Oliver Brett, later Viscount Esher, bought Watlington Park in 1921 and continued enlarging and modernising it.

In 1954 his successor Major Lionel Brett, an architect, demolished all the extensions and the remains of the 17th century Stonor house[3] and added pedimented pavilions of his own design.

[5] It was built in 1889 as a chapel of ease to save Anglican residents from travelling 2 miles (3 km) downhill to the parish church, St Leonard's in Watlington.

The Oxfordshire Way long-distance footpath passes through Christmas Common on its route between Bourton-on-the-Water and Henley-on-Thames, and crosses the Icknield Way 1 mile (1.6 km) downhill from the village.

[8] The surrounding beech woods and local rights of way are popular with walkers, cyclists, horse riders and birdwatchers.

[10][11] The philologist and lexicographer William Craigie lived at Christmas Common for more than 20 years in his retirement, until his death in 1957 [12]