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Minchinhampton facts for kids

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Minchinhampton
Minch market square.JPG
Market Square
Minchinhampton is located in Gloucestershire
Minchinhampton
Minchinhampton
Population 2,875 (2011 Census)
OS grid reference SO871008
Civil parish
  • Minchinhampton
District
  • Stroud
Shire county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town STROUD
Postcode district GL5, GL6
Dialling code 01453
Police Gloucestershire
Fire Gloucestershire
Ambulance Great Western
EU Parliament South West England
UK Parliament
  • Stroud
List of places
UK
England
Gloucestershire
51°42′21″N 2°11′10″W / 51.705783°N 2.185980°W / 51.705783; -2.185980

Minchinhampton is an ancient Cotswolds market town in the Stroud District in Gloucestershire, South West England. The town is located on a hilltop, 4 miles (6.4 km) south-east of Stroud. The common offers wide views over the Severn Estuary into Wales and further into the Cotswolds.

Amenities and features

The town's shops are clustered in and around the High Street and comprise a general store, two hairdressers, a chain store, a ladies' boutique, a butcher's shop, a local organic dairy outlet, two restaurants, a cafe, a post office, an antiques shop, an estate agency and several charity shops.

The Crown Inn closed unexpectedly in March 2014. The pub had hosted clubs and societies, including a folk club and Probus over the years and its location on the Market Square meant that it was a focal point for the Minchinhampton Country Fayre, held every other year.

The main square has a War Memorial, and a 17th-century Market House, given to the town in 1919 by the Lord of the Manor Lt. Col. H. G. Ricardo and restored in 1944. A market is held every Thursday. There is a twice-yearly craft fair at Gatcombe, and a summer visit by Gifford's Circus every year.

The town has is also a doctors' surgery, library, dentist, school and youth club

The Common

Nearby is Minchinhampton Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It offers an area of 580 acres (230 ha) for the recreation of walkers and golfers and is managed by the National Trust. The Common is also used as grazing land for the cows of local farmers in the summer. On the Common are long parallel ditches and mounds which formed part of a large Iron Age fort. There are outstanding views from the Common, west over the Severn estuary into Wales, and east to the Golden Valley and further into the Cotswolds.

Aston Down

Minchinhampton is close to the former Royal Air Force airfield, Aston Down, formerly a large employer in the area, now closed down and used for gliding. In 2005, following a Freedom of Information request, the local newspaper revealed that Aston Down is contaminated with arsenic, hydrocarbons and radium. Since the site is located above a vulnerable aquifer, local residents have formed a pressure group, the Aston Down Action Group, in an effort to persuade local government and central government agencies to implement more stringent safety regulations.

Sports facilities

Horse trials

Minchinhampton is near to the main home of the Princess Royal, Gatcombe Park, which hosts the Gatcombe Horse Trials in late summer each year.

Rugby

Minchinhampton War Memorial
The Minchinhampton war memorial

The rugby club has three adult teams, minis and juniors from under 6 to under 16, and a large touch-rugby section. Minchinhampton RFC plays in the league Gloucester 2 North. In 2014, the club's players were joined by Gatcombe Park resident Mike Tindall, a 2003 Rugby World Cup winner and ex-England and Gloucester RFC rugby international married to Zara Phillips, the daughter of the Princess Royal.

Golf

Minchinhampton Golf Club has three courses. The Cherington and Avening courses lie near villages of the same names, south-east of Minchinhampton. The Old Course is on Minchinhampton Common.

Tennis

The Minchinhampton Tennis Club is situated on the Stuart Playing Fields in Minchinhampton. The Team often competes in regional/national events.

Notable residents

In birth order:

  • James Bradley (1693–1762), astronomer and university professor, was buried here. His grave is marked by the James Bradley Monument in Minchinhampton Church.
  • Mary Deverell (1731–1805), religious writer and poet, was born and buried here.
  • Jolly John Nash (1828–1901), born here and became a music hall entertainer in London.
  • Flora Annie Steel (1847–1929), writer, died in Minchinhampton.
  • Jenny Joseph (1932–2018), poet, lived in the town.
  • Keith Allen (born 1953), actor, lives in the parish.
  • Robert Addie (1960–2003), actor – his ashes are interred in Holy Trinity churchyard.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Minchinhampton para niños

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