Free Entry
The exterior of the site is open 10am-4pm, Thursday to Sunday and on Bank Holidays, from April until October
Address:
Harcourt Hill, North Hinskey, Oxfordshire, OX2 9AS
This roofed conduit house is a remarkable survival of Oxford’s first piped water supply. Built during the early 17th century, it was part of a system designed to take clean drinking water from the springs at North Hinksey to the Carfax Conduit, an extravagantly decorated fountain in the centre of Oxford. Resembling a miniature fortress, the conduit house covered and protected a 20,000-gallon lead cistern which continued to supply water to the city until 1868. On the walls are some beautifully chiselled graffiti dating from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Read more about the history of North Hinksey Conduit House.
Before You Go
Access: Access to the conduit house is on foot only and is about a ten minute walk from the road. View details.
Opening Times: Access to the interior of the conduit house is only possible during special events. The exterior is open 10am-4pm, Thursday to Sunday, from April until October and is also open on Bank Holidays during this period. The site is closed from October until April.
Please be aware: English Heritage does not permit drone flying from or over sites in our care, except by contractors or partners undertaking flights for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances and permissions, and are operating under controlled conditions.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.
Plan a Great Day Out
Don't miss; As part of Oxford Open Doors, Oxford Preservation Trust will be opening up the Conduit House for visitors on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September.
Why not complete your day out with a visit to Abingdon County Hall Museum with its fine rooftop views?
Or visit the remains of a large, well-built Roman courtyard villa with a nearly complete mosaic tile floor at North Leigh.
You could also enjoy the extensive riverside remains of Minster Lovell Hall - a popular spot for family picnics.
