Some Places of Interest in Oxfordshire
These are lesser-known attractions that are in the care of English Heritage
Oxfordshire has much to offer the visitor, apart from the tourist traps of Blenheim Palace and Oxford itself. Here are a few suggestions of less well-known attractions, all of which are cared for by English Heritage.
North Leigh Roman Villa (see photo above)
This is between Woodstock and Witney, to the north-west of Oxford. The villa must have been very impressive when occupied (it dates from the 4th century AD) as the outlines of more than sixty rooms can be seen, including evidence of underfloor heating. No stonework other than footings can be seen today, but there is a fine mosaic floor to admire, covered by a building to protect it from the elements.
Deddington Castle
There is not much of a castle to be seen here, as most of the original stonework had disappeared by the beginning of the 15th century — no doubt re-used by local people for their own buildings. The castle was built by Bishop Odo, half-brother of William the Conqueror, but his structure would have been wooden, with stonework only being added in the 12th century.
The original builders made use of a pre-existing mound that could have dated back to Iron Age times…