Oxfordshire: Gleaming Spires, The Thames and Henley
Oxfordshire boasts rolling countryside and historic villages, beyond the city of Oxfordshire and market towns like Thame. Situated on the River Thames, it’s home to ancient woodlands and riverside meadows.
Always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe.
The Chiltern Hills
These cover south-east Oxfordshire, as well as many other counties (including Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire). These low-lying hills are known for their gentle slopes and beech woodlands, and you can walk the Ridgeway National Trail for peaceful spots and far-reaching views.
You’ll view wildflowers in spring, with red kite birds circling overhead. The woods are home to foxes and badgers, and also discover pretty villages like Watlington and Nettlebed (a few miles from Henley-on-Thames).
Wytham Woods
Owned by Oxford University, this nature reserve of course found fame, when featured in an Inspector Morse novel (the one about the missing Swedish tourist).
This ancient woodland features winding paths, under tall oaks and chestnuts, supporting many native birds including woodpeckers and tawny owls.
The Thames Path
This runs for 184 miles between London and the Cotswolds, with much of it passing through Oxfordshire – open country, waterside villages and leafy woodlands. Discover Abingdon, Wallingford and Henley-on-Thames, spotting kingfishers and dragonflies along the water.
White Horse Hill & Uffington
Although most chalk white horses are found in Wiltshire, one of the best-known is Uffington White Horse. This is the oldest hill figure in Europe, with a distinct flowing shape. It has to be regularly maintained, otherwise the chalk outline would disappear, as grass grows.
Home to Part of the Cotswolds
England’s largest National Landscape (the new name for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is mostly in Gloucestershire, but spills over into several other counties, including Oxfordshire.
Key towns within it are Burford and Chipping Norton, known for their walking trails and gentle streams.
Independent Shops in Oxford
Independent Oxford is a wonderful site, profiling the many independent businesses and shops in the area. There’s a regularly updated directory, and interviews with lots of local indie entrepreneurs!
Members get listed on the site, and can meet other indies, at regular meet-ups for friendship and support.
The University City of Oxford
Founded in the 12 century, Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world (a few worldwide are older, including Bologna and one in Morocco). The skyline of this city is known for its honey-coloured spires and domes, with the Radcliffe Camera (a library) one of the most photographed and painted buildings.
There is controversy over animal testing at the university. VERO is made up of Oxford boffins, who give the scientific arguments to switch to humane medical research.
Henley-on-Thames (and the royal regatta)
Nestled on the banks of the River Thames, Henley-on-Thames mixes classic English charm with stunning riverside views and a lively town centre. It’s known for its annual Royal Regatta, held each summer as a five-day rowing festival.
The former Prime Minister Boris Johnson used to be the MP here, before he was elected for Uxbridge and South Ruislip. After the disgrace of partying during the pandemic (when others could not hold the hands of their dying loved ones), he later was considering returning to politics, by standing again in Henley-on-Thames.
But the outgoing MP (with a healthy Conservative majority) insisted that this would happen ‘over my dead body’. He wrote ‘I would have voted for him to be chucked out of Parliament, had he still been a member’.
The Lasting Appeal of Inspector Morse
Inspector Endeavour Morse was the popular Oxford-based detective, created by Colin Dexter (who actually studied at Cambridge), though he and Morse shared a love of Wagner, beer and crosswords. The series first aired in 1987, running for 30 episodes until 2000.
Handsome John Thaw (who played Morse) looked older than he was, due to his white hair. He was just 44 when filming began, and only 60 when he died. When the series ended, he refused the offer of the red jaguar, saying it ‘was terrible to drive’.
The Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race
The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race began in 1829, covering a 4.2 mile stretch of the Thames, from Putney and Mortlake in London. Each boat has 8 rowers and a coxswain, who steers the boat and sets the race plan.
Over the years, there have been dead heats. In 1912, both boats sank as they filled with water during poor weather. One former rower was Hugh Laurie, in the race when his team (Cambridge) lost, after clashing oars!
The Man Who Broke the Four-Minute Mile
Fellow medical students celebrate, after Roger’s win
Roger Bannister is the man who broke the four-minute mile, something deemed impossible before he did it. Even today, only 20 seconds or so has been shaved off that time by Olympic runners.
Born in Harrow (London) in 1929, medical student Roger balanced training with his studies. In 1954, he lined up for the race in Oxford that would define him, and crossed the finish in 3 minutes, 59 seconds.
Australian runner John Landy broke the record just weeks later, as Roger had unlocked a new mindset that the four-minute mile was possible for a human. Roger soon retired from athletics, and become a respected neurologist and Master of Pembroke College.
Yet still humans have nothing on wild cheetahs. Although they can only run in short bursts, a cheetah could run a mile in 56 seconds!
