The Bampton Archive was founded in 2002 to record and save the social history of this unique village in Oxfordshire.
The publicly accessible archive database contains thousands of records relating to life in the village past and present. These include photographs, documents, newspaper cuttings, sound and video files and much more. Each one of them is an important part of the telling of the story of the village: from photographs of the restoration of the church bells; to a stone age hand axe; to the history of the WWII airfields around the village; to the documenting of the filming of Downton Abbey in Bampton.
The restored Old Grammar School
As well as the new roof, this included building a new staircase, strengthening of the upper floor to modern requirements for public use, and the fitting out of the upper floor to accommodate local exhibitions as well as our digital archive of the village
The searchable database
The searchable archive contains items relating to life in the village past and present. These include photographs, documents, newspaper cuttings, sound and video files and much more.
Books and videos
You can access and read copies of all our books and publications as well as purchase them right here.
All proceeds from sales go back to the Bampton Community Archive and your support is much needed and very much appreciated
NOW BACK IN STOCK!
Images of Bampton
First published by Bampton Parish Council in 1996 and now revised and reprinted in 2024
“Bampton has a unique ambience – both for those who were born here or have lived here for many years, and also to those who are newcomers. Outsiders recognise it- residents just know it.
A visual history of Bampton gives us a sense of identity. To see how people have lived in our village over the past 100 years is both interesting and rewarding. Images of Bampton is a valuable collection of photographs showing not only the past life of our community but providing continuity with our lives today.”
Click here to buy a copy for just £10
Current Exhibition - Autumn 2024
Water, Wells & Waste in Bampton and Weald by Alistair Wray and Paul Ader
This exhibition looks at how water has shaped the development of Bampton and Weald, bringing opportunities and challenges and then looks in detail at how local families have accessed water and disposed of wastewater and human waste, and the evidence supporting this and finally how communities banded together to obtain improved water supplies, address growing pollution challenges and secure wastewater treatment facilities and how our water and the services it provides must be safeguarded.
Click here to view the exhibition full-screen
Donate to the Downton Mile Appeal
Bampton Community Hub
The Bampton Community Hub at the Old Grammar School is located in the Old Grammar School in Church View Bampton. After a year-long restoration project this wonderful building is now open again and ready to welcome local residents and visitors alike.
West Ox Arts
