Site of Royal Woodstock Manor

The foundations of Royal Woodstock Manor lie scattered across fields just outside Oxford, a place where Henry II once kept his mistress Rosamund Clifford in the 12th century. Today it's an archaeological site - which is a generous way of saying you'll be walking through farmland looking at earthworks and the occasional stone fragment, trying to imagine the royal palace that stood here centuries ago.

There's genuinely something atmospheric about standing where medieval power plays unfolded, though you need a bit of historical imagination to get the most from it. The setting itself is pleasant enough, with views across the Oxfordshire countryside, but this isn't a visitor attraction in the traditional sense. No interpretation boards. No facilities. Just fields.

This works best for serious history types or archaeology enthusiasts willing to do their homework beforehand. If you're in Oxford for a holiday park stay - Greenhill Leisure Park sits just 3.2 miles away - it's worth a detour if you're into medieval England. Otherwise, you might find forty minutes here feels a bit thin on content. The site is free and accessible year-round, though bring decent boots; the ground can be muddy.

Combine it with Woodstock town itself, which has decent pubs and the nearby Blenheim Palace if you want somewhere with actual buildings and proper facilities. Woodstock Manor alone is for the committed few, not a must-do for casual visitors.