Author: John Bennett

A Short History of Milton-under-Wychwood High Street

Compiled by John A Bennett for the Wychwoods Local History Society

This article was prepared to coincide with Local and Community History Month, sponsored by the Historical Association, and to support an exhibition of historic photographs of the High Street at Milton-under-Wychwood Library,

Select from

Introduction | Before the 19th Century | The 19th Century | Shops and Pubs | Religion | 20th and 21st Centuries | Article Intro

High Street Milton
Street sign on High Street opposite to Jubilee Lane

These notes are a synthesis of information held in the journals of the Wychwoods Local History Society and they draw upon the valuable archive of historic photographs of Milton maintained by the Society. Contemporary photographs are the author’s own.

(The author is working on a larger history of the buildings of Milton-under-Wychwood and Upper Milton and if you have any historical background to your own house, please contact the Wychwoods Local History Society via our website: here).

Select from

Introduction | Before the 19th Century | The 19th Century | Shops and Pubs | Religion | 20th and 21st Centuries | Article Intro

Some Sculptural Curiosities in Milton-under-Wychwood

Milton under Wychwood  has some charming and unusual features—small sculptural carvings scattered across various properties throughout the village.

Bull’s Head, Milton High Street

While  not aiming to rival Florence’s grandeur, these modest pieces offer a glimpse into some lesser-known chapters of Milton’s history. The research in this article serves two main purposes:

•     To document these carvings as fascinating artefacts that enrich the village’s character.
•     To explore their historical context and suggest possible origins, especially since most have been relocated from now lost original settings.

Milton Sculptures – 2nd Edition 2025Download

Click the link to read online; Click/tap the download button to save as a PDF

If you have any insights or stories about the origins or past locations of these sculptures, the Wychwoods Local History Society would love to hear from you. Meantime, we are grateful  to  the owners of buildings who have provided information about their sculptures and allowed access to their properties to take photographs.

Some examples

A relief carving of a lion (?) inside property on Milton High Street
Standing man carved into a quoin now inside a property on Milton High Street
Angel Musician front view, former Wesleyan Mission Room
Angel Musician side view, former Wesleyan Mission Room
Carved head depicting Patrick Troughton as Dr Who, Groves Hardware Store 2014