Oxfordshire Past



The next Oxfordshire Past will be on 20th June 2026 at The Chantry House in Henley starting at 10am and ending at 4pm.

Jump to booking

Come along to our annual day conference to hear all the latest updates from around the county, with talks on the archaeological work in Oxford city, research for the Victoria County History in west Oxfordshire, the latest finds recorded by the Finds Liaison Officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, and the recent work of the Oxfordshire Buildings Recordings Record.

What is Oxfordshire Past?
Every year, the OAHS holds an annual meeting for members, local societies and interested non-members. It is a day of short talks with display stands about the history, architecture and archaeology of the county. Each year it moves to a new town in the county and partners with a different local group or society. It is an opportunity for like-minded people to get together and hear the latest updates on research around the county. It is a chance for members to meet the OAHS committee and to meet up with old friends and make new ones. It also includes the AGM which is held at the start of the event.

Location and venue
The Henley Archaeological and Historical Group, the host society this year, was founded fifty years ago. Its Chairman will welcome us to the town, and describe the role the group has played in uncovering its archaeology and history. The venue, the Chantry House, accessed from the churchyard behind St Mary's Church and close to the riverside, is a Grade 1 listed building, which has been dendro-dated to 1461. Perhaps originally built as a merchant's dwelling and store house when Henley was an inland port, it was subsequently a charitable foundation school for the town.
The venue is located in the heart of the town, with good access to nearby rail and bus networks as well as local car parks. The address is: Hart St, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2AT
Henley is a busy town, particularly in the summer months, and there is a women's regatta event on the same day as Oxfordshire Past. It is strongly recommended to allow plenty of time to get to Henley, use the regular buses from Oxford and surrounding towns, or the rail network as Henley has a railway station.
Electric charging points are available in the Greys Road and Kings Road car parks. Southfields Car Park (off Goodall Close) is long stay. Henley station and Henley Rugby Club have all day parking too.
There is very limited parking at the venue, if you require a space as a Blue Badge holder, please get in touch with Becky Peacock to book your place. These will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Booking
Tickets cost £10 (including tea/coffee during the day) and may be purchased from the link below. Online payments are preferred but you may send a cheque made payable to OAHS along with your name, email address and postal address to Becky Peacock at: Oxfordshire Past, Janus House, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0ES.

Refreshments
There will be two refreshment breaks of 30 minutes with complimentary tea and coffee included in the ticket price. There is a 1 hour lunch break where catering is not provided. However there are places across the town to enjoy a light lunch or you are welcome to bring a picnic or packed lunch with you.

Accessibility
The venue is on two floors with the talks on the first floor. It is a short flight of even stairs with good handrails. Plenty of time will be given to allow movement up and down the stairs, and assistance from one of the volunteers will be available. The stalls and refreshments are all on the ground floor.

Oxfordshire Past 2026


Date: 20 June 2026
Time: 10:00-16.00
Lecturer: Various
Location: Chantry House, Henley
Cost: £10.00
No of Places: 150
Closing Date for Bookings: 18 June 2026


Book a place

Oxfordshire Past this year will take place in Henley at the Chantry House on 20th June with a full programme of speakers and stalls, and will include the 2026 OAHS AGM.

The day will involve a diverse programme of talks and there will be a range of stalls and exhibits to visit throughout the day.

Tickets cost £10 per head and entitle you to join all the talks and are inclusive of tea/coffee at two breaks but exclusive of lunch.

This enjoyable annual event in the Oxfordshire calendar is for anyone interested in local history, buildings and archaeology.

Programme

TimeTalkSpeaker
9.45-10.00 Registration
10.00Introduction Becky Peacock, Oxfordshire Past Organiser
10.00-10.15OAHS AGM 2026All OAHS members welcome
10.15-10.20Welcome to Oxfordshire Past 2026 Geoffrey Tyack, OAHS Chairman
10.20-10.40Recent archaeological work in the city of OxfordDavid Radford, Oxford City Archaeologist
10.40-11.00Life in Henley in the Second World WarAnnabel Lyell and Chris Whitehead, Henley Archaeological and Historical Group (HA&HG)
11.00Coffee break30 min break
11.30-11.50Update on the work of the Victoria County HistorySimon Townley, Victoria County History
11.50-12.10'Professors of Rowing': two momentous Oxford-Cambridge Boat Races at HenleyMark Davies, Oxford historian and Chair of Jericho Living Heritage Trust
12.10-12.30200 years of the Warneford HospitalTBC
12.30-12.45Project updates and news:
Jericho Living Heritage Trust
HA&HG and museum consultation		All welcome to apply to speak in this slot
12.45Lunch break1 hour break
13.45Welcome and introduction by Henley Archaeological and Historical Group - celebrating 50 yearsMichael Redley, HA&HG
13.50-14.10Oxfordshire Buildings Record activityOxfordshire Buildings Record
14.10-14.30Update on the finds recorded through the Portable Antiquities Scheme around OxfordshireEdward Caswell, Oxfordshire Finds Liaison Officer
14.30-14.50The history of Council housing in HenleyMichael Redley, HA&HG
14.50Tea break30 mins
15.20-15.40Around HenleyGeoffrey Tyack, OAHS Chairman
15.40-16.00TBC
16.00Closing addressGeoffrey Tyack, OAHS
16.05Close of event

Get involved!
If you would like to be a future host, offer a talk, advertise a project, publication or new research or bring a stall for your organisation to Oxfordshire Past, please contact Becky Peacock

Previous Oxfordshire Past events, locations and their co-hosts


Are you and your society or organisation interested in partnering with us for future events? If you would like to be a host or bring a stall for your organisation to Oxfordshire Past, please contact Becky Peacock
14th June 2025FaringdonCorn ExchangeProgramme
15th June 2024BicesterJohn Paul II CentreProgramme
17th June 2023AbingdonAbingdon GuildhallProgramme
9th July 2022BanburyBanbury Museum and GalleryProgramme
12th June 2021OnlineProgramme
13th June 2020BanburyBanbury Museum and GalleryCANCELLED
8th June 2019WitneyThe Corn ExchangeProgramme
17th June 2018DeddingtonSt Peter and St Paul ChurchProgramme
17th June 2017ThameBarns CentreProgramme
7th June 2016AbingdonAAAHS, Northcourt Centre
4th June 2015Chipping NortonChipping Norton History Society and Museum
31st May 2014Woodstock Community CentreOxfordshire Museum, Woodstock
1st June 2013Kidlington, Exeter HallKidlington Historical SocietyProgramme
9th June 2012Henley, d:two CentreHenley on Thames A&HG
4th June 2011WitneyW&DH&AS
5th June 2010Benson, Village HallThe Bensington SocietyProgramme
30th May 2009Wallingford, Centre 70TWHASProgramme
7th June 2008BlewburyBlewbury Village SocietyProgramme
19th May 2007Thame, Barns CentreThame Local History Society
3rd June 2006Bicester, Courtyard CentreBicester LHSProgramme
7th May 2005Eynsham, Village HallEynsham HSProgramme
22nd May 2004Deddington, Windmill CentreDeddington & District HS
10th May 2003Wallingford, Baptist HallTWHAS
13th April 2002Abingdon, Northcourt CentreAAAHS
12th May 2001Benson, Village HallThe Bensington Society
29th April 2000Witney, Congregational ChurchWHAS
8th May 1999Shipton under WychwoodWychwoods LHS, New Beaconsfield Hall
18th April 1998Goring-on-Thames, Village HallSOAG
12th April 1997Abingdon, Northcourt CentreAAAHS
1996Wallingford, Centre 70TWHAS
13th May 1995Kidlington, Exeter HallKidlington Historical Society