Olive Gibbs

Olive Gibbs was an Oxfordshire artist and craftsperson whose blue plaque sits quietly in Oxford, marking a life spent pushing against convention. She worked across textiles, printmaking and design during the mid-twentieth century, at a time when women artists were properly overlooked. The plaque itself is modest - that's rather the point - but it's worth tracking down if you're the sort of person who likes hunting through a town's lesser-known corners.

This is one for art historians and anyone interested in how women carved out creative space in post-war Britain. You won't spend hours here - it's a plaque on a building, after all - but it's the kind of small discovery that makes a walking tour of Oxford feel less scripted than the usual college trail. The real draw is the chase itself: finding it means exploring streets you might otherwise miss.

Since it's in Oxford, a full day in the city works best. Pop into the museums while you're there, or simply wander the Holywell Cemetery nearby, which has its own strange appeal. If you're basing yourselves at Oxford Riverside Glamping or Bablock Hythe Caravan Park, both within a few miles, Gibbs's plaque makes a good reason to cycle or drive into town for an afternoon. Admission is free - it's a blue plaque on a building's exterior - and you can find it any time of day.