Barley Hill

Hill, Mountain in Oxfordshire South Oxfordshire

England

Barley Hill

A4130 at Nuffield village boundary Credit: Colin Pyle

Barley Hill is a small hill located in the county of Oxfordshire, England. Situated near the village of Thame, it is a prominent geographical feature in the area. Despite its name, Barley Hill is not a mountain but rather a modest elevation that offers picturesque views of the surrounding countryside.

Covered in lush greenery, the hill is primarily used for agricultural purposes, with fields of barley and other crops cultivated on its slopes. It is a popular spot for walkers and hikers, who can enjoy the tranquil beauty of the landscape while exploring the numerous footpaths that crisscross the area.

At the summit of Barley Hill, there is a small wooded area, providing a peaceful retreat for nature enthusiasts. The trees are predominantly beech, oak, and ash, creating a diverse ecosystem that is home to various wildlife species.

One of the notable features of Barley Hill is its connection to local history. It is believed that the hill played a role in the English Civil War, with troops stationed there to gain strategic advantages due to its elevated position. Today, remnants of these historical events can still be found in the form of earthworks and ditches.

Overall, Barley Hill offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Oxfordshire. Whether it's a leisurely stroll or a more vigorous hike, the hill provides an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and appreciate the tranquility of the countryside.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Barley Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.568468/-1.0225742 or Grid Reference SU6785. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A4130 at Nuffield village boundary

Colin Pyle

A4130 at Port Hill

Colin Pyle

Houses in Stoke Row

Looking towards Church View.

David Howard

Church View, Stoke Row

David Howard

Kit Lane, Stoke Row

David Howard

Light Snow at The Maker Space

The Crown at Nuffield was a lovely traditional pub in the Brakspears of Henley estate, but like so many country pubs these days couldn't keep going. It was closed for a long time SU6787 : The Crown closed inn beside the A4130 but happily is now open again as The Maker Space (at The Crown) aiming more at the coffee, cake and light meals market, and also as a craft centre.

Des Blenkinsopp

Woods north east of Stoke Row

Dani

Nott Wood

Dani

The Maharajah's Well, Stoke Row

This is an unlikely looking structure to find in an Oxfordshire village. Its origins lie in the friendship that developed between Edward Anderton Reade, the son of a local squire who spent his working life in India, and the Maharajah of Benares. In Victorian times the villages of this part of Oxfordshire had only limited access to clean water bringing considerable hardship to the poor of the area. Learning of these difficulties, the Maharajah - who had remained loyal to the British during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 - determined that a charity should be set up to relieve the problem. The result was a well dug to a depth of 368 feet, a considerable engineering achievement. To honour the Maharajah, who never visited Britain, a splendid well canopy was built incorporating a gold elephant representing the Hindu god Ganesh. The well was used until the beginning of the Second World War although by that time most houses in the village had a mains connection. Today the well has been renovated and preserved and is maintained by the Maharajah's Well Trust. The octagonal cottage to the right was built to house the well warden. The last warden died in 1979 since when it has been rented out to supplement the charity's income.

Stephen McKay

The Maharajah's Well, Stoke Row

This is looking under the canopy of the well where the gold elephant takes pride of place. See SU6784 : The Maharajah's Well, Stoke Row for a wider view and some historical notes.

Stephen McKay