Overview

You will enjoy visiting this historical old Manor with history taking us right back to 1066 and before that even. William the conquerer fought at the famous battle of Hastings in 1066, and aided by a man named Wigod, an eleventh century Saxon Lord, who at that time held the whole estate of the manor of Weston, and helped him to conquer England. Wigod died shortly after this period, and his estates was passed on to his son in law, Baron Robert D’Oyly, who had married Ealdgyth, the daughter of Wigod. The land at the time of 1086, was rated at 10 hides (a Hide was regarded as an area of land that a man needed to support his family, which varied in size because of the quality of the soil, as a good fertile land would be smaller that land with poor soil) On his death in 1094, it passed on to his brother Nigel, who died about 1115, then on to his son, another Robert D’Oyly, who was then persuaded by his wife to build a church for the St Augustine Monks, which later became Osney Abbey. The then bailiff of Osney Abbey built a house at Weston-on-the-green, which would years later become Weston Manor House. Apparently at this time it was surrounded by a 13th century Moat, which has long ago been filled in. On the front door of the Manor the original knocker remains, dated 1496. The Abbey retained the manor until it had to surrender the land to the crown in 1539 during the time of the dissolution of the monestries. King Henry V111 then passed the manor to Sir John Williams of Thame, and the only part of his manor that remains is the Barons Hall, which is today the Dining room. During the 1500’s at some time, the front of the manor was altered and the with a Tudor fireplace was built by the then owners of the manor. A wealthy family of landowners and early politicians, The Norreys family line became the owners of Weston manor, around the mid 1600’s and by 1669 Sir Edward Norreys was the owner, and it seems the panelling in the drawing room dates back to around 1680. He died in 1712, and the manor was passed on to his son, James Norreys, who remained here until his death just six years later in 1718. The grandson of Sir Edward Norreys, through his daughter Philadelphia was now bequeathed the manor from his uncle James Norreys, and this James Bertie ( who had been born in 1687) married Elizabeth Harris, and they had one son, Norreys Bertie. When James died in 1728, he and his wife Elizabeth, were buried at St Mary’s churchyard at Weston on the green and a son Norreys Bertie then inherited Weston manor. He became a Tory politician and represented Oxfordshire county from 1743 until 1754, a truly Tory stronghold. His estate in Weston became part of other estates he held at Yattendon, Hampstead Norreys and Bothampstead. During 1743 he rebuilt most of St Mary’s church. He never married, and in his later lifetime he spent the remaining years on the continent, but got into difficult financial problems, and he died bankrupt at Ghent on 25th October 1766. He left his estate at Weston-on-the-green to his second cousin once removed, Captain Peregrine Bertie. THE HISTORICAL HISTORY WILL NOW CONTINUE WITH OUR NEXT REVIEWS, SO PLEASE READ THESE AS WELL TO GET THE FULL FLAVOUR OF WESTON MANOR, ON PART SEVEN AND PART EIGHT. Our photos will show what you can look forward to when visiting Weston Manor hotel. (Photo 21) is the main gate entrance to the manor, two old Cotswold honey coloured stone pillers allow you to feel the historical history that will unfold as you read along with us. You will pass the deciduous trees along Monks Walk (photo 22) proberbly planted by the Bertie family. Then the courtyard becomes you forward towards the main house, with plenty of parking available (photo 23) and you have three electric car points ready for your use (photo 24) With a round water pool and founting that will be in use during the warmer months ahead. When entering the manor, there is a small step (photo 25) but easy enough to cope with, then it’s nice and level for most of the hotels ground floor. But just glance upward first and take in the Bertie’s family emblem on the turrent (photo 26) and notice the inscription on the wall (photo 27) which will give you a clue as to how old the manor really is. Then you need to turn the original 1496 latch to open the wooden oak door itself (photo 28). Once you enter you immediately sense the history that involved the Manor, with the family portraits making you feel we should know these people (photo 29) and the receptionist who warmly greets you with a friendly and helpful attitude at the desk, that makes you feel at home straight away, as you gaze over the lounge that invites you to settle and relax (photo 30) while you look around and take in the homily atmosphere. The carved wooden beams warmed by the ceiling gives that sense of age (photo 31) While the original Tudor fireplace catches the eye (photo 32) and a nice cup of tea always goes down well (photo 33) and helps you feel relaxed and at home here in the Manor (photo 34) while the fire glows and warms the heart in the original Tudor fireplace placed here during the 1500’s. The doorway into Bertie’s Bar encourages us to investigate (photo 35) and again it has been laid out to offer that homily feel, with warm colours and carved armchairs (photo 36) and highly decorated panelling (37) and you can easily settle onto the the corner (photo 38) a glass of your favourite tipple in hand. Sadly, the Manor House is NOT YET wheelchair friendly throughout, but don’t worry, plans are afoot to help disabled get more from this friendly and smallish Manor House, so let’s hope their plans can go ahead in the next year or so. There is no lift here, and if you arrange for an overnight stay, and why not, it’s a lovely setting to tour around the area, the now famous Bicester Village shopping outlet is only a seven minute drive away, and Oxford town is but a short few miles and that is well worth taking an afternoon visit to see, but as we were saying, with no lift it will mean you being able to cope with the steps needed to get you up to your room (photo 39) and a variety of rooms are available (photo 40) all individually decorated in stylish colours and furnishings. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS This is a very interesting and historical hotel to visit, comfortable to just sit and think, see the portraits, and see how the Manor developed over the years. By reading all three parts of our reviews we will learn so much that will help us appreciate the Manor even more. Although not disabled friendly in many areas, if you have some mobility, then we would recommend you come and visit and enjoy this fine building.

Transport & Parking

Parking here is quite easy with lots of room on level compressed ground. Arrive through the second gateway after passing through Weston-on-the-green.

Access

More detail is offered on part eight, but this sadly is not a wheelchair friendly hotel, (just now) to many steps needed for bedrooms, and even toilet use, but the future holds well.

Toilets

Both gentlemen’s and ladies public toilets have steps, so difficult for many disabled. Read more in later reviews.

Staff

Excellent, helpful, willing and supportative of disabled, we liked the friendly natural warmth of all, who certainly made us feel welcomed.

Photos