The approach to Holy Trinity is through an impressive avenue of lime trees. In spring, wild crocuses carpet the ground beneath the trees. Holy Trinity is a parish church dating from the late 12th century and is listed Grade II*.
Church and landscape
Ascott-under-Wychwood lies in the Evenlode Valley on the south bank of the River Evenlode and within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This gives the village a distinct landscape setting, while the church, castle mounds and the history of the Ascott Martyrs offer further focal points for a visit. Those wishing to combine culture and landscape will find both here as separate aspects of the village—without needing to combine them into a set route.
Two castle sites with different access
Ascott d’Oyley’s motte-and-bailey castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Roger d’Oyley had it built without permission sometime between about 1129 and 1150. Today it is an earthwork, not an intact castle building; the motte is on private land. This is important to bear in mind when placing the village’s history in context: the well-known castle site is not a building open to the public.
Ascott Earl Castle is a different site and is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument dating from the early 12th century. Only earth mounds remain to mark the site of the castle. They can be seen from the public footpath by the river bridge. This offers a specific view of the remains without requiring a visit to the earthwork itself. The two castle sites should not be confused: at d’Oyley, the motte-and-bailey history and its location on private land are central to the visitor guidance; at Ascott Earl, the remaining mounds can be viewed from the footpath mentioned above.
Remembrance and living tradition
A memorial bench and a memorial tree on the village green commemorate the Ascott Martyrs. The women of Ascott were imprisoned in 1873 for supporting striking agricultural workers and using pickets to obstruct replacement workers. The site thus preserves a specific episode in local social history, distinct from the older architectural and castle history.
Another tradition is the Ascott Morris dances: every two years, the Oxford University Morris Men visit Tiddy Hall to perform. If you want to plan your trip around this performance, check the dates in advance. The biennial schedule makes it a special occasion that does not take place all the time.
Walking and cycling
The Ascott Nine-Miler offers excellent views. The paths are generally good, though mud is sometimes to be expected; conditions may vary depending on the season. If you plan to follow this route, it is advisable to check the path conditions before setting out.
For cyclists, Ascott-under-Wychwood is marked on the map for Cycle Route 3, “Cotswold Line Explorer: Charlbury”. The moderate ride is listed as 26 kilometres or 16 miles and passes through the area of the ancient Wychwood Forest. Alongside the local sites of remembrance, a walking route and a designated cycle tour therefore offer different interests to consider when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Thame, Alvescot, Standlake, Watlington, Church Handborough, Clare, Aston, Wallingford.
For the broader travel overview: Oxfordshire.
