Oxfordshire, archaically known as the County of Oxford, was brought into existence during the Anglo-Saxon period, the original county being confined to the north bank of the Thames. Geographically, the county sits between the River Thames to the south, the Cotswolds to the west, the Chilterns to the east and the Midlands to the north. Oxfordshire is a county rich in history and folklore. The city of Oxford is the main population centre in the county. The University of Oxford, known as a first-class educational establishment worldwide, was first founded in the city in 1096, though its collegiate structure did not develop until later on. While Oxford has always been a reasonably large settlement, it is the county’s rich agricultural land that has made it what it is today. This unique selection of images and informative captions will be essential reading for anyone who knows and loves this county.