Bix, Oxfordshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bix |
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 St. James' parish church |
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 Bix
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| OS grid reference | SU7285 |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Henley-on-Thames |
| Postcode district | RG9 |
| Dialling code | 01491 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Oxfordshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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| Website | http://www.bixandassendon.org.uk/ The Parish of Bix |
Bix is a small village in South Oxfordshire, England. It's located about 2.5 miles (4 km) northwest of Henley-on-Thames. Bix sits high up in the beautiful Chiltern Hills, about 130 meters (427 feet) above sea level.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Ancient Discoveries
Imagine finding ancient treasures right under your feet! In 1955, during an excavation, people found the remains of a Roman farmhouse in Bix. They also found items from the later Saxon period. These old remains were carefully covered up again to protect them.
Long ago, there were actually two villages: Bix Brand and Bix Gibwyn. The name "Bix" has changed over time, sometimes being called Byxe or Bixa. In 1086, a very old book called the Domesday Book mentioned Bixa as part of the Binfield area.
The Churches of Bix
Bix Brand had its first parish church dedicated to Saint James. This church was a small, old building made in the Norman style. It's located in a place called Bix Bottom, about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the village. It has a main hall (nave) and a special area for the altar (chancel). You can still see several original Norman windows there.
Later, in 1874, a new Church of England parish church was built closer to the village center. This new church is also dedicated to Saint James. It has more space, including a side section (aisle) and a cross-shaped part (transept). Some of its windows have beautiful stained glass from the late 1400s! The old church was left empty in 1875 and became a ruin.
Filming and Old Roads
Did you know parts of the 1971 film The Blood on Satan's Claw were filmed at the old Bix church ruins? In 2015, money from the Heritage Lottery Fund helped to make sure the old church ruins are safe and preserved.
Bix also has a very old barn from the 1600s, which was part of the Bix Manor. The main road connecting Henley and Wallingford goes through Bix. This road became a turnpike in 1736, meaning you had to pay to use it. It stopped being a turnpike in 1873. A part of this road near Henley was made into a dual carriageway in 1937. This was one of the first dual carriageways in the whole country! Today, it's known as the A4130 road.
Things to See and Do
Warburg Nature Reserve
If you love nature, you'll enjoy the Warburg Nature Reserve in Bix Bottom. It's one of the biggest nature reserves managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust in Oxfordshire. This special place is home to many important plants and animals found in the Chiltern Hills. It's even recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means it's a very important area for wildlife.
Images for kids
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The ruins of Bix old church
