Priors Marston
| Priors Marston | |
| Warwickshire | |
|---|---|
 Priors Marston | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SP48405754 |
| Location: | 52°12’49"N, 1°17’30"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Southam |
| Postcode: | CV47 |
| Dialling code: | 01327 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | West Northamptonshire |
Priors Marston is a village in Warwickshire, six miles south-west of Daventry, sitting at the foot of Marston Hill close by the county border with Northamptonshire. At the 2001 Census, the parish had recorded population of 506, most of whom live in the village.
The Oxford Canal runs nearby, as does the 'Jurassic Way' long-distance footpath.
The prefix of the village's name, "Priors" records the fact the village belonged to St Mary's Priory, Coventry. "Marston" combines the Old English words Meres referring to a lake which formed a fishery in the early history of the village and tun meaning a settlement.
Parish church
The parish church is dedicated to St Leonard and is part of The Bridges Group of local churches.
The earliest known church on this site was built in the 13th century. The tower dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, but the building was largely rebuilt in 1863 as it stands today. The church has recently undergone a significant renovation and improvement programme - including the addition of a kitchen and toilet, removing Victorian block work and modern organ pipe facade to reinstate and glaze an older arch to the tower, and removal of pews at the rear (west end) of the church.
About the village
The village hall, called Priors Hall is modern and is a joint venture with Priors Hardwick. It can cater for up to 250 people and the offices of several local businesses are based there. It also acts as an occasional cinema. The village also has a part-time Post Office, a Sports and Social Club and a children's playground. There is also a traditional country pub/inn called The Hollybush Inn which provides food, drink and accommodation.
The village, being remote, only got a mains supply of electricity in 1934 and of water in 1948.
The village has an primary school called The Priors School, which closed in the early twenty-first century, only to reopen as one of the first batch of free schools.
The village has a disused Moravian Church.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Priors Marston) |