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 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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 OS SP253123 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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 Photo Credit: David Ross / Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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 OS SP279121 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering