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The village of Appleton, with which the smaller village of Eaton has long been associated, stands on rising ground 100 ft above the river Thames, which is its western boundary.
Woodlands, known as Besselsleigh Common and Appleton Common, still partially cover its eastern and southern boundaries.
The Saxon name for the village was Earmundslea or Edmunds clearing.
One can still receive an impression of its old character and charm as a considerable number of stone houses remain standing in the centre of the village, from what was the Tavern Inn to Charity House Farm. Modern housing exists along the roads in and out of the village, and in recent years a considerable amount of in filling has taken place.
The population of the village is now approximately 1,000.
Although most of the inhabitants work away from the village, there are about 50 businesses working from the parish, and a thriving Community Shop and Post Office, .
The White family have a workshop in the village and for four generations have practised the rare craft of bell hanging. Their fame has spread countrywide and they service church bells throughout an extensive area. The family forms the core of the bell ringers of the ten bells in the 15th century church tower. The 4th of March is celebrated as the bells birthday to commemorate the installation of the original peal of six bells in 1818. Peals are rung during the day by visiting ringers and a grand dinner in the Village Hall ends the celebrations.
Church Road, in the centre of the village, leads down to the 12th century church of St Laurence. A modern primary school has been built in the old manor orchard in the lane, and on the right is the manor pond and tithe barn. The church has a Norman arcade and nave, and has grown during the centuries by additions and restorations, but it is still a homely little church with a feeling of peace and cosiness.
Appleton Manor, which also dates from about 1190, has a moat. This house too has been enlarged and improved by succeeding generations of owners. It is still lived in as a family home. Amble de Appleton was the first known owner in 1212, followed by the Fitzwarins. A branch of the Fettiplace family, who were important landowners in the Thames valley area, lived in the manor in Tudor times, and after them came the Southby family in 1684. They remained at the manor until 1880. Monuments to both these families are in the church, and they left charitable bequests to the village one of which was the distribution of sixpences to poor people attending church on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
The lane leading down to the river from Badswell Lane has an ancient well, known as Bads Well. The water of this well, according to village legend, was a sovereign cure for eye ailments. Before good roads were made this lane was the way by which goods were conveyed for transportation by river to the village.
Another interesting house in the village is The Close, which was originally a plague house. The Thames valley was severely hit by the Black Death in 1348, and many houses were burned down to clear the infection. Those in authority gave the owners the framework for a new home, i.e. beams, fireplaces etc, and the owners completed the work with lath and plaster or stone.
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