Boars Hill is situated in Sunningwell's civil parish. This is to the south of Oxford and lies in the English county of Oxfordshire (which was also known as Berkshire). Boars Hill offers a splendid view of the entire city of Oxford and has been an inspiration to many an artist or a writer over the year. One such poet was Mathew Arnold. Two of his most renowned poems titled 'The Scholar Gipsy' (written in 1853) and 'Thyrsis' (written in1867) use this as their main setting.

Another reason that Boars Hill is rather well known is because one of the most famous archaeologists Sir Arthur Evans lived here from1894 till his death in the year 1941. The house that he lived in (he named it 'Youlbury') is now demolished. Along with this he also built Jarn Mound and a garden surrounding it so that visitors could stand and enjoy the view from there. Today however it is surrounded by homes and tall trees.