Marston, Oxford

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marston is a village (sometimes called Old Marston) and associated suburb (known as New Marston) of Oxford, England, lying to the northeast of the city, within the A40 Northern Bypass (part of the Oxford Ring Road). The name is said to come from 'Marsh-town', because of the low-lying nature of the land near the River Cherwell, which in earlier times was liable to frequent flooding.

There is a cycle route into central Oxford, across the meadows from New Marston, over a bridge on the River Cherwell, past the southern boundary of The Parks to the junction of South Parks Road and St Cross Road near the Science Area of Oxford University. It is also possible to walk on footpaths across the meadows to the Parks, either via Mesopotamia Walk or Rainbow Bridge.

[edit] History

The parish used to be part of the manor of Headington. The first mention of a church at Marston is in a charter of 1122 by which the chapel of Marston was granted to the Augustinian canons of St Frideswide's. The present church of St Nicholas dates from the 12th century, with substantial additions in the 15th century.

The village played an important part in the Civil War, during the siege of Oxford. While the Royalist forces were besieged in the city, which had been used by King Charles I as his capital, the Parliamentary forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax had quarters in Marston, and used the church tower as a lookout post for viewing the enemy's artillery positions in what is now the University Parks.

During the 20th century expansion of Oxford, new housing followed the Marston Road from St Clement's towards Marston, which was soon swallowed up by the city. New Marston became a separate parish in the 1950s.

Old Marston parish become part of Oxford City in 1991. It still has its own parish council.

Marston has had its share of notable residents, including members of the Oxford penicillin team: Howard Florey and his second wife Margaret Jennings, and Norman Heatley.