Shakespeare's Way - A 146 mile journey of imagination - Day 3

Day 3. Chipping Norton to Woodstock (16 miles – 26 km)

This section follows the River Glyme valley from the market town of Chipping Norton, through Ditchley Park and past Blenheim Palace, to the picturesque town Woodstock, which probably originated as a settlement in clearing in the woods within the Royal Forest of Wychwood.

Chipping Norton or "Chippy" as it is known is a lively market town in the North Cotswolds with a theatre, a new leisure centre, book shops, art galleries, a museum and antique shops. It has one of the finest parish churches in the Oxfordshire, a medieval guildhall, some quaint back lanes and beautiful Georgian houses.

Cleveley today is a tranquil hamlet with an old mill pond, but was once was a busy thoroughfare on the main road from Chipping Norton to London.

Blenheim Palace was built between 1705 and 1724, as a gift to John Churchill, the 1^st Duke of Marlborough in appreciation of his defeat of the French and Bavarians at the Battle of Blenheim. Despite much political intrigue which led to Marlborough’s exile, it became the home of the Churchill family for the following 300 years and Sir Winston Churchill was born there. A UNESCO world heritage site, the architect was Sir John Vanbrugh and the landscaped gardens were designed by Capability Brown.

Join us on a guided walking holiday along (all or part of) Shakespeare's Way from 22nd April to 1st May 2011 in spring when the beech woods will be carpeted with bluebells.

Or do it independently on a self-guided walking tour and let us take care of the accommodation and luggage transfer.

Best wishes,