Bablock Hythe

Bablock Hythe is a small hamlet in Oxfordshire, situated 5 miles west of Oxford city centre. In 1974 it was transferred from Berkshire. There was formerly an important vehicular ferry across the River Thames at Bablock Hythe on the reach above Pinkhill Lock.

The earliest reference to a ferry is in 1279 and later ferries continued to provide a crossing service until the mid 20th century. The ferry was a wide beamed ferry punt with a rope or chain in the river, shich provided some hazard to navigation. There was also an ancient inn described by William Senior in his "Royal River" in the 1880s, which has now been replaced by a more modern building.

The poet Matthew Arnold described the area in his work "The Scholar Gipsy", writing

In hat of antique shape and cloak of grey

Crossing the stripling Thames at Bab-lock-hithe

Trailing in the cool stream they fingers wet

As the slow punt swings round.

The site is overlooked by the "Warm green-muffled Cumnor Hills", but is now an extensive caravan site.

See also

• Crossings of the River Thames

External links

• Canal Plan Gazetteer
• Where Thames smooth waters glide