The Oxford Canal
Thrupp Basin to Langford Wharf
A glimpse into the past and present
By: Members of the Cherwell Community
Archaeology Group
This journey starts at Thrupp basin.
In 1788 John Bush sold the mill at Thrupp to the Oxford Canal Company. The mill was then demolished and the mill pond converted into the canal basin. Nothing is left to indicate where the old mill stood but the most probable site is somewhere between the cottages which stand near the river Cherwell and the Yard next to the canal basin. The basin now serves as a turning point, a place to moor and there is also a service point for narrowboats to take on water and empty waste.
The row of three thatched cottages are dated early C17th to the left and mid/late C17th to the right with a late C17th two storey, one bay stable to the right. All with C19th and C20th alterations. These are Grade II listed buildings.
The Yard was used as a maintenance yard by British Waterways for many years and prior to this it is known to have had stabling and a blacksmith. It is likely that this was used as a maintenance yard when the canal was constructed.
Now the Yard is used by several small businesses, one of which is the very popular Annie's Tearoom serving light lunches and teas.
The Oxford canal is known as a contour canal. It closely follows the contours of the land avoiding the expense of making tunnels and flights of locks. Until it reaches the Thrupp basin the canal has kept close company with the river Cherwell but now it turns sharply away from the Cherwell towards Kidlington and the towpath changes to the other side of the canal.
The first bridge on this journey is bridge number 221, known as Aubreys bridge, the lift bridge leading into the Yard. Originally this would have been opened by hand by pulling the bridge up by chains but this is now powered by electric.
The first bridge on this journey is bridge number 221, known as Aubreys bridge, the lift bridge leading into the Yard. Originally this would have been opened by hand by pulling the bridge up by chains but this is now powered by electric.
In the field next to the Yard is a Pillbox. Built in WWII as a defensive position which would be used to guard against enemy activity in the event of an invasion.
Standing back away from the canal is the early C17th Manor Farmhouse with dovecote and granary. This is a Grade II listed building. The other stables and outbuildings are dated late C17th/early C18th century.
The towpath here is replaced with a tarmac road with a grass verge next to the canal. The row of cottages running parallel and slightly lower than the canal are late C18th/early C19th thought to have been built for workers on the canal. These are Grade II listed buildings.
Adjoining these cottages are the outbuildings belonging to the Boat Inn. These appear to have been altered over the years. Probably converted for different usage.
Adjoining these cottages are the outbuildings belonging to the Boat Inn. These appear to have been altered over the years. Probably converted for different usage.
This photograph shows where a door and window have been filled in.
Just round the corner from these outbuildings is the Boat Inn, a Grade II listed building. Previously called The Axe it dates from around the late C18th.
Across the road from the Boat Inn is the old Chapel. This was opened in 1876 as a mission for the canal people by the Woodstock Baptists in a converted cottage. Services continued to be held there until 1953 when a new church was opened in Kidlington. The building was sold in 1954 and is now a private residence.
The remains of a C15th cross made of limestone stands outside the old Chapel. This is scheduled as an ancient monument.
Crossing the canal somewhere by the old Chapel was bridge number 222. Probably a wooden bridge, there is no longer anything to indicate exactly where this bridge was.
With a contour canal the towpath is usually on the down slope side of the contour line where the bank is made wider making the canal stronger. A hedge, fence or wall separates the towpath from the surrounding land where there is no natural boundary.
After leaving the village of Thrupp a hedge runs along the towpath side and on the opposite side, recently established woodland. There are several residential moorings along this stretch.
The next point of interest is the Jolly Boatman public house, a Grade II listed building. Standing between the canal and the A4260 Banbury Road it was built in the late C18th/ early C19th and has had many additions and alterations over the years including a change of name in the 1960's, previously it was called The Britannia. It benefits from trade both from the canal and the Banbury road.
With a contour canal the towpath is usually on the down slope side of the contour line where the bank is made wider making the canal stronger. A hedge, fence or wall separates the towpath from the surrounding land where there is no natural boundary.
After leaving the village of Thrupp a hedge runs along the towpath side and on the opposite side, recently established woodland. There are several residential moorings along this stretch.
The next point of interest is the Jolly Boatman public house, a Grade II listed building. Standing between the canal and the A4260 Banbury Road it was built in the late C18th/ early C19th and has had many additions and alterations over the years including a change of name in the 1960's, previously it was called The Britannia. It benefits from trade both from the canal and the Banbury road.
Sparrow Gap Bridge stands immediately next to the Jolly Boatman Inn. Bridge number 223. Dated as C19th and built of coursed limestone rubble this is Grade II listed. Also known by the local community as Pady's Bridge for reasons that now seem to have been forgotten. The bridge leads to a footpath through the woodland towards Kidlington.
On the north side of the bridge is a metal ring - possibly for tethering a horse or for mooring
On the south side of the bridge is an Ordnance Survey Bench/Cut mark
From here the canal continues to run parallel with the Banbury Road. A hedge separates the towpath from the road. On the opposite side there are open fields. Just before reaching bridge 224, the road bridge, there is an area of hardstanding on the towpath side of the canal. There are mooring posts here but the exact purpose of this hardstanding is not known.
At the final stage of this journey we come to Bridge 224. On the opposite side of the canal before going under the bridge are allotments for Kidlington with housing development creeping closer to them.
In 1936/37 a new road bridge was built over the canal and railway. Both the road and the canal were realigned at this stage. Also the Mount Pleasant Hotel, a large four storey building standing alongside the towpath, was demolished to make way for the changes.
At the final stage of this journey we come to Bridge 224. On the opposite side of the canal before going under the bridge are allotments for Kidlington with housing development creeping closer to them.
In 1936/37 a new road bridge was built over the canal and railway. Both the road and the canal were realigned at this stage. Also the Mount Pleasant Hotel, a large four storey building standing alongside the towpath, was demolished to make way for the changes.
Under the bridge is the end of this journey - Langford Wharf.
There was a coal wharf recorded here in 1795 owned by the Duke of Marlborough. The wharf and the canal side buildings would have been constructed for commercial use.
The row of cottages on the North side of the canal were converted from a late C18th commercial building (date of conversion unknown) into six cottages with a thatched roof. Old Ordnance Survey maps show that the building was much longer than it is today. In the early C20th Century the thatched roof was completely destroyed by fire. The roof was then raised and replaced with slate.
There was a coal wharf recorded here in 1795 owned by the Duke of Marlborough. The wharf and the canal side buildings would have been constructed for commercial use.
The row of cottages on the North side of the canal were converted from a late C18th commercial building (date of conversion unknown) into six cottages with a thatched roof. Old Ordnance Survey maps show that the building was much longer than it is today. In the early C20th Century the thatched roof was completely destroyed by fire. The roof was then raised and replaced with slate.
On the corner of the cottages is a wooden post placed to stop the towing ropes wearing away the brickwork.
The brick outhouses date from the mid C19th and were probably used as washhouses.
On the south side of the canal is The Highwayman, an C18th Inn which has changed name several times. Originally called the Anchor, later known as the Railway Hotel, Inn or Tavern. In the late 1960's, after the closure of the Railway station, the name changed to The Wise Alderman after Alderman Frank Wise, a former local signalman on the railway.
The front of the building is now considerably lower than the road. The reason for this is the change of layout of the road and the railway and canal bridges in the 1930's . Attached buildings and outbuildings were originally used for warehousing and stabling. Now the area is used for touring caravans, the car park and an outdoor seating area adjacent to the canal. There is also mooring here for narrowboats.
In the C19th several generations of the Hambridge, Humphries and Hazell families were working their boats along this stretch of the canal. The boats had to be registered and inspected on a regular basis and were all numbered and named. Names included: Providence, Live and Learn, Gertrude, Petrel, Formidable, Caroline, Sarah Jane. Families would work together and it is interesting to see that the 1893 registers record John Hambridge's boat, Emblem of Peace, being worked by his daughters.
Jacksons Oxford Journal advertises two auctions in 1830:
To Coal Merchants, Corn Factors, Bakers, or any Person desirous of
embarking in a good concern
LANGFORD COAL WHARF
and PADDOCK adjoining,
Together with the extensive range of lofty WAREHOUSES, BAKE-HOUSE &c.
situate on the Oxford canal near Kidlington, on the Banbury Road, within two
miles and a half of Woodstock, and five from Oxford. Also, VOTES for the
COUNTY of OXFORD, comprising SIX FREEHOLD HOUSES with STABLING (in
one or more lots as may be agreed upon) situated in the pleasant village of
Kidlington;
WHICH will be SOLD by AUCTION
by Mr. Giles
On Tuesday 10th day of August 1830 at the Marlborough Arms Inn, Woodstock
at three o'clock (by order of the Executors of the late Mr. Joseph Hall of
Woodstock who was carrying on an extensive retail and wholesale trade) The
whole of the above buildings are in good repair, the greatest part of them
having been newly erected within the last four years.
Further particulars may be known on application to Mr Eyre, solicitor, Ewelme
and of Mr. Giles, the auctioneer, Oxford, if by letter post paid.
______________________________________
LANGFORD CANAL WHARF,
NEAR KIDLINGTON, OXON.
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
BY Mr. GILES
On Wednesday the 11th day of August, 1830, on the premises, by order of the
Executors, All the STOCK in TRADE of the late Mr. Joseph Hall, coal merchant,
corn factor, and baker; comprising a capital Canal Boat, about 200 Tons of the
best Coals and Coke, Flour, Beans, Bran, Pollard, Salt etc in lots; 2 useful cart
mares, 3 young in-pig sows, 2 coal carts, and 1 light baker's ditto, on springs,
harness, several coal and corn weighing machines, 2 malt and bean mills, 3
wheelbarrows, and numerous other articls, which will be inserted in
Catalogues to be had in due time at all the neighbouring villages; place of sale;
and of the auctioneer, Oxford.
At the end of this journey it seems fitting to again acknowledge the skill and genius of James Brindley by quoting the epitaph printed in the Chester Courant on 1 December 1772.
On the south side of the canal is The Highwayman, an C18th Inn which has changed name several times. Originally called the Anchor, later known as the Railway Hotel, Inn or Tavern. In the late 1960's, after the closure of the Railway station, the name changed to The Wise Alderman after Alderman Frank Wise, a former local signalman on the railway.
The front of the building is now considerably lower than the road. The reason for this is the change of layout of the road and the railway and canal bridges in the 1930's . Attached buildings and outbuildings were originally used for warehousing and stabling. Now the area is used for touring caravans, the car park and an outdoor seating area adjacent to the canal. There is also mooring here for narrowboats.
In the C19th several generations of the Hambridge, Humphries and Hazell families were working their boats along this stretch of the canal. The boats had to be registered and inspected on a regular basis and were all numbered and named. Names included: Providence, Live and Learn, Gertrude, Petrel, Formidable, Caroline, Sarah Jane. Families would work together and it is interesting to see that the 1893 registers record John Hambridge's boat, Emblem of Peace, being worked by his daughters.
Jacksons Oxford Journal advertises two auctions in 1830:
To Coal Merchants, Corn Factors, Bakers, or any Person desirous of
embarking in a good concern
LANGFORD COAL WHARF
and PADDOCK adjoining,
Together with the extensive range of lofty WAREHOUSES, BAKE-HOUSE &c.
situate on the Oxford canal near Kidlington, on the Banbury Road, within two
miles and a half of Woodstock, and five from Oxford. Also, VOTES for the
COUNTY of OXFORD, comprising SIX FREEHOLD HOUSES with STABLING (in
one or more lots as may be agreed upon) situated in the pleasant village of
Kidlington;
WHICH will be SOLD by AUCTION
by Mr. Giles
On Tuesday 10th day of August 1830 at the Marlborough Arms Inn, Woodstock
at three o'clock (by order of the Executors of the late Mr. Joseph Hall of
Woodstock who was carrying on an extensive retail and wholesale trade) The
whole of the above buildings are in good repair, the greatest part of them
having been newly erected within the last four years.
Further particulars may be known on application to Mr Eyre, solicitor, Ewelme
and of Mr. Giles, the auctioneer, Oxford, if by letter post paid.
______________________________________
LANGFORD CANAL WHARF,
NEAR KIDLINGTON, OXON.
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
BY Mr. GILES
On Wednesday the 11th day of August, 1830, on the premises, by order of the
Executors, All the STOCK in TRADE of the late Mr. Joseph Hall, coal merchant,
corn factor, and baker; comprising a capital Canal Boat, about 200 Tons of the
best Coals and Coke, Flour, Beans, Bran, Pollard, Salt etc in lots; 2 useful cart
mares, 3 young in-pig sows, 2 coal carts, and 1 light baker's ditto, on springs,
harness, several coal and corn weighing machines, 2 malt and bean mills, 3
wheelbarrows, and numerous other articls, which will be inserted in
Catalogues to be had in due time at all the neighbouring villages; place of sale;
and of the auctioneer, Oxford.
At the end of this journey it seems fitting to again acknowledge the skill and genius of James Brindley by quoting the epitaph printed in the Chester Courant on 1 December 1772.
JAMES BRINDLEY lies amongst these Rocks,
He made Canals, Bridges, and Locks,
To convey Water; he made Tunnels
for Barges, Boats, and Air-Vessels;
He erected several Banks,
Mills, Pumps, Machines, with Wheels and Cranks;
He was famous t'invent Engines,
Calculated for working Mines;
He knew Water, its Weight and Strength,
Turn'd Brooks, made Soughs to a great Length;
While he used the Miners' Blast,
He stopp'd Currents from running too fast;
There ne'er was paid such Attention
As he did to Navigation.
But while busy with Pit or Well,
His Spirits sunk below Level;
And, when too late, his Doctor found,
Water sent him to the Ground.
He made Canals, Bridges, and Locks,
To convey Water; he made Tunnels
for Barges, Boats, and Air-Vessels;
He erected several Banks,
Mills, Pumps, Machines, with Wheels and Cranks;
He was famous t'invent Engines,
Calculated for working Mines;
He knew Water, its Weight and Strength,
Turn'd Brooks, made Soughs to a great Length;
While he used the Miners' Blast,
He stopp'd Currents from running too fast;
There ne'er was paid such Attention
As he did to Navigation.
But while busy with Pit or Well,
His Spirits sunk below Level;
And, when too late, his Doctor found,
Water sent him to the Ground.
Sources of information:
British History online
Canal and River Trust
Cherwell District Council :
Langford Lane conservation appraisal
Oxford Canal conservation appraisal
Kidlington History Society
Local residents
Oxford County Council History Centre online resources