Ascott-under-Wychwood

Extract from Discovering Wychwood by Charles Keighley

On the Wychwood Way. On the River Evenlode 2 km (1.5 miles) downstream from Shipton-under-Wychwood. From the Old English Estcote.

• The modern village was originally two settlements, Ascott d'Oyley after the family of Wido de Oileio who accompanied William the Conqueror, and to the west Ascott Earl, possibly from the Earls of Gloucester who held part of Ascott. Remains of a motte and bailey castle in each.
• In 1873 the Ascott martyrs, local women, were imprisoned for protesting against agricultural strike-breakers on Crown Farm.
• Holy Trinity Church, partly Norman, is set in a large churchyard with avenue of limes.
• Railway station, with very few stopping trains into and out of Oxford.
• Swan public house.
• The landscape is a mix of grass and arable fields, smaller to the north. Priest Grove and Boynal Copse, currently a conifer plantation, south of the parish were originally part of Wychwood. Along the railway line important wildlife habitats of limestone grassland and scrub support characteristic species, e.g. wild liquorice and pale toadflax.
• A private nature reserve created at Manor Farm.
• Footpaths up and down the Evenlode, and SE to Leafield.

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