Boarstall Lane
Boarstall Lane starts at SP 605164 and goes majestically south to the edge of Otmoor and thence, according to Nigel Lambert (who lives on the moor) into Oxford at Woodeaton. It took beef on the hoof to the rich colleges there. Now, of course, the M40 blocks the lane, so it has to be tackled in two halves. No sense of History at the Ministry, obviously…
(The drovers, says Nigel, walked their beasts via Murcott and Fencott, where they turned due south and took two rightangle turns across Otmoor before reaching Lower farm at Noke; then on via Prattle Lane to Woodeaton & the city.)
Otmoor was flooded when we got there, but we could try the north-western half of Boarstall Lane beyond the M40 – and we were glad we did. It’s a bit of a heave at first (because of the blockage referred to), but we are so pleased to have done it. Have you ever walked along a drove-route over 50 metres wide? It was closer to 80m in some stretches. I mentioned in another article on the Banbury Lane that WG Hoskins (“The Making of the English Landscape”) thought the BL was half a mile wide. It all depended on how much space was available. Do we go on from there and suppose that the wider the track, the older it is?
I think we possibly do…
“Doing” the northern half was easier said than done: start at Field Road outside Murcott (SP 587156) which takes you over the M40; as soon as the traffic’s behind you turn right – it’s a bit of a loop – on to a concrete path going parallel (and next) to the motorway and keep on that concrete for three huge fields – or, if you lose count, until you are stopped by a metal five-barred gate with access on to the lane. From then you are on a track wider than the M40 behind you. It’s magnificent. (#1-4)
Once at Castle farm – Solar Panel Farm more like – you can either turn back or turn left and left again for some anticlimactic experience; or else do as we did: follow Field Road till there’s a turning right just below Castle Farm at 597172. Just keep going and eventually you’ll see an unpretentious sign asking you to Please shut the gate. Go through…and gasp!
After the walk we visited Marlake House (#5), once a drovers’ inn (593154). The owner said the three young pine trees near the pond in his garden were planted by the owner 50 years ago who had bought the pub as a private house – the only pines in the country to have been planted in memory of its past clientele. He also said two more things about the house. First, when the sun shone through the little windows on to the oak beams, it released such a strong smell of ale that he thought he was back in the pub. Secondly, he said there used to be a wide strip of grass at the front going almost 100 yards east of his house – what was it for? I, stupid man, hadn’t got the map with me so I couldn’t tell him: it was all part of Boarstall Lane!
One more thing about Boarstall: Chris had a look behind Marlake and the next (new) house and didn’t think there was any route still passable south of the motorway. But we’ll be returning, just to make sure...
The last thing comes from Nigel Lambert, our help and guide. He’s called it:
Drover killed at Charlton
On the morning of 10th May 1877, Henry Walters, an employee of John Seary, tailor and outfitter of Queen Street, Oxford, travelled to Charlton-on-Otmoor on his horse and trap to visit customers. On arrival outside The Crown, he alighted and shook hands with William Tompkins. It appears that the reins fell under the tail of the horse, causing it alarm. It set off with the trap, with Mr Walters hanging on to its head on the offside.
In the Crown at the time was Thomas Olliffe, a drover. At this period in time, drovers taking cattle from Aylesbury to the oxford Colleges would stop off at Charlton for rest and refreshment. He saw that the horse had become unmanageable and ran over to hold his head on the nearside. The horse rushed forward towards the wall of the churchyard. Mr Olliffe was crushed against the wall but retained hold of the trap. He was then caught by the step of the trap on his left leg and was dragged along on his back for about 100 yards.
The injured man was carried to the house of Thomas Radford in Church Lane. He was attended by a surgeon, Mr Curwen, who happened to be staying at The Rectory. He was found to have sustained broken ribs and punctured lungs. He rallied a little in the afternoon and was able to recognise his wife, Elizabeth, who had been summoned from their home in Waddesdon. However, he deteriorated and died that evening.
An inquest was held the following day at the home of Mr Radford. A verdict of ‘accidental death’ was recorded and the members of the jury donated their fees to the widow.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, Nigel! We’ll see you again soon.
