History of the site
The site has been occupied since the Iron Age and an Anglo-Saxon settlement is mentioned in the Domesday book (C.1086)
Early 17th Century
Begbroke Hill Farmhouse was built on the site of a medieval dwelling and owned until 1752
1896 – 1960
Farmhouse owned by the Partridge Family and farmed for barley for the brewing industry
1960 - 1985
Begbroke Hill Farm became the headquarters of the Weed Research Organisation
1989 - 1998
Cookson Group Technology used the site as its R&D headquarters. Also occupied by Cookson Matthey Ceramics and Johnson Matthey during Cookson’s ownership
University Ownership
1998
Site purchased in December by Oxford University as a research centre
1999
First business incubator opened by Lord Sainsbury and Nanox was the first spin out company on site
2000
AEA Advanced Materials Centre opens (now Oxford Materials Characterisation Service)
2002
Begbroke cleanroom facility opens
2003
Begbroke Directorate established and farmhouse building renovated
2004
Institute for Industrial Materials and Manufacturing opens
2006
The Centre for Innovation and Enterprise opens and was 100% occupied within 12 months
2007
Institute for Advanced Technology opens providing 4000m2 of mixed-use facility, supporting university inter disciplinary research including materials, energy, nanotechnology, biomedical engineering and aerospace including the Centre for Sustainable Water Engineering
2012
Significant improvements were made to the infrastructure in 2012. A new access road onto the A44 opened paving the way for future development
Recent Growth
2014
Government City Deal Initiative enables Begbroke Innovation Accelerator expansion plans for an additional 2200m2 of space in the CIE building
2016
CIE expansion opens giving a total capacity of 5400m2 of flexible space
2019
Agile lab – shared working space opens in the CIE building; funded by the Oxfordshire Innovation Support for Business (ISfB) and European Regional Development Fund
2020
Agile lab expansion giving a total of 179 m2 lab space and accommodating up to 14 users
2021
A second restaurant and marquee opened, offering additional amenities, events and meeting spaces
Future Development
2023
OXiGEN Accelerator planned
By 2024
Planned development of 2 buildings. Building 1 will give 5000m2 for University Research and Development partners and academic uses with shared facilities together, while Building 2 will be available to lease on a flexible basis (7500m2)
Our Vision
The Oxford University Begbroke Science Park has been a cornerstone of the entrepreneurial environment of Oxfordshire since its inception in 2000. It is a launching ground...
About Us
Oxford University Begbroke Science Park is unique – the only science park wholly owned and managed by Oxford University.
