mayoral circuits of the city’s boundaries (franchise, or liberty), which are mainly defined by its waterways. Although serious in intent, numerous pub stops and the chance for the populace to air local grievances often resulted in “high jinks” and “irresponsible jollity”. The talk is hosted by the Oxford Centre for the National Trust; non-members £10; further information here.
Wednesday 14 January 2026, 12:30pm: Oxford Preservation trust (OPT) tour of the Painted Room on Cornmarket in Oxford. This is one of the city’s hidden gems, with remarkable Elizabethan wall paintings and connections to William Shakespeare and John Betjeman. Booking here.
Saturday 24 January, 2:30pm: Oxford Preservation trust (OPT) tour of the Medieval Merchant’s House on East St Helen Street in Abingdon. This is the oldest house in the town, with a restored gallery window dating from c. 1430. Booking here.
Ongoing until 31 January 2026: The latest free exhibition at the Vale & Downland Museum is Wantage Tramway – The Story of a Bucolic Roadside Steam Tramway. The display tells the remarkable story of the a roadside line that began as an ambitious local dream in the 1870s, became the world’s first steam-powered tramway, and served the community for over seventy years, carrying goods including coal and flour, wartime supplies, and market-day passengers. Further information here.
Ongoing until January 2026: The Museum of Oxford celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025 with an exhibition entitled Our Oxford, 50 years, 50 stories. The display brings together fifty new stories about the heritage of the city, from a wide range of individuals and communities. Free entry.
Wednesday 11 February, 12:30pm: Oxford Preservation trust (OPT) tour of the Painted Room on Cornmarket in Oxford. This is one of the city’s hidden gems, with remarkable Elizabethan wall paintings and connections to William Shakespeare and John Betjeman. Booking here.
Saturday 21 February, 2:30pm: Oxford Preservation trust (OPT) tour of the Medieval Merchant’s House on East St Helen Street in Abingdon. This is the oldest house in the town, with a restored gallery window dating from c. 1430. Booking here.
Wednesday 4 March, 12:30pm: Oxford Preservation trust (OPT) tour of the Painted Room on Cornmarket in Oxford. This is one of the city’s hidden gems, with remarkable Elizabethan wall paintings and connections to William Shakespeare and John Betjeman. Booking here.
Saturday 14 March, 2:30pm: Oxford Preservation trust (OPT) tour of the Medieval Merchant’s House on East St Helen Street in Abingdon. This is the oldest house in the town, with a restored gallery window dating from c. 1430. Booking here.
Ongoing until 29 April 2026: The spirit of the place, an exhibition focusing on the lives of the staff and servants at Magdalen College, Oxford, from its foundation to the present day. On display in the Old Library every Wednesday from 2pm to 4:30pm (except for during the Christmas closure period). Private group visits at other times can be arranged by contacting the college librarians.
Ongoing: The Museum of Oxford continues its popular series of free gallery tours, Stories of Oxford, led by knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers. From football to fairgrounds, marmalade to Morris Motors, patron saints to pubs, barges, bones, and all types of quirky customs, there’s something to interest everyone. Further information and booking here.
Saturdays, ongoing: tours of Oxford’s magnificent Town Hall take place twice a month on Saturdays at 11am. These are a great opportunity to see behind the scenes and to learn about the building’s fascinating history. Find out more here.
If you know of any relevant events which could be advertised on this page, please send details to: membership@olha.org.uk
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