Before the Norman conquest of England in 1066 Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury held the manor of Thrupp.

[2] Thrupp has the remains of a 15th century cross carved from local Jurassic limestone.

[6] In the 18th century Thrupp had two public houses: the Axe which is now the Boat Inn, and the Three Horseshoes which closed in 1924.

In 1953 the Baptists built a new church in nearby Kidlington, and in 1954 Thrupp chapel was consequently closed and sold.

The 15th century cross, which may have originally stood on the main Banbury Road, now stands in front of the former chapel.

In 1989 ITV Television filmed scenes for the Inspector Morse drama series episode The Last Enemy near the canal and the Boat Inn.