Pictures of East Hendred

About East Hendred

East Hendred is one of the spring line villages nestling just below the Downs in the Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire. It is a highly picturesque village where little has changed for more than a hundred years, with many of the properties looking as though they had stepped straight out of the Elizabethan era.

Historically, prior to the reign of Henry VIII East Hendred flourished as a medieval market town and centre for wool and cloth. This prosperity appears to have always continued as is evidenced by the handsome homes spread throughout the village, some with price tags in excess of one million pounds. Historic Hendred House is famous for its private chapel, built in 1256. This was erected before permission had been granted by the Pope! This lovely property has been lived in by the Eyston family since 1443.

The village has three excellent pubs, the Eyston Arms, named so for the family of Hendred House, the Wheatsheaf Inn and The Plough. All serve fine food, beers, wine and spirits. At the side of the delightful village green with its picnic benches, is an impressive brick and timbered building, part of this is a well stocked shop.

On the sloping ground to the west of the village there is a vineyard, visitors are invited to tour the vines and afterwards there is a shop where you may sample the wine and from which you can purchase anything from a single bottle to a case.

To the southern edge of the village there is a wealth of narrow country lanes and bridlepaths, making it ideal for a country stroll or slow trot on horse-back. For anyone wanting a longer hike the Ridgeway Path is around one and a half miles from the village.

This is the perfect place to spend a romantic, relaxing weekend, it is far from the madding crowd yet close enough to civilisation for you to visit Didcot, Abingdon or the Dreaming Spires of Oxford.