Overview

Cropredy is Situated by the river Cherwell, a tributary of the river Thames, as it meets the Thames at Oxford . It is recorded in the doomsday book of 1086, when the king sent out agents to record every shire in England, listing all holdings so that dues could be collected on behalf of the king, by his lords who calculated every piece of land and property as to its value. The name Domesday (Doomsday) was so called because its decisions were unalterable, because its sentence could not be changed. No other survey reached the same scope, until an attempt made again in Britain in 1873, known as “return of owners of land” The old word Doom was a term used for a law of judgment, from which there can be no appeal. Under the feudal system, the king was the only true “owner” of land in England, and anyone who had a piece of land could no more than “hold” land as a tenant of the king The planning for the kings survey was conducted in 1085 and was completed in 1086. Men were sent out to find out how many “hides” where in each shire. A hide was regarded as a unit of land that was sufficient in size to support a household for a year, and tax was put on that land to be given to each Lord on behalf of the king. When arriving at Cropredy you are welcomed by its placard, (photos one and two) and the brown honey coloured cottages are a very pleasing sight to the eye along a few narrow country lanes. FOR A SHORT DRIVE ALONG LANES THROUGH THE VILLAGE, FOLLOW DIRECTIONS As entering the village, drive along to a triangle island on your right with around six big trees on it, and to your right you will see the “Cropredy” sign post. (Photo 2) Drive along to the second left, before the canal bridge, ( a sign says TURN LEFT for the Red lion, follow this along. At the left hand bend follow it left up towards St Mary’s church. This is a very narrow lane, and you can park along here if you need to. The very attractive line of cottages include the small but delightful “Red Lion” (photos 4 and 5) If it’s open and you want a break, then unfortunately there are three high steps to get up. Continue ahead and round the bends to the junction, and on the right corner stands the Cropredy Methodist church (photo 6 and 7) Here you TURN LEFT on High street and drive along (photos 8 to 10) and very attractive cottages may be seen (photos 11 to 13) Turn left at junction on Station Road, and drive along to take a break at “The Brasenose inn” a truly delightful old but modernist inn. (Photos 14 and 15) And finally, drive back to the triangle island, before parking to set your sat nav directions. READ “The Brasenose” Review next. ================================

Transport & Parking

It’s street parking and a bit difficult to find a spot, but a short drive helps you see enough.

Access

Narrow paths, bumpy, but worth the drive out to see the attractive village

Toilets

Ordinary toilet cubicle in “The Brasenose inn”

Staff

Any we meet on the drive on in the Brasenose inn where very friendly chatty people.

Photos