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Today was the start of my latest Scottish holiday - so I ventured east to Oxford! Why? All will be revealed...
Upon arrival in the City of Dreaming Spires, I made for the castle. An entertaining guided tour that was included in the £11.50 admission price revealed its fascinating history.
The impressive stone St. George's Tower was built by the Saxons in the time of Ethelred the Unready. The Normans then added their trademark motte and bailey castle, of which only the motte survives. They were so impressed with the Saxon tower that they incorporated it into their curtain wall.
Being the home of Matilda, the castle played a prominent role in the Baron Wars, where she fought King Stephen for the right to the throne. Besieged over winter by Stephen, she is said to have escaped by skating down the frozen Thames to Abingdon.
It was a Royalist stronghold during the civil war so when captured was destroyed by the Parliamentarians. However, that's not the end of the castle's story as since then until 1996 it served as a prison. Some cells are included in the tour while the rest have been converted into an hotel.
After lunching at Gourmet Burger Kitchen, I wandered around the city, admiring the beautiful architecture. At Christ Church I explored the meadow and walked alongside the River Cherwell as we both made our way towards The Thames, taking the opportunity to sit for a while in the sun.
Then I made my way to Royston Vasey, via Oxford New Theatre, to see The League of Gentlemen. The show was fantastic consisting of both old and new sketches.
After getting back to the car, I then commenced the journey north for a couple of hours, stopping overnight at the Travelodge by the M6 J16.
Today we drove 173 miles.
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