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About Grove

Millenium Monument, Grove

Grove is a growing village in the county of Oxfordshire. It is now the largest village in the Vale of White Horse and it is twinned with Mably in France. Recently, Grove has seen extensive housing development, with its growth making it almost merge with nearby Wantage. The village maintains its village feel and agricultural roots.

It is best known as the home of the Williams F1 Formula One constructor which has brought investment to the area.

The Millenium Monument celebrates 1000 years of transport in Grove.

History

Williams F1 HQ

• In 1142, Grove was little more than a hamlet and recorded on the map when King Stephen granted the village a manor.
•  The building of a turnpike road in 1770 to improve the link between Wantage and Oxford saw an increase in traffic and visitors to the town.
• The Wilts and Berks Canal passed through the village and further improved connections to Wantage until the arrival of the railway which saw the canal use dwindle until 1901. Parts are still visible and there is a restoration project in place.
• The airfield was created as an RAF training base and then adopted by the American military as a supply base for Europe before being used by the UK Atomic Energy Authority until the 1960s.  It has since closed and the area has been developed as a technology park and housing.

Facts

• Population – 10,000 (2001)
• Local Authority – Swindon Borough Council
• Major Industries – Mixed Local Economy
• Post Town –WANTAGE
• Postcode District – OX12
• Dialling Code – 01235
• Police – Thames Valley Police
• Fire – Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
• Ambulance – South Central Ambulance Service

Discover Grove – useful links to town guides, what’s on and places to see

• http://www.grove-oxon.org.uk/home
• http://www.williamsf1conferences.com/
• http://www.british-towns.net/en/level_4_display.asp?GetL3=8488
• http://www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/oxford/

St James Church, Grove