Barton Seagrave
| Barton Seagrave | |
| Northamptonshire | |
|---|---|
 St Botolph's parish church | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SP890765 |
| Location: | 52°22’45"N, -0°41’38"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 4,418 (2011) |
| Post town: | Kettering |
| Postcode: | NN15 |
| Dialling code: | 01536 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | North Northamptonshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Kettering |
Barton Seagrave is a large village in Northamptonshire, about a mile and a half south-east of Kettering, town centre. The older part of the village is known for its Norman church and attractive buildings.
In the village's name, 'Barton' may mean 'farmer's estate' or 'barley farm'. 'Seagrave' was added after the manor passed to Stephen de Segrave in 1220.[1]
The 2011 Census recorded a parish population of 4,418, in 1,843 homes.
The Midland Main Line runs to the west of the village, partly along the edge of the River Ise. The village used to be connected with Cambridge by rail on the Kettering, Thrapston and Huntingdon Railway, until this was closed in 1961 due to the Beeching cuts. Part of the route of the branch can still be viewed today and is in use as a footpath.[2]
Castle
South-west of the village centre is the site of Barton Seagrave Castle. This was built in the early part of the 14th century by Nicholas Segrave the younger, but became ruined after 1433.[3]
The castle was surrounded by a moat, and another moat lies to the north of the castle site: these can still be seen today.
Parish church
The village has a Norman church, St Botolph's, which is one of the oldest churches in the area. Parts of the church date from 1120 to 1130, although much of the rest is 13th century.[4]
There are memorials to Jane Floyde (died 1616) wife of Hugh Floyde, rector, who is depicted at a prayer desk attended by five children,[3] and also to three John Bridges (died 1712), the county historian (died 1724) and another (died 1741). The Bridges family lived at Barton Seagrave Hall.[4] Barton Seagrave War Memorial is in the church grounds.
The rectory was built around 1700, although the south side was rebuilt in 1806.[4] It is currently in use as 'Church House', providing community facilities, accommodation and church offices.
About the village
The village has one pub, The Stirrup Cup,[5] on Woodlands Avenue.[6]
There is a Community Centre on Castle Way, along with the Masque Theatre, and a village hall.
Castle Fields are a nature reserve near the village,[7] managed by the Wicksteed Trust. A footpath runs through the reserve to the arboretum at Wicksteed Park and sheep graze in the reserve during the summer.
Barton Seagrave Hall and Wicksteed Park
Originally built in 1550 by the Humphrey family, Barton Seagrave Hall was bought in 1665 by John Bridges (1642–1712) of Warwickshire, son of the parliamentarian Major Bridges of Alcester. John was Sheriff of Northampton in 1675. After his John died, his son John Bridges (1666–1742) inherited the house. He was an antiquarian and a Fellow of the Royal Society. The house passed to his brother, William (1668–1741) who carried out more renovations started by his father – the date 1725 being on the lead rain-water heads.[3] However, he fell into debt and was forced to mortgage the house in 1733. Later that century the house was owned by the Wilcox family then Richard Tibbits whose son was responsible for modernising the house further. Lady Mary Isabella Hood-Tibbits lived at the house for many years until her death in 1904 when the house came up for sale and was bought by Charles Wicksteed.
Charles Wicksteed laid out Wicksteed Park within the boundaries of the estate.[8] On his death, the house and the park passed to the Wicksteed Village Trust. It was a hotel for a while, then a nursing home for the elderly. For a while it housed part of the NHS on the ground floor, before becoming an arts centre. The first floor and stables accommodated the artists and designers. It is now home to the Vines Restaurant and the Barton Hall Hotel.[9] It can also be hired out for weddings and other events.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Barton Seagrave) |
References
- ↑ Place-Names
- ↑ "A cattle access tunnel under the old Kettering to Huntingdon and Cambridge railway". Flickr. 13 June 2010. https://www.flickr.com/photos/37550881@N06/4702532757/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 [1]
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Nikolaus Pevsner: The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, 1961; 1973 Penguin Books ISBN 978-0-300-09632-3
- ↑ The Stirrup Cup
- ↑ The Stirrup Cup: Beer in the Evening
- ↑ "Wicksteed Park". wildlifebcn.org. http://www.wildlifebcn.org/reserves/wicksteed-park.
- ↑ "Wicksteed Park - UK Kids Theme Park Park - Family Days Out Northamptonshire". wicksteedpark.co.uk. http://www.wicksteedpark.co.uk/.
- ↑ Barton Hall. "Vines Brasserie : Barton Hall : Hotel, Spa and Restaurant". bartonhall.com. http://www.bartonhall.com/restaurant/.