Old Map of Oxfordshire by Samuel Lewis, 1844: Oxford, Banbury, Abingdon, Bicester, and Witney

This exquisitely detailed and historically rich map of Oxfordshire from 1844 by the notable cartographer, Samuel Lewis, provides a fascinating snapshot of one of England's most historic counties during a period of immense social and industrial change. Every hand-drawn line and painstakingly etched name tells a story of a time and place that laid the foundations of the modern Oxfordshire we know today. Each settlement, from the smallest hamlet to the largest town, offers a window into the past, some of which have grown into modern cities while others have remained charmingly unaltered over the centuries.

This vintage map is perfect for those with a love for history and geography, as it captivates with its antiquated charm while illustrating the seeds of Oxfordshire's future. Many of today's bustling towns and cities can be found on this map, albeit sometimes under their earlier names, adding an extra layer of excitement for the keen observer.

List of 30 Towns and Cities in Oxfordshire (1844):

1. Oxford (founded c. 900 AD) - Known for its world-renowned University of Oxford, one of the oldest in the world.
2. Banbury (founded pre-1086 AD) - Famously featured in the nursery rhyme "Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross".
3. Abingdon (founded pre-7th Century AD) - Recognized as one of the oldest continually inhabited towns in England.
4. Bicester (founded c. 1130 AD) - A market town that has seen significant growth in recent years.
5. Witney (founded pre-1066 AD) - Noted for its historical significance in the wool trade.
6. Kidlington (founded c. 1086 AD) - Reputed to be the largest village in England.
7. Didcot (founded pre-1086 AD) - Became a significant railway town in the 19th century.
8. Wantage (founded c. 6th Century AD) - Birthplace of King Alfred the Great.
9. Carterton (founded c. 1770 AD) - Rapidly expanded due to its proximity to RAF Brize Norton.
10. Thame (founded pre-1086 AD) - Known for its beautiful 13th-century parish church.
11. Wallingford (founded c. 9th Century AD) - An ancient market town with a historic castle ruin.
12. Henley-on-Thames (founded c. 1170 AD) - Famous for its annual Royal Regatta.
13. Faringdon (founded c. 1218 AD) - Known for Faringdon Folly, an iconic 100ft tower.
14. Chipping Norton (founded c. 1205 AD) - A market town with a rich woolen manufacturing history.
15. Charlbury (founded c. 1086 AD) - Home to the beautiful Cornbury Park.
16. Chinnor (founded pre-1086 AD) - Known for the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway.
17. Burford (founded c. 1070 AD) - Known as the 'Gateway to the Cotswolds'.
18. Eynsham (founded c. 1005 AD) - Home to the historic Eynsham Abbey.
19. Watlington (founded c. 1140 AD) - Known for its annual town festival.
20. Goring-on-Thames (founded pre-1086 AD) - Noted for the Goring Gap, a beautiful natural feature.
21. Steeple Aston (founded pre-1086 AD) - Home to the beautiful Church of St Peter and St Paul.
22. Benson (founded c. 9th Century AD) - Known for its annual summer fair.
23. Bampton (founded c. 1086 AD) - Recognized as a filming location for Downton Abbey.
24. Sonning Common (founded pre-1086 AD) - Home to the historic All Saints Church.
25. Kingston Bagpuize (founded pre-1086 AD) - Known for the stately Kingston Bagpuize House.
26. Sutton Courtenay (founded pre-1086 AD) - Resting place of George Orwell.
27. Wheatley (founded pre-1086 AD) - Noted for its 18th-century windmill.
28. Shipton-under-Wychwood (founded c. 1086 AD) - Noted for its historic Shipton Court.
29. Long Hanborough (founded pre-1086 AD) - Home to the Oxford Bus Museum.
30. Grove (founded pre-1086 AD) - An important agricultural center during this period.

Notable Natural Features:

• River Thames - Oxfordshire's major waterway, perfect for boating and riverside walks.
• Chiltern Hills - An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty perfect for hiking.
• Cotswolds - A picturesque area known for its rolling hills and quaint villages.

Historical Events (1800-1850):

• 1835 - The founding of Oxford University's Keble College.
• 1844 - The opening of the Great Western Railway, connecting Oxford with London.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at all sizes: 8x10in (20.5x25.5cm), 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm) and 37x50in (94x127cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 50in (127cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45.5x61cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of UK and Ireland maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.