Old Map of Oxfordshire by Samuel Lewis, 1844: Oxford, Banbury, Abingdon, Bicester, and Witney

This exquisitely detailed and historically rich map of Oxfordshire from 1844 by the notable cartographer, Samuel Lewis, provides a fascinating snapshot of one of England's most historic counties during a period of immense social and industrial change. Every hand-drawn line and painstakingly etched name tells a story of a time and place that laid the foundations of the modern Oxfordshire we know today. Each settlement, from the smallest hamlet to the largest town, offers a window into the past, some of which have grown into modern cities while others have remained charmingly unaltered over the centuries. This vintage map is perfect for those with a love for history and geography, as it captivates with its antiquated charm while illustrating the seeds of Oxfordshire's future. Many of today's bustling towns and cities can be found on this map, albeit sometimes under their earlier names, adding an extra layer of excitement for the keen observer. List of 30 Towns and Cities in Oxfordshire (1844): Oxford (founded c. 900 AD) - Known for its world-renowned University of Oxford, one of the oldest in the world. Banbury (founded pre-1086 AD) - Famously featured in the nursery rhyme "Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross". Abingdon (founded pre-7th Century AD) - Recognized as one of the oldest continually inhabited towns in England. Bicester (founded c. 1130 AD) - A market town that has seen significant growth in recent years. Witney (founded pre-1066 AD) - Noted for its historical significance in the wool trade. Kidlington (founded c. 1086 AD) - Reputed to be the largest village in England. Didcot (founded pre-1086 AD) - Became a significant railway town in the 19th century. Wantage (founded c. 6th Century AD) - Birthplace of King Alfred the Great. Carterton (founded c. 1770 AD) - Rapidly expanded due to its proximity to RAF Brize Norton. Thame (founded pre-1086 AD) - Known for its beautiful 13th-century parish church. Wallingford (founded c. 9th Century AD) - An ancient market town with a historic castle ruin. Henley-on-Thames (founded c. 1170 AD) - Famous for its annual Royal Regatta. Faringdon (founded c. 1218 AD) - Known for Faringdon Folly, an iconic 100ft tower. Chipping Norton (founded c. 1205 AD) - A market town with a rich woolen manufacturing history. Charlbury (founded c. 1086 AD) - Home to the beautiful Cornbury Park. Chinnor (founded pre-1086 AD) - Known for the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway. Burford (founded c. 1070 AD) - Known as the 'Gateway to the Cotswolds'. Eynsham (founded c. 1005 AD) - Home to the historic Eynsham Abbey. Watlington (founded c. 1140 AD) - Known for its annual town festival. Goring-on-Thames (founded pre-1086 AD) - Noted for the Goring Gap, a beautiful natural feature. Steeple Aston (founded pre-1086 AD) - Home to the beautiful Church of St Peter and St Paul. Benson (founded c. 9th Century AD) - Known for its annual summer fair. Bampton (founded c. 1086 AD) - Recognized as a filming location for Downton Abbey. Sonning Common (founded pre-1086 AD) - Home to the historic All Saints Church. Kingston Bagpuize (founded pre-1086 AD) - Known for the stately Kingston Bagpuize House. Sutton Courtenay (founded pre-1086 AD) - Resting place of George Orwell. Wheatley (founded pre-1086 AD) - Noted for its 18th-century windmill. Shipton-under-Wychwood (founded c. 1086 AD) - Noted for its historic Shipton Court. Long Hanborough (founded pre-1086 AD) - Home to the Oxford Bus Museum. Grove (founded pre-1086 AD) - An important agricultural center during this period. Notable Natural Features: River Thames - Oxfordshire's major waterway, perfect for boating and riverside walks. Chiltern Hills - An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty perfect for hiking. Cotswolds - A picturesque area known for its rolling hills and quaint villages. Historical Events (1800-1850): 1835 - The founding of Oxford University's Keble College. 1844 - The opening of the Great Western Railway, connecting Oxford with London. Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you. This map looks great at all sizes: 8x10in (20.5x25.5cm), 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm) and 37x50in (94x127cm), but it looks even better when printed large. I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 50in (127cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options. The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45.5x61cm) version of this map. The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service. If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of UK and Ireland maps. Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map. This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map. This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.