out of Oxford has passed through Botley since the 16th century, development since then was centred here rather than in the village of North Hinksey itself, slightly further southeast. From the 1880s the centre of the village began to be called Old Botley, in distinction to the New Botley development along Botley Road in Oxford. The name Old Botley is preserved in a street set back from the main road. The major development which began in the 1930s took place to the west, beyond the current ring road. To the north of Botley was the lost village of Seacourt. The site of the former village is in neighbouring Wytham parish, but it is commemorated in Botley in the names of Seacourt Tower, Seacourt Hall and the Seacourt Bridge public house. Localities New Botley A park and ride site is closest to Botley itself in the much narrower New Botley which is confined by low-lying playing fields, an allotment site and river meadows on the north and south sides. Immediately east is the seven arches bridge, which is listed. To the north side of that section is a golf driving range and on the south side, the large Osney Mead industrial estate. Famous inhabitants Guy Browning, humorist, grew up in Botley. Oswald Rayner, MI6 agent and journalist. References Sources External links Oxfordshire Heritage Photo: Seacourt Tower Areas of Oxford Housing estates in Oxfordshire Villages in Oxfordshire