TOWERSEY

Towersey is right in the north-east corner of South Oxfordshire, very close to the county boundary, and on the edge of the Aylesbury Vale. The name "Towersey" (which means island held by the de Turs family') refers to a dry area of land in the marshes of the Aylesbury Vale.

The village is centred on the Thame Road / Chinnor Road / Manor Road / Church Lane crossroads. Many of the houses in the village are 20th century although here and there are some older properties, several of which are set back from the road.

Towersey Manor (just visible from the road behind a short avenue of trees) is an early 19th century house built of brick and flint. Around the property are an interesting collection of barns and out-buildings, and the whole are set in attractive gardens with yew avenues, richly stocked mixed borders, a nuttery and secret rooms.

The village church, St. Catherine's is thought to date from the 12th century, although the chancel dates from the 13th century, and the nave from the 14th century. In the mid-nineteenth century the church was restored and the bell tower added in a slightly unusual position on the south side of the nave. For the history and full information about the St. Catherine's Church click here.

The Towersey Village Festival, an annual festival of folk and world music and traditional dance, is held in the village every August bank holiday weekend. The festival attracts approximately 10,000 people each year.

Towersey is about 1.5 miles east of Thame, between the A4129 and the B4445.