Welcome to the village website
This website has been designed to create better communication with and within the Parish of Somerton. It was funded through a government grant to ensure transparency in local government and its upkeep is funded by the Parish Council. Here you will find not only information on all matters related to the Parish Council but much, much more.
The aim is to involve as many people and groups as possible within the village and surrounding area, so that the site is constantly used and becomes the focal communication point for all activities and information. We are also keen to encourage some to take ownership of their particular interest, by becoming an editor for those pages.
So please contact us if you would like to get involved or sign up for future newsletters by filling in your details at the bottom of this page.
About Somerton Village
Somerton is a village and civil parish in north Oxfordshire, England, in the Cherwell valley about 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Bicester.
It’s situation in North Oxfordshire on the edge of the Cotswolds and close to good road and rail connections, at Lower Heyford and two mainline stations in Bicester, help give it an enviable reputation as a desirable place to live. The 2011 Census recorded the parish’s population as 305.
The village has an active social life with regular events organised by the Social Club, an active History group, Bell ringing, Film Club, Quilters, a Womens Interest group (SWIG) meets monthly with various speakers and activities. The Village Produce show is held in the Barnes Memorial village hall each September.
The Somerton Resilience Fund
The Somerton Resilience Fund (the ‘SRF’) has been established as a response to the pandemic outbreak of Coronavirus. Its purpose is to assist Somerton residents who may face genuine hardship as a consequence of economic, social and health (both physical and mental) difficulties as well as bringing the community together to foster general resilience during challenging times.
To facilitate this assistance Somerton has an established group of neighbourhood volunteers who provide practical assistance to those in need. The SRF operates as an adjunct to this group in order to provide a cohesive community-based response. – more info
WhatsApp Group: “Supporting Somerton” This is a place to offer and ask for general help, share information, news recycle/upcycle etc. – To Join the group message Alison Smith 07920 017460
St. James’ parish is part of the Cherwell Valley Benefice along with five other parishes; Ardley, Fritwell, Lower Heyford, Souldern and Upper Heyford and holds regular services on 3 Sundays in the month, and a Sunday school once a month.
Valley News
The Valley News is a community based publication that is designed to bring together the residents from a number of villages in the river Cherwell valley in the format of a locally produced magazine which is regularly delivered to every house in the villages. It is published once every 2 months and delivered, free of charge, to approximately 1,500 houses in the Cherwell valley.
Shopping & Entertainment
The fast-expanding town of Bicester is only fifteen minutes away (about 7.2 miles) and provides a full range of shopping, educational and sporting facilities and a 7 screen Multiplex Vue cinema as well as the world renowned retail outlet; Bicester Village. There are excellent road connections at Bicester with junction 10 of the M40 and the A34.
The village of Somerton itself is protected from new development. Its tranquil setting takes you back into a bygone world and it has always been very rural in character being bordered by several farms.
Transport
Just a few miles south of Somerton is Heyford railway station, a very small unstaffed station on the Oxford – Coventry Line in Lower Heyford. It is managed by Great Western Railway.
There are two railway stations in nearby Bicester; Bicester North (London to Marylebone roughly 43 mins, or north to Birmingham International; 65 mins) and Bicester Village Station (formerly Bicester Town) with trains to London and in the other direction to the new station of Oxford Parkway and Oxford mainline station.
Bicester Heritage
Just 15 Minutes’ drive away is Bicester Heritage, the UK’s first park for the restoration, storage and enjoyment of vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and aircraft. Situated on the old RAF Bicester Airfield, the buildings have various preservation orders on them and the airfield itself is a World Heritage Site that also helps to protect the surrounding green belt.
Cycling & Walks
There are many public footpaths for interesting local walks. Please note: care should be taken when walking especially with dogs though fields where there are cows and especially when they are with calves as they can feel threatened and become aggressive.
• Map My Walk • View Ranger • Cherwell Walks PDF
It’s also a popular area for cyclists due to its gently undulating country roads winding between other pretty villages; Circular route Somerton, The Heyfords Steeple Aston, North Aston, Somerton.
Within an approx. 20 mile radius you have Rousham House & gardens laid out by John Kent, the University City of Oxford, the ancient town of Woodstock with Churchill’s birthplace Blenheim Palace, Waddesdon Manor ancestral home of the Rothschild’s, Stowe school and botanical gardens and the international Grand Prix motor racing circuit of Silverstone.
