# Launton

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Village in Oxfordshire, England

Human settlement in England

Launton St Mary's parish church Launton Location within Oxfordshire Area 10.49 km2 (4.05 sq mi) Population 1,204 (2011 Census) • Density 115/km2 (300/sq mi) OS grid reference SP6022 Civil parish Launton District Cherwell Shire county Oxfordshire Region South East Country England Sovereign state United Kingdom Post town Bicester Postcode district OX26 Dialling code 01869 Police Thames Valley Fire Oxfordshire Ambulance South Central UK Parliament Bicester and Woodstock Website Launton Village Website List of places UK England Oxfordshire 51°53′35″N 1°06′58″W / 51.893°N 1.116°W / 51.893; -1.116

**Launton** is a village and [civil parish](/source/Civil_parishes_in_England) on the eastern outskirts of [Bicester](/source/Bicester), [Oxfordshire](/source/Oxfordshire), England. The [2011 Census](/source/United_Kingdom_Census_2011) recorded the parish's population as 1,204.[1]

## Manor

King [Edward the Confessor](/source/Edward_the_Confessor) granted the [manor](/source/Manorialism) of Launton to [Westminster Abbey](/source/Westminster_Abbey) in 1065. The abbey surrendered the manor to [the Crown](/source/The_Crown) when it was suppressed in the [Dissolution of the Monasteries](/source/Dissolution_of_the_Monasteries) in 1540, but in 1542 the Crown granted Launton to the abbey's Dean and Chapter. [Mary I](/source/Mary_I_of_England) restored the [Roman Catholic church](/source/Catholic_Church) in England so in 1556 Launton was surrendered to the Crown, who restored it to the reinstated abbott and convent of Westminster. [Elizabeth I](/source/Elizabeth_I_of_England) restored the [English Reformation](/source/English_Reformation) so in 1560 Launton was surrendered to the Crown for a third time, who again granted it to the Dean and Chapter. In 1649 the [Commonwealth of England](/source/Commonwealth_of_England) assigned Launton to [Westminster School](/source/Westminster_School). In 1860 the lands of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster were vested in the [Ecclesiastical Commissioners](/source/Ecclesiastical_Commissioners).[2]

The present [manor house](/source/Manor_house) is 17th-century, with a court room that was re-ordered in the 19th century.[3] Its farmyard has a 14th- or 15th-century barn of 10 [bays](/source/Bay_(architecture)) with 17th-century roof timbers. The barn may have been a [tithe barn](/source/Tithe_barn) and now forms the centrepiece of a wedding venue called 'The Tythe Barn' after being restored in 1997.[4][5] It is now a [Grade II* listed building](/source/Listed_building#Categories_of_listed_building).[6]

## Church and chapels

### Church of England

The [Church of England parish church](/source/Church_of_England_parish_church) of the [Assumption of the Blesséd Virgin Mary](/source/Assumption_of_Mary) was built in the 12th century, and the four-bay [aisles](/source/Aisle#Church_architecture) of its [nave](/source/Nave) were added in the 13th century.[7][8] Sources disagree as to whether the west tower is part of the original 12th-century church[8] or a 13th-century addition.[7] Originally the [chancel](/source/Chancel) had an [apse](/source/Apse), but in the 15th century this part of the church was reordered with a rectangular east end.[8][9] The nave has a [clerestory](/source/Clerestory) with 15th- or 16th-century windows.[8] Some of the windows of the aisles are 16th-century.[8][9]

In 1891 a pair of [flying buttresses](/source/Flying_buttress) designed by [Reginald Blomfield](/source/Reginald_Blomfield) was added to the west tower. In 1910 an [Arts and Crafts](/source/Arts_and_Crafts_movement)-style screen designed by [John Oldrid Scott](/source/John_Oldrid_Scott) was added to the south aisle. The church is [Grade I listed](/source/Listed_building#Categories_of_listed_building).[8]

The [bell tower](/source/Bell_tower) has a [ring](/source/Change_ringing) of six bells, all cast by [Gillett & Johnston](/source/Gillett_%26_Johnston) of [Croydon](/source/Croydon) in 1907.[10] The church also has a [Sanctus bell](/source/Church_bell#Sanctus_bells) that was cast in 1352.[2]

In the churchyard are the base and broken shaft of a 14th- or 15th-century stone churchyard cross.[11]

The [ecclesiastical parish](/source/Ecclesiastical_parish) is now part of the [Benefice](/source/Benefice#Current_usage) of Bicester, [Bucknell](/source/Bucknell%2C_Oxfordshire), [Caversfield](/source/Caversfield) and Launton.[12][13]

### Presbyterian chapel

Launton had a [Presbyterian](/source/English_Presbyterianism) congregation by 1772, when a meeting house was licensed for it. The congregation lapsed by about 1800, but was re-established by 1806. In 1807 Zion chapel was built for it on the western edge of the village. Later in the 19th century the chapel was used as a school.[2]

### Congregational chapel

Bethel chapel was built in 1850 for an independent [Nonconformist](/source/Nonconformist_(Protestantism)) congregation. By 1855 it had a lending library and a school. It later joined the [Congregational Church](/source/Congregational_church#United_Kingdom).[2][14]

## Economic history

The [Varsity Line](/source/Varsity_Line) between [Bletchley](/source/Bletchley_railway_station) and [Oxford](/source/Oxford_railway_station) *via* [Bicester Town](/source/Bicester_Town_railway_station) was built through Launton parish and opened in 1851. [Launton railway station](/source/Launton_railway_station) served the village until the end of 1967, when [British Railways](/source/British_Rail) withdrew passenger services between Bletchley and Oxford.

## Amenities

The Black Bull, renamed in 2020 to The Launton Arms

Launton has two [public houses](/source/Public_house): The Bull Inn at the crossroads in the centre of the village and The Launton Arms (formerly The Black Bull) at West End.[15] The village has also a post office, two shops and a hair salon.

Launton has a [Church of England](/source/Voluntary_controlled_school) [primary school](/source/Primary_school).[16] The school has links with the parish church including [Christingle](/source/Christingle) and Year Six leavers services.

Launton has a [Parish Hall](/source/Village_hall). The Sports and Social Club provides the home pitch for Launton Football Club, plus a tennis court and small children's play area.[17]

The Launton Village Players is an [amateur theatre](/source/Amateur_theatre) group living in and around Launton who perform an annual [pantomime](/source/Pantomime) at [The Cooper School](/source/The_Cooper_School) in Bicester, and musical shows and plays in the village.[18]

The village has a Woods on your Doorstep[19] at Island Pond Wood, managed by [The Woodland Trust](/source/The_Woodland_Trust).[20] Villagers bought it by public subscription and planted it in 1999.[20]

Launton has a [Non-League football](/source/Non-League_football) club, [Launton Sports F.C.](/source/Launton_Sports_F.C.), which plays at Launton Sports Club on Bicester Road.

## Buses

[Stagecoach in Oxfordshire](/source/Stagecoach_in_Oxfordshire) bus route 28 links Launton with Bicester.[21] Buses run hourly, Monday to Saturday. There is no service on Sunday or on public holidays.[22]

In school terms, coaches to and from [Blessed George Napier Roman Catholic School](/source/Blessed_George_Napier_Roman_Catholic_School) in [Banbury](/source/Banbury) also serve Launton.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Twinning

Launton is twinned with the village of [Gavray](/source/Gavray) in the [Lower Normandy](/source/Lower_Normandy) region of [France](/source/France).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Launton Parish"](https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/localarea?compare=E04008059). *nomis*. [Durham University](/source/Durham_University) for the [Office for National Statistics](/source/Office_for_National_Statistics). Retrieved 10 January 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Lobel_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Lobel_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Lobel_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Lobel_2-3) [Lobel 1959](#CITEREFLobel1959), pp. 232–243

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Manor Farmhouse (Grade II) (1232878)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1232878?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 13 August 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The Tythe Barn – Wedding Venue, Private Parties & Corporate Events"](https://www.thetythebarn.co.uk/). Retrieved 9 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Rogers, Joseph (2021). *Tithe barns*. Stroud, Gloucestershire. pp. 85–86. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4456-9285-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4456-9285-2). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1242784225](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1242784225).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location_missing_publisher))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Barn approximatery 50 metres south of Manor Farmhouse (Grade II*) (1232879)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1232879?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 13 August 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESherwoodPevsner1974681_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESherwoodPevsner1974681_7-1) [Sherwood & Pevsner 1974](#CITEREFSherwoodPevsner1974), pp. 681.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-HE_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-HE_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-HE_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-HE_8-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-HE_8-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-HE_8-5) [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Church of St Mary (Grade I) (1369735)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1369735?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 13 August 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESherwoodPevsner1974682_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESherwoodPevsner1974682_9-1) [Sherwood & Pevsner 1974](#CITEREFSherwoodPevsner1974), pp. 682.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Davies, Peter (17 December 2006). ["Launton Assumption of the BVM"](http://dove.cccbr.org.uk/detail.php?searchString=Launton&Submit=+Go+&DoveID=LAUNTON). *[Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers](/source/Dove's_Guide_for_Church_Bell_Ringers)*. Retrieved 19 December 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Churchyard cross approximately 6 metres south of the Church of St Mary, Bicester Road (Grade II) (1276857)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1276857?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 13 August 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["St Mary's Church"](https://launton.org/organisations/st-marys-church/). *Launton Website*. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Associated Churches"](https://www.stedburgschurch.org/associated-churches). *St Edburg's Church – Bicester*. Retrieved 10 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Launton"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150924062919/http://www.oxfordshirechurches.info/Launton.html). *Oxfordshire Churches & Chapels*. Brian Curtis. Archived from [the original](http://www.oxfordshirechurches.info/Launton.html) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Introducing the Launton Arms"](https://info693713.wixsite.com/theblackbull). Retrieved 22 September 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Launton Church of England School](http://www.launtonschool.co.uk/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Launton Sports and Social Club"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110819210616/http://launton.org/launton_sports_and_social_club.html). *Launton Village Website*. 2010. Archived from [the original](http://launton.org/launton_sports_and_social_club.html) on 19 August 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Launton Village Players"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110301044321/http://www.launton.org/launton_village_players.html). *Launton Village Website*. 2010. Archived from [the original](http://launton.org/launton_village_players.html) on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Woods on your Doorstep"](http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/about-us/projects/woyd/pages/woyd-uk.aspx). *Projects*. The Woodland Trust. 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WoodlandTrust_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WoodlandTrust_20-1) ["Island Pond Wood"](https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20090507091923/http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/our-woods/Pages/wood-details.aspx?wood=5189&site=Island-Pond-Wood). *A to Z list*. The Woodland Trust. 2010. Archived from [the original](http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/our-woods/Pages/wood-details.aspx?wood=5189&site=Island-Pond-Wood) on 7 May 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Oxfordshire Dayrider Gold and Megarider Gold zone"](https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/ZoneMaps/Oxford/Oxfordshire%20map.pdf) (.pdf). [Stagecoach in Oxfordshire](/source/Stagecoach_in_Oxfordshire). 4 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["28 Bicester - Launton"](https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/Oxford_Timetables/27_28_current.pdf) (PDF). [Stagecoach in Oxfordshire](/source/Stagecoach_in_Oxfordshire). 4 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.

## Sources and further reading

- [Lobel, Mary D](/source/Mary_Lobel), ed. (1959). [*A History of the County of Oxford*](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/oxon/vol6/pp232-243). [Victoria County History](/source/Victoria_County_History). Vol. 6: Ploughley Hundred. London: [Oxford University Press](/source/Oxford_University_Press) for the [Institute of Historical Research](/source/Institute_of_Historical_Research). pp. 232–243.

- Marples, BJ (1973). ["The Medieval Crosses of Oxfordshire"](http://oxoniensia.org/volumes/1973/marples.pdf) (PDF). *Oxoniensia*. **XXXVIII**. [Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society](/source/Oxfordshire_Architectural_and_Historical_Society): 299–311. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0308-5562](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0308-5562).

- Sherwood, Jennifer; [Pevsner, Nikolaus](/source/Nikolaus_Pevsner) (1974). *Oxfordshire*. [The Buildings of England](/source/Pevsner_Architectural_Guides#Buildings_of_England). Harmondsworth: [Penguin Books](/source/Penguin_Books). pp. 681–682. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-14-071045-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-14-071045-0).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Launton](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Launton).

- [Launton Village Website](http://launton.org/)

v t e The District of Cherwell Oxfordshire County Council elections District Council elections Banbury County Constituency Bicester and Woodstock County Constituency Towns Banbury Bicester Large villages Adderbury Ambrosden Arncott Bloxham Bodicote Caversfield Deddington (Clifton Hempton) Hook Norton Kidlington Launton Upper Heyford Yarnton Other civil parishes (component villages and hamlets) Ardley (Fewcott) Barford St. John and St. Michael (Barford St. Michael Barford St. John) Begbroke Blackthorn Bletchingdon (Enslow) Bourton (Great Bourton Little Bourton) Broughton Bucknell Charlton-on-Otmoor Chesterton (Little Chesterton) Claydon with Clattercot (Claydon Clattercote) Cottisford (Juniper Hill) Cropredy Drayton Duns Tew Epwell Fencott and Murcott (Fencott Murcott) Finmere Fringford Fritwell Godington Gosford and Water Eaton (Gosford Water Eaton) Hampton Gay and Poyle (Hampton Gay Hampton Poyle) Hanwell Hardwick with Tusmore (Hardwick Tusmore) Hethe (Willaston) Heyford Park Horley Hornton Horton-cum-Studley Islip Kirtlington (Northbrook) Lower Heyford (Caulcott) Merton Middle Aston Middleton Stoney Milcombe Milton Mixbury Mollington Newton Purcell with Shelswell (Newton Purcell Shelswell) Noke North Aston North Newington Oddington Piddington Prescote Shenington with Alkerton (Shenington Alkerton) Shipton-on-Cherwell and Thrupp (Shipton-on-Cherwell Thrupp) Shutford Sibford Ferris Sibford Gower (Burdrop) Somerton Souldern South Newington Steeple Aston Stoke Lyne (Bainton) Stratton Audley Swalcliffe Tadmarton Wardington (Lower Wardington Upper Wardington) Wendlebury Weston-on-the-Green Wigginton Wroxton (Balscote) Former districts and boroughs Municipal Borough of Banbury Banbury Rural District Bicester Urban District Ploughley Rural District Bicester Rural District Former constituencies Oxfordshire County Constituency Mid Oxfordshire or Woodstock County Constituency Mid Oxfordshire County Constituency List of parliamentary constituencies in Oxfordshire List of places in Oxfordshire List of civil parishes in Oxfordshire

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