Draft Bicester Conservation Area Appraisal November 2009

9.1 Kings EndThis character area includes theimmediate frontage to Kings End andwhere it turns the corner onto the RomanRoad A421.Kings End provides the first in a series ofviews of high quality townscape along theroute Kings End, Church Street,Causeway, Market Square. This is alinear space created by the almostcontinuous southern frontage to KingsEnd, by the walls of Bicester House, andreinforced by the line of mature trees onthe north side and those within thegrounds of Bicester House. The old FoxPublic House and no. 4-6 Church Streetprovide visual enclosure, gently leadingthe eye around to the next in a successionof views.Heavy traffic on Kings End looking northLooking down Kings End towards the Fox InnThis area includes two listed farmhouses,Home Farmhouse to the south and ManorFarmhouse at the north eastern end of thecharacter area. Both have been wellrestored and the rear service buildings ofManor Farmhouse have been converted.The early 18th century Oxford House is apivotal building that dominates views intoKing’s End from the A421.The atmosphere of the western section isentirely dominated by traffic and theproperties fronting Kings End here aredeteriorating with many displaying uPVCwindows. The houses mostly date fromthe 19th century and are mostly smallterraced properties. This is in contrast withthe high quality streetscape of the easternend which widens briefly before enteringthe Causeway. The properties closer tothe church of St. Edburg have higherquality elevations indicative of the role ofthe street as the main entrance toBicester.Littlebury Hotel looking from Manor Farm34Three storey terraces front onto pavement,most are disfigured by uPVC windows.