Shipton is one of the three Wychwood Villages of the Evenlode Valley, located between Milton and Ascott. The name “Wychwood” originates from the ancient Royal Forest of that name. Nowadays, most of this terrain consists of open farmland.
What is Shipton Like?
In 1870, the village contained 660 houses. In 1951, the population was about 750. But since then, the population has grown to around 1,250!
Until the early 19th century, the parish of Shipton included the villages of Langley, Leafield, Lyneham, Milton and Ramsden. In 1848, the combined population was 2,624, including 546 in Shipton itself.
The village of Shipton lies within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Also, the Evenlode River runs past the north-eastern side of the village.
Shipton’s website, shiptonunderwychwood.org, provides virtual online tours of the village (powered by Google), including its wild gardens, the playground and the Village Green. Those who visit the wild gardens in-person can explore 12.5 acres of gardens, ponds and woodland. This attraction is home to a variety of birds, including ducks.
A Brief History
Prior to the Norman conquest in 1066, Shipton was a royal manor. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book as having six mills.
One of Shipton’s inns, The Shaven Crown, is said to be one of the oldest inns in England, dating back to the 14th century. The Lamb Inn has been standing since 1580. The Wychwood Inn is also a historical building.
Historically, Shipton-under-Wychwood was named after the Wychwood Forest. However much of this forest was later cleared during the 1850s to provide more room for farming and housing. During the agricultural depression some years later, many agricultural labourers left the village.
Tracing Your Family History in Shipton-under-Wychwood
Baptism, marriage and burial registers for the parish of Shipton are available online via ancestry.com. As mentioned earlier, the parish of Shipton included the nearby villages of Langley, Leafield, Lyneham, Milton and Ramsden. So if your ancestors are from Milton-under-Wychwood, check Shipton’s parish registers.
An extensive collection of wills have been transcribed by the Oxfordshire Family History Society. Access via this link: wills.oxfordshirefhs.org.uk
A wealth of other genealogical records are also available for Shipton-under-Wychwood. A helpful guide has been put together on forebears.io.
| Express, B. (n.d.). Shipton under Wychwood, Oxfordshire | Historic Oxfordshire Guide. [online] Britain Express. Available at: https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/oxfordshire/Shipton-under-Wychwood.htm
shiptonunderwychwood.org. (n.d.). About Shipton – Shipton Under Wychwood Parish Council. [online] Available at: https://shiptonunderwychwood.org/about-shipton/. discovercotswolds.co.uk. (2020). Shipton-under-Wychwood | Discover Cotswolds. [online] Available at: https://discovercotswolds.co.uk/shipton-under-wychwood/ Parishmouse (n.d.). Shipton-under-Wychwood Oxfordshire Family History Guide – Parishmouse Oxfordshire. [online] Available at: https://www.parishmouse.co.uk/oxfordshire/shipton-under-wychwood-oxfordshire-family-history-guide/ |