England
Oxfordshire

Historic Churches in Oxfordshire

Adderbury, St Mary   Arguably the finest parish church in Oxfordshire, St Mary dates to the 13th century, features wonderful carvings inside and out. Gargoyles and grotesques abound, with mythological figures of animals and humans, lords and ladies. Church Close, Adderbury, Oxfordshire, England, OX17 3LP Attraction Type: Church Location: On Church Close, just off the High Street (A4260) in the centre of Adderbury. Location map Details of Adderbury, St Mary - Photos of Adderbury, St Mary OS SP470353 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Ashbury, St Mary Church   A lovely church of no inconsiderable size, with a 13th century tower and several excellent medieval funerary brasses, dating to the mid 14th century. The church maintains a copy of a 1634 bible on display, and there is a very well preserved Norman north door. Church Road, Ashbury, Oxfordshire, England, SN6 8NB Attraction Type: Church Location: At the top of Chapel Road, in the centre of Ashbury (just up from the pub). Very limited parking beside the church, but there should be no trouble parking along the road in Ashbury. Location map Details of Ashbury, St Mary Church - Photos of Ashbury, St Mary Church OS SU265850 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Black Bourton, St Mary's   A small church in a quiet West Oxfordshire village, known for its 13th century wall paintings. St Mary's also boasts a very fine priest's door with Saxon carvings. Burford Road, Black Bourton, Oxfordshire, England, OX18 2PQ Attraction Type: Church Location: Black Bourton is off the B4020 between Carterton and Bampton. In the village turn north of the B2040 onto Burford Road. The church is a few hundred yards ahead on the left. Limited parking available. Location map - Photos of Black Bourton, St Mary's OS SP286042 Heritage Highlight: Fabulous set of medieval wall paintings and carved corbel heads adorn this quiet country church Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Buckland, St Mary   St Mary's, Buckland is a gem of a church, located in an almost perfect estate village. The church dates to the 12th century, with the addition of a 13th century chancel and tower. There are matching south and north Norman doors, perfectly aligned, which is quite unusual for this period. In the chancel is an odd triangular heart-burial locker, created for William Holcott of Barcote Manor (d. 1575). Holcott was a staunch Protestant reformer who narrowly escaped being executed for his reforming views during the reign of Queen Mary I. Buckland, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: Off the A420 4 miles east of Faringdon - Photos of Buckland, St Mary OS SU348993 Heritage Highlight: 16th century heart burial chamber for William Holcott, in the chancel, and the fabulously decorated late Victorian Barcote Chapel. Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Burford, St John the Baptist   More of a cathedral in appearance than is Oxford Cathedral, this lovely wool church sits beside the River Windrush at the foot of Burford. The church was begun in 1175, with much rebuilding in the late 15th century. Early pagan carvings are incorporated into the tower, and traces of medieval wall paintings can be seen. Don't miss the Tanfield Monument in St Catherine's Chapel, a testament to the power of wealth and little taste. Burford, Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, England, OX18 4RY Attraction Type: Church Location: At the bottom of Burford High Street, then one block east. Location map Details of Burford, St John the Baptist - Photos of Burford, St John the Baptist OS SP253123 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Dorchester, Abbey of St Peter & St Paul   One of the earliest Christian sites in Britain, Dorchester Abbey stands on the site of a 7th century Saxon cathedral. The large church is all that remains of an Augustinian abbey, which was founded in 1140. There are 14th century wall paintings, and a striking Jesse Window, in addition to some very early stained glass (c.1225). The former abbey Guest House, beside the church, houses the Dorchester Museum. Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: In the centre of Dorchester village Website: Dorchester, Abbey of St Peter & St Paul Details of Dorchester, Abbey of St Peter & St Paul - Photos of Dorchester, Abbey of St Peter & St Paul OS SU580942 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Great Rollright, St Andrews   A wonderful little country church, with a carved Norman doorway and tympanum, 14th century tower and font, and 16th century 'Batersby Brass'. Great Rollright, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: In the centre of Great Rollright village Details of Great Rollright, St Andrews OS SP 26315 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Kelmscott, St George Church   St George's is primarily a destination for visitors interested in seeing the grave of Arts and Crafts pioneeer William Morris. Morris and his wife Jane are buried beneath a simple gabled memorial in the churchyard, a short stroll from Kelmscott Manor, their home for over a quarter of a century from 1871. Kelmscott, Oxfordshire, England, GL7 3HF Attraction Type: Church Location: On the lane running through Kelmscott. Parking along the verge. A short stroll from Kelmscott Manor. Location map - Photos of Kelmscott, St George Church OS SU249993 Heritage Highlight: Very well preserved 14th century wall paintings and one of the earliest church bells in England Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Langford, St Matthew   One of the most historically important Saxon churches in the country. St Matthew features a superb late Saxon tower, pre-Norman carvings, 15th century screens, Elizabethan memorial brasses, and a Jacobean pulpit, to name just a few of the features of historic interest. Well worth a visit if you have even a passing interest in historic architecture. Church Lane, Langford, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: On a minor road off the A361 4 miles north of Lechlade on Thames Details of Langford, St Matthew - Photos of Langford, St Matthew OS SP249025 Heritage Highlight: Saxon carvings Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Little Rollright, St Philip   An isolated little country church boasting a pair of superb 17th century wall tombs of the Dixon family. Little Rollright, Oxfordshire, England, OX7 5QA Attraction Type: Church Location: In the centre of Little Rollright, on a permissive road Location map Details of Little Rollright, St Philip OS SP292803 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Northmoor, St Denys Church   St Denys is a 13th century church in a small Oxfordshire hamlet not far from the River Thames. Unlike many early medieval parish churches we actuallly know a fair bit about the origins of St Denys church at Northmoor. Church Road, Northmoor, Oxfordshire, England, OX29 5SX Attraction Type: Church Location: On the minor road through the village. Lots of parking along the road. Location map OS SP421029 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Oxford, Christ Church Cathedral   This smallest of English cathedrals started life as a shrine to St. Frideswide, a lady whose reputation was made when a Saxon who tried to force himself on her was struck blind. In 1525 Cardinal Wolsey had half of the church nave pulled down to make way for his new Christ Church College. In 1546 the new see of Oxford was moved to this modest church, which also acts as the college chapel. The late 15th century vaulting is remarkable, with drooping pendants running the length of the choir. Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 1DP Attraction Type: Cathedral Location: just South of the city centre, off St Aldates Website: Oxford, Christ Church Cathedral Email: tourism@chch.ox.ac.uk Phone: 1865 276 492 Location map Details of Oxford, Christ Church Cathedral OS SP514 060 Heritage Highlight: 15th century roof vaulting Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Oxford, University Church of St. Mary the Virgin   St. Mary the Virgin holds a special place in the history of Oxford University. It was here that the first library of the university was established, and legend has it that the first gatherings of Masters and students was held here as early as the 12th century. More dramatically, St. Mary's was the site of the trial of the "Oxford Martyr's", when Bishops Latimer and Ridley, and Archbishop Cranmer, were tried for heresy in 1555. High Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 4AH Attraction Type: Church Location: at the meeting of High Street and Catte Street, can also be accessed from Radcliffe Square Website: Oxford, University Church of St. Mary the Virgin Email: university.church@ox.ac.uk Phone: 01865 279 111 Location map Details of Oxford, University Church of St. Mary the Virgin OS SP515062 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Shipton under Wychwood, St Mary the Virgin   A lovely 13th century church, with many Early English features, a font given by the Earls of Warwick, 16th century memorials, and a pulpit carved from a single piece of stone. Shipton under Wychwood, Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: Just behind the village green, access via Church Street, just off the High Street (A361) Details of Shipton under Wychwood, St Mary the Virgin OS SP279180 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Shorthampton, All Saints   A small 12th century country church in the Evenlode valley, featuring a wealth of medieval wall paintings. Among the numerous paintings are a 'Doom' or Day of Judgement, a depiction of the Miracle of the Clay Birds, and liknesses of Sts Loy, Frideswald, and Zita, among many others. Well worth a trip. Shorthampton, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: On a narrow lane off the B4437 just west of Charlbury Details of Shorthampton, All Saints - Photos of Shorthampton, All Saints OS SP328200 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Stanford in the Vale, St Denys   St Denys church in Stanford in the Vale stands on a slight rise above the long village green of this attractive village, set in the heart of the Vale of white Horse. The first known church at Stanford was built in 939, but the present building was begun in the 12th century. Church Green, Stanford in the Vale, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: On a minor road off the A417 4 miles east of Faringdon. - Photos of Stanford in the Vale, St Denys OS SU348950 Heritage Highlight: The attractive 12th century church of St Denys, which may have been the site of the wedding of Anne Clifford and Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Swinbrook, St Mary the Virgin   A small Cotswold church famous for the Fettiplace monuments; two striking 17th century wall tombs. Each tomb shows three male Fettiplaces, recumbent - and looking anything but comfortable - upon stone or marble shelves. Swinbrook, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: Just up from the village green Details of Swinbrook, St Mary the Virgin - Photos of Swinbrook, St Mary the Virgin OS SP279121 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Taynton, St John the Evangelist   A 15th century church featuring a superbly carved font and excellent corbel heads including a likeness of Henry VI. Other features of note include a royal coat of arms and a Jacobean parish chest, but the glory of Taynton's church is the richly detailed 15th century carvings. Church Lane, Taynton, Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Church Details of Taynton, St John the Evangelist - Photos of Taynton, St John the Evangelist OS SP234135 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts