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Woodstock
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WOODSTOCK
, eight miles north of Oxford, has royal associations going back to Saxon times, with a string of kings attracted by its excellent hunting. The Royalists used Woodstock as a base during the Civil War, but, after their defeat, Cromwell never got round to destroying either the town or the palace, but the latter was ultimately given to (and flattened by) the Duke of Marlborough, in 1704. Long dependent on royal and then ducal patronage, Woodstock is now both a well-heeled commuter town for Oxford and a provider of food, drink and beds for visitors to Blenheim. It is also an extremely pretty little place, its handsome stone buildings gathered around the main square, at the junction of Market and High streets. It is here that you'll find the town's one specific sight, the
Oxfordshire Museum
(Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm; ?1), a well-composed review of the archeology, social history and industry of the county.
The museum shares its premises with the town's
tourist office
(Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, Sun 1-5pm; tel 01993/813276), which has a useful range of information on the nearby Cotswolds. Woodstock has several good
pubs
, the best being the
Bear
, a delightful old coaching inn with low-beamed ceilings and antique furnishings across from the museum; it offers a varied menu and serves a good range of beers.
Buses
from Oxford run every thirty minutes or so (reduced service on Sun), with some continuing on to Stratford-upon-Avon. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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United Kingdom,
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