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Oxford Road, BICESTER, OX25 3RB

Row of three (originally four) thatched cottages with service road in front. Located adjacent to Northampton Road (part of B430), and on the corner of Westlands Avenue. These cottages date from the 16th/17th century. They have one storey plus attics and are cruck-framed. The buildings are Grade II listed.

At first glance it might appear the village faces being in a re-wilding project, where residents will encounter packs of marauding wolves on its streets. But the "threat" is not from animals but humans. Many residents of local villages are opposed to "detrimental and irrevocable" plans for a water park near Bicester. These have been tabled by American company Great Wolf Resorts who wish to build the indoor water park on land near Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa. This sign is attached to a planter adjacent to the B430 road. On the other side is a Neighbourhood Watch Area sign. See:- Image

This Neighbourhood Watch Area sign is attached to a planter near the corner of Westlands Avenue and Northampton Road (the B430). On the reverse is an unusual wolf free zone sign. See:- Image

The village is all on the west side of the B430. The road coming in from the left, in the foreground, is Westlands Avenue.

Two-roomed village local; back bar, drinking left and eating right and back; exposed stonework, wooden beams. Cask ales on offer at my visit: Black Sheep Best, Hook Norton Old Hookie, Wells Bombardier Gold. The building is listed (under a different name) by Historic England: http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=408517&mode=adv

Also seen in Image

The sign shows a quill pen, which would probably have been used by the poet and dramatist Ben Jonson, after whom the pub was named. See:- Image

Only this tiny area is reserved for casual drinking, the rest of the interior is set up as a restaurant

Previously The Black Sheep which sounds very old and traditional but according to Bob Harvey's picture Image Ben Jonson is not a new name, the pub was called that before.

This Grade II listed public house was for some years known as the Black Sheep, but has now reverted to its previous name of Ben Jonson. The name is that of the famous poet and dramatist, who is said to have stayed at the pub on his was to meet William Shakespeare. Although the two men did know each other, whether the connection to this pub is true is unknown. Both men died in the 17th century but the listing says the building dates from the early/mid 18th century. It is possible the current building replaced an earlier one but obviously it would have had a different name. The pub has a dining area and a garden. Image