Oxfordshire Travel Guide - Towns and Villages

England
Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire Towns and Villages

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.

Ascott under Wychwood   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 Attraction Type: Village Location: on a minor road off the A361 one mile north of Shipton under Wyychwood Website: Ascott under Wychwood Location map Details of Ascott under Wychwood OS SP302186 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Burford   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 Attraction Type: Town Location: On the A40 Oxford to Cheltenham road Details of Burford - Photos of Burford OS SP251 121 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Minster Lovell   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 Attraction Type: Village Details of Minster Lovell OS SP314 110 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Oxford   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 Attraction Type: Town Details of Oxford OS SP514 062 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Shipton under Wychwood   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 Attraction Type: Village Location: On the A361, 4 miles north of Burford Details of Shipton under Wychwood OS SP279180 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Swinbrook   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 Attraction Type: Village Details of Swinbrook OS SP280 121 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Westwell   A quiet village near Burford, site of the most westerly well in Oxfordshire Westwell, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Village Details of Westwell OS SP225 100 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Witney   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 Attraction Type: Town Location: On the A40, 10 miles west of Oxford Details of Witney - Photos of Witney OS SP358099 Photo Credit: David Ross / Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering