Kingston Bagpuze: Local History and Millennium Green

Kingston Bagpuze can be approached as a destination for a stay through two interests: local history and time in green spaces. The Church of St John the Baptist and Kingston Bagpuize House offer distinct historical highlights; Kingston Bagpuize Millennium Green adds a woodland circular walk and a community space. If you are planning a hotel stay, this distinction can help you shape your visit around your interests.

Church: site history and building phases

The Church of St John the Baptist is a Grade II listed building. A church was first built on the site shortly after the Norman Conquest, around 1076 to 1099. The present building was constructed in 1799–1800 by John Fidel of Farringdon and altered in 1882 by Edwin Dolby of Abingdon.

The dates refer to different phases: the period from 1076 to 1099 relates to the first church on the site, while 1799–1800 marks the construction of the present building. The 1882 alterations form part of its later building history. This helps distinguish the long history of the church site from the history of the present building.

Kingston Bagpuize House and its garden

Kingston Bagpuize House, also known as Kingston House, is a Grade II* listed country house dating from around 1710. Its origins may go back to the 17th century. This possible earlier origin should be distinguished from the approximate date of the country house, around 1710. It offers a separate focus in the history of the area alongside the church site: a named country house with a possible earlier history.

The house’s garden has been the venue for the Village Fête for over 40 years. Alongside the building’s history, the garden’s long-standing use for the fête is another local theme.

Millennium Green: nature and a circular walk

Kingston Bagpuize Millennium Green is a nature reserve and community park established by residents of Kingston Bagpuize and Southmoor. Its community origins complement its nature reserve character and give it a different focus from the historic buildings.

The outer circular path runs through the woodland, is just under a kilometre long, and is used for walking and jogging. The length is approximate; path conditions may vary depending on the season. For a walk or jog, both the approximate distance and seasonal variations are useful points to consider when planning.

Plan your visit

Visits to Kingston Bagpuize House and its garden are scheduled on selected days of the year only. Visiting hours are listed as 2 to 4 pm, with last admission at 4 pm. Check the specific visiting days and times before travelling. A junior parkrun event takes place on the Green every Sunday at 9 am; check the date before your visit. The timings differ considerably: for the house, plan around selected visiting days, while the event takes place on Sunday mornings.

Discover more destinations: Coleshill, Wallingford, Waterstock, Chinnor, Burford, Clare, Goring, Bampton

For the wider travel guide: Oxfordshire.