Oxford: Historic Homes, Forests, and Music

Oxford combines historic homes and a place for focused music listening with trails through forest areas and a state park just outside the village. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose different priorities: architecture and local history, nature and hiking, or music. Locally made maple syrup is another Oxford discovery.

Forests and Hiking Trails

Wiley Brook State Forest covers 1,240 acres and is located in the Towns of Oxford and Guilford in Chenango County. A one-mile section of the Finger Lakes Trail runs through its southwestern part. The forest also has a primitive campsite on the eastern shore of Wiley Pond. Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The forest, trail section, and campsite each offer a different kind of outdoor experience: hiking and a basic camping stay are specific options to consider when deciding what to focus on during your trip.

An 11-mile section of the Finger Lakes Trail also runs through Oxford. This figure refers to the section through Oxford; the one-mile section is in the southwestern part of Wiley Brook State Forest. If you plan to include hiking in your trip, the different lengths and geographic locations can help you narrow down your interests without combining the two figures into a single trail segment.

Historic Homes and Local History

The Oxford Village Historic District includes 201 buildings and seven contributing structures. In the Village of Oxford, guided walks to historic homes are offered, showcasing Greek Revival, Gothic, and Queen Anne architectural styles. These styles give you a concrete idea of the different architectural forms to expect if you choose this focus. Those particularly interested in homes and architectural history can discover Oxford in a different way than visitors whose stay centers on forest trails.

Theodore Burr is also connected to a present-day site in Oxford: his former home is now the Oxford Memorial Library and the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Resource Center. Burr was a renowned bridge builder. The former home's current use and the walks to historic homes offer complementary points of interest for anyone who wants to include local history alongside outdoor experiences.

Nature, Music, and Local Specialties

Bowman Lake State Park is located just outside Oxford. It features a 35-acre, naturally spring-fed lake, picnic facilities, pedal boat rentals, and nature trails. The park offers several different ways to spend time outdoors: by the lake, at a picnic, on a pedal boat, or along a nature trail. These activities differ from hiking the Finger Lakes Trail and may factor into your choice of outings.

For music lovers, 6 On The Square is another special point of interest in Oxford. This intimate venue is dedicated to focused music listening and presents nationally and internationally known artists as well as emerging talent. Along with the chance to sample locally made maple syrup, it expands your options beyond hikes and historic homes: music and regional products add their own distinctive touches to a stay.

If you are looking for a vacation rental in Oxford, first consider which of these interests you want to shape your stay. Local history, forest trails, the state park, music, and local products each represent a different focus. This selection can help you decide whether Oxford suits your vacation plans, without combining the individual offerings into a single itinerary.

More places to explore: Sherburne, Greene.

For the broader travel overview: Chenango County.