Little Wittenham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Wittenham |
|
|---|---|
 St. Peter's parish church |
|
 Little Wittenham
|
|
| Population | 87 (2001 census) |
| OS grid reference | SU564932 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Abingdon |
| Postcode district | OX14 |
| Dialling code | 01865 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Oxfordshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Little Wittenham is a small village in England. It sits on the south bank of the River Thames. You can find it northeast of Didcot in South Oxfordshire.
In 1974, the village's local government area changed. It moved from Berkshire county to Oxfordshire. It also became part of the South Oxfordshire district.
Contents
Exploring Little Wittenham
Little Wittenham is a quiet place with a rich history. It has beautiful natural areas and an interesting old church.
St. Peter's Church: A Look Back in Time
The main church in the village is Saint Peter's. It belongs to the Church of England. The church has a tall bell tower that was built in the 1300s. The lower parts of the tower show a style called Decorated Gothic. The upper parts are Perpendicular Gothic. These are both old English building styles.
In 1863, parts of the church were rebuilt. This included the nave (the main part where people sit) and the chancel (the area near the altar). An architect named Charles Buckeridge designed these changes. He used a style called Gothic Revival, which brought back older designs.
The church is very important for its history. In 1963, it was given a special status. It became a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a particularly important historical building.
Famous Families and Monuments
St. Peter's Church has several old stone carvings and statues. These are called monuments. They remember members of the Dunche family. This family used to live in Little Wittenham.
One of the most famous monuments is for Sir William Dunche, who died in 1611, and his wife. It has detailed statues of them made from alabaster, a smooth stone. There are also tablets that remember their children.
Important People from Little Wittenham
The Dunche family was quite important in the past. Several members of the family became MPs. An MP is a person elected to help make laws for the country. They represented the nearby town of Wallingford.
One famous Dunche was Edmund Dunch (1657–1719). He was a member of the Whig political party. This was one of the main political groups in Britain back then. Edmund Dunch had an important job for Queen Anne. He was her Master of the Household. This meant he managed the Queen's home and staff. He was also part of a famous group called the Kit-Kat Club. This club included many important writers and politicians of the time.
Natural Wonders and Local Spots
Little Wittenham is surrounded by beautiful nature.
Special Nature Areas
Little Wittenham SSSI is a very special place. SSSI stands for Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it has rare plants, animals, or geology. It's also a Special Area of Conservation. This gives it even more protection for its wildlife.
River Thames and Nearby Towns
Day's Lock is a lock on the River Thames. It helps boats move up and down the river. You can find it northeast of the village.
Across the river to the northeast is the town of Dorchester-on-Thames. You can walk there from Little Wittenham. You cross the river using Little Wittenham Bridge.
The Wittenham Clumps
South of the village are the famous hills known as Wittenham Clumps. These hills are a well-known landmark. To the southeast, you'll find Little Wittenham Wood. This woodland borders the river. From Round Hill, one of the Clumps, you can get a great view of the village below.
