Cromwells House

Cromwells House is a manor house, later adapted for residential use, dating to the early to mid-17th century, with possible earlier fabric and a 20th-century extension. It is constructed of coursed squared limestone rubble with timber lintels, and has an old plain-tile roof with brick gable stacks. The original design incorporates a two-unit through-passage plan. The two-storey front, featuring a chamfered plinth, has a central triangular-headed doorway with a label and three-light leaded casements on both the ground and first floors. Dormers with canted bay windows, moulded cills and brackets have been added in the 20th century. A set-back, two-storey section and rear extensions, built in buff brick, are also visible.

The interior features an oak screen to the left of the passage, with ovolo-moulded framing and a Tudor-arched doorway bearing foliage-carved spandrels. A stone arched fireplace with recessed spandrels is accompanied by a cast-iron fireback dated 1649. A re-set four-centre arched doorway, also with recessed spandrels and a ribbed oak door, is also present.

The house is linked to local history as it was built by Unton Croke, and served as Fairfax’s headquarters during the siege of Oxford in 1645. The treaty for the surrender of Oxford was signed within the building in 1646. It is associated with the nearby Manor House at No. 15 Mill Lane.