2-16, GRAVEL HILL

This is an early 19th century terrace of eight cottages, numbered 2 to 16, situated on Gravel Hill. The terrace follows the natural curve of the hill and is stepped upwards in pairs. The cottages are built of red brick, with No. 2 having a painted white front; they feature wide eaves and slate roofs. Each cottage has two storeys and a gabled dormer window, with one window per cottage. Most of the original sash windows with their glazing bars have been retained. The doorways are rounded, with stucco tympanums above. The terrace occupies an important position opposite several statutorily listed buildings and marks the entrance to the town.

The raised pavement and associated wall form part of a wider group. This includes Nos 5 to 19 (odd), the Old School and Main Buildings of the South Oxfordshire Technical College, Nos 43 to 49 (odd), the wall and gate piers that formerly belonged to Paradise House, and Ancastle Cottage (Nos 2 to 36, even). Ancastle Cottage also connects with the entrance walls, piers, gates, and lower lodge of Friar Park.