Summertown

Oxford’s Summertown. A vibrant hub north of the city center. A place where history intertwines with modern life. Summertown wasn’t always the bustling suburb we see today. In the early 19th century, it was a scattering of houses along the Banbury and Woodstock Roads. Imagine a few modest homes interspersed with larger residences owned by prosperous tradesmen. These were the butchers, grocers, and other merchants who catered to the growing city and university. Summertown’s transformation began in the late 1800s. The university’s decision to allow fellows to marry and live outside college walls spurred development. Grand houses sprang up on farmland, much of it owned by St. John’s College. Summertown became a desirable residential area, a trend that continues to this day. As Summertown grew, so did its spiritual heart. The original parish church, St. John the Baptist on Middle Way, was built in 1832. Later, as the congregation expanded, the current St. Michael and All Angels Church was built on Lonsdale Road in 1908. Interestingly, St. Michael’s remains unfinished, its “temporary” west wall a testament to changing times. Summertown is also home to other faiths, including a United Reformed Church on Banbury Road and the Roman Catholic Church of Saints Gregory and Augustine on Woodstock Road. Summertown is more than just beautiful homes and churches. It is a center of learning, with several notable schools. These range from the Cherwell School, a state secondary school, to independent institutions like St. Edward’s, The Dragon School, and Oxford High School. Summertown also boasts a connection to the University of Oxford. Ewert House, used by the Department for Continuing Education, and Wolfson College are both located within the area. And let’s not forget the media presence. BBC Radio Oxford and the BBC Television’s Oxford studios call Banbury Road home. Various start-ups and other media outlets contribute to the area’s vibrant atmosphere. Summertown. A place where the echoes of the past mingle with the energy of the present.