Barford
commonly means barley ford, as in a ford across
a stream or river used at harvest time. St
Michael is an affix from the dedication of the
church. In 1086 Barford St Michael was known as Bereford, and by
around 1250 as Bereford Sancti Michaelis.
To
travel by road to Barford St Michael, there are a number of options.
One suggested route is to exit the M40 at Junction 10, taking the
A43 towards Brackley. After a quarter of mile, there is a roundabout,
and turn left there on to the B4100 to Aynho. Continue to Aynho,
and midway through the village as the road descends the hill, turn
left on to the B4031, signposted Clifton and Deddington. Continue
to Deddington, and at the traffic lights there, as you emerge from
the top end of the market square, continue straight ahead towards
Hempton. At Hempton, turn right at the signpost for Barford St Michael.
