Oxford

Oxford is just 24 miles from Reading, 26 miles from Swindon, 36 miles from Cheltenham and 43 miles from Gloucester. The rivers Cherwell and Thames pass through Oxford and meet near the city centre. The city is known as a centre of excellent through its famous universities. It is also home to motor manufacturing, publishing and technology based companies. The University of Oxford is the oldest university in Great Britain.

Oxford gets its name from Saxon times where it would have been known as Oxenaforda - literally Ford of the Oxen. During medieval times the city was a frontier point and often raided by the Danes. Oxord was damaged extensively during the Norman invasion of 1066. The university of Oxford gets its first mention in 12th century records and the city today is host to a collection of colleges and universities of which many are famous.

Oxford provided a much needed refuge for Charles I during the 1642 English Civil War. In the Second World War Morris Motors established a large scale factory here. Today it is still home to BMW produced Mini. This cosmopolitan student city has many bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs and a host of good independent as well as branded shopping outlets.

For more photos of Oxford click here or view on You Tube

Chipping Norton

Chipping Norton is a market town in the Cotswolds. It is situated in Oxfordshire approximately 12 miles from Banbury and 18 miles from Oxford. This wealthy market town dates back to the Middle Ages when it would have been known for the quality of its wool.

There are still plenty of medieval buildings in the town which still has a market every Wedneday. The "Chipping Norton Set", a group of well known acquantances have homes in Chipping Norton including Prime Minister David Cameron whose constituency home is in nearby Dean.

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace, the birth place of Winston Churchill and the family home of the Duke of Marlborough has a special place in British history. It is the only non royal house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace was built between 1705 and 1722 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The building of the palace was a reward to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough for his service to country and his military triumphs during the battles leading up to and including the 1704 Battle of Blenheim. The Churchill family, later the Spencer-Churchills, have lived here for 300 years.

Blenheim Palace is still the home of the Dukes of Marlborough. The palace, its park and its gardens are open to the general public. The palace generates income from a number of lucrative business deals which keep it running and all attempts are made to retain the atmosphere of a large country house. 

Blenheim Palace has some beautiful painted ceilings and tapestries. It is also home to the largest pipe organ in private ownership in Europe. A visit to the palace will keep you busy for most of the day and will be one of the most memorable places you are likely to visit.

For more photos of Blenheim Palace click here or view on You Tube

Woodstock

Woodstock is a pretty little town in Oxfordshire, made famous through Winston Churchill and Blenheim Palace. Winston Churchill is actually buried in the nearby village of Bladon. New and Old Woodstock is divided by the River Glyme. 

The town benefits from tourism due to its location near Blenheim Palace. The Town Hall was built in 1766 and there are plenty of 17th century buildings around the town centre.

Woodstock is also home to the county museum of Oxfordshire - The Oxfordshire Museum. The town has a long and historic past and was popular with English Kings from medieval times. The town gets its name from the Old English meaning of "clearing in the woods". It is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as village in a Royal Forest. 

For more photographs of Woodstock click here or view on click here

A40 Sunrise

Travelling along the A40 towards London, Thursday 8th November early morning a fantastic sunrise.

Abingdon-on-Thames

Abingdon or Abingdon-on-Thames is a market town in the Vale of White Horse. It is an ancient town with settlements here for over 6,000 years.  The building above is the County Hall Museum which was originally the market hall and county offices.

There are many fine old buildings in Abingdon and visitors can see the Benedictine Abingdon Abbey, the Abingdon Bridge over the Thames which dates from 1416 and St Helen's Church which was constructed around 1100.

Abingdon is well known for its Morris Dancing heritage. Each year a special ceremony is held to elect a Mayor of Ock Street who once elected parades through the town with a troupe of Morris Dancers.

MG cars were once made in Abingdon. It is also home to the famous ale called Old Speckled Hen.

Faringdon

Faringdon is a pretty market town in the Vale of White Horse in Oxfordshire. It nestles on the edge of the Thames Valley. This is the first town in the South East of England to be granted Fairtrade Town status in 1990.

This is an old and historical town. It was first given permission for a weekly market in 1218 and the tradition continues today. Faringdon actually means 'fern covered hill' In ancient times it would have been a familiar haunt of the kings of Wessex.

The parish church of All Saints is thought to date back to the 12th century. It is quite distinctive  because of its very short bell tower. This was reduced in height in 1645 after cannon ball damage during the English Civil War.



The Old Town Hall which used to be the Market Hall is early 18th century and the focal point of the town. There are also many traditional English pubs in the town and plenty of places to eat out.

Most people will pass through Faringdon without realising that there is a large Folly on a hill behind the Best Western Sudbury Hotel. It was built in 1935 and stands at 140 feet in height, providing spectacular views of the countryside beyond.