The Real Wood Furniture Company London House, Oxford St, Woodstock OX20 1TS.
Tel: 01993 813887 www.rwfco.com
Friday 3rd – Wednesday 29th February: The Art in the Furniture store’ series of exhibitions at The Real Wood Furniture Company continues with Jacqueline Hopkins as the featured artist throughout February. Jacqueline has developed her own unique style using watercolour, combining techniques to create images inspired by the surrounding countryside. The exhibition opens with a preview party on Friday February 3rd at 6.30pm, with live music, wines, log fire and friendly folk!
Rod Craig at Antiques of Woodstock 18 - 20 Market Place, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1TA.
Tel: 01993 811818.
Wednesday 1st – Wednesday 29th February: A selection of Rod Craig’s work will be on show at Antiques of Woodstock during the month of February. This exhibition focuses on watercolour, including street views of Woodstock and the Lake at Blenheim, as well as a stunning view of Central Park in the Snow. Rod’s work has become highly collectible and he says: “I am lucky to live in Woodstock, which provides a never ending source of inspiration to me; each season provides a new vista and the ever changing seasons of Blenheim alone provide much material to work with.”
County Collection on display at The Oxfordshire Museum Fletcher's House Park Street, Woodstock OX20 1SN.
Tel: 01993 811 456.
Until Sunday 3rd June: A selection of stunning paintings from the Oxfordshire County Museums Collection will be exhibited at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock. Visitors can view a delightful group of naïve townscapes and lively contemporary portraits and images; highlights include idyllic views by William Turner (of Oxford), and a 17th century portrait of Queen Anne by Godfrey Kneller.
Iona House Gallery 4 High Street Woodstock OX20 1TF.
Tel: 01993 811 464.
Until Sunday 26th February: World renowned, award winning Russian artists Valeriy and Katya Gridnev return to Iona House Gallery with their annual solo show. Classically trained in figurative drawing and painting from life, they capture form with accurate precision and exquisitely portray the thoughts and emotions of their models. This year’s show will be particularly exciting, as they will be joined by their son Fedor Gridnev, who won significant awards for oil, watercolour, and pastel whilst in education, and he has recently launched his career as a full time professional artist.
‘Pure’ Exhibition at The Tube Gallery 59 Oxford Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1TJ.
Tel: 07985 072130.
Until Saturday 31st March: The Tube Gallery is hosting an exhibition entitled ‘Pure’ until the end of March. Featuring photography, prints and ceramics, The Tube Gallery displays a vibrant mix of artistic talent, both established and up-and-coming, which is constantly changed throughout the year. The Tube Gallery, an innovative new art gallery and shop which is part of the ‘Tupenny Tube’ in Woodstock, also has a lovely café and bar – the perfect venue to meet friends.
John Piper at Blenheim Palace Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1PX.
Tel: 0800 849 6500. Web: www.blenheimpalace.com
Saturday 11th February – Monday 9th April: To celebrate the opening of the new season in 2012, Blenheim Palace will host its very first art exhibition, a display of work by the renowned 20th century British artist, John Piper (1903-1992). Piper is known for his deep-rooted love of English architecture and the countryside and the exhibition will mainly focus on Piper’s depictions of Blenheim Palace but also explore the interlinking strains of his Oxfordshire connections, his writing, his architectural drawings and paintings of other country houses, as well as some of his collaborative work - prints, stained glass, books, ceramics and tapestry.
Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd April: The first-ever Cotswold Art & Antique Dealers Association Fair (CADA) is being held in the stunning settings of The Colonnade, The Marlborough Room and The Orangery at Blenheim Palace from 20th to 22nd April 2012. The very best of every discipline will be showcased including clocks, early needlework, antique boxes, garden ornaments, silver, jewellery and glass, carpets and textiles, Oriental and English ceramics, fine art, all kinds of furniture, decorative items and much more. Complimentary invitations are available from the CADA website www.cotswolds-antiques-art.com admitting two to the Fair and the Palace grounds.
British Heart Foundation Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxon, OX20 1PP. Tel: 0800 169 3672.
Web: www.bhf.org.uk/blenheim
Sunday 7th October: The stunning grounds of Blenheim Palace will be home to the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) half marathon on Sunday 7 October.
The inaugural event last year saw over 3,500 participants of all abilities complete the half marathon and 10km route. This year the BHF hopes even more people will take part and raise vital funds to help beat heart disease – the nation’s biggest killer. To take part, call the events team on 0800 169 3672 or email on northwestwales@bhf.org.uk. Various fees apply for this event. For more information please visit bhf.org.uk/blenheim.
Friday 16th - Sunday 18th November: Celebrate the festive season in style and enjoy Christmas shopping at Living Crafts for Christmas, the perfect place to find contemporary designer-made presents. Blenheim Palace welcomes over one hundred British designer-makers exhibiting a huge range including gold and silver jewellery, glass, ceramics, designer-fashions, photography, hand-made crackers, wreaths, garlands and decorations. ‘Tastes of Christmas’ will tempt you with vintage Cheddars, seasonal pies, condiments, sausages, mulling syrups, wines, Christmas cakes and hand-made chocolates. With the gardens and parkland in their full winter glory, aromas of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts filling the Courtyards and festive entertainment and twinkling Christmas trees in the colonnades, this is a perfect pre-Christmas day out.
Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th September: The Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is one of the world’s premier three- sa – three day events. Cross country is on two days and set in the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace.the horse trials offer a fabulous opportunity to see some of the worlds finest riders and their horses compete against one another in a truly spectacular venue.
Saturday 11th February: There will be a Valentine’s Dance at the MEC (Marlborough School) to raise funds for the school and for 'Woodstock Live' – the annual free festival held in August in the town. Featuring music by ioneye acoustic, Cooper Black and woodman, Cooper Black will be playing songs from their new CD, to be released this Spring. Tickets are £10 each from Real Wood Furniture Company, Box of Delights, or call 01993 812505. Buy 4 tickets together in advance and get a free bottle of wine on the evening. Time: 7.30pm
Tuesday February 14th: On the most romantic day in the year, why not spend it with us! Cotswold Wildlife Park is the perfect place to bring someone special for a romantic date with a difference.
On 14th February, we’ll be treating the Macaws to a Valentines themed feed (please see information board for times). Keep an eye out for Valentine’s Day animal facts around the Park too.
Just incase you were thinking of popping the question during your visit, if you email the Park (pr@cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk) by Friday 3rd February, we may be able to make it even more unforgettable for you. Ladies – don’t forget it’s a leap year!
As a really unique Valentine’s present, why not adopt an animal for your other half? Please see the adoptions section on our website. You’ll also be supporting our conservation and breeding programmes.
Saturday 11th to Sunday 12th February: Running Days.
Wednesday 15th February: Half-Term Running Day.
Didcot Railway Centre is open at weekends during February, and daily from 11 to 19 February.
February: From the inspirational history of the Palace, to the beauty of the surrounding parkland and formal gardens, Blenheim Palace offers a memorable day out for all. The John Piper Exhibition will be on display in the Long Library inside the Palace. Blenheim Palace is home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and his family, and is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The splendour and tranquillity of the ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland and the Formal Gardens are unrivalled in Britain. Blenheim Palace is situated in the heart of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds and is only eight miles from Oxford. For further information about Blenheim Palace please call the 24 hour information line on 0800 849 6500 or visit www.blenheimpalace.com
The Piper Exhibition is included within a Palace, Park and Gardens ticket. Adult £20 Concs. £15.50, Child £11.00, Family £52. (Includes free annual pass!) When you buy a ticket to the Palace you will receive an Annual Pass for free.
John Piper Special Exhibition
Saturday 11th February to Monday 9th April: To celebrate the opening of the new season in 2012, Blenheim Palace will host its very first art exhibition exhibition in the Long Library - a display of work by the renowned 20th century British artist, John Piper (1903-1992). The exhibition will mainly focus on Piper's depictions of Blenheim Palace but also explore the interlinking strains of his Oxfordshire connections, his writing, his architectural drawings and paintings of other country houses, as well as some of his collaborative work - prints, stained glass, books, ceramics and tapestry - all of which display the exceptional versatility of his creative output.
Blenheim Palace Wedding Fair
Sunday 19th February: Whether you are just beginning to make plans for your special day, or you are getting ready to finalise the last minute details, the Blenheim Palace Wedding Fair will provide a cornucopia of the regions finest wedding suppliers, showcased together within the stunning setting of Blenheim Palace.
Our dedicated hospitality team will be delighted to show you around the venue and to introduce you to the various wonderful options available for your wedding day at Blenheim Palace. Free admission, pre-booking is required. All applicants will be entered in to a free prize draw!
Millets
Farm Centre Kingston Road, Frilford,
Nr Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX13 5HB. Tel: 01865 392200. Open: 7 days a week.
Free entry and free car parking www.milletsfarmcentre.com
With lots to see and do, including Farm Shop selling farm
produced food, Garden Centre, Restaurants, Farm Zoo, Children’s
Play Area, Woodland Walk and lots of seasonal events. Pick
Your Own opens in June with a choice of over 30 different
fruits and vegetables.
A great day out for ALL the family.
Family home
of Lord Faringdon, who looks after the property on behalf
of the National Trust, together with the family collection
of pictures, furniture, ceramics, and objets d’art, known
as the Faringdon Collection. Includes Burne-Jones’s famous
series, The Legend of the Briar Rose. The enchanting gardens
contain the spectacular Water Garden designed by Harold
Peto' - in 1904 for the first Lord Faringdon.
Permanent: An exciting new display of treasures acquired through the portable antiquities scheme has been installed in the Introductory Gallery. The objects are small and intricate, so innovative technology has been used to help us appreciate the objects in amazing detail - including a 3D film.
The 19 items include: a post-medieval shoe buckle, a medieval dress hook
a Roman finger ring, a post-medieval finger ring, a gold coin and a medieval brooch.
Enhanced by subtle lighting, they are mostly of gold and silver, dating from the prehistoric, Roman, medieval and post-medieval periods.
The display is flanked by two screens, one showing a film of six of the items in 3D, enabling us to appreciate the objects in amazing detail as they revolve against a backdrop of the Oxfordshire countryside.
The other screen shows high quality photographs of all the treasures with interpretive images and captions.
Children & War
February: Toys, photographs, interactive displays and memorabilia explore how war and combat have affected and continue to affect the lives of children. The Exhibition examines both the military and civilian war experiences of children through the lens of the county of Oxfordshire, in order to tell a rich and fascinating story. Tickets: Free Admission. Info: www.tomocc.org.uk
First
Wednesday of each month: Held on the first Wednesday of each month
at 6.30 from April until October and at 12.30 November
to March, a chance to find out more about the Manor, its
history and its contents with a different subject each
month and a lovely light meal to boot!
Booking essential: £15 each, £60 for any five and £120
for the twelve booked at the same time. Price includes
lunch or supper and coffee. Check the website or phone
for details of monthly topics. Phone or email to book.
Time: 12.30pm
Family Holiday Mondays
A family day
out in the lovely setting of Sulgrave Manor.
Get a head for history without losing it!
Kids can dress
up as they did in the time of those terribly tricky Tudors
and take a special tour to find out how the eleven Washington
children lived and played at the Manor in the 16th century.
Meet Mr Washington and write with quills, handle some
unusual objects and even pose with sword in hand!. Take
the Family Holiday Monday Challenge which might mean
finding out about the very first American President or
looking for ‘lost sheep’ or strange creatures! There
are plenty of other trails-collect a sticker for each
one. Activities include I Spy and Be a Museum Detective
or a Garden Detective. Play some traditional games and
take home a brass rubbing.
The very young can run around
and spot some rather large ‘ladybirds’!
For those without
young ones: take a tour of the House, relax in the tranquil
gardens, enjoy some freshly prepared food and very good
cake in the Manor Buttery! Entry Charges: Gift Aid: Adult £7.25 Child (5-16yrs)
£3.50
Family (2 adults & 2+ children) £20.50
Non Gift Aid: Adult £6.55 Child £3.15 Family £18.50
