New Lord Nuffield Tour Day

Experience Oxfordshire is delighted to announce the launch of a new group tour about the life of Lord Nuffield (William Morris), and is giving a local community or charity group of up to 14 people the opportunity to experience this tour free of charge on Monday, 13th April.

Experience Oxfordshire has been working in partnership with The Oxford Research Centre for the Humanities (TORCH) and its initiative, the Thames Valley Country House Partnership, established by Dr Oliver Cox, to devise this new group tour which aims to encourage residents of Oxford, as well as visitors to explore more of the county’s great country houses.

The local entrepreneur and philanthropist William Morris has left an impressive legacy and his achievements are famous all around the world. He had a huge influence on Oxford - both Town and Gown. On the tour, his rags to riches story is given new life by young University historian Imelda Dooley Hunter, mentored by leading Lord Nuffield expert, Dr Antony Buxton as well as experienced tour guides at Experience Oxfordshire.

The day out starts with a walking tour of the Oxford city sites founded with investment by Lord Nuffield. It then continues in the Morris ‘Band Bus’ past the house where Morris grew up to Nuffield Place. Décor and furnishings are as they were when Lord Nuffield lived here, revealing a surprisingly down-to-earth life. After lunch, the tour visits MINI Plant Oxford for a one hour tour of the working plant before returning to Oxford past the Morris showroom.

Dr Oliver Cox of The Oxford Research Centre for the Humanities said:

“This tour is a fantastic example of how research carried out by Oxford University students can provide exciting experiences for the local community. We are turning the attention of gown to town by focussing on one of Oxford’s true local heroes, Lord Nuffield.”

Louise Walker of the National Trust at Nuffield Place said:

“This is an exciting opportunity to tell the story of Lord Nuffield beyond the city walls.”

The tour will be available for booking for small to medium sized groups. A qualified guide accompanies the new tour guide, providing valuable commentary and interpretation of the sites seen and the history and connections behind them.

The project is supported by Oxford University Community Fund, TORCH, Nuffield Place and the Oxford Bus Museum.