Chadlington and Shorthampton
Extract from Discovering Wychwood by Charles Keighley
Chadlington
5 km (3.5 miles) south of Chipping Norton, a long village (divided into five 'ends', some of which are almost separate hamlets) which overlooks the broad Evenlode valley towards the remnants of Wychwood. From the Old English, Ceadala's hill (or possibly after St Chad). Cedelintone in Domesday book.
- There is a mysterious earthwork, Knollbury, to the north-east. Saxon graves found south of the village near Catsham bridge.
- St Nicholas Church was originally Norman, with many subsequent alterations and additions, including gargoyles and a Green Man.
- The Tite Inn with restaurant.
- Butcher, grocer and post office stores.
- Large arable fields above the village. Several streams flow through the parish to join the River Evenlode below. There has been some hedgerow loss. Small blocks of woodland lie to the south of the village, with some new tree planting above the village.
- Upper Court Farm currently participates in the Countryside Stewardship scheme, as the mellow colours of its fields show, and there are permissive walks around these fields.
- Wild grape hyacinths grow on the old allotment site near Westend.
- Walks along the river to Ascott or Charlbury, and up a green lane north towards Chipping Norton.
Shorthampton
3 km (2 miles) west of Charlbury, off B4437, beyond the edge of today's Forest woodland. All Saints Church, simple and spiritual. Originally Norman, with 14th- and 15th-century wall paintings and 18th-century box pews. Walks South along a quiet road through the Forest, West to Ascott-under-Wychwood and East to Charlbury.
