Bibury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bibury |
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 Arlington Row: Cotswold stone cottages |
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 Bibury
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| Population | 627 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SP115066 |
| Civil parish |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CIRENCESTER |
| Postcode district | GL7 |
| Police | Gloucestershire |
| Fire | Gloucestershire |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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| Website | http://www.bibury.com |
Bibury is a charming village and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. It is located right on the River Coln. This river is a small branch of the famous River Thames. The village center is about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) northeast of Cirencester.
Bibury is well-known for Arlington Row. These are beautiful old cottages that are a national treasure. They even appear on the inside cover of some British passports! Bibury is a popular spot for tourists. People come to see its traditional rural feel, lovely tea houses, and many historic buildings. It is one of only six places in the country featured in Mini-Europe in Brussels.
Contents
What is Bibury's History?
How Old is Bibury?
Bibury has a long history. In 1086, a famous book called the Domesday Book mentioned the village. This book was a big survey ordered by William the Conqueror. Back then, Bibury was called Becheberie. The lands and church belonged to St Mary's Priory in Worcester. Later, in 1130, they passed to Osney Abbey near Oxford. The Abbey owned Bibury until 1540. This was when monasteries were closed down during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
What About Bibury's Historic Church?
The Church of England Church of St Mary is very old. It was built in the late Anglo-Saxon period. Later parts were added over time. This church is listed as a Grade I building, which is the highest heritage category. It is made of limestone and has a slate roof. The churchyard is special because of its many old, carved tombs. These tombs date back to the 1600s and 1700s. You can also see an early canonical sundial on the south wall.
What Other Old Buildings Are There?
Next to the church is the village primary school. It was built in the 1850s. On the Arlington side of the village, you'll find Arlington Baptist Church. People have been meeting there since the 1740s.
In 1880, a Roman villa was found by accident in Bibury. A Roman villa was a large country house. Workers found Roman pottery, coins, and parts of tiled floors. However, no full study of the building has been done yet.
What Can Visitors See in Bibury?
The famous 19th-century artist William Morris once visited Bibury. He called it "the most beautiful village in England."
What are the Famous Cottages?
Bibury is famous for its honey-colored stone cottages. They were built in the 1600s and have steep roofs. These cottages once housed weavers. These weavers made cloth for a process called fulling at nearby Arlington Mill. Until the 1980s, Arlington Mill was a museum. It showed old clothing. Now, the Mill is a private home.
What is Rack Isle?
The area where wool was hung to dry was called "Rack Isle." This was after it was washed in Arlington Row. Today, Rack Isle is a water meadow and marshy area. It often floods with water. It is an important home for water plants and birds. You can see mallards, coots, and moorhens there. It is also a special nature reserve run by the National Trust.
Why Do Japanese Tourists Visit Bibury?
Many Japanese tourists visit Bibury. This is mainly because Emperor Hirohito of Japan stayed in the village during his European tour.
What are Bibury's Other Historic Buildings?
The largest building in Bibury is Bibury Court. It was built in 1633 in the Jacobean style. It is also a Grade I listed building. For a while, it was a hotel. Now, the hotel is closed, and its future is not yet known.
Ablington Manor was built in 1590. It is also a Grade I listed building. You can find it on Potlicker's Lane.
What is Arlington Row?
The beautiful Arlington Row cottages were first built in 1380. They were used to store wool for a monastery. In the 1600s, they became homes for weavers. The cloth they made was sent to Arlington Mill.
Arlington Row is a very popular place to visit. It is one of the most photographed scenes in the Cotswolds. The Royal College of Arts helped to protect these cottages. They have been used for filming movies and TV shows. One famous movie filmed there was Stardust. In 2017, a car parked by an elderly driver was damaged. This happened because some visitors complained it spoiled their photos.
What is Bibury's Geography Like?
The River Coln flows through a steep valley in Bibury. It runs alongside the main street of Arlington. Both sides of the river have similar buildings. Most of the buildings are in the Bibury conservation area. This area has rules to protect its historic look.
The village parish is mostly rectangular. It stretches far to the north, where the land is higher. It includes a small settlement called Ablington. Bibury Farm is about 300 meters from the village. The lowest parts of the valley are about 98 to 108 meters above sea level.
What is the Bibury Trout Farm?
The River Coln and the Bibury Spring supply water to the Bibury Trout Farm. This farm was started in 1902 by a naturalist named Arthur Severn. Its purpose was to put native brown trout back into the local rivers and streams. The farm now produces up to six million trout eggs each year.
The village has three old groups of buildings. These are separated by grassy areas. A footbridge connects the two sides of the village, Arlington and Bibury. Many footpaths lead in all directions.
What is Bibury's Culture?
The world's first horse racing club was formed in Bibury in 1681. It was called The Bibury Club. They held horse races on Macaroni Downs, which are hills above the village. This continued until the early 1900s.
Has Bibury Been in Movies or TV?
Bibury is shown as a character's hometown in the manga series Kin-iro Mosaic. The director of the animated version of this series, Motoki "Tensho" Tanaka, later started a company called Bibury Animation Studios.
Who are Bibury's Famous People?
In 2000, Daniel Brennan was made Lord Brennan. He is a lawyer and a judge. Bibury is his official home village, which is why it's part of his title.
