Brailes

Brailes

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 52.0511
longitude= -1.5442
official_name= Brailes
population= 1,046
shire_district= Stratford-on-Avon
shire_county = Warwickshire
region= West Midlands
constituency_westminster= Stratford-upon-Avon
post_town= BANBURY
postcode_district = OX15
postcode_area= OX
dial_code= 01608
os_grid_reference= SP3139

Brailes (spellled "Brayles" in early historical documents) is a small village about three miles east of Shipston-on-Stour and close to the border between Warwickshire and Oxfordshire in England, United Kingdom.

It is made up of the two linear villages of Lower and Upper Brailes, but is often referred to as one village, as the two elements have little boundary between them. Brailes parish includes the hamlet of Winderton which is about one mile to the north of Brailes. The 2001 census gave the population of the parish as 1,023.

Brailes is situated among many hills, with Upper Brailes built on the side of Brailes Hill, recognisable by the clump of trees (the "Highwall Coppice") on its top and the second-highest point in Warwickshire. ["The Warwickshire Village Book", compiled by Warwickshire Women's Institutes, p26. Countryside Books, 1988] The east side of the village is bordered by Mine Hill, which can be easily identified by the TV mast at its centre, and Holloway Hill, up which the B4035 road runs towards Banbury.

In the middle of the village is the man-made Castle Hill, once a prehistoric burial ground and later the base for a motte-and-bailey castle. ["The Warwickshire Village Book", compiled by Warwickshire Women's Institutes, p26. Countryside Books, 1988]

Brailes' most famous resident was William de Brailes, one of only two known artists of the many responsible for 13th-century medieval illuminated manuscripts. [Mee, Arthur: "The King's England - Warwickshire", pp65-7. Hodder and Stoughton, 1936]

Landmarks

The local parish church is dedicated to St. George and is locally referred to as "The Cathedral of the Feldon" (the Feldon being an Old English word meaning "the land from which the timber has been cleared away"), [Evans, Herbert A: "Highways and Byways in Oxford and the Cotswolds", pp131-2. Macmillan and Co., 1905] is situated in Lower Brailes on Stocks Hill - so called as it was once the location of the stocks and now the location of a War Memorial - near the George Hotel and Brailes post office. The church's tower is 120 feet (36.5m) tall and houses the second-largest six-bell peal in the world. [ [http://www.completely-cotswold.com/brailes/info/info.htm The Cotswolds - Brailes ] ] Down the hill from St. George's Church is the smaller Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, built in 1726 and situated upstairs in an old barn adjoining the now-derelict Old Rectory. On the other side of Stocks Hill is Brailes House, once home to the Sheldon family and now owned by John Maples, MP.

In Lower Brailes there are two old school builings, the Free School and the Old School, which are now only used rarely. In the area between the two villages, there is situated Brailes Primary School, with about 100 pupils; the playing fields and pavilion; and the Village Hall.

In Upper Brailes, there is a Methodist Chapel (built in 1863), and The Gate, Brailes' second Pub.

Just outside Brailes to the south is Brailes Golf Club, a fairly large 18-hole course.

In recent years remains of a Roman villa have been found, but the artifacts are far too scattered by years of cultivation to be of any significance. Brailes has ploughed its history back into the fields.

About 2 miles to the south east of Brailes is located Traitor's Ford, a popular spot for family picnics and children playing.

Events

Castle Hill, Mine Hill and Brailes Hill are covered in the annual 'Brailes Three Hills Walk', held on the first Monday in May each year. For this walk, walkers are allowed across private land to the Highwall Coppice, which is not accessible at other times of year. The money raised by the walk goes to the school and the pavilion.

On the Saturday following Guy Fawkes Night, a large Bonfire with fireworks is held in the playing fields. On this night, there is a barbecue and a popular hog roast.

On usually the second Saturday in August, the Brailes Show is held. [http://www.brailesvillageshow.com] At this agricultural show there are various equestrian events and a dog show. A marquee with flowers, vegetables and produce on show, various stalls, a barbecue, vintage and classic cars, motorbikes and tractors with a display of steam engines, as well as a main ring in which activities, such as tug of war and performances such as falconry are held. On the evening of the show, the "Farmer's Ball" is held in the marquee, with two or three live bands playing, often including the Strolling Bones (a Rolling Stones tribute band).

External links

* [http://www.brailesvillage.co.uk Brailes Village]
* [http://www.brailes-parish.org.uk Brailes Parish]
* [http://www.brailesgolfclub.co.uk Brailes Golf Club]
* [http://www.brailesvillageshow.com Brailes Show website]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3812617 photos of Brailes and surrounding area on geograph]

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • William de Brailes — A signed self portrait by W de Brailes who painted me (left margin)[1] William de Brailes (active c. 1230 c. 1260) was an English Early Gothic manuscript illuminator, presumably born in Brailes, Warwickshire. He signed two manuscripts, and… …   Wikipedia

  • Kington (hundred) — Kington or Kineton was a historic hundred of the county of Warwickshire in England. The hundred covered the southern part of the county, and lay south of the Warwick, between the River Avon on the west and River Itchen on the east. It was formed… …   Wikipedia

  • Stratford-on-Avon (district) — Borough name=Stratford on Avon admin=Warwickshire status=Non metropolitan district region=West Midlands (region)!West Midlands arearank=26 sqkm=977.87 HQ=Stratford upon Avon ONS=44UE ethnicity=96.5% White 1.4% S.Asian website=… …   Wikipedia

  • List of civil parishes in Warwickshire — This is a list of civil parishes in Warwickshire, England.North Warwickshire* Ansley * Arley * Astley * Atherstone * Austrey * Baddesley Ensor * Baxterley * Bentley * Caldecot * Coleshill * Corley * Curdworth * Dordon * Fillongley * Great… …   Wikipedia

  • List of places in Warwickshire — This is a list of cities, towns and villages in the ceremonial county of Warwickshire, England. See the list of places in England for places in other counties.compactTOC NOTOC AAdmington, Alcester, Alderminster, Alveston, Ansley, Arley, Ansty,… …   Wikipedia

  • Diocese of Coventry — Location Ecclesiastical province Canterbury Archdeaconries Warwick, Coventry Statistics Parishes …   Wikipedia

  • Counties (Detached Parts) Act 1844 — The Counties (Detached Parts) Act 1844 Parliament of the United Kingdom Long title An Act to annex detached Parts of Counties to the Counties in which they are situated. Statute book ch …   Wikipedia

  • List of schools in the West Midlands — The following is a partial list of currently operating schools in the West Midlands region of England. You may also find of use to find a particular school. See also the List of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom.Listed by local education… …   Wikipedia

  • Cherington — Coordinates: 52°02′N 1°35′W / 52.03°N 1.58°W / 52.03; 1.58 …   Wikipedia

  • Warwickshire — /wawr ik shear , sheuhr, wor /, n. a county in central England. 471,800; 765 sq. mi. (1980 sq. km). Also called Warwick. * * * Administrative (pop., 2001: 505,885) and historic county, central England. As an administrative and geographic unit,… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”