If there were time to visit just one place in Oxfordshire I would have no hesitation in nominating the garden at Rousham. It must be one of the most inspiring places anywhere. It combines the countryside and gardening - two of the great passions of the whacky English - into one perfect single experience. The genius of one of our great artists - William Kent -  surrounds the rigid classical symnetry of statues and temples with a welcoming informality, uses them along with the trees and the horizons in a series of compositions which make Rousham like nothing more than an open air gallery of huge landscape masterpieces. If you like landscape painting there is no way you will not love Rousham.

Perhaps its not really "local" but its close enough. And what gives it such a personal feeling is that the wonderful Cherwell finds its perfect context here. Try standing on the banks of the river on a warm summers day watching  the dragonfies skim above the reeds being bent horizontal by the current and look over the Vale of Venus.  Or take your picnic to the lawn by the Dovecote. sit under a tree, look up at the church tower, listen to the unending cooing of the doves and swat away the bees. Life doesn't get much better!

One of the joys of Rousham is that no children are allowed so its always quiet and usually pretty deserted. Totally  unlike the hordes at Blenheim, Hidcote or Oxford itself. Rousham has a small band of fanatical admirers. A good friend - Pam Mills - is one such person who has written a nice piece about the place. Read it HERE