Clipsham
| Clipsham | |
| Rutland | |
|---|---|
 The Church of St Mary | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SK969163 |
| Location: | 52°44’10"N, 0°33’58"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 120 (2001) |
| Post town: | Oakham |
| Postcode: | LE15 |
| Dialling code: | 01572 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Rutland |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Rutland and Melton |
Clipsham is a small village and parish in Rutland. It is in the north-east of the county, adjacent to the border with Lincolnshire. The ancient parish forms a detached part of the Soke of Oakham.
Clipsham stone
The village is well known for its limestone quarries, from which Clipsham stone is obtained.[1][2] The stone is a form of limestone, part of the Upper Lincolnshire Limestone Formation. Clipsham stone can be found in many of Britain's most famous buildings including Oakham Castle, King's College Chapel in Cambridge, the Examination Schools in Oxford, York Minster, and in repairs to the Palace of Westminster.
The earliest recorded use of Clipsham Stone was for Windsor Castle between 1363 and 1368. The London Stone is made of it, however, and dates back at least to about 1100.
About the village
Clipsham Hall, is an 18th-century mansion set in a landscaped park.
The topiary Yew Tree Avenue, once the carriage drive to Clipsham Hall, is now maintained by the Forestry Commission.[3] The avenue stretches for over 500 yards, with some 150 shaped yew trees leading towards the Hall. Many of the trees are over 200 years old and have been trimmed since 1870 into various shapes depicting birds and animals on the tops and designs in relief on the sides.
The Olive Branch[4] is one of the few pubs to hold a Michelin star.
Gallery
Topiary at Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue
A topiary windmill
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Clipsham) |
References
- ↑ Clipsham Quarry Company website
- ↑ The Stamford Stone Company - Clipsham Medwells Quarry
- ↑ http://www.forestry.gov.uk/kestevenforest
- ↑ The Olive Branch, Clipsham
