North and Middle Littleton

**North and Middle Littleton**
	North and Middle Littleton
Worcestershire
; Middle Littleton Tithe Barn
	Location
Grid reference:	SP0847
Location:	52°7’19"N, 1°52’59"W
	Data
Population:	906 (2001)
Post town:	Evesham
Postcode:	WR11
Dialling code:	01386
	Local Government
Council:	Wychavon
Parliamentary; constituency:	Mid Worcestershire

North and Middle Littleton is a parish in Worcestershire, adjacent to the borders with Gloucestershire and Warwickshire. As its name suggests, the parish comprises the villages of North Littleton and Middle Littleton, and is located near the larger settlement of South Littleton. It is bounded by the River Avon to the west, and Buckle Street (the Roman Ryknild Street) to the east. At the 2001 census it had a population of 906.^[1]

History

Though Neolithic human activity has been documented in the area, it is thought the first permanent settlements were constructed during Romano-British times (the important Roman road of Ryknild Street runs by the area). Other nearby Romano-British settlements at Ullington, Blakes Hill and Littleton Pastures have been documented, and all were thought to be in continuous occupation until the late 4th century. Archeological evidence suggests the area was completely abandoned after the end of the Roman occupation of Britain.

The area had been repopulated to an extent by the time of the Domesday Book, which documents the Littletons twice. "Littletune" (thought to be North Littleton), was owned by Evesham Abbey, and had a population of 18 who farmed the land owned by the abbey. St Nicholas Church located in Middle Littleton is thought to have been first constructed in the 12th century, though it was significantly remodelled in the 13th century. The Tithe Barn^[2] is an early 14th-century farm building which is now owned by the National Trust.

Middle Littleton Manor House is a 17th-century Jacobean-style manor house, and was constructed using local stone. Later stone buildings remain in the villages today. In the 19th century, 23 people were listed in the parish as working in farming or market gardening. It remained largely as an agricultural area until the late 1940s. Today, very few of the inhabitants of the parish are employed in agriculture.