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 as Eadburggebyrigg more than 1,000 years ago in an Anglo-Saxon charter, while 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 Adderbury’s rich collection of large historic 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 13^th century and the Tithe Barn, which probably dates from the 15^th century. The Quaker meeting house was built in 1675.

Many school buildings survive, including the original boys’ school dated 1599

Adderbury is situated in a prime rural and agricultural area. This led to significant agricultural expansion during the late 16^th and the whole of 17^th 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 19^th and early 20^th century, surface extraction of the local iron ore brought employment and wealth

The village has always been well served with transportation. It is situated on the old Midlands to Oxford turnpike road at the junction of a road leading east towards Aylesbury. Later, during the late 18th century, the Oxford canal came to the village providing access to bulk transportation. From the middle of the 19^th century the railway arrived to serve the village, with its own station and goods yard

Adderbury has a rich recreational history, tracing the development of pubs and clubs, annual parades and fairs, and playing a leading role in the advance of Morris dancing and local folk music – a tradition very much sustained to this day.

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

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