Some places of interest in Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire has much to offer the visitor, apart from the tourist traps of Blenheim Palace and Oxford itself. Here are a few suggestions of less well-known attractions, all of which are cared for by English Heritage.

(Follow this link for some other suggestions, all of which date from prehistoric times)

North Leigh Roman Villa (see photo above)

This is between Woodstock and Witney, to the north-west of Oxford. The villa must have been very impressive when occupied (it dates from the 4^th century AD) as the outlines of more than sixty rooms can be seen, including evidence of underfloor heating. No stonework other than footings can be seen today, but there is a fine mosaic floor to admire, although it is covered by a building to protect it from the elements.

Deddington Castle

There is not much of a castle to be seen here, as most of the original stonework had disappeared by the beginning of the 15^th century – no doubt re-used by local people for their own buildings. The castle was built by Bishop Odo, half-brother of William the Conqueror, but his structure would have been wooden, with stonework only being added in the 12^th century. 

The original builders made use of a pre-existing mound that could have dated back to Iron Age times, but they then developed the typical Norman pattern of an inner and outer bailey, protected by ditches and walls. It is the mound (“motte”) and ditches that can be seen today. The outer bailey is particularly large, and today it forms a pleasant place in which to walk and admire the magnificent trees that have been planted over the years to form a virtual arboretum.

Deddington is about six miles south of Banbury on the road to Oxford.

Minster Lovell Hall

Not far from Witney, Minster Lovell Hall was built by Lord William Lovell in the mid-15^th century. William’s grandson, Francis Lovell, was one of the chief supporters of Richard III; he survived the Battle of Bosworth and continued to rebel against Henry VII. There is a legend that his ghost haunts the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall.

Be that as it may, the ruins of this extensive manor house beside the River Windrush are well worth a visit. You can also see a virtually intact medieval dovecote, although only from the outside.

North Hinksey Conduit House

Just to the west of Oxford is a reminder of past efforts to provide clean water at a time when water-borne diseases could kill thousands. Built in the early 17^th century, this small building, which resembles a stone chapel, was where Otto Nicholson channelled water from the Hinksey hills into a lead pipe that led to Oxford. This system was used until the late 18^th century. Only the outside of the building can be visited.

Abingdon County Hall

Abingdon, although only about five miles from Oxford, was once the county town of Berkshire, to which it belonged until 1974. The County Hall was completed in 1684 from a design by Christopher Kempster, who was a student of Christopher Wren. It is therefore an excellent example of baroque architecture, comprising a large chamber built on arches, beneath which markets could be held. The building was the county courthouse for some 200 years, but it now houses the town’s museum. Given that Abingdon is one of the oldest continuously-occupied towns in England, the period covered by the exhibits is exceptionally long. During the summer, visitors can climb to the roof of the building for excellent views towards the Cotswolds in one direction and Oxford in the other.

© John Welford