- Hook Norton
Hook Norton is a
village in northOxfordshire , near theWarwickshire border, on the edge of theCotswolds . It is between the market towns ofBanbury and Chipping Norton, and has a population of about 2,000. The village name is believed to come from the ruler called Hook, whilst Norton is a corruption of ora-tun meaning a settlement (tun) on the side of a hill (ora), hence Hook Norton. There is no connection in terms of the place names with nearby Chipping Norton. Today it is simply known to its inhabitants as "Hooky". In the centre of the village is St Peter's, a largely 15th century church of Norman origins that features some rare wall 'Doom' paintings and an unusual 13th century baptismal font featuring pagan zodiac signs, as well as an 18th century hand-pumped fire engine.Hook Norton has a shop, post office, fire station, primary school, doctor's surgery, dentists, vet, library, 2 churches, park, four good pubs, Memorial hall, a sports and social club and several playing fields. Nearby there was an ironstone mine, evidence of which can be seen all around, along with some of the old railway.
Today, Hook Norton is particularly famed for the
Hook Norton Brewery which produces excellent traditional real ale. Hook Norton also hosts an annual charitable music festival which supports many local causes - Music at the Crossroads.The village once had many thriving ironstone quarries, but the railway that took away their product has long gone; tall stone pillars which supported two viaducts can be seen in the valley to the south of the village.Location
The parish church is located at
Ordnance Survey mapping six-figure grid reference SP 311274 convert|7|mi|km fromBanbury and convert|5|mi|km from Chipping Norton.External links
* [http://www.hooknortonbrewery.co.uk Hook Norton Brewery]
* [http://www.hookybeerfest.co.uk Hook Norton Festival of Fine Ales]
* [http://www.hookymusic.co.uk Hook Norton Music at the Crossroads]
* [http://hook-norton.net/community/index.php Hook Norton Community Network]
* [http://www.stpeters-hooknorton.org.uk St Peter's Hook Norton]
* [http://www.hooknortonharriers.org Hook Norton Harriers running club]
* [http://www.hook-norton.org.uk/HookNortonPlaygroup Hook Norton Pre-School Playgroup]
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