Axford, Wiltshire
Encyclopedia
Axford is a hamlet
in the Kennet Valley
about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Marlborough in the English
county of Wiltshire
.
During the 15th and 16th century, Axford Manor was centred on Priory Farm a short distance from the village itself. The majority of housing was built to the south of the main road through the village; the area to the north was developed during the late 18th and early 19th century.
A military camp was located near Axford during the Second World War.
, a 17th-century building.
. The two councils are responsible for different aspects of local government.
route 48 between Swindon
and Marlborough.
Position:
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
in the Kennet Valley
River Kennet
The Kennet is a river in the south of England, and a tributary of the River Thames. The lower reaches of the river are navigable to river craft and are known as the Kennet Navigation, which, together with the Avon Navigation, the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Thames, links the cities of Bristol...
about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Marlborough in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county of Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
.
History
Axford was one of seven Saxon settlements along the Kennet Valley in modern-day Wiltshire in the 5th and 6th centuries.During the 15th and 16th century, Axford Manor was centred on Priory Farm a short distance from the village itself. The majority of housing was built to the south of the main road through the village; the area to the north was developed during the late 18th and early 19th century.
A military camp was located near Axford during the Second World War.
Buildings
Axford contains one listed building; the Grade 1 listed Axford Farmhouse. A church is located in the village. It also contains The Red Lion public housePublic house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
, a 17th-century building.
Local government
Axford is in Ramsbury and Axford civil parish, which is in the area of Wiltshire CouncilWiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
. The two councils are responsible for different aspects of local government.
Transport
Axford is located a short distance from the A4 road. Bus services to the village are provided by Thamesdown TransportThamesdown Transport
Thamesdown Transport is a bus operator serving the town of Swindon and the surrounding area in the Borough of Swindon and county of Wiltshire. The company is owned by Thamesdown Transport Ltd and Swindon Borough Council holds almost all of the shares...
route 48 between Swindon
Swindon
Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
and Marlborough.
Position: