St. James the Great
Fulbrook
Fulbrook lies on the A361, half a mile north-east of Burford between Burford and Shipton-under-Wychwood. The village has about 450 residents, 2 pubs, (details below) and no shops. The church is just north of the A361 in the centre of the village, up a narrow lane on the left when approaching from Burford and opposite the war memorial.
Parking is restricted and Church Lane has very little turning space. There is usually space to park near the war memorial. There is a WC in the church, locked unless you have contacted us in advance. There is also a small kitchen and light refreshments may be available for ringers by prior arrangement. The nearest public lavatories are in Burford.
Fulbrook pubs with food available.
The Masons Arms, Free House, landlords Reg and Marsha Scothern. Tel. 01993–822354.
Open from Thurs. eve. till Sun. eve. with ‘traditional’opening times.
The Carpenters Arms, Greene King, Tel. 01993--823275
Closed Sun. eve.and all day Monday.
Burford, with numerous eating places and shops, is 15mins. walk or 4 mins. drive away.
Fulbrook’s name is thought by some to be derived from the Old English, ‘ful’, meaning ‘muddy’ or ‘foul’, but those of us who live in the village prefer the alternative theory—that the name comes from the fulling process in the wool industry. Fullers earth was readily available locally. Although close to Burford, Fulbrook was always a separate entity, both socially and legally, the manor held by Hugh le Despenser, Earl of Winchester, and his successors from the Norman Conquest until the middle of the 14th.century. It lay at the edge of the great forest of Wychwood, a royal hunting estate from Saxon times, and early Saxon herring-bone stonework can be seen exteriorly in the south wall of the Nave.
The church porch, dating from the late 13th.century, stands before a fine Norman doorway. Scratch dials and a votive cross may be seen in the nearby stonework. The nave and north aisle are linked by an arcade of Transitional pointed arches, supported by stout Norman pillars. Among the roof bosses is a “green man”. On the south wall of the nave is mounted a panel commemorating the 1892 restorations, including work on the bells. The 15th.century tower incorporates a 13th.century lancet window, now serving the new ringing chamber above the vestry.