Tourist attractions across Oxfordshire reported a bumper weekend as visitors started to return to the countryside.

Despite continuing footpath closures due to the ongoing foot and mouth crisis, many attractions reported brisk business.

Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, and the Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford, both re-opened in time for Easter after having to close as a precaution against foot and mouth disease. Shops and businesses in Oxford also reported a busy weekend, with visitor numbers higher than expected.

Anne Gallagher, assistant information officer at Oxford Tourist Information Centre, said extra tourist guides had to be booked to cope with the high demand from visitors.

She said: "It has been an extremely busy Easter weekend. Lots of people are continuing to visit the city with many interested in guided walks of the university. Despite the adverse publicity, I think people are out and about. It is busier than we expected and are fortunate in that people are still coming to the city. It is very positive."

Although Port Meadow, Christ Church Meadows and Magdalen Deer Park remain closed, Shotover Country Park was open. The university colleges and The Oxford Story were also kept busy, particularly with day-trippers from London.

At Blenheim, the palace, pleasure gardens, formal gardens and train were all open, though parts of the park remained off limits because of grazing sheep.