Social and economic history Sydenham, Oxfordshire

this 18th-century thatched cottage village post office, has been turned private house



the wenman school built in 1849 , enlarged in 1886. village hall. extension on right modern.



17th- , 18th-century houses south of st mary s parish church

by 12th century brook through centre of parish had been dammed form millpond drive water mill. in 12th , 13th century millers grimbaud family, , thereafter retained name grimbaud s mill. mill house 18th-century. 1891 steam engine had been installed, mill still using water power in 1917. mill remained in use part-time until 1945.

a number of 16th- , 17th-century cottages survive in village. timber-framed , oldest has cruck frame. walls of of timber-framed cottages have lath , plaster infill; others filled brick nogging. village has number of 18th-century houses, built either wholly of brick or of brick , flint.

in 1849 national school built in village. wykeham-musgrave family provided land, baroness wenman paid building , thereafter known wenman school. school enlarged in 1886 , reorganised junior , infants school in 1929. thereafter number of pupils small, , in 1948 school closed.

by 1851 village had 2 public houses: sun, , 4 horse shoes. sun had closed 1891 , 4 horse shoes followed in 1912. however, crown inn had opened 1939 , continues trade today.

until 20th century parish entirely agricultural. 1950s numerous people sydenham working @ chinnor cement works, closed in 1989.