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Burford |
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| Founded by / origin | A former wool / blanket manufacturing town mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, Burford was the first Cotswold town to be granted a charter, some time before 1107. The 12th century church is magnificent — rather outclassing the town, actually. |
| 80 word description of the town or area | Known as 'the gateway to the Cotswolds', Burford is a beautiful stone-built Cotswold town, nestled around its 12th century church. Many of the town’s buildings date from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. The town is now a designer shopper’s paradise, with some very fine specialist shops, some of which are arranged around the ancient alleyways, complemented by some famous hotels, restaurants and inns. The River Windrush passes through the town, providing a delightful scenic backdrop. |
| The town’s personality in three words | Picturesque, languid, photogenic |
| If the town were a celebrity, it would be… | Penelope Keith |
| If the town put on a party, the party would be… | A summer garden party with Pimms |
| Train station | The nearest train station is Charlbury. |
| Bus station | There are regular buses to Witney and Oxford. |
| Famous residents or ex-residents |
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Carterton |
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| Founded by / origin | In 1770 land owned by the Duke of Marlborough was sold to a company whose director was called William Carter, hence Carterton. Famous for the RAF Brize Norton air base, used to transport equipment and troops throughout the world, Carterton has some RAF accommodation for families as well as locals. |
| 80 word description of the town or area | Carterton was once described in a documentary as one of the ugliest towns in England. What a lot has changed over the years since then! Carterton is a busy and thriving town with recently improved infrastructure to serve the large, well-planned Shilton Park development that has been built over the last four years, and which provides excellent housing at very affordable rents. The town centre is known, among other things, as having the best selection of takeaway restaurants in the area. |
| The town’s personality in three words | DIY, grounded, cheap and cheerful |
| If the town were a celebrity, it would be… | Tommy Walsh |
| If the town put on a party, the party would be… | A takeaway with friends |
| Train station | The nearest train stations are Charlbury and Oxford. |
| Bus station | There are regular bus services to Witney, Oxford, and Swindon. |
| Famous residents or ex-residents |
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Witney |
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| Founded by / origin | Witney was first recorded in AD 969, though there is evidence of both Iron Age and Roman settlements in the area. In 1044 Queen Emma granted the Bishops of Winchester an estate in Witney and the ownership of the estate is confirmed in the Domesday Book. A palace was built next to the parish church, the foundations of which were excavated in 1984. |
| 80 word description of the town or area | Witney is a bustling Cotswold town with its own weekly market. The very pretty town centre is built in the local honey-coloured Cotswold stone, as are many of the modern suburbs, some of which are fascinating conversions of the former blanket mills in which Witney’s past is rooted. The town is well served with schools, supermarkets, specialist shops, restaurants, sports/leisure centre, etc. Delightful Cotswold walks surround the town and the River Windrush meanders through it, passing under the High Street alongside Finders Keepers’ office. |
| The town’s personality in three words | Cotswold, country, confident |
| If the town were a celebrity, it would be… | Clarissa Dixon-Wright |
| If the town put on a party, the party would be… | A relaxed dinner with close friends |
| Train station | The nearest stations are Long Hanborough and Charlbury. |
| Bus station | There is a regular bus service to Oxford throughout the day and into the evening, running every 10–20 minutes. There are also services to some surrounding villages. |
| Famous residents or ex-residents | David Cameron |
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Woodstock |
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| Founded by / origin | Woodstock was founded by Henry II in 1279 to provide accommodation for his servants and his mistress while he visited his royal hunting lodge – Woodstock Manor. In 1453 the town finally received its Royal Charter from Henry IV. In 1705, following the victory at Blindheim, the crown granted Woodstock Park, thereafter called Blenheim, to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough. |
| 80 word description of the town or area | The elegant and historic town of Woodstock is principally famous as the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and home to the magnificent Blenheim Palace and park, laid out by Capability Brown in the 18th century. The town itself is a perfect place to go for a romantic evening meal or for a lazy Sunday afternoon stroll in Blenheim Park. It is home to cosy old coaching inns, some noted hotels and excellent restaurants for a laid-back evening. There are some delightful tea rooms to provide a relaxing break from perusing the antique shops and boutiques. |
| The town’s personality in three words | Historic, aristocratic, quaint |
| If the town were a celebrity, it would be… | Winston Churchill |
| If the town put on a party, the party would be… | An elegant fête champêtre |
| Train station | The nearest station is Charlbury, which has a mainline service to London. |
| Bus station | There are regular bus services to Oxford and surrounding villages. |
| Famous residents or ex-residents | The Dukes of Marlborough, Winston Churchill |
