Oxford; A Punt and a Palace

51°45'05.0"N 1°14'46.0"W Oxford, England

Oh, the row-mance of centuries old traditions.

Captain was reasonably good at punting, gently gliding in straight lines along the river. It was rather relaxing.

Then I had a go…

There were no such straight lines produced from my punting technique!

To have yourself a little punting love, head to Magdalen Bridge. From the boathouse you can hire a punt for an hour, or if you want to make a day of it you can stay on the river as long as you like, returning the punt to the boathouse at least half an hour before sunset - picnic of Champagne and strawberries anyone?

As you set off south from the boathouse you glide gently past Oxford’s famous Botanic Gardens, through Christ Church College Meadows, where Lewis Carroll taught in the mid-19th century when he wrote the famous Alice Through the Looking Glass (1871) and Alice in Wonderland (1865). Then either take the river left past St Hilda’s College gardens, past the stunning Magdalen School rose gardens, under the miniature white bridges and back past the Botanic Gardens to the Boathouse. Or alternatively, if you are feeling adventurous, continue south towards the Isis (Oxford’s name for the River Thames), along the entire Christ Church Meadow to where the river opens up allowing you to enjoy this stunning natural river environment.

Another option is to travel north from the Boathouse, past Magdalen College Tower and up past the Angel and Greyhound meadows, past Magdalen College gardens and into Oxford’s stunning countryside.

Which ever way you go, head for refreshments afterwards in the beer garden at The Head of the River….

… followed by a saunter up the riverbank alongside the Thames. We rode as far as Iffley lock; riverboats gently making their way through the gates, watched over by an idyllic lock house with english cottage garden.

Our intention was to go to Isis Farmhouse, next to Iffley lock, but we didn’t realise they close Monday to Wednesday (next time I’m going Sunday for the live jazz sessions).

We pottered back along the Thames, past the rowing clubs’ of dreams. Will someone take me for a row here please?

Oxford feels nostalgic, even if you’ve never been, history and heritage pour from every crevice, every stone.

The ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ founded the worlds first english speaking university here in the 12th century, it has served as a home to royalty and scholars ever since. Nowadays, the city is a bustling cosmopolitan town with its mix of ancient, modern and everything in between most apparent in the architecture.

Scream for an iScream from the covered market and head for a pint at the 12th century Turf Tavern ‘An education in Intoxication’ at the end of a narrow winding alley, St Helens Passage (originally Hell's passage) straight out of Harry Potter.

We slept at Malmaison, a converted victorian prison right in the centre of Oxford, so for dinner we strolled to Walton Street in Jericho and chose to dine at Brasserie Blanc, Raymond Blanc’s first brasserie promising a taste of France in the heart of Oxford.

Just outside of Oxford is the small village of Woodstock. We had a lovely little room at The Crown Inn , both a pleasant stroll to Blenhein palace for tomorrows exploring, and a stones throw to The Feathers which just so happens to boast one of the worlds largest Gin collections, 400+ to be more specific, they have tasting menus and connoisseur’s to help with your selection!

Blenheim Palace is the only building in England other than royal buildings to be lucky enough to own the title of 'Palace' as it was a gift from the queen to John Churchill as a celebration of the victory won over France in the Spanish Succession. Sir Winston Churchill was born here in 1874, although he never actually lived there.

The family motto of the Churchill family, engraved within the crest, means ‘faithful but unfortunate’.

The palace remains the home of the Dukes of Marlborough, the present incumbent of the title being Charles James Spencer-Churchill, 12th Duke of Marlborough, the flag flies when the Duke is home and is taken down when the Duke is away.