Cold Ashton

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Cold Ashton
Gloucestershire
Cold Ashton Holy Trinity.jpg
Holy Trinity church
Location
Grid reference: ST747725
Location: 51°27’7"N, 2°21’43"W
Data
Population: 221  (2011)
Post town: Chippenham
Postcode: SN14
Dialling code: 01225
Local Government
Council: South Gloucestershire

Cold Ashton is a village in the Pucklechurch Hundred of Gloucestershire. It is located five miles north of Bath in Somerset, near the junction between the A46 and A420 roads. The village church has a 14th-century tower and the rest of the church was rebuilt in the 16th century by Thomas Key, its rector.[1] It had a population of 221 according to the 2011 census.[2]

In the 1870s, Cold Ashton was described as
A parish in Chipping-Sodbury district, Gloucester; on the verge of the county, under the Cotswolds, 5¾ miles N of Bath r. station. It includes the village of Pennsylvania; and its Post Town is Marshfield under Chippenham. Acres, 2,300.[3]
Now, Cold Ashton is described as
A small village which, due to its setting, exhibits an air of tranquillity and pleasant isolation. The stone-walled main street together with the close alignment of the manor house, the Old Rectory and the courthouse, give the village an intimate character.[4]

History

Hyde's Lane, part of the Cotswold Way
, The village also has a shop within walking distance, at the garage in Pennsylvania.

Originally the property of Bath Abbey, Cold Ashton then became entirely owned by William Pepwall, Mayor of Bristol, following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1564. Following this acquisition, buildings such as the Elizabethan Manor House containing Renaissance style features, the Old Rectory and the Holy Trinity Church were constructed. It is debated who had this influence, however, with dating referring more-so to the later Mayor of Bristol John Gunning.[5]

Looking at Holy Trinity Church in greater detail, it is described how
The Holy Trinity Church originally came under the Priory of St Peter in Bath and was largely rebuilt between 1508 and 1540 by the rector, Thomas Key. His rebus, a 'T' entwinned in a key can be found embellishing the church and other interesting features include the remains of a rood loft and a curious pulpit set in a niche in the north wall.[5]
Looking at the Old Rectory in greater detail, in 1643 during the Civil War Sir Bevil Grenville was injured at the Battle of Lansdowne and carried to the Old Rectory at Cold Ashton, where he died.[6]

Domesday Book

The Domesday Book was a "Great Survey" completed in 1086 used largely in order to determine taxes to be owed as well as holdings and values of people. As such, very brief, listed descriptions were given to settlements such as Cold Ashton.

Such insights relate to the population as of 1086, saying "Total population: 8 households (quite small)."[7] There is also some description of the village's tax, saying "Taxable units: Taxable value 5 exemption units. Taxed on 3.0."[7] There is also some description of the village's resources, saying "Ploughland: 1 lord's plough team's. 3 men's plough teams. Other resources: Meadow 6 acres. 1 mill, value 0.2."[7]

Tourism

Cold Ashton is located near to the end of the Cotswold Way if starting the walk from Chipping Campden, or near the beginning if starting the walk from Bath.[8] It is one of the suggested stopping points on the walk, and as such offers two bed and breakfasts in the form of Laburnum Cottage and Whiteways Bed and Breakfast.[9]

References

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("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Cold Ashton)
  1. Hall, Michael (1993). Stratford-Upon-Avon and the Cotswolds. The Pevensey Press. p. 73. ISBN 0-907115-68-3. https://books.google.com/books?id=GopyAAAACAAJ. 
  2. "Cold Ashton (Parish): Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key Statistics". Office for National Statistics. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11122172&c=Cold+Ashton&d=16&e=62&g=6390122&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1453998699896&enc=1. Retrieved 28 January 2016. 
  3. Wilson, John Marius (1870-72). Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales. Edinburgh: A. Fullerton & Co.. http://visionofbritain.org.uk/place/10331. 
  4. "Cold Ashton Conservation Area". South Gloucestershire Council. http://www.southglos.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/conservation/conservation-areas/cold-ashton-conservation-area/. Retrieved 17 March 2016. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 South Gloucestershire Council. Cold Ashton Conservation Area. Kingswood. https://www.southglos.gov.uk/documents/leaflets/pte050029.pdf. 
  6. Barratt, John (2005). The civil war in the south west. Bernsley: Pen & Sword Military. pp. 53–56. ISBN 1-84415-146-8. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Powell-Smith, Anna. "PLACE: (COLD) ASHTON". http://opendomesday.org/place/ST7572/cold-ashton/. Retrieved 20 April 2016. 
  8. "Route Description and Downloads". National Trails. http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/cotswold-way/routes. Retrieved 17 March 2016. 
  9. "Hotels Near Cold Ashton, United Kingdom". TripAdvisor. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-g2392543-Cold_Ashton_Gloucestershire_England-Hotels.html. Retrieved 17 March 2016.