Oxford – A Guide for the Elderly

Oxford is a wonderful city for the elderly to explore. Regardless of whether your senior loved one is visiting for the day or living in the local Oxford area, there’s plenty to discover. With a vibrant history, stunning architecture, and an abundance of peaceful green spaces, there are plenty of accessible activities and community events for seniors to take part in.

What services are available to the elderly in Oxford?

From taking a stroll amongst the University Parks to attending lunch clubs with friends, life beyond retirement in Oxford continues to offer stimulating activities, events, and social occasions. Social outings and community events can help build an elderly person’s confidence, helping them to feel valued, retain their sense of self, and combat loneliness. 

The city of Oxford offers many services for seniors and those with care needs. Read on for local pharmacies, social clubs, and accessible day trips available for elderly people living in Oxford. If you’re looking for more permanent care for your loved one, read more about elderly live-in care in Oxford for bespoke and tailored home care and companionship.

Seniors with Dementia in Oxford

Oxford is famous for its picturesque streets that emulate historical periods gone by. Walking through the old city alone can be a lovely activity for seniors with dementia, especially if they have an interest in history. You may also find a number of support and social groups for those living with dementia in Oxford.

Oxford is famous for its picturesque streets that emulate historical periods gone by. Walking through the old city alone can be a lovely activity for seniors with dementia, especially if they have an interest in history. You may also find a number of support and social groups for those living with dementia in Oxford.

• Oxford Dementia Carers Support group – Facilitated peer support group where seniors with dementia may meet each other, share experiences, and ask questions.
• Oxford Dementia Café – Meet in the local cafe for a cup of tea, make new friends, and receive information from supportive experts in a comfortable and informal environment. 
• Dementia Oxfordshire – Available for those living with dementia and their families, to receive advice and support.

Senior Social Groups in Oxford

University of the Third Age (U3A)

The U3A organisation offers a creative and positive approach to retirement through local talks, events, and trips. Oxford UA3 talks are held on Thursdays at the Rewley House at 2 pm. Email national.office@u3a.org.uk for more information. 

Oxford City Health Walks

Make new friends, exercise, and enjoy nature on Oxford City Health Walks. The walks are led at a gentle pace and typically cover one to three miles and end at a local café. Walks are free and there is no need to book in advance! You can explore their website for the location and timetable here.    

Botley Health Routes

These community-led groups meet outside of the Botley Library on Tuesday mornings at 11 am to walk to a local green space and back. Email botleyhealthroutes@gmail.com for more information. 

Tea Books Book Club

Available in Headington, Summertown, and Old Marston, these sociable book clubs are perfect for avid readers who are keen to meet new people. Each club can provide books for a minimal fee from the Oxfordshire library services, including large print copies and audiobooks, as needed.

Brize Norton Aviation Group

This group meets in West Oxfordshire and is suited for older people with an interest in aviation. Share stories, make friends, watch military-themed films and more. 

The Museum of Oxford’s Older People’s Programme

The Museum of Oxford offers a range of activities for elderly adults to engage in, including:  

• Memory Lane – Themed reminiscent sessions on topics where seniors can present, share their stories, and enjoy a warm drink afterwards.  
• Movers and Shakers – Gentle dance exercise that is led by a dance tutor. 
• Tea and Talk  – Time for seniors to enjoy a cup of tea with others in a friendly environment.

Subscribe to the Oxford Museum newsletter here for more information on upcoming events and the latest news.

You may also find a number of social groups suitable for young adults with care needs in Oxford, such as Dig n Grow, Dreamcatchers Forest School, GLADS Day Service, and Guideposts @ The Albion.

Accessible day trips and outings for the elderly in Oxford

Oxford is a beautiful city to discover with accessible areas for all visitors regardless of ability or age. There are a great number of accessible, stunning attractions and day trips for the elderly in and around Oxford. Some of the best accessible outings in Oxford include:

• Oxford Botanic Garden – Visit the UK’s oldest botanical garden with free tickets available for those who are registered disabled and their carers. The garden is fully wheelchair accessible, and you may book a wheelchair in advance by calling the ticket office. Don’t forget to explore the botanic garden boutique afterwards and enjoy a warm drink from the pop-up cafe. See the detailed access information here and the disabled parking map here.
• Blenheim Palace – A short drive from Oxford is the beautiful Blenheim Palace. One of England’s largest houses and the birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is a fantastic day out for seniors. With seasonal events and installations all year round, there’s always something different to discover and explore. Accompanying carers receive free entry to the Blenheim Palace grounds, and you can expect wheelchair accessibility, and wheelchairs and single-person mobility scooters available to hire. See more about their accessibility here.
• Afternoon Tea at the Randolph – The Randolph Hotel is located centrally near the Oxford Colleges and across the street from the Ashmolean Museum. The hotel pays homage to Oxford alumni, Lewis Carroll and Oscar Wilde, with stunning and creative decor. Treat yourself to afternoon tea in the drawing room.
• Ashmolean Museum and lunch on the terrace – You can expect lifts to all floors and a level access route from the pavement outside to the front door. The lifts lead to all galleries, the gift shops, the cafe, and the restaurant on top. You can also expect a number of places to sit along the galleries and free wheelchairs available to borrow at the front door.
• University Parks – Since its creation in 1864, the University Parks is a spectacular location to enjoy nature and gentle walking. Grab a warm drink and a treat from a pop-up at the park’s entrance on Parks Road.
• Oxford experience cruise – Sightsee on the water with a 50-minute tour from the historical Folly Bridge to Christ Church meadows and the college boat houses to Iffley Lock. You can also book to enjoy afternoon tea or a picnic as you relax down the river.

Garden centres in Oxford

• Waterperry Gardens – Established by the School of Horticulture for Ladies in 1932, this eight-acre garden centre is a wonderful day out, complete with a tea shop, gallery, and garden shop.
• Oxford Garden Centre – A family-run, traditional plant nursery. Enjoy free parking, wheelchair-friendly access, and café breakfast on the large patio.
• Notcutts Oxford – Reliable chain garden centre that is easy to access and navigate.
• Yarnton Home & Garden – Garden centre with a fully stocked garden with quality blooms. Pursue the hand-picked homeware and try their home-cooked afternoon tea!
• Wytham Stores and tea garden – Village shop in a 300-year-old Cotswold cottage with a tea garden and history centre.

Local Oxford Hospitals

• John Radcliffe Hospital with emergency department 

Local Oxford Pharmacies

• Boots Pharmacy on Cornmarket Street
• Cowan’s Pharmacy 
• Jericho Pharmacy 
• Woodstock Road Chemist
• LloydsPharmacy  
• Woodlands Pharmacy 
• Cowley Pharmacy

Oxford disabled parking

Blue Badge holders are able to park for free in any on-street parking spaces, but standard charges do apply in off-street car parks. There are a number of disabled parking available throughout the city. 

• On-Street parking – Special bays are clearly marked and you may find 90 Disabled Parking Bays across the city. 
• Park and Ride – There are disabled places available near bus stops, and you can expect all Park & Ride buses to be wheelchair accessible with a ‘kneeling step’ and fold-down ramp.
• Westgate Multi-Storey – Disabled places are found on level 4, near the shopping level. 

See the Oxford Blue Badge parking map here for more information.

Oxford Shopmobliity and scooter hire

With Oxford Shopmobility, you can borrow battery-operated or self-propelled wheelchairs and scooters to travel in and about the City Centre. You will need to book in advance, but there is no charge and the wheelchairs and scooters are available for free to those who need them. Call 01865 252489 for more details.

Accessible public toilets

Oxford offers a RADAR Key Entry Scheme with accessible toilets throughout the city, accessed by a RADAR key. These keys can be borrowed from the Oxford Information Centre on Broad Street. Some accessible toilets in Oxford are found on: 

• Market Street – Daytime and overnight cubicle.
• Westgate Car Park – Daytime and overnight cubicle.
• Gloucester Green –Daytime and overnight cubicle.
• Speedwell Street – Daytime cubicle. 
• Oxpens Coach Park – Daytime cubicle. 

Community transport schemes in Oxford

Disabled people and seniors who live in Oxford have the opportunity to utilise several community transport schemes – no matter if they need a ride to the hospital, appointments, shopping, or social visits. 

Transportation services for the elderly and disabled: 

• Aspire Oxford Community transport
• Community First Oxfordshire
• Oxfordshire travel advice line (Oxtail)

Be it with their live-in carer, family members, or simply by themselves, Oxford seniors can enjoy new experiences, make new friends, and explore new hobbies. Remain integrated into your local community and thrive in Oxford as you keep your calendar packed with exciting new experiences. 

Read more about our local live-in care services in Oxford here.