West Oxfordshire

West Oxfordshire is a local government district in northwest Oxfordshire, England, including towns such as Woodstock, Burford, Chipping Norton, Charlbury, Carterton and Witney, where the council is based. Area The area is mainly rural downland and forest, with the main economic activities being farming and associated trades. West Oxfordshire lies within the River Thames catchment area, with the Thames itself and its tributaries including the River Evenlode and River Windrush running through the area. Parts of the district suffered severe flooding during the 2007 floods in the UK. Some areas of the district lie within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. History West Oxfordshire district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering the area of five former districts, which were all abolished at the same time: Chipping Norton Municipal Borough Chipping Norton Rural District Witney Rural District Witney Urban District Woodstock Municipal Borough The new district was named West Oxfordshire, describing its location within the wider county.