Oakley, Bedfordshire

Description
Oakley, a village and a parish in Bedfordshire. The village stands on the river Ouse, near the M.R., on which it has a station, 4 miles NW of Bedford. It has a very old five-arched bridge over the Onse, and a post office under Bedford; money order and telegraph office, Milton Ernest. The parish comprises 1748 acres of land and 38 of water; population of the civil parish, 250 ; of the ecclesiastical, with Bromham, 569. There is a parish council consisting of five members. A portion of the parish lies very low, and in wet seasons is inundated. Floods causing serious damage occurred in 1823, 1852, and 1876. The manufacture of pillow lace and rush plaiting is carried on. The manor belongs to the Duke of Bedford, who is also sole landowner. Oakley House, a fine modern mansion of brick, very pleasantly situated, is a seat of the Marquess of Tavistock. The Oakley hounds take their name from the parish, but are kennelled at Milton. The living is a vicarage, annexed to the vicarage of Bromham, in the diocese of Ely; joint net value, £270 with residence, in the gift of Eton College. The church is ancient but good, and consists of nave, aisles, and chancel, with a tower. There is an endowed school.