Geology of Old Marston

 

The name “Marston” originates from the Anglo-Saxon word “Merstun” which roughly translates as “Marsh Town”. Ditching and draining of the land from late Saxon times have enabled the settlers to cultivate the land.

 

Marston is situated upon a patch of river gravels, which in ancient times was part of the river terrace of the River Thames. The narrow strip of gravel follows the route of Mill Lane and Oxford Road, which is slightly higher than the surrounding fields. The gravel provides a good foundation to build upon and was a good source of drinking water.

 

Surrounding the gravels are the heavy soils of Oxford Clay which have been used primarily for farming. The clay is not easy to build on as it can be very sticky and intractable in wet weather and dries and cracks in dry weather. Although in recent times building has taken place upon the clay areas, such as the extensions to Elsfield Road.

 

At the edge of the clay it slopes down to the alluvian flood plain of the river valley. The Victoria Arms public house is situated at the edge of the clay overlooking the floodplain and is safe from flooding.

 

 

Bibliography

“Marston: A Case for Conservation” Occasional Papers No. 6 by Roger France, Published by Oxford Preservation Trust, Oxford 1988

 

 

I hope to expand this information as I research this subject further