Place Somerton Grid reference SP496289 Post-grouping Great Western Railway Platforms in use 2 | Area Oxfordshire Pre-grouping Great Western Railway Original company Great Western Railway | |
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2 September 1850 Line opened from Oxford to Banbury Similar Milton Halt railway station, Carterton (Oxfordshire) railway st, Horspath Halt railway st, Bletchington railway station, Kelmscott and Langford | ||
Fritwell & Somerton railway station was on the Oxford to Banbury line of the Great Western Railway, and was opened four years after the line, in September 1854. It was in the village of Somerton, Oxfordshire.
History
The line had been authorised as the Oxford and Rugby Railway, but had been absorbed by the GWR prior to its opening on 2 September 1850. No station was originally planned at Somerton — the nearest station to the village was Heyford, three miles to the south. The station at Aynho for Deddington was closer by rail, being about 2.5 miles (4 km) to the north, but the road journey was about 5 miles (8 km).
It was soon decided that Somerton needed a station. It was built south of the railway bridge in the village, and opened in 1855, being originally named Somerton.
A station at Somerton (Somerset) was opened on 2 July 1906, and to avoid confusion, the Oxfordshire station was renamed twice: first to Somerton Oxon also on 2 July 1906, then to Fritwell & Somerton on 1 October 1907, although the village of Fritwell is 2 miles (3 km) away.
The goods service was withdrawn on 4 May 1964, and the passenger service ceased on 2 November 1964.