Central Oxfordshire

Home to approximately 150,000 people, Oxford is world-famous for its dreaming spires, university, iconic cobblestone streets, innovation and architecture. Oxford is the county’s only city and comprises of several suburbs and neighbourhoods in addition to the city centre including Summertown, Headington, Cowley and Blackbird Leys.

The city has a rich motoring heritage and is home to the main Mini production plant. Its also known for its science and technology innovation and retail centres. There are several popular tourist attractions too including the University Church, Covered Market and punting on the River Thames.

There is a rich sporting heritage in Oxford too, with the city home to Football League club Oxford United, National League team Oxford City FC plus an ice hockey team and newly reintroduced speedway club.

Oxford also has outstanding transport links via its train station, bus and coach services and dedicated cycling routes. Easy access to the west via the A420, south on the A34 and London plus the midlands is provided by the nearby M40.

Did you know, Oxford was never attacked during World War II as Adolf Hitler intended the city to become his headquarters once he had invaded and conquered Britain. The city is also home to the world’s oldest museum open to the public, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The Ashmolean Museum opened its doors in 1683 with collections including Egyptian mummies and contemporary art.

Positioned on the A44 connecting Chipping Norton to Oxford, Woodstock is located on the doorstep of Blenheim Palace, a World Heritage Site regarded as Britain’s greatest palace and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

Blenheim Palace is any walker’s paradise, with its lake, gardens and off-track rambles appealing to approximately 800,000 visitors each year. The palace also hosts an annual Illuminated Christmas Lights trail each year and horse trials in the autumn.

Away from the Palace, Woodstock itself has many unique boutiques, art galleries and antique shops with tearooms, coffee shops, pubs and restaurants lining the town’s high street. Woodstock town centre is also home to The Oxfordshire Museum.

Although Woodstock doesn’t have its own train station, nearby Combe and Hanborough stations operate services to central London taking 90 minutes. Woodstock also has a primary and secondary school.

The village is home to approximately 50 shops, a library, village hall and hosts a market each Friday and Saturday between 9am and 4.30pm. There are several pubs, restaurants and cafes as well.

To deal with the village’s growing population, Kidlington has several primary schools and a secondary school. There is a new train station, and bus services operate often serving nearby Oxford and surrounding towns and villages.

Did you know, Kidlington was once home to a zoo. The Oxford Zoological Gardens opened in 1931 and closed seven years later when it was transformed into a grammar school. Today, the site is used as Thames Valley Police’s headquarters.

This bustling village is identified by its pleasant centre and grey stone cottages with the main square and high street still retaining its character from the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Historically, Eynsham was one of four locations captured by the Saxons in 571 AD.

To the south of Eynsham is Swinford Toll Bridge crossing the River Thames. The bridge has been in operation since the 18^th century after King George III’s coach and horses reportedly almost sunk into the river.

Today, Eynsham is best connected by the A40 with no local train station. Local industries include gravel extraction and a factory for superconducting magnets. The village also has a primary and secondary school, plus football and cricket clubs.

The village sits on top of a hill with extensive views spreading across north Oxfordshire and nearby Farmoor Reservoir. The name Cumnor means ‘a hill slope belonging to Cuma’ – Cuma was an 8^th century abbot of Abingdon.

Historically, the southwest of the present churchyard was once home to Cumnor Place – one of the wealthiest and grandest granges locally. It was demolished in the 19^th century and now only a small wall and some steps remain.

Cumnor has two pubs, a butcher, hairdressers, greengrocers and Post Office. There are also three churches, a football club and cricket club. There is one primary school in the village. Local transport is limited, with bus services running to nearby Oxford, Abingdon and Wantage.