Steeple Aston

Steeple Aston is a village in north Oxfordshire, England. It is situated on the River Cherwell, and in the Cherwell district.

Nearby places are Middle Aston (to the north), Upper Heyford and Lower Heyford (to the east, on the other side of the river), Rousham (to the south), and Steeple Barton (to the west).

The earliest evidence of occupation on the site is an Iron Age burial site in the west of the parish. [ [http://www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk/talktous/publications.cfm/publication/329 Steeple Aston Conservation Area Appraisal] , Cherwell District Council] Steeple Aston was known as Estone in 1086, derived from East Tun meaning East village, and had a population of 20. In 1220 the Steeple affix had been added changing its name to Stipelestun. Steeple can often mean a steep place, which incidentally is also appropriate for parts of Steeple Aston.

The Church is St Peter and St Paul and is to the north of the village and is the origin of the Steeple Aston cope, an important piece of 14th century embroider, now on loan to the V&A . Although the village is called Steeple Aston, the church has a tower.

There are two pubs in the Village. The Red Lion has been recently taken over by the Hook Norton Brewery Company. In addition to a decent pint of "Hooky", a guest beer is usually on tap, and there is also a conservatory dining room serving lunch and dinner. The White Lion is an independently run single-room pub which has a pool table, games such as chess, backgammon, and Aunt Sally in the beer garden. It serves food, including a curry night on Wednesdays, and also holds a traditional meat raffle on Sundays.

There is also a thriving Village shop and Post office, a primary school and pre-school, a village hall, and a Sports and Recreation club and sports pitch. Annual highlights of village life include the "Whit Races", and the spring and summer flower shows.

The school, Dr Radcliffe's, was founded in 1640 by Dr. Samuel Radcliffe [ [http://www.steepleastonarchive.org.uk/Articles/briefhistoy.html Brief History] Steeple Aston Archive] , a controversial Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford. [ [http://www.bnc.ox.ac.uk/345/brasenose-college-archives-and-history-38/brasenose-people-216/principals-of-brasenose-470.html Principals of Brasenose] ]

External links

[http://www.steepleaston.org.uk Steeple Aston website] more information about the village

References