Things you didn't know about... Oxfordshire

Watch out for fauns, witches and orcs in Oxfordshire

The Eagle and Child pub in St Giles, Oxford, was the famous meeting place of The Inklings, an Oxfordshire writers' group that included The Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis, best known for The Chronicles of Narnia. While the pub may have a plaque to mark the spot, the group later changed their allegiance to The Lamb and Flag across the road, also where Thomas Hardy is said to have written much of Jude The Obscure.

Pope springs eternal in Oxfordshire

Nicholas Breakspear was a vicar in the Oxfordshire hamlet of Binsey, before going on to become pope in 1154. Named Adrian IV, he is England's first and only pope. Binsey has several other claims to fame—its well was the inspiration for Treacle Well in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Charity begins in Oxfordshire

The name "Oxfam" refers to the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, founded during World War II. The group of Oxfordshire citizens originally campaigned for grain ships to be sent through the Allied naval blockade to provide relief for women and children in enemy-occupied Greece.

Roger—over and out

In 1954, Oxford student Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four-minute mile in recorded history at Oxfordshire's Iffley Road track. Despite his athletic achievements, he continued with his medical studies and later went on to become a prominent neurologist.

Oxfordshire—that'll learn 'em

Oxford University is the oldest English-speaking university in the world. The university's oldest colleges are University College, Balliol College and Merton College, all of which were established by the 13th century.

First-class honours for Oxfordshire

The Oxfordshire university's claims to fame include hosting the oldest Botanic Garden in Britain and the Ashmolean—the UK's oldest museum.

A cross word about Banbury

The Oxfordshire town of Banbury spawned the rhyme: "Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross, To see a fine lady upon a white horse, With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall have music wherever she goes." Some say the lady was a local, others says it was Elizabeth I. The cross itself no longer stands; it was knocked down by the Puritans.

Union city blues in Oxfordshire

Prestigious debating society the Oxford Union, founded in 1823, has attracted an extraordinary line-up of speakers to Oxfordshire, including Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, Malcolm X, Diego Maradona and even, yes, Kermit the Frog.

Who do you think you are kidding?

If Adolf Hitler had had his way, Oxfordshire would have been his base if he had conquered England. It is said that this was why Oxford wasn't bombed.