Withington, Gloucestershire

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Withington
Gloucestershire
Withington Church - geograph.org.uk - 658804.jpg
Withington Church
Location
Grid reference: SP035155
Location: 51.838097, -1.950606
Data
Postcode: GL54
Local Government

Withington is a Cotswold village in Gloucestershire, about six and a half miles south-east of Cheltenham and eight miles north of Cirencester. The River Coln runs through the village, its course and meadows splitting into two separated parts.

The wider parish includes the hamlets of Foxcote and Cassey Compton. The parish population taken at the 2011 census was just 532.

The site of a Roman villa lies to the south of the village. Remains of the villa were rediscovered in 1811, and investigations by the Time Team television programme in 2006 found further Romano-British buildings east of the villa, towards the river.[1][2]

Name and origin

The origin of the name 'Withington' is unclear but it is found in records as early as 737 AD as Wudiandun, which would mean 'Wudia's hill', whether after a real landowner named Wudia or from the legendary Germanic hero Witege. Other places called Withington may have different origins.

In his 1955 work, Finberg argued for continuity between Anglo-Saxon Withington and an earlier Roman settlement.[3] During Saxon times there was an important monastery at Withington.

Parish church

The parish church of St Michael and All Angels dates from the 12th century and is a Grade I listed building.[4]

From 1891 to 1961, Withington had a railway station on the Midland and South Western Junction Railway which ran between Cirencester and Cheltenham Spa.

Events

The ‘2000 Trees’ music festival is held annually at Upcote Farm, near Withington village.


Outside links

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References

  1. National Heritage List 1003345: Romano-British villa at Withington, Romano-British building at Manor Court Field and associated features
  2. Time Team - Episode Guide - Series 13 - Channel Four Television
  3. Finberg, H.P.R. (1955). Roman and Saxon Withington: a study in continuity. Leicester: University College, Leicester. 
  4. National Heritage List 1302954: Church of St Michael