Aldsworth
| Aldsworth | |
| Gloucestershire | |
|---|---|
 St Bartholomew's | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SP156100 |
| Location: | 51°47’20"N, 1°46’27"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 236 (2011) |
| Post town: | Cheltenham |
| Postcode: | GL54 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Cotswold |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
The Cotswolds |
Aldsworth is a village and in Gloucestershire, about ten miles north-east of Cirencester. In 2010 its population was recorded as 236.
Aldsworth is a large parish, slightly north of the River Leach. The Parish was once a possession of the Abbey Of Gloucester.[1]
In the 1870s, Aldsworth was described as:
- "A parish in Northleach district, Gloucester; near the river Leach, 10 miles NE of Cirencester r. station. It has a post office under Cheltenham. Acres, 3,460. Real property, £3,107. Pop., 430. Houses, 82. The property is divided among a few. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol. Value, £66. Patron, Christ's Church, Oxford. The church stands on a hill, and commands an extensive view." [2]
Aldsworth is recorded in the Domesday Book as Elleorde, from the Old English Eald weorþ, meaning 'Old Enclosure' or 'Old Farm'.
Situated on elevated land just off the B4425, Aldsworth is an unspoilt village located 3 miles from Bibury, 6 and a half miles from Burford and 6 miles from Northleach. With an average rainfall of 750mm and a growing season estimated at 250 days a year, the land is of moderate quality for agricultural purposes. The Saxons made use of good unenclosed sheep pastures in Aldsworth, from which time the land was cultivated in an open field system until 1973.[3] It had a population of 3143 according to the 2011 census.
For hundreds of years, horse racing took place on the downs between Aldsworth and Burford.[4] The village was home to Robert Garne, the last owner of the 'Cotswold Lion' breed of sheep which brought so much wealth and prosperity to the area.[5]
St Bartholomew's Church
The Church of St Bartholomew is set on the western outskirts of the village. The church is a remarkable example of the forms of architecture it contain. It has Norman]] and Perpendicular]] elements; but the latter are exceptional.[6] The spire can be seen for miles outside of Aldsworth and is very rare in the Cotswolds.
The Sherborne Arms
The Sherborne Arms has been the village pub since 1799, it is located on the main road between Bibury and Burford. The building is an old 17th Century farmhouse which has been transformed and refurbished for use as a public house. The O'Keefe family have run this local pub since 1984.[7]
Historical and ancient monuments
Celtic Fields covering some 70 acres are visible on the limestone pasture of Bibury old race-course, the whole area is either flat or gently sloping. In the west, the fields which lie south appear to be contemporary, however are remarkably well preserved. Others have been broken or obliterated by ploughing and some of it is marked by low plough-ridges.
The fields are surrounded by stony banks, probably collapsed walls, and by lynchets. A track, runs for nearly half a mile through the fields. The banks are regularly arranged in parallel lines resulting in individual fields.[8]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Aldsworth) |
- Parish council
- Aldsworth in the Domesday Book
References
- ↑ Information on Aldsworth from GENUKI
- ↑ Wilson, John Marius (1870). Gazetteer of England and Wales. Edinburgh: A. Fullerton & Co.. http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/963760. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ↑ "Welcome to Aldsworth". http://www.aldsworthvillage.co.uk/. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
- ↑ http://www.aldsworthvillage.co.uk/#/village-history/4541397619
- ↑ http://www.thecotswoldgateway.co.uk/villages_aldsworth.htm
- ↑ Verey, David: 'Cotswold Churches' (B. T. Batsford Ltd., 1976), page 103
- ↑ The pub: Aldsworth Village
- ↑ http://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/ancient-glos/pp2-3