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Carterton is surrounded by lovely countryside. To the north lies the Cotswolds; an area of gently contoured hills; woodland and hidden valleys. Small streams run down to join the Windrush which flows on to meet the Thames passing through Burford, famed as ‘the gateway to the Cotswolds’. To the South, the River Thames meanders its way from Lechlade in Gloucestershire to the city of Oxford. One of the oldest bridges over the Thames, dating from the 12th century, can be found at Radcot. This is excellent walking country with well marked footpaths for both experienced walkers and those wanting more gentle exercise.

For those wanting to stay closer to town, Willow Meadows is an area of wet grassland beside the Shill Brook on the western edge of Carterton. Such areas are a priority for conservation in Britain, and Willow Meadows is owned and maintained by the Town Council with advice from Government Departments. The Meadows support a range of wet grassland, swamp and marsh species including purple moor grass, marsh arrow grass and eight different species of sedge. Birds found there include reed bunting, bullfinches and sedge warblers. Three species of rare ground beetle have been recorded there.

Although conservation is a priority, the Council is keen to encourage responsible visitors to the site and therefore installed a car park, and a path running the entire length of the meadow. It is now possible to cross through the meadow and join the perimeter path around RAF Brize Norton.


Alvescot
This small stone built village lies just to the west of Carterton on gently rising ground three miles to the north of the River Thames. Its ancient parish included the mediaeval settlements of Bromscott, Pemscott, Alwoldsbury and Puttes although all of these were deserted during the middle ages. A chapel was founded in the village in the early 12th Century by the Lord of Alvescot Manor. In the 13th Century it was dedicated to Nicholas although this was later changed in the 19th Century to St Peter. Three public houses opened in the mid 1800s, one of which, the Plough, is still in existence.

Throughout its history many residents were involved in farming. Sheep were important but there was also some arable farming with the chief crops being wheat and barley. There was a mill house which was used to grind corn. The mill was both water and steam powered and included an attached cider mill and press.

Alvescot now has a population of about 400. There is one pub, one shop, an excellent primary school and a village hall. The residents have recently completed a village appraisal for the millennium, which gives a snap shot of the village at the turn of this century.


Black Bourton
The small village of Black Bourton lies just to the south of Carterton. It retains a markedly rural character but during the 20th century the parish's northern part was transformed by the creation and expansion of RAF Brize Norton.

In the late Anglo Saxon period the village formed part of the Manor of Bampton. There is reference to an alehouse keeper being in the village in 1738. The alehouse moved to its current premises in 1938. The Church at Black Bourton is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin with a font dating from the late 12th Century and there are 13th Century wall paintings and tombs dedicated to the Hungerford family. They, and the major landowners who followed them, used to live in a large manor house with swan pool which was eventually demolished in the 1930s and little evidence of it remains.

Black Bourton is famous for its active village association which puts on different events annually, usually involving loud music and alcohol in significant quantities!


Brize Norton
The large, mainly rural parish of Brize Norton lies to the east of Carterton. From the 1930s its name became widely known because of the growing prominence of a local airbase which was named after Brize Norton village although its main buildings were in the neighbouring parish.

The East Gloucestershire Railway, a single track line from Witney to Fairford, was opened in 1873 and served a number of surrounding villages. It closed in 1962.

The parish church probably existed in 1074 with the earliest fabric dating from the 12th Century. By the mid 16th Century it was dedicated to St Peter but is now dedicated to St Brise. An ex Army hut was erected in the village in 1921 and known as the Victory Hut. A new hall, the Elder Bank Hall, replaced the Victory Hut in the 1980s.

Brize Norton is an excellent base for exploring Oxford and the upper Thames Valley, and is close to both Burford and Witney. Nearby is RAF Brize Norton. Here is a remarkable sight - from the road at the end of the runway, it is possible to admire the huge tail fins of large planes as landmarks in the landscape. Traffic stops when the planes come in to land.


Shilton
Shilton is a pretty Cotswold type village with several attractive natural features which have encouraged the gathering together of the inhabitants through the centuries.

The main street crosses the Shillbrook at the north end of the village by means of the ancient stone bridge covered with scratched initials and a favourite resting place to watch for trout.

The attractive ford across 'The Shill' brook is much photographed and deservedly so; this is Cotswold picturesque at its best – there is a pond, a village pump, a mounting block and an open village green with the Rose & Crown at one end, and of course pretty stone cottages. The blacksmith's forge, now closed, stood at the other end. The church and rectory are up on the hill. A bridle path into Burford makes a lovely walk.

The common land of the village is an attractive feature consisting of several steep grassy banks with footpaths and winding lanes and used in the past to graze cattle and goats.

The church dedicated to Holy Rood consists of a 13th chancel. Shilton has one pub, a church and a chapel.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. All photographs courtesy of Carterton Town Council except NE Local Centre - West Oxfordshire District Council and RAF Brize Norton.