Winterbourne, Gloucestershire
Encyclopedia
Winterbourne is a large village
in South Gloucestershire
, England
. It had a population of 8,623 in the 2001 census
. It sits as the centre of the Civil Parish of Winterbourne
which encompasses 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
.
Much of Winterbourne is located on a hill. The village is partially surrounded by woodlands and fields, most with public access, but urban development has greatly reduced these areas. The River Frome
snakes its way through a scenic valley from Frampton Cotterell
(north-east of Winterbourne) and on towards Frenchay
. The Bradley Brook flows from Bradley Stoke
and Stoke Gifford
to the west and joins the Frome near Winterbourne. Since the 1960s the M4 motorway
has bypassed the village to the south and west.
Winterbourne Viaduct
carries the railway over the River Frome
. Beneath the viaduct is the abandoned Huckford Quarry, a public nature reserve popular with dog walkers. Winterbourne has a large duck pond which overlooks part of the Frome Valley and is a popular spot for fishing
and feeding the ducks and swans.
On Winterbourne's south-eastern slope is the village of Winterbourne Down, host of the Parish's annual May Day
carnival. The village is subject to minor flooding from the River Frome during the winter months.
The Parish Church is St Michael
's, a building believed to date from the 12th Century and which celebrated its 800th anniversary in 1998. Set away from the bustle of Winterbourne, St Michael's sits amidst green fields and attractive cottages with its distinctive 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 close to St Michael's Church. This is a grade II* listed 14th century tithe barn – an outstanding example of its type.
Winterbourne has a number of pubs including The George and Dragon (the upstairs of which served as the original location of St Michael's Primary School), The Swan and The Mason's Arms. A number of the village's pubs have become restaurants; two of which now serve Indian cuisine.
Due to Winterbourne's size, people are divided over whether it should be classed as a village
or town
. The village
has three social centres: St Michael's Rooms, Fromeside Community Centre and Greenfield, hosts to clubs, functions and other public events.
Winterbourne has branches of the Co-op
and Tesco Express, a chemist, optician, a handful of dental practices and a library. NatWest has a branch in the village. The typical aspects of an English village remain, however; a bakery, butchers' and Post Office. Horses and cows can be found grazing in the fields surrounding the village, notably the Cloisters area, which offers a picturesque view of the Frome Valley
and viaduct
.
In late 2004, the local secondary school
(then The Ridings High School
, now Winterbourne International Academy) opened a large all-weather pitch in the heart of Winterbourne as part of its 'Sports Village' scheme. The school also owns the local swimming pool and gym.
As well as being the centre of an extensive Civil Parish
, Winterbourne contains the hamlet of Watley's End
, nestled on the border between Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell
. Nowadays, it is regarded as an area of Winterbourne, but a few decades ago (and still by a number of older residents) it was considered to be a separate village. People with a sense of identity in Watley's End refer to the busy, uphill part of the village as 'Winterbourne Hill'. Salem, the local Methodist church, is in Watley's End
.
Children in the village can join Fromeside Youth Club, and the gymnastics club, Fromeside Gym Club, both situated on Watleys End Road.
Winterbourne was recorded in the Domesday book
(1086) as Wintreborne, meaning 'Winter Stream'. The village is believed to have derived its name from the nearby Bradley Brook as much of medieval Winterbourne is believed to have originally built up around St Michael's Church, which is situated near the river.
are the local primary schools, with most students going on to attend the local secondary school
: The Ridings Winterbourne International Academy
. Silverhill is an independent preparatory school
for children aged 2 to 11 years.
was born in Winterbourne in 1880. His childhood home was located at what is now The Grove Residential Home for the Elderly on the High Street where there is a blue plaque
commemorating this link.
J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter
books, lived in Winterbourne and attended St Michael's Primary School
until she was nine years old. Potter's surname originated from some of her friends in the village.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
in South Gloucestershire
South Gloucestershire
South Gloucestershire is a unitary district in the ceremonial county of Gloucestershire, in South West England.-History:The district was created in 1996, when the county of Avon was abolished, by the merger of former area of the districts of Kingswood and Northavon...
, England
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...
. It had a population of 8,623 in the 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
. It sits as the centre of the Civil Parish of Winterbourne
Civil Parish of Winterbourne
The Civil Parish of Winterbourne or Winterbourne Parish is located in South Gloucestershire, on the outskirts of Bristol, England. It comprises four communities, three of which act as ecclesiastical parishes within the overarching Civil Parish: Winterbourne, Winterbourne Down, Hambrook, and Frenchay...
which encompasses the neighbouring communities of Winterbourne Down, Hambrook
Hambrook
Hambrook is a village in South Gloucestershire, England, just outside the outskirts of the city of Bristol. It lies between the two larger communities of Winterbourne and Frenchay and is part of the Civil Parish of Winterbourne...
and Frenchay
Frenchay
Frenchay is a suburb of Bristol, England, to the north east of the city, but located mainly in South Gloucestershire and the Civil Parish of Winterbourne....
. To the north-east is the village of Frampton Cotterell
Frampton Cotterell
Frampton Cotterell is a village and parish, in South Gloucestershire, south west England on the River Frome. The village is continuous with Winterbourne to the south-west and Coalpit Heath to the east. The parish borders Iron Acton to the north and Westerleigh to the south-east, the large town of...
and to the west lies the new town of Bradley Stoke
Bradley Stoke
Bradley Stoke is a dormitory town/suburb in South Gloucestershire, England, situated on the north side of the city of Bristol. Named after the local Bradley Brook and Stoke Brook streams, the town was planned in the 1970s and building began in 1987...
.
The village
River Frome, Bristol
The River Frome is a river, approximately long, which rises in Dodington Park, South Gloucestershire, and flows in a south westerly direction through Bristol, joining the former course of the river Avon in Bristol's Floating Harbour. The mean flow at Frenchay is The name Frome is shared with...
snakes its way through a scenic valley from Frampton Cotterell
Frampton Cotterell
Frampton Cotterell is a village and parish, in South Gloucestershire, south west England on the River Frome. The village is continuous with Winterbourne to the south-west and Coalpit Heath to the east. The parish borders Iron Acton to the north and Westerleigh to the south-east, the large town of...
(north-east of Winterbourne) and on towards Frenchay
Frenchay
Frenchay is a suburb of Bristol, England, to the north east of the city, but located mainly in South Gloucestershire and the Civil Parish of Winterbourne....
. The Bradley Brook flows from Bradley Stoke
Bradley Stoke
Bradley Stoke is a dormitory town/suburb in South Gloucestershire, England, situated on the north side of the city of Bristol. Named after the local Bradley Brook and Stoke Brook streams, the town was planned in the 1970s and building began in 1987...
and Stoke Gifford
Stoke Gifford
Stoke Gifford is a large dormitory village, and parish in South Gloucestershire, England, in the northern suburbs of Bristol. It has around 11,000 residents as of the 2001 Census. It is home to Bristol Parkway station, on the London-South Wales railway line, and the Bristol offices of Friends Life...
to the west and joins the Frome near Winterbourne. Since the 1960s the M4 motorway
M4 motorway
The M4 motorway links London with South Wales. It is part of the unsigned European route E30. Other major places directly accessible from M4 junctions are Reading, Swindon, Bristol, Newport, Cardiff and Swansea...
has bypassed the village to the south and west.
Winterbourne Viaduct
Winterbourne Viaduct
The Huckford Viaduct spans the River Frome just north of Winterbourne Down in South Gloucestershire, England. It was built in 1902 as part of the Wootton Bassett to Patchway railway line. It now forms part of the line from Bristol to Paddington station....
carries the railway over the River Frome
River Frome, Bristol
The River Frome is a river, approximately long, which rises in Dodington Park, South Gloucestershire, and flows in a south westerly direction through Bristol, joining the former course of the river Avon in Bristol's Floating Harbour. The mean flow at Frenchay is The name Frome is shared with...
. Beneath the viaduct is the abandoned Huckford Quarry, a public nature reserve popular with dog walkers. Winterbourne has a large duck pond which overlooks part of the Frome Valley and is a popular spot for fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
and feeding the ducks and swans.
On Winterbourne's south-eastern slope is the village of Winterbourne Down, host of the Parish's annual May Day
May Day
May Day on May 1 is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday; it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures....
carnival. The village is subject to minor flooding from the River Frome during the winter months.
The Parish Church is St Michael
St Michael's Church, Winterbourne
St Michael the Archangel Church or simply St Michael's Church is an Anglican parish church located in Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire. It was built in the 12th century and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building....
's, a building believed to date from the 12th Century and which celebrated its 800th anniversary in 1998. Set away from the bustle of Winterbourne, St Michael's sits amidst green fields and attractive cottages with its distinctive spire visible for miles around. At the altar a stone depiction of the Last Supper
Last Supper
The Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is...
, based on the painting by Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci was an Italian Renaissance polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer whose genius, perhaps more than that of any other figure, epitomized the Renaissance...
, greets the congregation. Winterbourne Court Farm Barn is close to St Michael's Church. This is a grade II* listed 14th century tithe barn – an outstanding example of its type.
Winterbourne has a number of pubs including The George and Dragon (the upstairs of which served as the original location of St Michael's Primary School), The Swan and The Mason's Arms. A number of the village's pubs have become restaurants; two of which now serve Indian cuisine.
Due to Winterbourne's size, people are divided over whether it should be classed as a village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
or town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
. The village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
has three social centres: St Michael's Rooms, Fromeside Community Centre and Greenfield, hosts to clubs, functions and other public events.
Winterbourne has branches of the Co-op
Co-op UK
The United Kingdom is home to a widespread and diverse co-operative movement, with over 3 million individual members. Modern co-operation started with the Rochdale Pioneers' shop in the northern English town of Rochdale in 1844....
and Tesco Express, a chemist, optician, a handful of dental practices and a library. NatWest has a branch in the village. The typical aspects of an English village remain, however; a bakery, butchers' and Post Office. Horses and cows can be found grazing in the fields surrounding the village, notably the Cloisters area, which offers a picturesque view of the Frome Valley
Frome Valley Walkway
The Frome Valley Walkway is an 18 mile footpath which follows the River Frome from the River Avon in the centre of Bristol to the Cotswold Hills in South Gloucestershire...
and viaduct
Winterbourne Viaduct
The Huckford Viaduct spans the River Frome just north of Winterbourne Down in South Gloucestershire, England. It was built in 1902 as part of the Wootton Bassett to Patchway railway line. It now forms part of the line from Bristol to Paddington station....
.
In late 2004, the local secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
(then The Ridings High School
The Ridings High School
The Ridings' Federation Winterbourne International Academy, formerly The Ridings High School, is a large secondary school located in the village of Winterbourne in South Gloucestershire, on the outskirts of Bristol, England.-History:...
, now Winterbourne International Academy) opened a large all-weather pitch in the heart of Winterbourne as part of its 'Sports Village' scheme. The school also owns the local swimming pool and gym.
As well as being the centre of an extensive Civil Parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
, Winterbourne contains the hamlet of Watley's End
Watley's End
thumb|200px|Watley's End still appears on very few signs, such as this [[fingerpost]] at the bottom of Harcombe Hill, [[Winterbourne Down, Gloucestershire|Winterbourne Down]]...
, nestled on the border between Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell
Frampton Cotterell
Frampton Cotterell is a village and parish, in South Gloucestershire, south west England on the River Frome. The village is continuous with Winterbourne to the south-west and Coalpit Heath to the east. The parish borders Iron Acton to the north and Westerleigh to the south-east, the large town of...
. Nowadays, it is regarded as an area of Winterbourne, but a few decades ago (and still by a number of older residents) it was considered to be a separate village. People with a sense of identity in Watley's End refer to the busy, uphill part of the village as 'Winterbourne Hill'. Salem, the local Methodist church, is in Watley's End
Watley's End
thumb|200px|Watley's End still appears on very few signs, such as this [[fingerpost]] at the bottom of Harcombe Hill, [[Winterbourne Down, Gloucestershire|Winterbourne Down]]...
.
Children in the village can join Fromeside Youth Club, and the gymnastics club, Fromeside Gym Club, both situated on Watleys End Road.
Winterbourne was recorded in the Domesday book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
(1086) as Wintreborne, meaning 'Winter Stream'. The village is believed to have derived its name from the nearby Bradley Brook as much of medieval Winterbourne is believed to have originally built up around St Michael's Church, which is situated near the river.
Schools
Winterbourne has four schools: Elm Park (Link needed to Elm Park Winterbourne) and St Michael'sSt Michael's Primary School
St Michael's Church of England Primary School is a school for children aged 4–11 in the village of Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire on the outskirts of Bristol, England...
are the local primary schools, with most students going on to attend the local secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
: The Ridings Winterbourne International Academy
The Ridings High School
The Ridings' Federation Winterbourne International Academy, formerly The Ridings High School, is a large secondary school located in the village of Winterbourne in South Gloucestershire, on the outskirts of Bristol, England.-History:...
. Silverhill is an independent preparatory school
Preparatory school (UK)
In English language usage in the former British Empire, the present-day Commonwealth, a preparatory school is an independent school preparing children up to the age of eleven or thirteen for entry into fee-paying, secondary independent schools, some of which are known as public schools...
for children aged 2 to 11 years.
Notable residents
Inventor Harry Grindell MatthewsHarry Grindell Matthews
Harry Grindell Matthews was an English inventor who claimed to have invented a death ray in the 1920s.-Earlier life and inventions:...
was born in Winterbourne in 1880. His childhood home was located at what is now The Grove Residential Home for the Elderly on the High Street where there is a blue plaque
Blue plaque
A blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker....
commemorating this link.
J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
books, lived in Winterbourne and attended St Michael's Primary School
St Michael's Primary School
St Michael's Church of England Primary School is a school for children aged 4–11 in the village of Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire on the outskirts of Bristol, England...
until she was nine years old. Potter's surname originated from some of her friends in the village.
External links
- St Michael's Church
- Introduction to Winterbourne
- Winterbourne family history
- The Frome Valley Walkway
- Winterbourne Down May Day Carnival information
- Public Houses in Winterbourne and Winterbourne Down
- Winterbourne Mediaeval Barn Trust
- 1st Winterbourne Down and Buryside Scout Group
- The Ridings High School