Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire, with its population of around 620,000, has the lowest population density in the SE region. It is one of England's most rural counties, occupying around 1000 sq miles, of which over half is designated an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Oxfordshire Cotswolds include the historic towns of Burford, Chipping Norton, Witney and Woodstock. Oxfordshire boasts over 80 picturesque villages situated in one of the most stunning rural locations in the heart of England. Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires, best known for its prestigious university founded in the 9th Century is now a bustling and cosmopolitan town.  With its combination of ancient and modern Oxford has much to offer with its historic buildings, colleges, art galleries, museums, botanical gardens, punting on the river, theatres, shopping, bars and restaurants.

Oxfordshire has a thriving economy with consistently low unemployment and is recognized as one of Europe's most prosperous regions.  The county itself is mainly agricultural but in terms of local industry the production of motor vehicles, paper, brick and cement are high on its list of commerce, with the more recent additions of performance motor sport and biotech companies.

Education

Oxfordshire has a completely comprehensive education system and has many excellent independent and state schools within its boundaries.  Some examples of ISCis-recommended independent schools include; Dragon School-Oxford, Magdalen College School-Oxford, Radley College-Abingdon and St.Mary's School-Wantage.

Transport

Oxfordshire has benefited greatly from its close proximity to London and excellent transport links. There are excellent road connections to the London via the M40 south and to Birmingham via the M40 north and also good trunk road links to the rest of the country. Travelling by car from Oxford to London takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and to Birmingham, 1 hr 20 minutes. There are regular rail services. Commuting time to London is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

The local airport at Kidlington specializes in general and business aviation and is home to the largest European Air Training School.

Interesting Oxfordshire facts

    • JRR Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings, is buried in Wolvercote, north of Oxford.
    • The name Oxford comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Oxenaford' which means 'ford for oxen'.
    • The tradition of the Oxford-Cambridge boat race was started in 1829 by Charles Merivale, a student at St. John's College, Cambridge and his school friend, Charles Wordsworth, who was at Oxford. Cambridge challenged Oxford to a race  and the tradition continues, with the loser challenging the winner to a re-match annually.