Oxford, The City of Dreaming Spires, is famous the world over for its University and place in history. For over 800 years, it has been a home to royalty and scholars, and since the 9th century an established town, although people are known to have lived in the area for thousands of years. Oxford is located centrally within the country, about 50 miles north-west of London and has a population of 138,597 (Census 2001). Oxford is a historic city with a modern service economy as well as a major manufacturing and academic centre.