Oxfordshire car hire

There are many small market towns and historic or archaeological destinations throughout Oxfordshire. The city of Oxford itself of course is full of history, but you will also want to visit places like Banbury, Whitney, Henley on Thames or Burford on the edge of The Cotswolds. Each of these destinations has wonderful cultural, artistic or natural attractions, but they will require a car to reach easily and in a way that suits your schedule. Places like Blenheim Palace, the UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the early 1700s, could certainly be a destination, as could Rousham House, a Jacobean home with beautiful gardens that you can visit. Other grand houses and rural villages dot the landscape, giving structure to a driving tour that would criss-cross the county.

Once outside the major towns, driving in Oxfordshire is predominantly simple and quiet. It will take you off the major A-roads and onto a series of minor roads that link the villages and townlands. The road surface is generally very well maintained; the pace of life tends to slow down here, and there’s an elegant rural atmosphere. Speed limits are the same as the rest of the UK: 30 mph in urban areas, 60 mph on single carriageway roads and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways. You should be alert for agricultural vehicles and the possibility of animals on the road in areas closer to The Cotswolds.

To hire a car in the UK, you will need to be at least 21 years old, and many car hire companies won’t allow it for anyone younger than 23. All drivers under 25 will be required to pay a daily surcharge, and some companies will extend this to cover older drivers too, usually from the age of 70 onwards.

Mini (Kia Picanto or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Oxfordshire.

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.