The second day started with a stop in Woodstock, only a short distance from Oxford. There we meet with the former mayor. After this meeting we had some free time to walk around the town and to visit the Oxfordshire Museum.
From Woodstock we headed to the Rollright Stones, one of the country’s ancient henges. We were they on the summer solstice, so there were many interesting offerings left around the circle and at the King Stone that is set by itself in a different field.
We then arrived in Moreton in Mash. Tuesday is market day, so the vendors were there selling clothes, house wares and some food.
After lunch we headed to Chipping Campden, an historic market town. “Chipping” in English town names means market. This village had a mill that has been refurbished to house retail. It also features a beautiful market structure from the 1600s.
Our last stop of the day was Stow on the Wold, which is home to England’s oldest Inn, the Royalist Hotel, in operation since 947 A.D. This village’s street follows the town square layout.
We made is back to Oxford in time to be dropped off at the Oxford Castle. The tower mound was built in 1071 by the Normans and subsequently added to. Along side the castle, the old prision has been turned into a hotel, which we walked through on our way to Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral.
Are all these beautiful photos making you want to go in 2012? E-mail hrc@uwaterloo.ca to be put on the mailing list
Great photos! A tiny but super representation of a most enjoyable and valuable experience. Having such able leadership in the tour of towns, villages and countryside really topped it off! A most candid view of what it takes to sustain such a region of exceptional beauty and importance, and netting economic benefit. Added value was the vibrant group of participants focused on issues of tourism and planning! I would go again!
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