Hook Norton is a village in north Oxfordshire. It is between the market towns of Banbury and Chipping Norton, and has a population of about 2,000.
The village name is believed to come from the ruler called Hook, whilst Norton is a corruption of ora-tun meaning a settlement (tun) on the side of a hill (ora), hence Hook Norton. Today it is simply known to its inhabitants as “Hooky”.
In the centre of the village is St Peter’s, a largely 15th century church of Norman origins that features some rare wall ‘Doom’ paintings and an unusual 13th century baptismal font featuring pagan zodiac signs, as well as an 18th century hand-pumped fire engine.
Hook Norton has a shop, post office, fire station, primary school, doctor’s surgery, dentists, vet, library, 2 churches, park, four good pubs, a Memorial hall, a sports and social club and several playing fields and of course our famed local Brewery.
