Bloxham Upper Grove Mill

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Other/Unknown)

There are no visible remains

NameBloxham Upper Grove Mill
Alternative Names
Historic CountryOxfordshire
Modern AuthorityOxfordshire
1974 AuthorityOxfordshire
Civil ParishBloxham

Original ONB destroyed. Revision ONB says briefly that this Castle was erected in the reign of Stephen and its site is marked by a few irregularities, siting Original ONB as only authority. No other references found. (Ordnance Survey Map)

The site is in the NW corner of a rectangular orchard, bounded on east, south and west by a scarp up to 1.5m. high; beyond this is a

terrace which extends to another scarp (that published) which is also up to 1.5m. high. Both the scarps, and other minor irregularities, are probably agricultural. There is nothing to suggest that there was ever a castle. In the absence of documentary and ground evidence the 'Castle' is very suspect. (F1 ANK 08-MAY-70)

An earthwork near Upper Grove Mill, marked as a castle on O.S. 25" 1st.ed. of 1882, has not been excavated and its date is not known. (VCH). (PastScape)

Earthwork marked as castle on 1:2500 OS map, 1882, but not excavated and date unknown (VCH)

May represent the site of the 'Logge' leased with a warren in 1528, if this is not the same site as present Bloxham Grove (PRN 11121) or may alternatively represent the farmstead of Osbert de la Grave, who owned a mill in Bloxham in 1238. No evidence that Bloxham Grove itself existed before C16th-17th (Gelling)

1961 AP shows further earthworks in field immediately to east (see PRN 1767)

Castle reputedly erected in reign of Stephen; site is marked by few irregularities. No other references found. Ground disturbances are explainable as agricultural. In the absence of documentary and ground evidence, the 'castle' is very suspect (OS record Card) (Oxfordshire HER)

Gatehouse Comments

Marked as 'Site of Castle' on 1885 OS map, but no clear plan of earthworks. Close to minor river crossing and water mill, but otherwise isolated from settlement. Nothing apparent on aerial photo. Almost certainly a piece of fanciful thinking.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSP453370
Latitude52.0298881530762
Longitude-1.34019005298615
Eastings445320
Northings237070
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Mason, J.F.A., 1969, in Lobel, Mary D. and Crossley, Alan (eds), VCH Oxfordshire Vol. 9 p. 55 online transcription
  • Gelling, Margaret, based on material collected by Doris Mary Stenton, 1954, The Place-Names of Oxfordshire (English Place Name Society) Part 2 p. 395
  • Mackenzie, J.D., 1896, Castles of England; their story and structure (New York: Macmillan) Vol. 1 p. 167 online copy