Winterbourne, Gloucestershire
| Winterbourne | |
| Gloucestershire | |
|---|---|
 The Parish church of St Michael the Archangel. | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ST647807 |
| Location: | 51°31’28"N, 2°30’16"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 8,965 |
| Post town: | Bristol |
| Postcode: | BS16, BS36 |
| Dialling code: | 01454 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | South Gloucestershire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Filton and Bradley Stoke |
Winterbourne is a large village in Gloucestershire, in the very south-west of the county, on the north fringe of Bristol.
The village had a population of 8,965 according to the 2011 census. The wider civil parish includes the village itself and the neighbouring communities of Winterbourne Down, Hambrook and Frenchay. To the north-east is the village of Frampton Cotterell and to the west lies the new town of Bradley Stoke.
Winterbourne is recorded in the Domesday Book as Wintreborne, meaning 'Winter Stream'.[1] The village is believed to have derived its name from the nearby Bradley Brook as much of mediæval Winterbourne was originally built up around St Michael's Church, which is situated near the river.
The modern village is largely built on top of a hill, with woodlands and fields encompassing its urban features. The River Frome flows through a scenic valley between the village and nearby Frampton Cotterell, continuing on towards Frenchay, and eventually draining by way of Mylne's Culvert, into the tidal Bristol Avon New Cut, to the east of what is now Gaol Ferry Bridge. The Bradley Brook divides Winterbourne from Bradley Stoke and Stoke Gifford to the west, before flowing into the Frome at Hambrook. Since the 1960s, the M4 motorway has bypassed the village to the south-west.
Winterbourne is noted for its large duck pond, which overlooks the Frome Valley and is a prime spot for fishing and feeding the ducks and swans.
Parish church
The Parish Church is St Michael's, a building dating from the 12th century, which celebrated its 800th anniversary in 1998. Set away from the bustle of modern Winterbourne, St Michael's sits amid fields, flanked by cottages, with its prominent spire visible for miles around. At the altar a stone depiction of the Last Supper, based on the painting by Leonardo da Vinci, greets the congregation. Winterbourne Court Farm Barn is immediately adjacent to the church. This is a Grade II* listed 14th century tithe barn and is an outstanding example of its type.
About the village
The Winterbourne Viaduct carries the Great Western Railway over the River Frome. Beneath the viaduct is the abandoned Huckford Quarry, a public nature reserve popular with dog walkers.
Winterbourne has a number of pubs including the George and Dragon, the Swan and the Mason's Arms. In recent years, a number of the village's pubs have become restaurants; two of which now serve Indian cuisine.
The village has three social hubs: St Michael's Rooms, Fromeside Community Centre and Greenfield, which regularly host clubs, functions and other public events.
Winterbourne contains a goodly range of local shops, a library and a bank, and such individual shops as a bakery, butcher and Post Office.
Farms around Winterbourne have horses and cattle in the fields, notably the Cloisters area, which offers a stunning view of the Frome Valley and the Viaduct.
Winterbourne contains several schools. Of these, St Michael's was founded in 1813 by the abolitionists and educational reformers, Hannah More and William Wilberforce. The original school was located upstairs in the George and Dragon pub. Larger rooms were then provided in Bourne House, where the school remained until a permanent building was erected on the High Street. St Michael's present location on Linden Close was opened in 1970.[2] St Michael's alumna, J. K. Rowling,[3] is reputed to have based much of her character, Albus Dumbledore, on Alfred Dunn, who was headmaster during her studies.[4]
Sport and leisure
- Football: Winterbourne United F.C., who play at Parkside Avenue
- Cricket: Winterbourne CC, who share the same ground
Winterbourne Down Border Morris performs during the year at events such as wassailing, and especially on Boxing Day when they perform a Mummers play.[5]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Winterbourne, Gloucestershire) |
- St Michael's Church
- Introduction to Winterbourne
- Winterbourne family history
- The Frome Valley Walkway
- Winterbourne Down May Day Carnival information
- http://www.britishpubguide.com/cgi-bin/pubsearch.cgi?trantype=search&pubname=&beer=&town=Winterbourne&location=Gloucestershire&submit=: Public Houses in Winterbourne and Winterbourne Down]
- 1st Winterbourne Down and Buryside Scout Group
- The Ridings High School
References
- ↑ Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names ISBN 0-19-852758-6
- ↑ Winterbourne Family History Online, St Michael's School Admission Register 1966–1970 – Accessed 14 August 2006.
- ↑ Winterbourne Family History Online, St Michael’s School Admission Register 1966–1970 – Rowling listed as admission No.305. Accessed 14 August 2006.
- ↑ Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire Community Information and Magazine, Winterbourne, Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore!. Accessed 8 August 2009.
- ↑ "Winterbourne Down Border Morris". http://www.winterbourndownbordermorris.co.uk/.
