Discover Middle Aston

Plan a visit to Middle Aston from several different angles: as a destination with Middle Aston House manor, historic buildings, and a walk from Steeple Aston to a viewpoint over the Cherwell Valley. For travellers who want to combine an occasion with local history, Middle Aston House’s role as an approved venue is also relevant. Those interested in architectural history will find buildings dating from the 17th to the early 18th century. This gives you a choice of focus for planning your trip.

Middle Aston House as a Manor House and Ceremony Venue

Middle Aston House is a 17th-century manor house set on 20 acres of rural Oxfordshire countryside. The current Oxfordshire County Council list includes the house as an approved venue for marriages, civil partnerships and other civil ceremonies. For couples planning a civil ceremony, this is a practical point to note. At the same time, the house has its own historical significance: it combines its role as a ceremony venue with the character of a 17th-century manor house. Its role as a venue and its architectural history are two distinct aspects of the same place.

Directions and a Walk

Fir Lane runs directly from Steeple Aston to Middle Aston. It can be reached via Paines Hill, by the village shop, and passes the church. This gives you several named landmarks for finding your way: Paines Hill, the village shop and the church. A walk from Steeple Aston to Middle Aston leads to a bench with a view over the Cherwell Valley. The walk and its viewpoint, and the route along the road, cater to different planning interests.

The order for the creation of part of the public footpath Middle Aston Footpath No. 9 has been confirmed and has come into force. Check the path conditions before setting out. This lets you include this footpath in your plans, while the walk from Steeple Aston to Middle Aston offers a specific destination with a view. Both details help you consider walking opportunities as a distinct part of your trip.

Historic Buildings and Dates

The barn at Middle Aston House is Grade II listed and dates from the 17th or early 18th century. Barleyport is a house in Middle Aston that is also Grade II listed and dates to the mid-to-late 17th century. Its front façade features stone mullioned windows. The comparison shows different dates: the barn’s dating extends into the early 18th century, while Barleyport is attributed to the mid-to-late 17th century. Barleyport also has a specific architectural detail on its façade.

Grange Farmhouse broadens the picture of local history. The farmhouse dates from the early 18th century and lies near the site of the deserted village of Nethercote. Here, a datable building sits alongside a historical connection to an earlier settlement. The Steeple Aston Village Archive adds to this picture by collecting and preserving materials that reflect the heritage of Steeple Aston and Middle Aston. Its scope therefore covers both places and focuses on historical materials, while the houses mentioned each have their own dates and architectural features.

Discover more destinations: Ambrosden, Bicester, North Stoke, Horspath, Mollington, Witney, Hailey, Great Milton.

For the broader travel overview: Oxfordshire.