Faringdon
About Faringdon
Welcome to the Faringdon edition of The Oxford Magazine.
An adorable historic market town 18 miles southwest of Oxford, at the edge of the Cotswolds midway between Oxford and Swindon, Faringdon has much more going for it than you might expect for settlement of this size.
In the centre, the Town Hall is the standout sight, dating to the 1600s and still a cornerstone of daily life. The town was granted a charter for a weekly market in 1218 by King Henry III; a weekly market that is still held today.
For all its serenity today, Faringdon Hill (Folly Hill to some) to the east has seen some big events, like the 12th-century battles in the succession crisis known as “The Anarchy”, and the 17th-century English Civil War when the Republicans had a fortress.
Today, the hill is topped with a 43-metre-high folly built on a whim for Lord Berners in 1935. It boasts a neo-gothic design and great views of the Vale of the White Horse and across the five counties.
Venture further out of town and you’ll find the 14th-century Great Coxwell Barn, and the Uffington White Horse, a chalk hill figure fashioned some 3,000 years ago.
Local news & stories
Holy Grail tapestries loaned to Kelmscott Manor to help with fundraising activity
The hope is that this exceptional loan will encourage more visitors to Kelmscott Manor and support fundraising efforts to start the conservation of the Kelmscott Manor Samson tapestries and the reinstatement of the Tapestry Room.
National Trust plans to fatten up Bronze Age White Horse chalk figure
Investigations by archaeologists from the National Trust and Oxford Archaeology discovered that the important chalk figure at Uffington, Oxfordshire, has shrunk over time.
Carter Jonas achieves planning consent for Landan Homes in Faringdon
National property consultancy Carter Jonas has secured planning consent on behalf of Landan Homes Ltd to create a select development of eight new homes in Faringdon, Oxfordshire.
National Trust launches Heritage and Rural Skills Centre at Coleshill
The National Trust is formally launching its Heritage and Rural Skills Centre at Coleshill in Oxfordshire on Friday, 19 May and there’s a public Open Day with tours, demos and children’s activities on Saturday, 20 May.
New primary school opens in Faringdon
The £9m school – for children between two and 11 years – consists of 17 classrooms over two floors, a spacious hall and studio, a library and several staff work rooms and group rooms.
Government announces new £50m cyber academy in Shrivenham
The new Defence Cyber Academy will develop sovereign and international courses and support the UK’s endeavours in developing the national cyber profession – launching in 2022.
Treehouse festival returns to Oxfordshire for the sixth year
The festival aims to build community and connection and is one of the UK’s most sustainable festivals, with plans to become Europe’s first B Corp festival next year.
Route revealed for Oxfordshire stage of Women’s Tour cycling race
Residents between Chipping Norton, Carterton, Faringdon, Didcot and Oxford will be able to cheer on the elit riders when this year’s cycling race comes to Oxfordshire on Saturday, 11 June.
Kelmscott Manor to reopen following major refurbishment project
The country home of William Morris, the internationally-renowned craftsman, designer, author, poet, conservationist and socialist, widely regarded as the father of the Arts & Crafts Movement, has been closed since 2019.
New war memorial to be unveiled in Fernham village
The war memorial, to be unveiled by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mr Brian Buchan, on Sunday, 20 March 2022, is made of iron and has been designed to rust.
