THE RADCLIFFE CAMERA, OXFORD

 

The circular dome and drum of the Radcliffe Camera provides one of Oxford's most iconic sights, and is a distinctive landmark in a city full of distinctive landmarks! The camera (the word means simply "room") was built 1737-1749 with £40,000 bequeathed by Dr John Radcliffe, the royal physician. Radcliffe was the most successful physician in England, and in his will he left money to purchase land, build a library, purchase books, and pay a full-time librarian. A site was purchased north of University Church (St Mary's), on a new square created when old houses were torn down.

BLEINHEIM PALACE, OXFORDSHIRE

Situated just 8 miles from Oxford, Blenheim Palace is the home of 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Set in beautiful parkland of 2100 acres, which was landscaped by 'Capability' Brown in 1760's, the Palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns and formal gardens. This is for me probably the most extraordinary place in the UK. You could easily spend hours and hours just walking around.