Oxfordshire
White Horse Hill (credit: wgbieber)
Oxfordshire is the most rural county in the south east of England. Both the Chiltern Hills and the Cotswolds, which run through the county, have been designated as areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Stretching from the edge of Oxford to the south west corner is the Vale-of-White-Horse, a separate district of Oxfordshire. The name is derived from the oldest chalk figure found in England; that of a white horse carved in the chalk hillside over 3000 years ago.
Oxford, the county town, is most famous for its University, founded over 900 years ago. Its historic buildings, courtyards and colleges are frequently used as backdrops for films and TV dramas. Also because it is within easy reach of London and Heathrow it has become a very popular place to visit.
'For some minutes Alice stood without speaking looking out in all directions over the country - and a most curious country it was. There were a number of little brooks running from side to side, and the ground was divided up into squares by a number of hedges, that reached from brook to brook.'
County Town: | Oxford - distance from London: 59 miles (94 km) |
Nearby Counties: | Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire |
Train Operators: | Cross Country |
Nearest Airport: | Luton |
Major Roads: | M40 |
Highest point: | Portobello in the Chiltern Hills, 836 feet |
Rivers: | Cherwell, Evenlode, Thames, Windrush |
County Flower: | Snake's-head Fritillary |
Local Delicacies: |
Banbury
Cakes - spiced currant cakes, encased
in puff pastry. New College Pudding - a rich alcohol based fruit concoction. |
The Meaning of Oxfordshire
First recorded in 1010 as Oxenfordscir, meaning a place for oxen to cross or a ford for oxen.
Map of Oxfordshire
South East England
Towns and Villages in Oxfordshire
Abingdon, Bampton, Banbury, Bicester, Burford, Buscot, Carterton, Henley-on-Thames, Charlbury, Chipping Norton, Didcot, Dorchester, Thame, Oxford, Wallingford, Wantage, Witney, Woodstock
Attractions in Oxfordshire
Banbury Museum | Blenheim Palace | Broughton Castle | Buscot Park | Chastleton House | Cotswold Wildlife Park | Didcot Railway Centre | Greys Court | Minster Lovell | Rousham House | Stonor House