Bagshot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bagshot |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Bagshot
|
|
| Population | 5,592 (2011 Ward) |
| OS grid reference | SU907632 |
| District |
|
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Bagshot |
| Postcode district | GU19 |
| Dialling code | 01276 |
| Police | Surrey |
| Fire | Surrey |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Bagshot is a large village located in Surrey, England. It is about 26 miles (42 km) southwest of central London. In the past, Bagshot was a very important stop for travelers. It was a "staging post" between London, Southampton, and the West Country. You can still see old inns in the village that were used by stagecoaches.
Much of the land around Bagshot belongs to the Ministry of Defence. The village is right next to junction 3 of the M3 motorway. Bagshot railway station connects to towns like Ascot and Aldershot. South Western Railway runs the train services. Bagshot is part of the Windlesham area, which also includes the village of Lightwater.
Contents
Exploring Bagshot's Past
The name 'Bagshot' was first written down in 1165. It was called Bagsheta back then. This name likely meant 'Bacga's wood'.
Scientists have found signs that people lived in Bagshot even before the Romans arrived. Before these discoveries, people thought the first settlements were much later. Evidence shows people lived here in the late Bronze Age. It seems that making iron was a big activity in the area. Bagshot was once a Royal forest, which means it was a special hunting ground for kings and queens. There was a Royal hunting lodge, now called Bagshot Park. Today, this park is the home of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh.
How Bagshot Grew with Roads
In the late 1500s, during Elizabethan times, Bagshot became very busy. This was because it was on the main road from London to the West Country. This road was called The Great South West Road, and it's now known as the A30. Like many villages on important travel routes, Bagshot offered services. There were inns for people traveling by stagecoach. Stables provided fresh horses for the coaches. For example, a coach called the "Exeter Telegraph" would stop in Bagshot for 20 minutes. This was during its long 17-hour trip to Devon.
Stories of Highwaymen
The busy Great South West Road also attracted highwaymen. These were people who robbed travelers. One famous highwayman was William Davis. He was a local farmer who lived near what is now called the Jolly Farmer roundabout. He was caught at the White Hart Inn in Bagshot. He was later brought to justice in Camberley. William Davis was known for always paying his debts with gold! Because of this, a pub was later named the Golden Farmer after him. The Golden Farmer building is now used by a golf store.
Places of Worship in Bagshot
Bagshot has four churches for different faiths. These include Church of England (St. Anne's), Roman Catholic (Christ the King), Methodist, and Evangelical (Brook Church).
St Anne's Church History
St Anne's Church was built in 1884. It has a Gothic Revival style, which looks like old medieval churches. Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, who lived nearby at Bagshot Park, helped fund its building. The church is made of red brick with stone details and a slate roof. A special window inside was made to remember Prince Arthur's younger brother, Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, who died in 1884. The church has a bell tower with eight bells. It is a grade II listed building, meaning it is an important historical building. It is also in a special protected area called a conservation area.
Sports and Fun in Bagshot
Bagshot offers many ways to stay active and have fun. It has two sports fields for different games and a special field for cricket.
Youth Football and Cricket
Curley Park Rangers is a youth football club. They practice and play games in both Lightwater and Bagshot. Their clubhouse is at the Bagshot pitch. The White Hart Royals are a football team from the White Hart pub. They play in the Camberley & District Sunday Football League. Bagshot Cricket Club has teams for adults and kids under 16. They play in several different leagues.
Tennis and Mountain Biking
Bagshot Tennis Club has four courts with lights, so you can play even when it's dark. They also have teams that play in the Woking League. Swinley Forest is next to Bagshot. It's a great place for mountain biking in South-East England. You can find many off-road trails called 'single-track' and wider 'fire roads'. Mountain biking and walking in Swinley Woods are free. Swinley Woods was even considered as a place for the mountain biking event in the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Other Clubs and Activities
There are many other groups and clubs in Bagshot. These include the Bagshot Concert Band and the Surrey Heath Archaeology and Heritage Trust. You can also find the Bagshot Gymnastics Club and the Camberley and Bagshot Metal Detecting Club. Local groups like the Scouts, Royal Air Forces Association, and Women's Institute are also active. The village is also close to The National Clay Shooting Centre and the Bisley shooting ranges.
The Bagshot Village Community Library is on the High Street. Besides books, it offers Story and 'Rhymetimes' for young children.
Bagshot Today
Pennyhill Park Hotel is on the western edge of Bagshot. This is where the England rugby team trains. Bagshot Park, the home of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, is on the northern side of the village. The A30 road leaving Bagshot has a large roundabout called the Jolly Farmer. This name comes from a pub that used to be in the middle of the roundabout. That old building is now a golf store.
The local area, Surrey Heath, has mostly voted for the Conservative Party in the past. However, in the 2023 local election, the Liberal Democrats won more seats. Bagshot itself is represented by one Liberal Democrat and two Conservative councillors.
Famous People from Bagshot
- Brian May (born 1947), a famous English musician. He is the lead guitarist of the band Queen. He also has a guitar store in Bagshot.
- Steve Backshall (born 1973), an English naturalist and television presenter.
- Moiya Kelly (1934–2023), an English actress.
Images for kids
-
Bagshot in 2005
See also
In Spanish: Bagshot para niños
