Oxford Norwich Train

The historic university city of Oxford is located in the county of Oxfordshire and is roughly 35 miles to the east of Cheltenham and 30 miles to the south west of Milton Keynes. Although known for its university the economy of Oxford is also reliant on car making, publishing, science and technology, bellfounding and brewing. Several of the University's colleges had private breweries which includes Brasenose College whose brewery survived until 1889.

Oxford used to be an important port of the River Thames, although the section of the Thames that runs through Oxford is called The Isis. To accommodate commercial traffic the Oxford-Burcot Commission in the 17th century took steps to improve the navigability of the river. The Oxford Canal was constructed in the 18th century in order to connect Oxford with the Midlands. Commercial traffic has given way to recreational use of the river and canal. Oxford was the original base of Salters Steamers and there is a regular service from Folly Bridge downstream to Abingdon and beyond.

Interesting attractions in the city include the Ashmolean Museum, the Bodleian Library, Christ Church Cathedral, The Headington Shark, the Museum of History and Science and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Located in the county of Norfolk, the city of Norwich was England's second city from medieval times through to the Industrial Revolution. Norman invaders gave the city its castle and the Anglican cathedral and as the city grew so did its defensive wall and medieval street layout, which remains intact. Like any great city its centre is easy to walk around and has a river at its heart. Notable landmarks and attractions in the city, the "Norwich 12" include the Edwardian Surrey House, the Georgian grandeur of the Assembly House, St James Mill, The Forum and the Millennium Building. Norwich is a great city to explore on foot. Why not take a stroll from the thirteenth century Adam and Eve public house (the oldest in the city) around the river Wensum, past the unique Cow Tower, to Pulls Ferry, one of the original entrance gates to the Cathedral precinct. A canal was built through this gate to ferry the stone brought from Caen in France, which was used to build the Castle and Cathedral. If you want a great view of the city go up Mousehold Heath to the north-east, close to the nineteenth century prison. From there you will see many of the city's most historic buildings.