Fifield offers three distinct points of interest for planning a trip: the designated long barrow, the parish church of Church of St John the Baptist, and the woodland of Bould Wood. Together, they span a range of themes, from archaeology and architectural history to woodland habitats. Travellers choosing a destination based on specific interests can take these differences into account: each of the three themes offers its own way to get to know Fifield.

Fifield Long Barrow

Fifield Long Barrow is designated as a Scheduled Monument and survives as a visible earth mound. It is 48 metres long and 28 metres wide at its broadest point. The monument is therefore considerably longer than it is wide; these measurements give a clear sense of its elongated shape. Inside, there is a passage and at least two chambers. The outer earthwork and the internal layout describe different aspects of the same monument: first its elongated form, then its surviving arrangement of a passage and chambers. The minimum number of chambers is significant: it gives the lower limit without specifying an exact total. This offers travellers interested in archaeology a concrete starting point that brings two questions together: what is the monument’s external shape, and how is it laid out inside?

Bould Wood: Woodland and Species

Bould Wood offers a different focus. The woodland is designated as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and has been continuously wooded since at least 1600. Woodland flowers and White Admirals are found there. The woodland’s long continuity and the species mentioned provide two distinct points of interest: one concerns the history of the landscape, the other the plants and butterflies found in Bould Wood. For travellers who take nature into account when choosing a destination, this combination is a clear point of reference. Unlike the long barrow, Bould Wood is not centred on a single structure, but on a woodland area that has remained wooded for a long time and is home to the species mentioned.

The Architectural History of the Parish Church

Church of St John the Baptist is a parish church dating from the early 13th century. Its tower and porch date from the 14th century. These separate dates distinguish the age of the church from that of its two named features. The tower is described in particular detail: it is narrow, octagonal and divided into two sections. Its slenderness, octagonal shape and two-part division make its form easy to understand; the dates of its construction also provide an architectural context. Those interested in church architecture can consider its form and chronology together without confusing the different dates. The porch is the second named feature from the 14th century, alongside the tower; the tower also has the more detailed description of its form.

Planning Around Service Times

Since early 2025, the service schedule at Church of St John the Baptist has included Holy Communion on the first Sunday and a Morning Prayer service on the third Sunday of each month. There may be changes on feast days. If you are planning to attend a service, check the church’s latest notices before travelling, especially if a particular date is important. This helps distinguish the architectural history from the time-sensitive question of service times: the building details describe the architecture, while the monthly schedule is relevant to trip planning.

Discover more destinations: Henley On Thames, Kingham, Dorchester, Hailey, North Stoke, Wallingford, Horspath, Drayton

For the wider travel guide: Oxfordshire.