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We will look round the ancient tower of St. Michael’s Church, once visited by William Shakespeare!

Parts of the tower date back to Saxon times, and in times past it was adjacent to the prison (now demolished) known as Bocardo. In the sixteenth century Oxford was the scene of the martyrdoms of Archbishop Cranmer, and the two Bishops Latimer and Ridley, burned at the stake by the orders of Queen Mary I. Cranmer was imprisoned in Bocardo gaol for many months, and the actual door of the cell where the Bishops were held can be seen in the tower of St. Michael’s Church. At Balliol College we can see a gate damaged at that time by flames from one of the fires.

The University does require the flexibility to sometimes close Colleges at very short notice, but with Oxford’s many historic Colleges it is not hard to find replacements if necessary: such as Exeter College, founded in 1314, where the chapel contains a tapestry designed by Edward Burne-Jones, or Lincoln College, founded in 1427, where John Wesley studied in the 1730s. Oxford also has interesting Museums, such as the Ashmolean Museum featuring art and archaeology. Consequently if a replacement does have to be found, there is still plenty to be seen and enjoyed.

We will take in a visit to the attractive old wool town of Witney - where blankets were still made until recent times - now well known as David Cameron’s constituency. From Witney we will continue a few miles to the charming Old Village of Minster Lovell, with its quaint, thatched cottages of cotswold stone, its ruined Manor, and near the river the Old Swan pub, which once provided lodgings for the servants of King Richard III. The Old Village is quite unspoiled, located well away from the main road in a very rural setting.

The remaining day of the tour will include a visit to the lovely stately home of Blenheim Palace, with its elegant house and impressive grounds, which was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The afternoon will provide free time in Oxford, so that those who wish may explore the shops, or visit further places of interest not covered by the tour.