History of Oxford in Timeline

Oxford is a city in Oxfordshire, England. It serves as the county town of Oxfordshire and is known for its historic architecture and prestigious university. The city's central area features many landmark buildings.

1906: Direct route between High Wycombe and London Paddington opened

In 1906, a direct route between High Wycombe and London Paddington was opened, shortening a route.

1910: Morris Motors established in Oxford

In 1910, Morris Motors was established in Oxford, making the city an important center of motor manufacturing.

1910: William Morris founds motor car business

In 1910, William Morris (later Lord Nuffield) founded a motor car business in Oxford, opening an assembly plant at Cowley.

1921: Oxford University Ice Hockey Club formed

The Oxford University Ice Hockey Club was formed as an official University sports club in 1921.

1926: Hall's Brewery acquired by Samuel Allsopp & Sons

In 1926, Hall's Brewery was acquired by Samuel Allsopp & Sons, after which it ceased brewing in Oxford.

1931: Ken Messer was born

Watercolourist and draughtsman Ken Messer, who has been dubbed "The Oxford Artist" by some, was born in 1931.

1939: Oxford Cheetahs and Greyhound racing began

In 1939, the Oxford Cheetahs motorcycle speedway team began racing and Greyhound racing took place at the Oxford Stadium.

1951: Rewley Road Station Closed

In 1951, Rewley Road station, which served the Bletchley route, was closed.

1959: Éire Óg Oxford founded

In 1959, Éire Óg Oxford, Oxford's local Gaelic Football team, was founded by Irish immigrants.

1962: Line to Witney and Fairford closed

In 1962, the railway line to Witney and Fairford was closed.

January 1963: Coldest month on record

January 1963 marked the coldest month on record in Oxford, with an average temperature of −3.0 °C (27 °F).

1964: Daily Information was first published

Daily Information, an event information and advertising news sheet, has been published since 1964.

1966: Completion of Oxford Ring Road

In 1966, the Oxford Ring Road or A4142 (southern part) was completed.

July 1968: Greatest one-day rainfall

On July 10, 1968, Oxford experienced its greatest one-day rainfall, totaling 87.9 mm (3.46 in).

1974: Oxford no longer a county borough

From 1889 until 1974, the city of Oxford was a county borough, independent from the county council.

1974: M40 motorway approached Oxford

In 1974, the M40 motorway approached Oxford, leading from London to Waterstock.

1982: Last Morris-badged car produced

The last Morris-badged car was produced in 1982.

July 1983: Warmest month on record

In July 1983, Oxford recorded its warmest month on record, with an average temperature of 21.1 °C (70 °F).

1983: Oxford Saints founded

In 1983, Oxford Saints, Oxford's senior American Football team, were founded.

1984: Demise of the Morris brand

Following the demise of the Morris brand in 1984, the plant produced cars under the Austin and Rover brands.

1985: Oxford Cheetahs became British League champions

In 1985, Oxford Cheetahs became British League champions.

1986: Oxford Cheetahs became British League champions

In 1986, Oxford Cheetahs became British League champions.

1987: Isis Innovation established

In 1987, the university established Isis Innovation to promote technology transfer.

1989: Oxford Cheetahs became British League champions

In 1989, Oxford Cheetahs became British League champions.

1990: Oxford Science Park established

The Oxford Science Park was established in 1990.

January 1991: Completion of M40 extension to Birmingham

In January 1991, the M40 extension to Birmingham was completed, curving sharply north.

1991: Nightshift magazine started covering the Oxford music scene

Since 1991, Nightshift, a monthly local free magazine, has covered the Oxford music scene.

1996: Oxford Cavaliers formed

In 1996, Oxford Cavaliers were formed and competed at the Conference League South level.

1997: Oxford hosted Radio 1's Sound City

In 1997, Oxford played host to Radio 1's Sound City, with various artists playing in venues around the city, including Oxford Brookes University.

1998: Morrell's Brewery closed

After a family dispute, Morrell's brewery was closed in 1998. The beer brand names were taken over by Thomas Hardy Burtonwood brewery, and the tied pubs were bought by Michael Cannon.

1999: The original boathouse burnt down

In 1999, the original boathouse of the Oxford University Boat Club burnt down.

2000: BMW ownership of Mini cars

Since 2000, the principal production site for Mini cars is owned by BMW and is located in the Oxford suburb of Cowley.

2001: Oxford United relocated to the Kassam Stadium

In 2001, Oxford United relocated from the Manor Ground to the Kassam Stadium.

2002: Greene King purchases pubs

In 2002, Greene King purchased most of the pubs from Michael Cannon, owner of Fuddruckers. Also in 2002, the Lion Brewery was converted into luxury apartments.

May 2005: Oxide: Oxford Student Radio went on terrestrial radio

In late May 2005, Oxide: Oxford Student Radio went on terrestrial radio at 87.7 MHz FM.

2007: Oxford University Boat Club relocated to Wallingford

Since 2007, the Oxford University Boat Club has been based at a training facility and boathouse in Wallingford.

2007: Cheetahs competed in Elite League

Until 2007, Oxford Cheetahs competed in the Elite League and then the Conference League.

2008: Number of tourists in 2008

In 2008, Oxford had 9.1 million tourists.

April 2009: Closure of Six TV: The Oxford Channel

In April 2009, local TV station Six TV: The Oxford Channel closed.

2009: Number of tourists in 2009

In 2009, Oxford had a similar number of tourists to 2008.

2009: Ashmolean Museum reopened

The Ashmolean Museum reopened in 2009 after a major redevelopment.

2010: Hybrid buses in use

Hybrid buses began to be used in Oxford in 2010, and their usage has been expanded.

2011: Oxford Hockey Club formed

The Oxford Hockey Club was formed in 2011 after a merger of City of Oxford HC and Rover Oxford HC.

2012: Greyhound racing ended and Oxford Stadium closed

In 2012, Greyhound racing ended and the Oxford Stadium closed.

2012: London Welsh RFC moved to Kassam Stadium

In 2012, London Welsh RFC moved to the Kassam Stadium.

2012: Wettest year on record

The year 2012 was recorded as the wettest year in Oxford, with 979.5 mm (38.56 in) of rainfall.

2013: Oxford Rugby League entered Championship 1

In 2013, Oxford Rugby League entered rugby league's semi-professional Championship 1.

2014: Chiltern Railways operates from Oxford to London Marylebone

In 2014, Chiltern Railways began operating from Oxford to London Marylebone via Bicester Village, after sponsoring the construction of new track.

2014: New buses with flywheel energy storage introduced

In 2014, Oxford Bus introduced a fleet of 20 new buses with flywheel energy storage on the services it operates under contract for Oxford Brookes University.

2014: Oxford–Bicester line upgraded

In 2014/2015, the Oxford–Bicester line was upgraded to 100 mph (161 km/h) running during an 18-month closure.

2014: Warmest year on record

The year 2014 was the warmest year on record in Oxford, with an average temperature of 11.8 °C (53 °F).

2015: London Welsh RFC left Oxford

At the end of the 2015 season, London Welsh RFC left Oxford.

2015: Oxford–Bicester line upgraded

In 2014/2015, the Oxford–Bicester line was upgraded to 100 mph (161 km/h) running during an 18-month closure.

2015: That's Oxfordshire took to the airwaves

In 2015, a service operated by That's TV, originally called That's Oxford (now That's Oxfordshire), began broadcasting.

September 2016: University of Oxford ranked number one

In September 2016, the University of Oxford was ranked as the world's number one university, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

October 2017: Redevelopment and expansion of Westgate Oxford completed

In October 2017, a major redevelopment and expansion of Westgate Oxford was completed, including a new John Lewis department store.

2017: Oxford Artisan Distillery Established

In 2017, Oxford's first legal distillery, the Oxford Artisan Distillery, was established in historic farm buildings at the top of South Park.

2018: The Oxford Art Book featured local artists

In 2018, The Oxford Art Book featured many contemporary local artists and their depictions of Oxford scenes.

May 2020: Sunniest month on record

May 2020 was recorded as the sunniest month in Oxford, with 331.7 hours of sunshine.

2020: Boswell's store closed

In 2020, Boswell's, a long-established independent retailer founded in 1738, closed its store in Oxford.

February 2022: Zero-emission pilot area becomes operational

On February 28, 2022, a zero-emission pilot area became operational in Oxford city centre. Petrol and diesel vehicles are charged a daily fee if driven in the zone.

July 2022: Highest temperature ever recorded in Oxford

On July 19, 2022, the highest temperature ever recorded in Oxford was 38.1 °C (101 °F).

October 2022: Consultation on traffic filters ended

In October 2022, a council-led consultation on the traffic filters ended.

November 2022: Council approved traffic filters

In November 2022, Oxfordshire County Council approved the introduction of traffic filters on a trial basis. Also in November 2022, The Oxford Collection joined with other groups to launch a legal challenge to the new bus gates.