Oxfordshire

Oxford is one of the world's most beautiful cities and has always been popular with visitors. It's in the off-peak months, when the crowds have gone home, that Oxford reveals its true charms to those lucky enough to wander its historic streets. Oxford is at its most enchanting when autumn leaves fall in a quite college quad, when winter sun highlights the intricate stonework of the famous "dreaming spires" and when early spring sunshine blankets the city in flowers.

Oxford's 800 years of history have endowed the city with an astonishing legacy of impressive architecture that soars over a vibrant city centre alive with exciting shops, restaurants, student pubs and bookstores. Large parts of central Oxford are now traffic free and excellent public transportation links make it easy to get around.

Many of Oxford's most famous treasures are tucked away. Thet wait to be discovered down small alleyways or beyond the Porter's Lodges that guard the entrance to each of the 41 individual Colleges and Halls that together make up the great University. You can see many of Oxford's most famous places in a day, and for a bird's-eye view of the dreaming spires, climb the 99 steps of Carfax Tower in the heart of Oxford.

Blenheim Palace was built between 1705-1722 for John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, as a reward for his magnificent victory at the Battle of Blenheim. Churchill's victory over Louis XIV's Army in 1704 saved Vienna from a French invasion. The Royal Manor of Woodstock was granted by Queen Anne as the site for the architect John Vanbrugh to build one of England's largest private houses. It is considered his greatest work. The birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, who guided Britain to victory in the Second World War, Blenheim Palace is now the home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough. The palace is set in 2,100 acres of landscaped parkland and is one of the finest examples of English Baroque.