An area of outstanding natural beauty, the Oxfordshire Cotswolds are a blend of breathtaking unspoilt rolling hills, historic market towns and charming picturesque villages. Set in the very heart of rural England, the central location of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds makes the area easily accessible and a superb base for wider touring of the country.
To the east lies the county town of Oxfordshire, Oxford, famous for its world renowned university and cultural activities. Bordering the Oxfordshire Cotswolds to the North and West and a short drive away are the attractions of Stratford upon Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare, Warwick with its medieval castle standing proud above the city and the refined period splendour of Cheltenham.
To truly enjoy your visit to the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, take a little time to get to know the towns and villages as you pass through. Woodstock is a great example of a pretty Georgian Cotswold town with its distinctive mellow limestone houses, interesting antique shops and of course the world renowned Blenheim Palace on its doorstep. A true gem of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, the Palace was gifted to the Churchill family by Queen Anne after John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, defeated the French in 1704. No visit to the Oxfordshire Cotswolds would be complete without a visit to this historic baroque house, which was also the birthplace of Winston Churchill of course.
Other fine examples of Oxfordshire Cotswold towns of interest are Burford, the gateway to the Cotswolds, Witney, world famous for its blankets and Chipping Norton, a classic working market town.
Originally the wealth of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds was generated from the wool grown by its famous breed of sheep. You can still see the sheep in the fields on the hills defined by the distinctive Cotswold stone walls.
There is much to enjoy in the historic Oxfordshire Cotswolds. But be careful, once you visit you may not want to leave.......