Sudeley Castle Set against the beautiful backdrop of Cotswold Hills, Sudeley Castle is steeped in history. With royal connections spanning a thousand years, it has played an important role in the turbulent and changing times of England's past. The Castle was once home to Queen Katherine Parr (1512-48), following her marriage to Sir Thomas Seymour, and Lady Jane Grey. Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth I all visited Sudeley. King Charles I stayed here and his nephew, Prince Rupert, established his headquarters at the Castle during the Civil War. Following its destruction
by Cromwell's troops, Sudeley lay neglected and derelict for 200 years. However, its romantic situation and ruins attracted many visitors, including King George III. In 1837 Sudeley was bought by John and William Dent, successful businessmen from Worcestershire, who began an ambitious restoration program; the castle is still home to their descendants. Within the Castle's apartments are a range of historic possessions dating from the Civil War and an important art collection including paintings by Van Dyck, Rubens, Turner, Reynolds, Claude and Jan Steen. The romantic 14-acre grounds are worth a visit from March to September and are the setting for outdoor Shakespeare performances, concerts, and other events in summer. Phone Number: (0)1242 602 308 Website: www.sudeleycastle.co.uk Transport: A 10-minute walk from Winchcombe and nine miles (14km) northeast of Cheltenham Hours: Castle open daily 10.30am to 5pm (31 March to 28 October) Admission: £7.20 (adults), £4.20 (children)
Stratford-Upon-Avon The quaint and picturesque country town, Stratford-Upon-Avon (which, as its name suggests, rests on the banks of the River Avon) is the historic birthplace of William Shakespeare. Visitors can explore Shakespeare's birthplace; Mary Arden's House, where his mother lived before marrying his father; his wife, Anne Hathaway's cottage, as well as the school Shakespeare attended. Stratford-Upon-Avon is within easy access of the Cotswolds, set in the beautiful, rural Warwickshire countryside. Website: www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk
Bodleian Library Chief among Oxford's many academic and architectural attractions is the unique Bodleian library, which is spread throughout several buildings across the city. The central core of this collection of buildings is set in Radcliffe Square and includes the historic Duke Humfrey's Library, dating from the 15th century, and the gothic Divinity School with its magnificent vaulted ceiling, which is open to the public. Only members can use the reading rooms of this library, which contains a copy of every book printed in Britain since 1610, and no books are ever loaned out. Guided tours are available to view the main buildings. Address: Central Bodleian site is off Broad Street and in Radcliffe Square Phone Number: (0)1865 277162 Email Address: tours@bodley.ox.ac.uk Website: www.bodley.ox.ac.uk Hours: Tours from the quadrangle, Broad Street, depart 10.30am, 11.30am, 2pm and 3pm Monday to Saturday. Admission: Standard tours cost £6
Ashmolean Museum The Ashmolean Museum houses a fascinating and extensive collection of art and archaeology covering four thousand years of history, ranging from the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome to the 20th century, and including sculpture, ceramics, musical instruments and paintings. It is the United Kingdom's oldest museum, founded in 1683. Address: Beaumont Street Phone Number: (0)1865 278 000 Website: www.ashmolean.org Hours: Closed until November 2009. Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm. (From June to August the museum stays open until 7pm on Thursdays). Closed 1 January and 24-26 December Admission: Free
Christchurch Picture Gallery Christchurch, one of Oxford's most renowned university colleges, possesses an important collection of about 300 paintings and 2,000 drawings, mainly by the Italian masters. Works by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Rubens are to be seen here, along with examples from Van Dyck, Frans Hals and Hugo van der Goes. The entire collection cannot be displayed at one time because of space constraints, but the exhibition changes every few months. There are also displays of 18th-century glass and Russian icons. Address: Entrance in the Canterbury Quadrangle, Christchurch College Phone Number: (0)1865 276172 Website: www.chch.ox.ac.uk Hours: Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 5pm, Sunday 2pm to 5pm (1 May to 30 September). Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm, Sunday 2pm to 4.30pm (1 October to 30 April). Closed Easter week and 20 December to 6 January Admission: £3 (adults), £2 (concessions)
Carfax Tower The photo opportunity afforded from the top makes it worthwhile climbing the 99 stairs of the Carfax Tower in the center of Oxford's shopping district. The tower top is the best place from which to view the 'dreaming spires' of this architecturally beautiful city. The tower is the only remnant of the 14th-century St Martin's church, demolished in 1896 to improve the traffic flow at the junction of Cornmarket and Queen Streets. On the first floor a display depicts the history of the church, while information boards on the tower top identify the landmarks and spires in the panoramic view. On the eastern side of the tower is a clock with two figures that strike the quarter hours. Address: Corner of St. Aldate's, Cornmarket Street, Queen Street and High Street Phone Number: (0)1865 792 653 Hours: Open daily from 10am to 3pm November to February and from 10am to 4pm March to October Admission: £2 (adults), £1 (children)
Botanic Gardens The oldest Botanic Garden in the country, Oxford's bountiful botanical collection of more than 7,000 species of plants has been growing for four centuries. It was founded as a 'physic garden' by the Earl of Danby in 1621, but today its biodiversity is renowned as being greater even than that of a tropical rainforest. One does not, however, have to be a horticulturalist to enjoy the beautifully planted walled garden, exotic greenhouses, herbaceous borders, rock and water gardens that make up this botanic feast. Address: Rose Lane Phone Number: (0)1865 286 690 Website: www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk Hours: Daily from 9am. Closing time varies between 4.30pm and 6pm depending on the season Admission: £3 (adults), concessions available
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