About the Club

Radley History Club is a not-for-profit unincorporated association founded in May 1997. Its purpose is to study the history of Radley and the surrounding area by any suitable means that members desire. Download a copy of the Club’s constitution

The Club is run by a committee elected by members at the AGM in September. Contact the chairman

Radley History Club is a member of the British Association of Local History, Oxfordshire Local History Association and Oxfordshire Buildings Record.

Club meetings

These are held at the Church of St James the Great, Church Road, Radley OX14 3QF on the second Monday evening of the month (apart from August) when speakers are invited to give talks on a range of local and historical topics. See below for details of the venue including parking and how to get there by public transport.

Non-members are welcome at our meetings. There’s no charge but a suggested donation of £3.00 would be much appreciated.

See the Events Calendar for details of forthcoming meetings and events – for more details about a particular meeting, click on the title of the talk.

A visit or tour of a local building/place of interest is often arranged during the spring or summer.

Read short reports of recent meetings

Benefits of membership

  • Monthly e-newsletter containing details of the next meeting, a short report of the previous speaker meeting, items of Club news and details of events sent to the Club of potential interest to members. There are also links to newsletters from organisations of which Radley History Club is a member.
  • Printed programme card giving details of the talks to be given during the Club year and contact details for key people
  • Opportunity to borrow materials from the Club’s archive for members’ own research
  • Christmas social event and other social events organised by the Club
  • Priority booking on tours and visits arranged by the Club

New members will receive a free printed copy of the Club’s Radley Heritage Walk leaflet.

How to join

The Club year runs from the AGM in September. The subscription for 2023/2024 is £17. New members are welcome at any time. Download a membership application form

Use of members’ personal data

The Club keeps a computer record of members’ names and contact details. Personal data are used only for Club purposes to keep members up-to-date with Club matters and to disseminate information of potential interest to members. Read the Club’s privacy policy

Meeting venue

The Club meets at St James the Great Church, Church Road, Radley, Oxfordshire OX14 3QF. Doors open at 7 pm for a 7.30 pm start. Church website

Church of St James the Great, Radley, August 2020
St James the Great, Radley, August 2020

Parking is available in the car park serving Radley Church and Radley Primary School. The entrance to the car park is on the far side of the pond to the shared driveway leading to Radley Primary School and the Church Room (see map). Those with limited mobility are advised to park in the lay-by in front of the Church or on the opposite side of Church Road.

Map showing relative positions of Radley Church and its car park, with the preferred pedestrian route between them
Location of Radley Church, its car park and the suggested route between them, November 2021

Planning to come by bus?
The Oxford Bus Company’s City city35 bus service stops just outside the church. The bus times are very convenient for meetings, which start at 7.30 pm and usually end between 8.30 and 8.45 pm.

Abingdon to Radley and back
Abingdon Stratton Way18:50
Radley Church (opposite)19:03
Radley Church20:3421:04
Abingdon High Street20:4521:15
Kennington to Radley and back
Kennington, Manor Grove19:06
Radley Church19.09
Radley Church (opposite)20:3921:09
Kennington, Manor Grove20:4121:11
Please check the timetable for any changes before travelling.

Planning to come by train from Oxford?
Journey time is 6 minutes by train and then a walk of 8-10 minutes up to the church from the station. If you fancy a meal before coming to the meeting, the Bowyer Arms next to the station serves food until 9 pm.

Evening trains to Radley leave Oxford at 17:07, 17:36, 18:07, 18:35, 19:06
Suitable trains back leave Radley at 20:44, 21:14, 21:42, 22:12

Please check the timetable for any changes before travelling.