Parish in Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire, England
| Coordinates: | 51.672, -1.587 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SU 28 97 |
| Dialling code: | 01367 (Faringdon) |
Great Faringdon sits on a prominent hill overlooking the broad chalk Vale of the White Horse in Oxfordshire, giving fine panoramic views and easy access to Ridgeway walking country and the nearby Uffington White Horse. The settlement has medieval market-town roots and was transferred from Berkshire to Oxfordshire in 1974, so its historic layers - market square, parish church and remnants of coaching routes - are still very much part of the streetscape.
Culturally the town is best known for the eccentric legacy of Lord Berners at Faringdon House and the much-photographed folly tower that crowns the skyline, which alongside regular community events such as the carnival gives the place a friendly, slightly bohemian character. Economically it mixes local shops, small businesses and agriculture with a fair number of commuters to nearby centres like Oxford and Swindon, while walkers and cyclists use it as a handy base for exploring the surrounding downland.
SN7 7UU, SN7 7SN, SN7 7LB, SN7 7AY, SN7 7EQ, SN7 7UT, SN7 7BH, SN7 7BN, SN7 7HU … See all