Step inside Oxford homes at Oxford Open Doors
This September, as part of Oxford Open Doors 2025, Oxford households are opening their doors to share how they’ve saved energy and improved comfort.
We’re heading into autumn. The mornings are cooler, the evenings draw in earlier, and the damp chill is back in the air…
Last winter may feel a long way off, but it will return soon enough. And when it does, how will your home feel – cold, draughty, or costly to keep warm? If so, you’re not alone. Many Oxford homes struggle with comfort, energy bills, damp, and their impact on the planet.
This summer told a similar story. With four heatwaves across the UK, many Oxford homes became uncomfortably hot. Improvements aren’t just for winter – the same upgrades also help keep homes cooler in summer, bringing comfort and value all year round.
That’s why, during Oxford Open Doors 2025 (13–14 September), more than thirty households across the city are opening their doors to visitors. Some of them may even be your neighbours. Among them are some of our proud clients who have already made changes. They’re opening their doors to share what they’ve achieved. It takes effort, but they know it’s worth it.
When it comes to making your home warmer, healthier, and cheaper to run, trust matters. What really builds confidence is seeing that people like you – in homes like yours – have made it work.
Celebrating open doors
Oxford Open Doors is one of the city’s highlights – every September, hundreds of people explore historic buildings, community spaces, and places usually closed to the public. It’s a chance to enjoy Oxford’s heritage and culture in a new way, and all for free.
In recent years, Energy Saving Homes has become a valued strand of Oxford Open Doors, hosted by Oxford Preservation Trust. It adds homes like yours to the programme, inviting visitors to step inside and hear directly from householders about the changes they’ve made to improve comfort, save energy, and reduce carbon.
This year, several of our clients are joining in – proud to open their doors and share what they’ve achieved. Each one has a story to tell about making their home warmer, healthier, more energy efficient, and lower in carbon – and they want their neighbours to see that it’s possible.
Why it matters
Upgrading your home to save energy and feel more comfortable can feel like a leap of faith. Will it be disruptive? Will it spoil your home’s character? Is it really proven, or are you just a guinea pig?
The good news is that these kinds of improvements – sometimes called retrofit – are already happening successfully across Oxfordshire. Homeowners have been living with the changes through winter and summer, and they’re ready to share the real story: what worked well, what was challenging, and what difference it has made to daily life.
What you’ll see
Step inside the homes of your neighbours – from Victorian terraces to Edwardian semis and 1930s family houses. Each has its own story, but together they show what’s possible when households take action to save energy, improve comfort, and protect health.
Lis & Sarah – East Oxford Victorian terrace
Their late-Victorian terrace was charming but draughty and costly to heat. Today, after insulation, glazing, and renewable upgrades, it holds a steady, pleasant temperature throughout the year.
“Working from home and being here most of the day, I’d got used to it being really cold, but now it’s just a constant pleasant temperature.” – Lis.
Visit their home ›
Jane – North Oxford Edwardian semi-detached
After years of living with draughts and cold spots, Jane chose to insulate, improve ventilation, and install a heat pump. The result is a cosy home that has kept its character, while becoming more comfortable and future-ready.
“A home is so much more than just a place where you live.” Jane
Visit their home ›
Eleanor and Chris – 1930s Oxfordshire house
Their three-bed terrace was fully wrapped in insulation, inside and out. The home is now warmer, greener, and protected against damp – showing how retrofit can preserve a home’s fabric as well as improve comfort.
““We’ve always worried about climate change, but rising energy bills made acting now feel urgent.” Eleanor
Visit their home ›
More of our clients opening their doors
These aren’t the only Cosy Homes Oxfordshire clients taking part. Several more are also proud to welcome visitors to their home. Each has their own story to tell – and each shows what’s possible when you plan home upgrades carefully.
(See our case study page for more client stories.)
Let’s talk about your home
We don’t sell heat pumps or insulation packages. What we do is listen, and help you make sense of the options for your home. We can start you off with a free, no-obligation chat to talk about your home and what might make the biggest difference. From there, we can guide you through the whole process – whether that means small steps, a single installation, or planning a full house upgrade.
You set the pace. Some people start small, others go further – the important thing is knowing you’ve got friendly, expert support to guide you when you’re ready.
The households opening their doors during Oxford Open Doors have already taken those steps. They’ve lived with the results, and they want to share their experiences – because nothing builds trust like seeing the difference for yourself.
Plan your visit
Sometimes the best advice doesn’t come from a brochure – it comes from a neighbour. This Oxford Open Doors, take the chance to step inside, talk to the people who’ve done the work, and imagine what your own home could become.
Energy Saving Homes during Oxford Open Doors 2025
13–14 September 2025