Oxfordshire

Oxford is home to the world-famous University of Oxford, the Ashmolean Museum and Bodleian Libraries. The British author Colin Dexter based his Inspector Morse novels in Oxford. The Cotswold town of Witney, once famed for its blanket industry is to the west of Oxford. To the north of Oxford is Blenheim Palace, a World Heritage Site. It was built by architect John Vanbrugh for John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, after he had won the battle of Blenheim. The gardens were designed by Capability Brown. It is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, who was born in the palace in 1874. South along the River Thames is Wallingford, where Agatha Christie lived from 1934 until 1974. Wallingford is also one of the main filming locations for Midsomer Murders.

Oxfordshire includes parts of three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In the north-west lie the Cotswolds, to the south and south-east are the open chalk hills of the North Wessex Downs and wooded hills of the Chilterns and to the north is the ironstone of the Cherwell uplands.

Long-distance walks within Oxfordshire, include the Ridgeway National Trail, Macmillan Way, Oxfordshire Way and the D’Arcy Dalton Way.

Part or all of Oxfordshire is in North Wessex Downs AONB, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Part or all of Oxfordshire is in Chilterns AONB, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.