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Two sundials in Woodstock

Woodstock has two sundials almost alike, and one of them counts in a way you will not see on any clock.

· 3 minute read

A classical stone town hall with a pediment, sunlit against a dark storm sky
Photo: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Most visitors to Woodstock are on their way to Blenheim, and few look up. If they did, they would see a large sundial high on the south wall, towards the west end of the nave, of St Mary Magdalene's church. The Victoria County History records that it once sat above the south door and was moved further west when the church was rebuilt in 1896 to 1898.

IIV and IIIV

Look closely at its numbers. Where a clock face would have VII and VIII for seven and eight, this dial has IIV and IIIV: two before five, and three before five. It is an unusual way of writing them, and the British Sundial Society records it .

The twin

A near twin of the church dial , in marble and inscribed Tempus Fugit, sits in a niche on the south wall of the Town Hall, built in 1766. It has only been known since the 1950s, and was redrawn in about 1995.

A stone church with a classical west tower and clock above a churchyard with trees
St Mary Magdalene's, Woodstock, whose tower carries the sundial Photo: Jonathan Hutchins, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Seeing them

Both dials are on outside walls and can be seen without going in. The church is a short walk from the Town Hall and from the gates of Blenheim Palace.

Mentioned in this story

The places, sights and walks in this story, each with a page of its own: what it is, when to go and how to get there.

Places to stay near Woodstock

Where to stay in Woodstock
  • A calm sitting room with curved sofas and a stone fireplace

    The Feathers

    Hotel · Woodstock

    A hotel with 18 rooms and five suites on Market Street, Woodstock, with two AA Rosettes and a Michelin Key, a few minutes from Blenheim's gates.

    Verified Nov 2026

  • The pale-painted King's Arms on the corner of Market Street, Woodstock, under a blue sky

    The King's Arms

    Inn · Woodstock

    A Fuller's inn with 15 rooms on the corner of Market Street, Woodstock, in a Grade II listed building, with dogs welcome and breakfast included.

    Dog-friendly · Car-free

    Verified Oct 2026

  • A bright restaurant with tiled floor, hanging plants and coral pendant lights

    The Crown, Woodstock

    Inn · Woodstock

    An inn on Woodstock's High Street, in a building it describes as Grade II listed and eighteenth century, with five en-suite rooms, a three-bedroom cottage, a townhouse apartment and a restaurant.

    Wedding venues

    Verified Oct 2026

Questions

Why does the Woodstock sundial show IIV?

It writes seven as IIV and eight as IIIV, an unusual way of counting back from five instead of on from it.

Where are the Woodstock sundials?

One is high on the south wall of St Mary Magdalene's church, towards the west end of the nave; the other is in a niche on the south wall of the Town Hall.

When was Woodstock Town Hall built?

Woodstock Town Hall was built in 1766. Its sundial, in a niche on the south wall, has only been known since the 1950s.

Can you see the Woodstock sundials from the street?

Yes. Both the church dial and the Town Hall dial are on outside walls and can be seen without going in, a short walk from the gates of Blenheim Palace.

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