3 ReviewsWhen you have seen the university buildings and are a bit tired of the touristy and noisy city, come to Iffley to enjoy its peace and quiet. Situated on the Thames, it can be reached by boat from the...
3 ReviewsIf Oxford is a genteel, civilised place, Cowley Road is its uncouthed, yet strangely alluring neighbour.
Just 5 minutes walk from the town centre, but a million miles away in terms of atmosphere,...
4 ReviewsPort Meadow is a large open country public field that stretches as far as the eye can see,there are plenty of footpaths to walk on and you can cross bridges over the River Thames that flows through...
2 ReviewsOxford's city wall remains are scant.It ran from the castle along the southern edge of Broadstreet. Officially there were three gates, north, west and east. These now only remain in name, ie; Westgate...
2 ReviewsI chanced upon this memorial plaque whilst walking along the main path in Christchurch meadow. It is affixed to the wall of the garden of the very picturesque cottages there (see other picture) and...
3 ReviewsSomewhat annoyingly, I was looking for this piece of art, but got a bit lost, so I have yet to describe it from the flesh, as it were.
The story of the shark and the battle for it's retention against...
2 ReviewsJericho is one of Oxford's most interesting neighbourhoods. Most of the action takes place on Walton Street, where there ar enumerous bars and restaurants, but it's also worthwhile exploring the side...
2 ReviewsOn eof my greatest pleasures in life is walking beside either rivers or canals. The canal system in Britain is so fascinating I would recommend it to any visitor to spend at least half a day just...
1 ReviewNot so much off the beaten path...more like a timing issue. Party it up at the May Ball the night before, hie on down to Magdealen Bridge at 06:00 on May 1st and fight through a crown of 10,000+...
1 ReviewSummertown is a popular area of North Oxford, where I lived during my first year in Oxford. It's a slightly middle class area with nice pubs and shops. Many students ahve moved in recently, giving the...
2 ReviewsBritain's oldest botanic garden with thousands of species of plants from all over the world. A lovely place to sit, or wander down the river. Situated on the site of the old Jewish cemetary.
Open:...
1 ReviewThis medieval nunnery - founded in 1138 - is where Henry the second's mistress was murdered. It's just across the meadow from the famous Trout Inn in Wolvercote. You cna get here either from Port...
1 ReviewOXFORD UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Parks Road, Oxford,
Tel: 01865 272965.
It houses the University's scientific collections of zoological, entomological, palaeontological and mineral...
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members
Sutton Courtenay - resting place of George Orwell
by aaaarrgh
All Saints Church in the leafy village of Sutton Courtenay, has more than one claim to fame. It's churchyard contains a British Prime Minister and a famous writer. The vicarage is at the other end of the village, so I am not sure how you obtain the key. It used to be available from one of the nearby houses. The church tower dates from the 12th century and has a nice Norman arched door. The one-handed clock dates to 1700 [when I last visited, this had been removed for repair]. On the south side of the church is the main red brick porch, which I believe is 16th century. Over the door is a carving of a barrel (tun) and a beacon, representing Thomas Bekynton, Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lived in the village. The churchyard has some notable occupants. Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950), or George Orwell, author of 1984 and Homage to Catalonia is buried here. Many people come here to see his...
Sutton Courtenay - village with famous residents
by aaaarrgh
Sutton Courtenay is a picturesque village 2.5 miles southeast of Abingdon. It is a great place to stop for a drink, or meal in one of its pubs. Or there are some pleasant river walks by the Thames. It has a long, long history, the highlight of which was the 18 years of my residence there ;-)Matilda, wife of King Henry I gave birth to the king's two daughters here. The Royal Palace is now part of the Manor House, which is (a now private house) behind trees opposite the village green. King William (the Conqueror), Henry's dad, visited the village.Robert de Courtenay built the Norman Hall in 1192. It still exists behind gates opposite the church.Next to the village green is All Saints Church, dating from the late 12th century with its nice Norman arch front door. The churchyard has some notable occupants, including George Orwell [see separate tip]. The small house next door to the church...
The Poem Tree
by leics
On the summit of Castle Hill, at Wittenham Clumps, is the Poem Tree. Although it died in the 1990's, enough still remains for the poem carved into its trunk to be visible (although not readable).Joseph Tubbs was so inspired by the views and the history that he carved his poem into the bark in 1844/45. Fortunately, it was traced in the 1960s, so his industry survives (even if only on the accompanying plaque).As up the hill with labr'ing steps we treadWhere the twin Clumps their sheltering branches spreadThe summit gain'd, at ease reclining layand all around the wide spread scene surveyPoint out each object and instructive tellThe various changes that the land befel.Where the low bank the country wide surroundsThat ancient earthwork form'd old Murcia's bounds.In misty distance see the barrow heave,There lies forgotten lonely Culchelm's grave.Around this hill the ruthless Danes...
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Wittenham Clumps
by leics
Wittenham Clumps is now a nature reserve encompassing the Sinodun Hills, about 10 miles from Oxford. I'm not sure whether they are in Berkshire or Oxfordshire at the moment (they have changed county on occasion!) so I've duplicated this tip under both counties.A huge hill-fort (Castle Hill) lies on one of the hills, dating at least from the Iron Age although there is evidence of settlement long before that. Its massive ditches and ramparts still survive; a magnificent feat of engineering. There are coppices on the summit of both hills, evidence of 18th century landscaping. That on Castle Hill is now closed, due to the danger from falling trees, but one can still visit the 'Poem Tree' (see tip below).As the surrounding countryside is so flat, there are wonderful views from the top of both hills, from the Thames and Dorchester Abbey to the Chilterns.The site is managed by the Northmoor...
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East Hagbourne - invaded by Androids!!
by aaaarrgh
East Hagbourne is a pretty village a short distance south of Didcot. It was the location for the filming of a series of the cult BBC TV programme "Doctor Who" in 1975. 'Android Invasion' starred Tom Baker (the guy with the very long scarf) in the lead role. East Hagbourne performed as the fictitious village of Devesham!The real village is filled with many black-and-white timber framed houses which date back to the 17th century. There is a pleasant church and a magnificent ancient village cross.Only a few years before the Great Fire of London (1666), East Hagbourne had its own terrible fire, which destroyed most of the houses. The population of London held a collection to raise money to help the Hagbourne homeless and, after 1666, the Hagbourne-ites sent money to London to return the kindness!You can take a pleasant walk across the fields to the equally pleasant village of Blewbury....
Blewbury - village of thatched walls
by aaaarrgh
Blewbury lies cross the fields from East Hagbourne and a couple of miles from Didcot and the main A34 road. It is an extremely pretty village of pubs, streams, thatched cottages ...and thatched walls. There is also a pleasant church at the centre of the village, next door to two delightful almshouses adjoining the graveyard.Apparently the village was owned by four farms. Each quarter of the village was connected by paths, which exist today and are lined by walls topped with their own 'roofs'.There are three pubs and a petrol station/shop for refreshments. At one corner of the churchyard is a large illustrated noticeboard with historical information about the village.Kenneth Graham, author of "Wind in the Willows" lived in Blewbury. See if you can spot the 'Ratty, Toad and Mole' weather vane on Westbrook Street :-)
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Didcot Cathedral
by aaaarrgh
Well, ok, I mean Didcot Power Station. It dominates the flat landscape of South Oxfordshire. The 635 foot high chimney and six enormous cooling towers are major features of the area and can be seen for miles and miles. Didcot is not famous for much and many people have quite affectionate feelings to these features! As a small child in a neighbouring village I remember massive pieces of turbine being dragged through the streets to complete it, in the very early 1970's. The location of the power station was so sensitive that architect planner Frederick Gibberd (1908-1984) was called in to lay out the site. Here the six towers are deliberately spread out, into two sets of three. Therefore from many angles Didcot Power Station adds a composition to the landscape. Unfortunately the very recent addition of Didcot "B" (Gas) Power Station has made the composition more cluttered.Sir Frederick...
ART in an 18th century barn
by aaaarrgh
For three weeks in May every year, Barn Galleries (near Henley) host an excellent ARTSPACE event. Occasionally during the rest of the year there are other events too. Barn Galleries are a collection of very old timber, brick and flint farm buildings. The oldest and most impressive barn dates from the early 18th century. Filled from floor to the rafters with paintings it looks superb.There are also 8-acres of grassy gardens with a large pond. The gardens become filled with sculpture of all shapes, sizes and materials.The art is really superb. Very professional stuff, with prices to match. Not your usual 'Sunday painters'. And it costs nothing to look around. Tea, coffee and cakes are available in one of the barns.The only unhappy thing about all this is it only happens for three weeks!LOCATION ~ A couple of miles east of Henley, on the main road from the M404. The turning off the main...
Blenheim Palace
by adinda
Located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, it's the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill (there's an exhibition about him at the palace) and the home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough. The gardens are enormous and very beautiful. There's a maze, a butterfly garden and a herb garden.
Don't miss the Pitt Rivers...
by SESM
Don't miss the Pitt Rivers Museum and adjacent Oxford Natural History Museum -- a treasure trove of fascinating anthropological and natural pieces from dinosaur skeletons to collections of primitive baskets. Nice, small shop, near University Parks and Keble College.
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