Welcome to the Woodstock Edition of The Oxford Magazine

About Woodstock

Welcome to the Woodstock edition of The Oxford Magazine.

Woodstock, an old English word meaning “clearing in the woods”, is a picturesque historic town in Oxfordshire draped in history.

This dignified market town has historical links to nobility and royalty, as Woodstock Manor was the birthplace of the eldest son of King Edward III and was where Queen Mary I was imprisoned for a time by Elizabeth I.

The town grew up as a coaching stop around the Royal hunting lodge, which later became the site of Blenheim Palace, home of the Dukes of Marlborough since the early 1700s, and the birthplace of the statesman Sir Winston Churchill – he was born in the palace in 1874 and is buried in the nearby village of Bladon.

The Oxfordshire Museum can fill you in on the town’s fabled history, while the plush centre of Woodstock more than merits a saunter for its regal townhouses, clad with ivy and wisteria. Today, Woodstock is fast gaining a reputation as an exciting hub for contemporary art, with a host of galleries.


Local news & editions

Nocturne Live at Blenheim Palace
/ Arts & Entertainment

First acts Announced for Blenheim Palace’s Nocturne Live concert series in 2024

The much-loved, multi-million-selling Australian pop group Crowded House, nine-time Grammy-winning US singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, and Mercury and Brit-nominated duo Turin Brakes are the first acts to be announced for next summer’s Nocturne Live concert series.
The Orangery at Blenheim Palace reopens following £2m restoration
/ Arts & Entertainment

The Orangery at Blenheim Palace reopens following £2m restoration

The 18th-century Orangery at Blenheim Palace has reopened following the completion of vital £2m restoration works to replace the glass ceiling with timber and slate back to its original design.
Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum (SOFO) in Woodstock will unveil a new Gallantry Board to commemorate the county’s military and civilian heroes.
/ Arts & Entertainment

New Oxfordshire Gallantry Board to commemorate the county’s military and civilian heroes

Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum (SOFO) in Woodstock will unveil a new Gallantry Board to celebrate 31 Oxfordshire men who have been awarded the Victoria Cross, the George Cross, or the Edward and Albert medals.
Christmas at Blenheim Palace
/ Christmas

Christmas 2023 at Blenheim Palace

This Christmas, discover a new after-dark illuminated light trail and new exquisitely themed State Rooms at Blenheim Palace.
Blenheim Palace Triathlon returns
/ Arts & Entertainment

Blenheim Palace Triathlon returns to the UNESCO World Heritage site this weekend

Triathletes from across the UK will head to Oxfordshire this weekend as this year’s Blenheim Palace Triathlon returns to the UNESCO World Heritage site in Woodstock.
Women & War: A new exhibition to tell the stories of women in the armed forces
/ Arts & Entertainment

Women & War: A new exhibition to tell the stories of women in the armed forces

Women & War: From the Fringes to the Front Line is a new exhibition opening on 03 June to 10 September 2023 at Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock.
Blenheim Palace unveils new luxury dining experience.
/ Food & Drink

Blenheim Palace unveils new luxury dining experience

The new restaurant, encompassed by a glass conservatory structure, allows guests to enjoy lunch or afternoon tea with guaranteed views of the Palace, South Lawn and nearby woodland.
Oxford-based medical device manufacturer wins distinction in Red Dot Award
/ Technology

Oxfordshire-based Owen Mumford wins distinction in Red Dot Award

Owen Mumford has been awarded a distinction in the prestigious Red Dot Award for innovative product design for its Aidaptus single-use auto-injector launched in 2021.
Raymond Blanc to headline Blenheim Palace Food Festival 2023
/ Food & Drink

Raymond Blanc to headline Blenheim Palace Food Festival 2023

Raymond Blanc, Chef Patron at Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, is set to headline the Blenheim Palace Food Festival during the Bank Holiday weekend on 27 to 29 May 2023.
Wake up to Woodstock celebrates 21 years of supporting local businesses
/ Retail & Leisure

Wake up to Woodstock celebrates 21 years of supporting local businesses

Wake up to Woodstock (WUTW) has celebrated its 21st anniversary as a non-profit association of local businesses with a mission to attract visitors to the market town of Woodstock.