Aston Upthorpe Explained

Official Name:Aston Upthorpe
Static Image Name:Aston Upthorpe Thorpe street.jpg
Static Image Caption:Thorpe Street, Aston Upthorpe
Coordinates:51.574°N -1.205°W
Os Grid Reference:SU5586
Area Total Km2:4.74
Population:179
Population Ref:(2011 Census)
Civil Parish:Aston Upthorpe
Shire District:South Oxfordshire
Shire County:Oxfordshire
Region:South East England
Country:England
Post Town:Didcot
Postcode District:OX11
Postcode Area:OX
Dial Code:01235
Constituency Westminster:Didcot and Wantage
Website:The Astons.Net

Aston Upthorpe is a village and civil parish about 3miles southeast of Didcot in South Oxfordshire. It was part of Berkshire until the 1974 boundary changes transferred it to Oxfordshire. The motion picture National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) - Stonehenge Scene was filmed a mile to the south of the village on the ancient downland. The 2011 Census recorded the parish's population as 179.[1]

Prehistory

Half of the 360foot high Blewburton Hill is in the parish. The hill is the site of an Iron Age hill fort that may have been occupied from the 4th century BC to the 1st century BC.

Parish church

The Church of England parish church of All Saints may date from the second half of the 11th century. However, the only surviving Norman features are one small window in the north wall of the nave and the blocked-up remains of a south doorway. The nave roof may be 14th century and its west wall and Perpendicular Gothic window may be 15th century. The wooden north porch is of uncertain date, possibly the first half of the 17th century. In 1859–60 under the direction of the Gothic Revival architect P.C. Hardwick, the nave was restored and the chancel was restored. The bellcote is also wooden and has two bells, and may have been added by Hardwick. All Saints is now part of the Benefice of the Churn.[2]

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Area: Aston Upthorpe (Parish): Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key Statistics . . . 5 June 2015.
  2. Web site: Benefice of The Churn . Archbishops' Council . Archbishops' Council . . . 5 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150530024051/http://www.achurchnearyou.com/benefice.php?B=27%2F119CX . 30 May 2015 . dead. dmy-all .