The major attraction for most visitors to Oxfordshire is the county
town (really a city, as it has a cathedral) of Oxford. Aside from the
'city of dreaming spires' there are some lovely historic towns and
villages to explore. Here are some of our favourites.
Abingdon is the oldest continuously inhabited town in the UK, set beside the River Thames south of Oxford. Abingdon has been settled since at least the early Saxon period. Alfred the great held the manor of Abingdon, and his descendant Athelstan had a royal residence here in he 10th century. There are a wealth of historic buildings to see in Abingdon, including the ruins of medieval Abingdon Abbey, set on the banks of the Thames.
Abingdon,
Oxfordshire,
England
A lovely village on the banks of the River Evenlode, featuring a 12th century church and Norman castle remains, and a memorial to the 16 women of the Ascott Martyrs.
Ascott under Wychwood,
Oxfordshire,
England,
OX76AN
The small Oxfordshire market town of Bampton has a long history. It was known for many years as 'Bampton in the Bush', because it was located in the centre of a large expanse of common land. The town dates to the Saxon era, and by the time of the Norman Conquest it was the third largest town in Oxfordshire. Its early prominence was based upon salt mining but even better times were ahead; during the medieval period Bampton grew and prospered enormously from the booming wool trade.
Bampton,
Oxfordshire,
England
A small village east of Carterton, famous for the nearby RAF Brize Norton air force base, the largest RAF base in the UK. The village itself is quite attractive, composed largely of Cotswold stone cottages, and the occasional old thatched cottage.
Brize Norton,
Oxfordshire,
England
Attraction Type:
Village Heritage Highlight: The Norman church of St Britius boasts a carved Norman door and the effigy of a 13th century knight. Heritage Rating:? Location: On a minor road south of the A40, just east of Carterton
OSSP298076 Nearest
attractions and accommodation Nearest:hotels - cottages - Bed
and Breakfasts
An almost perfect estate village, built for workers at Buckland House. The village is composed of a lovely mix of traditional thatched cottages, with an attractive mix of more modern houses, all built of golden Cotswold stone. The 12th century parish church of St Mary is an absolute gem, boasting 15th century stained glass shields, a 16th century memorial brass, and a very well preserved 14th century font, in addition to the ebullient Barcote Chapel, a late Victorian addition well worth seeing for its colourful tiles. Beside the church is Buckland Manor, which was the residence of the Lords of the Manor until the building of Buckland House around 1750. Buckland House is a superb Palladian mansion build by Sir John Wood the Younger for Robert Throckmorton.
Buckland,
Oxfordshire,
England
The lovely town of Burford is the western gateway to the Cotswolds. Burford is built on a fairly steep hill above the River Windrush, and the view from the top of the hill looking down the High Street to the river is one of the classic panoramas of the Cotswolds.
Burford,
Cotswolds,
Oxfordshire,
England
The historic market town of Charlbury sits on a hill above the Evenlode valley. The town began as little more than a clearing in the ancient royal hunting ground of Wychwood Forest. Little remains of the forest today, but Charlbury has maintained its historic roots. The town is full of pretty 17th and 18th century cottages built of Cotswold stone, giving the buildings a warm, golden look. Much of Charlbury's prosperity is down to its heritage as a centre for glove-making during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Charlbury,
Oxfordshire,
England
The little village of Islip has a big history. Islip stands at an ancient ford on the River Ray, near the edge of the Bernwood Forest, where Saxon kings had a royal hunting lodge. The proximity of the royal lodge probably explains why Edward the Confessor was born at Islip, around the year 1005.
Islip,
Oxfordshire,
England
One of the prettiest of Oxford's villages. The ruins of a medieval manor, Minster Lovell Hall, stand beside the River Windrush.
Minster Lovell,
Oxfordshire,
England
The county town of Oxfordshire sits astride the River Thames. The real treasure of Oxford is the architectural beauty of the university college buildings, many of which date back to the 13th and 14th centuries.
Oxford,
Oxfordshire,
England
A lovely village in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, with a 12th century church on the site of a Saxon minster, a 14th century inn that was once the guest house for Bruern Abbey, and Shipton Court, one of the largest and finest Elizabethan manors in the country.
Shipton under Wychwood,
Cotswolds,
Oxfordshire,
England
A large village in the Vale of White Horse, a few miles south east of Faringdon. The name is thought to refer to an early stone ford across the River Ock (or perhaps across Frogmore Brook). There is evidence of settlement here during the prehistoric period. The Romans settled here as early as 43-45 AD. Christianity came to the area around 635, under the influence of St. Birinus, Bishop of nearby Dorchester. The first known Christian church was built at Stanford in 939.
Stanford in the Vale,
Oxfordshire,
England
A quiet Cotswold village just a few miles from Burford, famous for the striking 17th century Fettiplace Monuments in the small church.
Swinbrook,
Cotswolds,
Oxfordshire,
England
The historic market town of Witney boasts a lovely wide green, a medieval Butter Cross, and a superb Early English parish church. Witney was for many centuries a centre for blanket manufacture. Among the many elegant old buildings that surround the green is the Henry Box School, founded in 1660.
Witney,
Oxfordshire,
England
Sleeping two people in one bedroom, this single storey apartment is attached to the owners' home in the village of Chesterton, 12 miles from Oxford … more >> Sleeps 2
A Grade II listed converted cowshed, in a quiet village 2 miles from Banbury.
The cottage has been refurbished to a very high standard, … more >> Sleeps 3
Witney Four Pillars Hotel is a traditional Cotswold style hotel. Situated just 10 miles from Oxford and 7 miles from Burford, gateway to the Cotswolds. Features include lounge, newly refurbished lounge bar and restaurant, leisure club, outdoor seating and onsite free car parking. more >>
A 3 star hotel in an idyllic 17th Century setting with hidden staircases, original wooden beams & stone fireplace. Offering 69 ensuite rooms. The hotel is deal for exploring the Cotswolds, Stratford Upon Avon, Oxford, Woodstcock & Warwick. Minutes from Banbury railway and coach stations, and 30 miles from Birmingham … more >>
