Village history
The village of Adderbury, with its 2,200 inhabitants, is situated approximately 3 miles south of the market town of Banbury in North Oxfordshire. Recorded history begins more than 1,000 years ago whilst its origins are swathed in the mist of times with there being two known Roman sites within the parish.

One of the most attractive features of the village is the frequent usage of the local Horton stone. This stone, with its high iron ore content, provides a warm, honey colouring to many of the village buildings. Two of the oldest surviving buildings in the village are the parish church of St Mary the Virgin with origins dating back into the 13th century and the Tithe Barn which probably dates from the 15th century.

Adderbury is situated in a prime rural and agricultural area. This led to significant agricultural expansion during the late 16th and the whole of 17th century primarily driven by the development of the local sheep trade. This also led to additional spin off trades such as weaving and plush. Later, during the late 19th and early 20th century, surface extraction of the local iron ore occurred locally.

The village has always been well served with transportation. It is situated on the main road leading south out of Banbury towards Oxford at the junction of a road leading east towards Aylesbury. Later, during the late 16th century, the Oxford canal came to the village providing access to bulk transportation. From the middle of the 19th century the railway arrived to serve the village and surrounding areas. Much more recently the extension of the M40 has provided more modern connections to the motorway which connects London with Birmingham.

Many books and documents are available from the active local Adderbury History Association - contact them at info@adderburyhistoryassociation.org.uk.

Photography in the content of this page by kind permission of Adderbury History Association - visit their page by CLICKING HERE