Site History
There is evidence that the site of the Oxford University Begbroke Science Park was occupied in the Iron Age and in Roman times. The Domesday Book of 1086 AD shows us that an Anglo-Saxon settlement was established there. Archaeological remains from the site and surrounding areas can be seen in the Ashmolean Museum.
Throughout the centuries the site has been used for farming. Details of families that owned or were connected with the farm can be found by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page, or for further reading we recommend "The History of Begbroke Hill Farm", by J. H. Fearson, edited by J. E. Y Hardcastle. The Jacobean farmhouse, dating from around 1625, has been sensitively restored and now houses some of the Science Park's offices and conference facilities.
Laboratory research at Begbroke dates back to 1960, when Begbroke Hill Farm was acquired by the Ministry of Agriculture and became the headquarters of the Weed Research Organisation. In the 1980s, the Cookson group bought the site to house its Technology Centre. This remained an important materials research laboratory until 1998 when it was bought by Oxford University. From 1999 the site was operated by the University's Department of Materials and quickly attracted new venture companies seeking access to research at the University. From this grew the vision of a new Begbroke Science Park, providing industry with research and development, education and training and technology transfer, plus out-reach services in the nanotechnology, aerospace, environmental, automotive and materials sectors.
In 2002 that vision became a reality, with funding from the Higher Education Innovation Fund. Now in its second phase of construction, Begbroke Science Park has established itself as a unique environment 'where industry and science meet' and continues to go from strength to strength.
A Brief History of Begbroke Hill Farm, by J. E. Y. Hardcastle and J. H. Fearson
The History of Begbroke Hill Farm 1734 – 1804, by Mrs. C. J. Coppock