Shakespeare's Way - A 146 mile journey of imagination - Day 4

Day 4. Woodstock to Oxford (11 miles – 18 km)

Today we left Woodstock and Blenheim Park behind to first visit the grave of Sir Winston Churchill in St Mary’s churchyard, Bladon, then cut across country to the Oxford Canal with its canal barge homes before taking the path along banks of the River Thames into the city of Oxford.

Churchill’s grave in St Mary’s churchyard, Bladon. Sir Winston Churchill had expressed a wish to be buried at Bladon, the small village close to the family home of Blenheim. So, on 30 January 1965, after his state funeral service at St Paul's Cathedral, London, his body was transported by train to Bladon. There, the private burial took place, conducted by the rector.

The Oxford Canal at Duke’s Cut, three miles north of the city where there is a connection to the River Thames. The canal was constructed in the late 18^th century and was once an important artery between the Midlands and London, primarily carrying coal from Warwickshire, stone and agricultural products. In 1805 traffic switched to the rival Grand Union Canal, a faster and much more direct route between London that avoided the flash locks on the River Thames.

The 300 acres (120 ha) of Port Meadow next to the Thames north of Oxford, were given to the Freemen of Oxford in the 10th century by Alfred the Great in return for helping to defend the kingdom against the marauding Danes. The Freemen's collective right to graze their animals free of charge is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and still continues to this day.

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,