Drymere

Drymere is a fictional village and civil parish in Northwick County, Eldmere. It lies on a gentle rise above agricultural fields near Drymere Brook, about midway between the fictional towns of Northfield and Brackley. The name is commonly interpreted as deriving from Old English elements meaning dry and mere, signaling a landscape that was historically wet but drained for farming.

Drymere is first mentioned in a 12th-century charter and developed around a medieval manor and the associated farms. Through the 18th and 19th centuries, the parish remained largely agricultural, with small-scale milling and, briefly, a nearby branch railway that operated for several decades before closing. Today the economy centers on farming and rural services, with a growing number of residents commuting to larger towns.

The parish council governs local issues, with an area administered as part of Northwick District and Eldmere County. The population is in the low thousands, and the community is served by a village hall, a primary school, and a few shops.

Notable landmarks include St Mary the Virgin Church, a stone building with medieval origins, and Drymere Manor, a Grade II-listed country house dating to the 17th century. A former windmill remains a local landmark.

Drymere Primary School serves local children up to age 11; for secondary education, students attend schools in nearby towns. Transport links consist of rural roads and an infrequent bus service; the nearest rail connections are in neighboring towns about 8–12 miles away. The village hosts an annual harvest festival and a summer fete, reflecting its agricultural heritage.