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 7AQ, SN7 7FD, SN7 7HP, SN7 8AS, SN7 8DZ, SN7 8DB, SN7 7XA, SN7 7GF, SN7 7GD … See all