English Heritage sites near Westcote Parish
ROLLRIGHT STONES
8 miles from Westcote Parish
Traditionally a monarch and his courtiers petrified by a witch, the Rollright Stones consist of three groups: the King's Men stone circle; the Whispering Knights burial chamber; and the single King Stone. They span nearly 2,000 years of Neolithic and Bronze Age development.
MINSTER LOVELL HALL AND DOVECOTE
9 miles from Westcote Parish
The extensive and picturesque ruins of a 15th century riverside manor house, including a fine hall, south-west tower, and complete dovecote nearby. The home of Richard III's henchman Lord Lovell.
NORTH LEIGH ROMAN VILLA
11 miles from Westcote Parish
The remains of a large, well built Roman courtyard villa. The most important feature is a nearly complete mosaic tile floor, patterned in reds and browns.
HAILES ABBEY
12 miles from Westcote Parish
Founded by the Earl of Cornwall in thanks for surviving a shipwreck. It housed a renowned relic, ‘the Holy Blood of Hailes’: allegedly a phial of Christ’s blood. Great picnic spot. Audio tours.
BELAS KNAP LONG BARROW
13 miles from Westcote Parish
A particularly fine example of a Neolithic long barrow of c.3800 BC, featuring a false entrance and side chambers. During excavations in the 1860s, the remains of 31 people were found in the chambers.
DEDDINGTON CASTLE
17 miles from Westcote Parish
Extensive earthworks marking the site of an 11th century motte and bailey castle.
Churches in Westcote Parish
St Mary the Virgin
St Mary's, Church Westcote
Chipping Norton
Westcote is a hill village of around 200 inhabitants just within the Gloucestershire border and about half-way between Burford and Stow on the Wold. The settlement is in two halves - Nether Westcote and Church Westcote - separated by a small area of common land known as Tattle. At nearly 700 feet, we have outstanding views across the Benefice in the Evenlode valley below, but winters can be cold when the east wind blows.
The parish church of St Mary's is in Church Westcote. It is a small church seating around 70 people, and was heavily restored in the late 19th century. Although some interesting features may have been lost in the restoration, it now has a wide chancel arch giving good visibility into the chancel and towards the table. This alteration has made the church into an excellent venue for concerts and shows.
In the past Westcote had an Anglo-Catholic tradition in part due to the presence of an Anglican Nunnery in Church Westcote during the first half of the 20th Century. However, the villagers have always been Low Church and this tradition has been strengthened over the past few decades with a strong Evangelical emphasis, and close links with our friends at nearby Westcote Methodist Chapel.
There are weekly Sunday services, mostly Morning Prayer with one Holy Communion service per month. All services are taken from Common Worship. Though we have big congregations on Holy Days and Festivals, our weekly average is 12, but they are friendly, mature Christians and our reputation for being welcoming has spread throughout the Benefice.
Westcote is one of seven parishes in our Evenlode Vale benefice, under the ministry of Priest-in-Charge, Rev'd Oliver Strange. For more details and resources our visit our website at https://www.evenlodevalechurches.org/
Pubs in Westcote Parish
Feathered Nest Country Inn
Nether Westcote, OX7 6SD
(01993) 833030
thefeatherednestinn.co.uk/