URPoint Details
The name "Faringdon" means "fern covered hill".
King John granted the town a charter for a weekly market which still takes place every Tuesday.
The Ancient stone-built market town in the Vale of the White Horse, prospered during the 15th and 16th centuries, but during the Civil War in the 17th century, it was besieged by Oliver Cromwell's troops and was severely damaged.
The 17th century market hall stands on pillars and there is a great monastic tithe barn nearby at Great Coxwell.
Faringdon House, beside the church, was built in 1780 to replace its war torn predecessor.
The town's best known attraction is the 140ft high Faringdon Folly, built in 1935 by Lord Berners as a birthday gift for the late Robert Herbert-Percy, who later inherited Faringdon House. The last of a tradition of English follies is now a listed building.
The 14th century Radcot Bridge is the oldest of the Thames bridges.
Location: 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Oxford
- Type:
- Landmark