Oxford, the University City, embraces 39 Colleges.

These Colleges, though independent and self-governing, represent, in essence, the body structure of the University City of Oxford. These are available for tourists to visit and tours are conducted on a regular basis. The most frequented of all being Christchurch College.

The University City of Oxford has a reputation of having been going for over 900 years, as a continuous University, without interruptions, with Colleges increasing steadily in number since its foundation, c1096 and developing rapidly from 1167, when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris.

Balliol and Merton Colleges, established between 1249 and 1264, are the oldest.

In 1530, Henry VIII forced Oxford University to accept his divorce from Catherine of Aragon.

From 1878, academic halls were established for women, who became members of the University in 1920. Since 1974, all but one of Oxford's 39 Colleges have changed their statutes to admit both men and women. St Hilda's remains the only women's college.

The Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library, The University Church, The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology (founded in 1683, was the first museum in Britain to be open to the public and is one of the oldest museums in the world), The Sheldonian Theatre and many other Architectural buildings of great interest.

In leaving this wonderful City behind, a few miles further North we arrive at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

In 1304, John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough won a great allied battle against
the armada of Louis XIV and Queen Anne rewarded him by building, at her own expense, The Royal Manor of Woodstock to be called Blenheim Palace. But sadly the money never arrived………..

This Royal Palace is well worth a visit. Kept to its original state, the three apartments interconnecting between the Saloon and Long Library are known as the First, Second and Third State Rooms. Also, originally designed as a picture gallery, the 55 metre long room displays some of the finest stucco ceiling decoration within the Palace.

The Grounds are vast and cared for in the best of English tradition : the Arboretum, Rose Gardens, Diana's Temple, the Cascade, there is so much to see.

Because these are individual tours, (up to 16 persons), the minibuses used for these is far more versatile than the usual large and cumbersome coaches, so we can take you to see places where otherwise many tourists undoubtedly miss out.

One other great advantage is that we can stop anywhere you choose rather than the pre-arranged, obligatory stops tourists have to do when in larger groups.

The tour will last approximately 8 and half hours departing from your Hotel at 09.00 returning to the hotel by 17.30.

Duration:
Full-Day

Cost:
Price on application.

More information:
Oxford
Blenheim Palace

Click here to go back to the Tours page