Church Close, Bourton Cottages & Old Grammar School

Photo of Bourton Cottages and Old Grammar School taken c1990 by Andrew Hiklditch

Newspaper article about Downton Fans helping to pay for high-tech hub in the Old Grammar School

Article in the Voices Magazine produced in Aston, featuring The Old Grammar School and its role in the Downton Abbey series as the Cottage Hospital.
£400,000 was raised to renovate the old building which is now the Bampton Community Hub, and houses the Bampton Library, a gift shop and the Lewington Room.

After a magnificent fundraising effort, this historic building was completely reroofed in the Summer of 2017.

Now thanks to lots more hard work and generous support from the landlords (Bampton Exhibition Foundation), WODC and all our visitors, sufficient funds have been raised to carry out our long-planned improvements to the interior of the Old Grammar School.

A new staircase will create access to the wonderful upstairs space which hasn’t been accessible since the early 1960’s.

This new space will be used to display information on the history of the village of Bampton and related activities. In addition, we will encourage local groups to utilize the space for community talks, workshops etc.

Upstairs we will also install the latest technology to allow individuals and groups to access and research the substantial Bampton Archive. The space and furniture will be modular and totally flexible to create a fantastic community space and we will encourage the locals to explore, use and get involved.

The space and furniture will be modular and totally flexible to create a fantastic community space and we will encourage locals to explore, use and get involved in it.

Downstairs a new door to access the Vesey Room will be created and the room itself will be sensitively refurbished and fitted out with new storage and display furniture. We will continue to sell our fantastic range of Bampton Archive books and catalogues, an excellent range of local arts, crafts, cards, prints and memorabilia. We would like to introduce an enhanced range of items for sale made or produced locally.

We will also continue to hold our main exhibitions in this room. Normally we present three exhibitions every year all with a local interest. We also host exhibitions with West Ox Arts.

The library area will also be completely refurbished with the new doorway created beyond the staircase. The latest shelving system is planned which will allow flexible use of the library space and create room for extra book stock. There will be a new counter area and the very latest in computer technology for use by the general public.

A new kitchen area will be created along with downstairs toilet facilities for both the library and Vesey Room. A stair lift is also planned to allow access for all to the upstairs space.

In addition we plan to use the space upstairs and the space in the newly designed library to hold all kinds of events.

We are putting together a regular programme of talks, workshops and small events including but not limited to: Workshops to encourage youngsters to sign up for apprenticeships for some of the historical trades – for example Dry Stone Walling, Carpentry and Joinery, Thatching and Classic Car Restoration. Alternative Medicine – Exploring the Village Herbal, Nature and the Natural World, Environment and Sustainability, Cycling & Walking, Health & Fitness, Wellbeing & Mental Health, Book readings and signings with visiting Authors, Recitals, Creative writing, Children’s events, Local History, Arts & Crafts, IT Access for all, Film Shows, and much more

Grammar School, Saint Mary, end of Bourton Cottages c1989