This house dates from the early nineteenth century. It is specifically named as “Hill Top” in directories from 1867, and also on the 1876 and 1898 OS maps of Headington

This may be the “newly-built dwelling house, with out-offices and Garden, in the occupation of the Rev. Mr. Payne, delightfully situated on the brow of Headington Hill, commanding the admired views of the University and City of Oxford” whose auction was advertised in Jackson's Oxford Journal of 22 September 1832; also being auctioned were 32 lots of land lying near the aforesaid house, all copyhold of inheritance of the Manor of Headington.

The Headington Rate book of 1850 shows that Hill Top was then both owned and occupied by Benjamin Badcock, Esq., who was born in Pyrton, Oxfordshire in 1796. Its gross estimated rental was then £40 and its rateable value £34. The 1851 census shows Badcock, an bachelor of 54 whose occupation was given as a Surveyor, living here with his unmarried sister Sarah, his nephew Philip (who was also his assistant), and one servant. Badcock and his sister (with two servants) were still in the house at the time of the 1861 and 1871 censuses.

Benjamin Badcock died at Hill Top at the age of 77 in May 1874 and was buried back in his home village of Pyrton. His sister, who had probably inherited the house, continued to live there for a short while. On 20 March 1875 it was advertised to let in Jackson's Oxford Journal:

On Headington Hill, Oxford

To be let for a term, either furnished or unfurnished,—A Residence, known as “Hill Top”, standing in its own grounds, with conservatory, flower and kitchen gardens, and orchard, with numerous choice wall and standard fruit trees, coach house, stable, and yard, in the occupation of Miss Badcock.

The House stands on the highest and most healthy spot in the environs of Oxford, the subsoil is fine sand, and the views are charming and extensive in every direction.

Early possession may be had.

To view and for further particulars, apply to Messrs. R. Pike & Son, auctioneers, 21, New Inn Hall-street, Oxford.

On 13 March 1875 the house was advertised for sale:

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE CONTRACT,
WITH EARLY POSSESSION,
On Headington Hill, Oxford

A GENTLEMAN'S RESIDENCE, known as “HILL TOP,” standing in its own Grounds, approached through a small shrubbery, and containing entrance hall, drawing room, dining room, and morning room, with all suitable domestic offices on the ground floor; four large bed rooms, linen closet, and w.c. on the first floor; with attics over, all easily converted into additional bed rooms; and on the basement capital dry and spacious wine, beer, and store cellars; a conservatory, flower and kitchen gardens, and orchard, with numerous choice wall and standard fruit trees, coach house, stable, and yard, altogether occupying a site of about an Acre.
   This House stands on the highest and most healthy spot in the environs of Oxford, the subsoil is a fine gravel, and the views are charming and extensive in every direction.

On 20 March 1875 Hill Top House was advertised to let:

On Headington Hill, Oxford

TO be LET for a term, either FURNISHED or UNFURNISHED,—A RESIDENCE, known as “HILL TOP,” standing in its own grounds, with conservatory, flower and kitchen gardens, and orchard, with numerous choice wall and standard fruit trees, coach house, stable, and yard, in the occupation of Miss Badcock.

   This House stands on the highest and most healthy spot in the environs of Oxford, the subsoil is a fine gravel, and the views are charming and extensive in every direction.

The following advertisement of an auction of some of the furniture etc in the house appeared in the Journal of 29 May 1875:

Superior household furniture, Pianoforte, Bath Chair, Hand Cart, Cambridge Patent Rolling Press, 24 Iron Hurdles, a quantity of Oak Posts, Old Lead, Copper and Zinc, and a few choice Greenhouse Plants.

To be sold by Auction
by Messrs R. Pike and Son

Upon the premises known as “Hill Top,” Headington Hill, near Oxford, at Eleven o’clock precisely, fully described in catalogues, to be had of the auctioneers seven days previous.

From 1875 to 1881 Hill Top was occupied by the Revd James Franck Bright, MA, who was Fellow & Chaplain of University College and Tutor & Lecturer in Modern History. On 22 February 1876 Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) wrote in his diary: “Called on Bright, of University College, at his house on Headington Hill. He has four girls, of whom I saw the eldest, Margaret, aged 9.” Bright also kept cattle nearby, as Jackson's Oxford Journal of 5 June 1880 reported that at an auction to be held at Oxford Cattle Market the following Wednesday, the entries included “a Pure-bred JERSEY BULL, the property of the Rev. F. Bright, of Headington Hill”.

The 1881 census shows the Revd Bright as a widower of 48 living in the house with his four daughters aged from 11 to 14, his unmarried sister-in-law (who is described as the mistress of the family), and five servants, including a page. Later that year he was appointed Master of University College, and he moved out of Hill Top House down to the Master’s Lodgings in the High Street.

Right: the Revd Bright pictured in a cartoon of 1905

From about 1883 Hill Top House was owned by Commissioner-General Fitzjames Edward Watt CB, but in the early years he let it out: in 1887 it was occupied by Mrs Eckford, who moved to Sandfield Cottage the next year. The 1891 census shows Watt (aged 68) and his wife Julia (aged 43), living in Hill Top and looked after by four live-in servants. Watt was buried at St Clement’s Church on 14 March 1902, and his widow continued to live there until 1910, when she moved to The Firs nearby.

In 1889 the municipal borough of Oxford was extended eastwards, bringing Headington Road and Hill Top House into the city of Oxford. In 1894 this area was taken away from the parish of Holy Trinity Church in Headington Quarry and annexed to the parish of St Clement’s.

Possibly Hill Top was bought by the Morrell family in 1910, because it is not listed again in directories until 1918, when it was occupied by Captain James H. Morrell B.A., heir to the Morrell's estate. He remained in residence until 1923.

Mrs Radcliffe lived at Hill Top from 1925 to at least 1938.

The occupants listed at Hill Top House in Kelly's Directory from the 1940s to the last edition in 1976 were as follows:

• 1940 & 1941: No listing
• 1943–1945: Major Peter John Luard 
• 1949–1952: Dr Hans Heinrich Halban, Fellow of St Antony's College and the husband of the future Lady Berlin
• 1952–1962: Sir Oliver Franks (later Lord Franks)
• 1964–1973: T. Nott
• 1976: Roy Durham

In the late 1960s, Hill Top’s extensive grounds were much reduced when six houses facing the London Road were built in its garden, and by the early 1980s the house itself was in multiple occupation.

In 1972 Hill Top House was designated a listed building, with its gate piers listed separately.

In 2002 the main house was refurbished and converted into six flats, and although in January 2001 Oxford city council had granted planning permission for a detached terraced block of five two-storey, one-bed mews houses in its back garden, on 27 June 2002 Martin Young, chairman of Headington Hill Residents’ Association, successfully challenged this plan in the Appeal Court on the grounds that the council had failed to consider a policy statement by English Heritage. The application to build the five houses was eventually approved by the full city council on 17 February 2003 after being called in. The voting was close (16 for and 16 against), and the Lord Mayor’s casting vote decided the matter.