Oxfordshire

About Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire Coat of Arms

Oxfordshire (abbreviated to Oxon) is a county in the south east region of England, bordering on Northamptonshire and Warwickshire (to the north), Buckinghamshire (to the east), Berkshire and Wiltshire (to the south) and Gloucestershire (to the west). It is divided into five local government districts: Oxford, Cherwell, Vale of White Horse (after the Uffington White Horse), West Oxfordshire and South Oxfordshire.

The county town of Oxford is home to the university which in turn has strong links to the local industries. The area is noted for a high concentration of biotechnology companies, printing and publishing houses and motorsport companies and facilites. The large tourism industry is created by a wealth of interesting historical buildings and open parklands, large stately homes and their estates and the memories and dreams of studying at Oxford.

The main centre of population is the city of Oxford with other significant settlements at Banbury, Bicester, Kidlington, and Chipping Norton to the north of Oxford; Witney to the west; Thame and Chinnor to the east; and Abingdon, Wantage, Didcot, Wallingford and Henley-on-Thames to the south.

Oxfordshire County Flag

The county of Oxfordshire was formed in the early years of the 10th century. Historically, the area has always had some importance, containing valuable agricultural land in the centre of the country and the prestigious university in the county town of Oxford. Ignored by the Romans, it was not until the formation of a settlement at Oxford in the 8th century that the area grew in importance. The University of Oxford was founded in 1096, though its collegiate structure did not develop until later on. The importance of agriculture as an employer has declined rapidly in the 20th century.

Arguably the most famous building in Oxfordshire is Blenheim Palace at Woodstock. It was built by the great architect John Vanbrugh for John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, after he had won the battle of Blenheim. The gardens, which can be visited, were designed by the landscape gardener “Capability Brown”, who planted the trees in the battle formation of the victorious troops. In the palace, which can also be visited, Sir Winston Churchill was born.

Facts

  • Population – 639,700 (2008)
  • County Town and Administrative HQ – Oxford
  • Governing Authority – Oxfordshire County Council
  • Regional Planning Body – South East England Partnership Board
  • Major Industries – Tourism; Education; Biotechnology; Motorsport; Publishing; Printing
  • Police – Thames Valley Police
  • Fire – Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
  • Ambulance – South Central Ambulance Service

Discover Oxfordshire – useful links to guides, what’s on and places to see

Blenheim Palace - Oxfordshire

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