Fifield: Long Barrow, Church and Bould Wood

The long barrow, the Church of St John the Baptist and Bould Wood offer three distinct themes for a trip to Fifield: archaeological form, church architectural history and woodland habitat. Which appeals to you most depends on whether you are more interested in monument measurements and chambers, church architecture, or woodland history and species.

The long barrow

The long barrow at Fifield is designated as a Scheduled Monument. It survives as a visible earth mound, 48 metres long and 28 metres wide at its broadest point. Its maximum width is therefore a little over half its length; this comparison conveys its elongated shape. The monument designation and the measurements offer two different ways of understanding it: its formal status and its physical form.

Inside, the barrow contains a passage and at least two chambers. This adds specific information about its internal layout to the external measurements. Length and maximum width describe its visible form, while the passage and chambers describe its interior structure. Both its external shape and its structure are therefore relevant to understanding the monument.

Bould Wood: woodland history and species

Bould Wood is designated as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). The full English term explains the designation.

Bould Wood has been continuously wooded since at least 1600. The word “at least” sets a lower limit and does not date the woodland’s beginning precisely to 1600. Bould Wood is also home to woodland flowers and White Admirals. These nature-related details complement one another: the continuity of the woodland describes a long timespan, while the plants and butterflies identify specific species. This makes it possible to understand the area’s natural significance both through the woodland’s history and through the living things mentioned.

Church of St John the Baptist

The Church of St John the Baptist is a parish church dating from the early 13th century. Its tower and porch date from the 14th century, so these features are later than the church itself. Both dates are important for understanding its chronology, rather than reducing the building to a single age.

The tower is narrow, octagonal and divided into two stages. “Octagonal” describes its eight-sided shape; the reference to two stages describes an additional division. Together, the dates and features give a more precise picture of the architecture than the general description “parish church”. If you are interested in architectural history, you can consider both the building’s chronology and the tower’s specific features here.

Planning worship visits

Since early 2025, the Church of St John the Baptist’s service pattern has included a Holy Communion service on the first Sunday of each month and a Morning Prayer service on the third Sunday. There are changes on feast days. If you are planning to attend a service, check the church’s latest notices before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Dorchester, Deddington, Waterstock, Shipton-On-Cherwell, Clanfield, Clare, Standlake, Witney.

For the wider travel overview: Oxfordshire.