OS grid reference SP456455 Dialling code 01295 | Sovereign state United Kingdom Local time Thursday 7:56 AM Civil parish Bourton | |
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Population 614 (parish, with Little Bourton) (2011 Census) Weather 11°C, Wind W at 14 km/h, 86% Humidity | ||
Great Bourton is a village about 3 miles (5 km) north of Banbury in Oxfordshire, England. It is the largest settlement in the civil parish of Bourtons. The 2011 Census recorded the parish's population as 614.
Contents
Map of Great Bourton, Banbury, UK
Church of England
The Church of England parish church of All Saints was originally 13th century. The west wall of the nave has a recess containing a small bell cast by Henry I Bagley of Chacombe in 1673. In 1863 the church was almost entirely rebuilt to plans by the architect William White, who added a bell tower, separate from the church, built over the lychgate. It is one of only three such bell towers in Britain to be so sited. All Saints' parish is now part of the Benefice of Shire's Edge along with those of Claydon, Cropredy, Mollington and Wardington.
Methodist
Great Bourton village hall used to be the Methodist Chapel.
History
In the Battle of Cropredy Bridge in June 1644, the Parliamentarian General Waller saw that the Royalist army was strung out from its position on higher ground near Great Bourton and took the decision to order an attack. The Royalists pushed Waller's force back to Great Bourton when it met the Royalist Earl of Northampton's brigade of horse.
Amenities
Great Bourton has a pub, The Bell, that is controlled by Hook Norton Brewery.
Great Bourton's only public transport is bus route 277 between Banbury and Temple Herdewyke in Warwickshire. Oxfordshire County Council subsidises the route, and the current operator is Stagecoach in Oxfordshire. There are two buses a day between Banbury and Farnborough, Warwickshire via Great Bourton, with one journey continuing to Temple Herdewyke.