Barton-le-Clay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barton-le-Clay |
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 The village sign Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire |
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 Barton-le-Clay
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| Population | 4,937 (parish) |
| OS grid reference | TL082310 |
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| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Bedford |
| Postcode district | MK45 |
| Dialling code | 01582 |
| Police | Bedfordshire |
| Fire | Bedfordshire and Luton |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Barton-le-Clay is a large village in Bedfordshire, England. It's located in the Central Bedfordshire area and is close to Hertfordshire. This village has a long history, going back to at least the year 1066. It's even mentioned in a very old and important book called the Domesday Book.
Contents
History
The village's name used to be "Barton in the Clay." But on May 25, 1956, it was officially changed to "Barton-le-Clay."
Ancient Times
To the southwest of Barton-le-Clay, you can find Sharpenhoe Clappers. This is an ancient hill fort from the Iron Age. People built these forts a very long time ago, using earth and wood for protection.
The Domesday Book
The Domesday Book is like a super old survey from 1086. King William the Conqueror ordered it to list all the land and who owned it in England. The entry for Barton-le-Clay shows that the Abbot (a leader of a monastery) held the land. It mentions how much land there was, how many farmers and workers lived there, and even a mill. It also tells us how much the land was worth back then.
Location
Barton-le-Clay is in Central Bedfordshire, right between the towns of Bedford and Luton. It's about 36 miles (58 km) north of London. Other villages nearby include Sharpenhoe, Silsoe, Westoning, and Pulloxhill. The A6 road goes past Barton, avoiding the village center. This bypass was built in 1990.
In the southeast part of the village area are the Barton Hills. These hills are part of the Chiltern Hills and are a special natural area. They are called an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty because they are so lovely. Much of this chalk grassland area is now a nature reserve, looked after by Natural England.
Places to Worship
Barton-le-Clay has several places where people can go to worship:
- Baptist – Hope Chapel
- Church of England – St. Nicholas Church
- Methodist – Barton-le-Clay
Schools
There are two main schools in Barton-le-Clay. Ramsey Manor Lower School is for younger children in the village. Arnold Academy is a middle school, which also takes students from nearby villages like Westoning, Silsoe, and Greenfield. After middle school, students usually go to Harlington Upper School. The village also has a pre-school for very young children.
A small private nursery and prep school called Orchard School & Nursery is also in the area. It's for children aged 0 to 9.
Transportation
The closest train station is in Harlington, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) away. There are no direct buses to the station from Barton. However, bus services run through Barton, connecting it to Luton in the south and Bedford in the north. Another bus route links Barton to other local villages like Shillington and Shefford. On Tuesdays, there's a weekly bus to Hitchin.
The roads around Barton are good for experienced cyclists, especially during the day, because the main traffic uses the bypass.
Clubs and Groups
Barton-le-Clay has a football club called Barton Rovers. They play their home games at Sharpenhoe Road. The club plays in the Southern League Division One Central.
There are also groups that offer karate and football. A Rotary Club meets at The Bull Hotel. The Barton Players, which is the local amateur dramatics group, puts on plays and runs summer workshops for children in the village hall. They are always happy to welcome new members.
There's also a youth drama group called Up-Stage, with two groups for young people aged 13 and over: CentreStage and Stage Right. Barton also has Scouting and Guide groups for all ages. A local history group meets in the library on the last Saturday of each month.
Public Services
- Barton Library
- GP Surgery (doctor's office)
- Dental Surgery (dentist's office)
War Memorials
There are two memorials in Barton-le-Clay that remember people from the village who died in the World Wars. One is near the main road, and the other is inside the Parish Church.
Local Newspapers
Two free weekly newspapers are delivered to many homes in Barton. They share news about the village and the surrounding area:
- Herald and Post (based in Luton) – delivered every Thursday
- Luton and Dunstable Express (used to be called Luton on Sunday or Bedfordshire on Sunday) – delivered every Sunday
Images for kids
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The Barton Domesday Book entry in Latin and English
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The high street war memorial.
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A map of Barton-le-Clay from 1890.
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The Bull Hotel in 1902.
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St Nicholas's Church. The tower has a cool checkered pattern.
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Bedford Road
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An aerial view of Barton-le-Clay.
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Barton Hills showing how close they are to the village.
See also
In Spanish: Barton-le-Clay para niños
