Barrowden
| Barrowden | |
| Rutland | |
|---|---|
 The Duck Pond in Barrowden | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SK946000 |
| Location: | 52°35’24"N, -0°36’14"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 420 (2001) |
| Post town: | Oakham |
| Postcode: | LE15 |
| Dialling code: | 01572 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Rutland |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Rutland and Melton |
Barrowden is a pretty village in Rutland. It is often considered to be one of the more picturesque villages in Rutland due to its beautiful setting amongst hills and rivers, and also because of the open village greens and the village pond.
There is a church, a village hall, a doctor's surgery and pharmacy, a community shop, a mobile library, a recreational field with cricket club and a pub, The Exeter Arms. Barrowden and Wakerley Community Shop opened in 2009 after the post office closed. It is run by volunteers alongside a paid manager.
Both the Rutland Round and Jurassic Way long-distance paths pass through the village.
The village was served by Wakerley and Barrowden railway station from 1873 to 1966. The station was across the River Welland in the neighbouring parish of Wakerley.
Rush Bearing and Rush Strewing
Barrowden has an ancient custom of rush bearing and rush strewing. On the eve of St Peter's Day (28 June), reeds are gathered in the church meadow and placed on the church floor.
The origin of the custom is believed to be the practice of placing clean rushes on the earthen floor of churches, a necessity in the days before stone-flagged floors.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Barrowden) |
- Information on Barrowden from GENUKI
- Barrowden in the Domesday Book