Wolvercote
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wolvercote (Oxfordshire, England) is a village that is now part of the City of Oxford, England, though still retaining its own identity. It is located about 3 miles (5 km) to the northwest of the centre of Oxford, on the northern edge of Port Meadow. The village is listed in the Domesday Book as Ulfgarcote (Cottage of Wulfgar); the name had mutated to Wolvercote by 1135.
Wolvercote is divided into two distinct parts, separated by the Oxford Canal and the adjacent railway.
The western edge of Upper Wolvercote parallels the canal at "Wolvercote green" and fades into North Oxford suburbia to the east. It contains the village school and St Peter's church. The church has a 14th century west tower and 15th Century window and doorway. It was rebuilt in 1860 in the Early English style, retaining the Norman tub font and 14th century south chancel window. Wolvercote Cemetery, where J.R.R. Tolkien is buried, is only marginally in Upper Wolvercote, being located off the Banbury Road just north of the Oxford Ring Road.
Lower Wolvercote borders the River Thames at Godstow to the west, and Port Meadow and the canal to the east. Until recently it was the location of a paper mill, once a major local employer, and supplier of paper to the Oxford University Press. The mill ceased trading in 1998 and was demolished in 2004; there are currently plans to develop the site to provide affordable housing for Oxford University staff.
Godstow is the home of the famous Trout Inn public house (which features in the "Inspector Morse" books and television series — e.g., "The Wolvercote Tongue") and the ruins of Godstow Nunnery (founded 1139).
[edit] External links
- Wolvercote website
- Wolvercote, from the Victoria History of the Counties of England: Oxfordshire.
