Visit The Oxfordshire Cotswolds

Visitors to rural Oxfordshire may be surprised to learn that London is less than 70 miles away. Bustling market towns, sleepy village churches and magnificent stately homes combine to give the Oxfordshire Cotswolds a unique appeal, with scenery that has led to the area being designated an Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty.

There are four major towns in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds each with its own unique charm.

Farmers’ Markets around Witney

Witney is a traditional English market town, the epitome of rural England. The market square is dominated by the 17th century Buttercross where local farmers gathered to trade butter and eggs.

The town can trace its history back to the 12th century, when the Bishop of Winchester built a palace in the town. The remains of this were rediscovered in the 1980’s and can be seen at Church Green, in the shadow of the spired 13th century St Mary’s Church.

Witney, like the rest of the area, has a wide selection of places to eat and drink. Intimate restaurants, traditional country pubs and quaint coffee shops cater for all tastes. Locally sourced produce is widely used and can be bought at regular farmers’ markets and local farm shops. Witney also has its own real ale brewery, Wychwood’s. Brewery tours are available on weekends, but advanced booking is essential.

Shop for Antiques in Burford

Burford Photo David Stowell Creative Commons License

Shops with Tudor and Georgian frontages dominate Burford High Street. National chains are nowhere to be seen as independent antique shops, craft shops and cafés provide a totally different shopping experience to city centre high streets and out of town malls. Burford, which enjoys a reputation as one of England’s most picturesque towns, has remained largely unchanged for centuries with ample photo opportunities with a selection of old stone houses and the medieval bridge that straddles the River Windrush. Just south of Burford, the Cotwold Wildlife Park and Gardens is home to a varied selection of animals ranging including penguins, monkeys, meerkats and farm animals.

Chipping Norton has Free Car Parking

Chipping Norton, granted a Royal Charter by King John in 1205, is the highest town in Oxfordshire. High street brands and independent stores combine to attract visitors to the town. Antiques again are prominent, with comedian Ronnie Barker running a store called the Emporium until his death in 2005. Market day is Wednesday and parking in the town centre is free. Local tourist attractions include Chipping Norton Museum and the Churchill & Sarsden Heritage Centre.

Blenheim Palace – Birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill

Blenheim Palace Photo Public Domain

Woodstock, standing on the banks of the River Glyme, also has a wide selection of antique shops, galleries and eateries. Winston Churchill was born just down the road, at Blenheim Palace. The palace stands in over 2000 acres of parklands and gardens, designed by Capability Brown. The palace, park and gardens are all open to the public. There are two rates of admission – one including admission to the palace. Both tickets include admission to the park and gardens and rides on the miniature train. The train runs to the Pleasure Gardens which has a maze, an adventure play area, butterfly house, lavender garden and “Blenheim Bygones” exhibition.

Tourist Information

West Oxfordshire District Council has Tourist Information offices at Burford, Witney and Woodstock. Information on places to stay and things to do is readily available. There is a full range of accommodation available, with self catering cottages and bed and breakfasts catering for all budgets.

Getting to the West Oxfordshire Cotswolds

The Oxfordshire Cotswolds are in easy reach of London, Oxford , Stratford upon Avon and Cheltenham. London Heathrow and Birmingham International Airports are both about an hour’s drive.

By Road

The A40, London to Gloucester, trunk road runs through the heart of the area passing near to both Burford and Witney. The M40 and A34 connect with the A 40 near Oxford providing excellent links to the rest of the motorway network.

By Rail

Trains run regularly between London Paddington and Hereford, calling at Charlbury and Kingham. Bus connections at Kingham provide links to Burford, Witney and Chipping Norton.

For more ideas Oxfordshire Cotswolds or 100 Days Out in South East England