Charlbury

Enjoy Traditional English Festivals In Charlbury

If you ever visit Oxfordshire then you should visit a many places as humanly possible to try and unlock as many of the county’s little treasures as you can. In fact, you have to in order to get a better taste of just what it has to offer in terms of the lifestyle culture, history and art. There are certain villages that you should visit as well, with Charlbury being high on the list! Charlbury is a traditional Oxfordshire village that is situated on a hill right on the edge of the Cotswolds.

Charlbury has an awful lot going for it. Its location is actually perfect for nature rambles and relaxing walks because it overlooks the Wychwood Forest and Evenlode River. Both of these natural features make the village a little bit special because they are so picturesque and fit in well with the size and nature of the village, which still features thatched roofed housing even now!

There are various buildings that would be of interest to the average visitor here, and most of them are really old! They do give the village character though! For example, there is the St Mary the Virgin church. The first bishop of Mercia, St Diuma, originally built it but the church there now dates back to the 17th Century. Then there is Lee Place. Now it is owned by Lord Rotherwick but was the Duke of Marlborough’s summer home previously. The architecture is fantastic and really takes you back to the 17th Century when it was built.

If you possibly can then you should coincide your visit with one of the festivals that take place in the village every year. There is the Charlbury Riverside Festival if you happen to like rock and world music. It is completely free and is the largest one in the county and is held in Mill Field. There is also a beer festival in July to showcase the beers and ciders that are produced in the area. Finally, there is the Combury Festival that takes place at Combury Park in September every year. There is a myriad of stalls selling various wares, Morris dancing and music so you can enjoy traditional Oxfordshire village life! It is well worth planning your trip around this festival because you are sure to get your moneys worth!