Arts and crafts in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire (including Cherwell, Oxford, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire) is in the South East of England. It has a population of around 654,000 and covers approximately 260,000 hectares. Here is a list of nearby or neighbouring counties: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire.
Situated between the River Thames, the Chilterns and the Cotswolds, the county of Oxfordshire grew in prominence during and after the Anglo Saxon period. The county town of Oxfordshire is Oxford, the city of dreaming spires, home to the world famous Oxford University, which is considered to be the earliest university in the English-speaking world. Visitors to the college buildings can appreciate their impressive medieval architecture and finely furnished interiors. The cities history and architecture attract millions of tourists each year, many of whom visit shops in the 18th century Covered Market. Performing arts venues in Oxfordshire include New Theatre Oxford, The Chipping Norton Theatre, Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford and the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, which also runs exhibitions in its gallery of arts and crafts work created by amateur as well as professional artists.
Blenheim Palace was built in Woodstock during the 18th century and is the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill. It was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in the English Baroque style and is a World Heritage Site. The impressive palace interiors were the work of master craftsmen, including rooms designed by Sir Christopher Wren and its furnishings and works of art reflect three hundred years of history. Blenheim Palaces gardens were designed by Capability Brown and the parks attractions include a maze, miniature railway and a butterfly house. You might also like to visit the 18th century Neoclassical country house Buscot Park, which has a collection of paintings by artists such as Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Botticelli. There are also more modern works of art on show, along with exhibits of glass, silver and ceramics and the house is surrounded by woods, lakes and gardens. Other attractions in Oxfordshire include Broughton Castle near Banbury, the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford, Upton House near Banbury and the Uffington White Horse, a prehistoric hill figure which dates back to between 1400 BC and 600 BC.
