Overview

A very nice modern pleasant hotel with good facilities, and an ideal restful hotel. It stands close to the outskirts of Bicester, and just two miles from the fabulous Bicester Village shopping outlets. This 18th century hotel is set in open almost flat landscapes looking over the Oxfordshire countryside. The old parish of Chesterton originally consisted of about 2527 acres, unusually Shaped in that it was a narrow strip of land, and owned mostly by Wigod, an eleventh century Saxon Lord. During the 18th century it was about six miles long. The soil is mainly stony limestone, and in the 13th century it was mainly pastureland with an 80 acre woodland area, which some feel would have been the Manor Park, with deer roaming freely, but these were killed off by 1590, and by 1760 only 12 acres of woodland remained, although nowadays there is no woods at all. It may have been named Chesterton by the Saxons, with a church and the Manor House (now Manor farm) being the Heart of the community. The medieval village would have been grouped around a green, with the village street running straight down on the west, and looking at old tax assessments it may have been large and prosperous, with a number of farm houses and the Manor House. During the seventeen hundreds most of the old cottages had been built of rubble, with thatch or slate covered roofs. The Red Cow Inn (originally the Cow) dates back to 1790, as seen over the doorway, and home farm on the Main Street will also be of around that time period. Manor farm stood on the site of the old Manor House, being of coursed rubble and roofed with brown tiles. proberbly dating back to the 1600’s and the home of the Maundes family, the last member of Chestertons dying in 1692. By the end of the 1700’s part of the house was pulled down and turned into a farm. The Tithe Barn was still standing and roofed at that time by an ancient roof taken from the hall of Notley Abbey, which would then be moved to roof Weston Manor about a 1780. In 1807 there were 10 farms of over 60 acres each, then by 1850 there was 8 farms of 100 acres. The parish had 435 inhabitants living here, but now poverty and overcrowding was causing much distress due to a lack of cottages. Thirty poor families were given bedding and free coal provided for them, but their needs were such that they started pulling down hedges to get wood to start their fires. Lord Jersey built new cottages so that in 1870 Chesterton housing was one of the best in the area. In 1951 there were 784 living in the area of Chesterton. By 1955 there were 9 farms of which three now had 200 acres of land, and the village had an Inn The Red Cow, a general store, a shoemaker and a blacksmith. Today, Chesterton is a pleasant typical Cotswold village, mixed with modern housing, nothing outstanding, with families showing great keenness in the keeping of their homes, served by the St Mary’s church, and supported by the Chesterton hotel who are helping the area by bringing in visitors and financial support. There is evidence that a church stood here proberbly during 1087, and in the 1250’s it was reasonably rich as a church. Its a stone building, with an ancient wooden door, whilst the rest of the church was rebuilt in the 13th century, with a fine timber roof supported by carved corbels. The tower has a ring of three bells, the Tenor dates about 1590. The second and treble was made in 1623, and the Sanctus dates from 1715. Let’s take you around the hotel now, which stands on the only and main road of Chesterton. (photo 1). The main driveway for entry to the hotel. (photo 2). Even though winter artificial plants mixed with evergreen shrubs add colour to the overall appearance, it’s not overdone really. (photo 3). The Cotswold stone helps the tone to look attractive, ready for springtime (photo 4). It’s rather cold today, but the rattan furniture sitting on pale grey slabs looks most welcome, it will be ideal in a few weeks time to enjoy a G and T. (photo 5) There is a huge carpark with just one disabled bay, but thats fair enough. (photo 6). A ramp is available for the wheelchair, might be slippy if frosty though. (photo 7). This leads up towards the main entrance, with level access. (photo 8). You step inside to a very attractive reception area, beautifully decorated in dark colours that is very appealing, and you will be warmly welcomed at the desk. (photo 9) over to the right is the relaxing lounge area, again colours that suit the hotel, and welcoming, you will feel at home here. (photo 10). Just the right outlook to sit and sup your favourite tipple. (photo 11). The restaurant is very attractive, black and white tiles added much to the dark furnishings. (photo 12). nicely laid out tables, with plenty of room, no fuss needed for your wheelchair. (photo 13). plenty of spaces to choose where to sit for dinner tonight. (photo 14). Pleasant wall lights shine brightly on plain walls, very easy on the eye. (photo 15). Towards the rear of the property there is a large room ready for any special occasion you are celebrating, or meetings you need to attend. (photo 16). and beyond this room is a huge magnificent marque just waiting for your special day. (photo 17). With lots of room for many wheelchairs for your senior guests. (photo 18). Toilets are close by, again the passage invitingly decorated, and you do not have to worry about those steps, toilets are just on your right before your reach. (photo 19). The accessible toilet is the first on right as you enter (photo 20). Again nicely decorated in dark colours, spotlessly clean, modern furnishing, plenty of room to spin chair, with grab rail and pull cord. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS. Delightful relaxing hotel, and although the deco was dark, it just so suited it, to us just a wow, we just loved the place. Very helpful staff, who kindly showed us around and explained details about the hotel. Although we could not see rooms due to it being fully used, we still recommend this nice hotel to you.

Transport & Parking

Nice easy 6 minute drive from Bicester Village, set in open countryside. There is a disabled bay right up close to main entrance, with a ramp to get wheelchairs up at an easy push, but would be concerned if frost on the ground.

Access

There is a ramp to get up from disabled bay, would be concerned if frost on the ground, but then level entry throughout hotel, with plenty of room for wheelchairs.

Toilets

There is a public disabled toilet Available just by the restaurant, along small corridor and through a push pull doorway. It’s very nicely decorated, tiled throughout, with lots of room to turn wheelchair around inside.

Staff

Very pleasant and friendly staff, more than willing to support disabled. A huge thank you to Lyanne Kilbane the corporation Events Manager who kindly showed us around the hotel, giving us all the full details we needed to know. She was unable to show us any rooms though due to events taking place, but tried her best for us. We know you will be spoilt here when you come to visit, or celebrate a special event of yours.

Photos