Minchinhampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Minchinhampton |
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 Market Square |
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 Minchinhampton
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| Population | 4,519 (2021 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SO871008 |
| Civil parish |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | STROUD |
| Postcode district | GL5, GL6 |
| Dialling code | 01453 |
| Police | Gloucestershire |
| Fire | Gloucestershire |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Minchinhampton is a charming Cotswolds market town in Gloucestershire, South West England. It sits on a hilltop, about 4 miles (6.4 km) south-east of Stroud. From its common land, you can see amazing views across the Severn Estuary into Wales. This old town was even mentioned in the famous Domesday Book hundreds of years ago.
Contents
- What's in a Name? The History of Minchinhampton
- Town Features and Fun Things to Do
- Sports and Outdoor Activities
- Local News and Media
- How the Town is Run
- Places of Worship
- Minchinhampton Common: A Special Place
- Aston Down: From Airfield to Gliding
- Amazing Discoveries
- Famous People from Minchinhampton
- See also
What's in a Name? The History of Minchinhampton
The name 'Minchinhampton' has a cool story! It first appeared as Hantone in the Domesday Book of 1086. Later, in 1221, it was called Minchenhamtone.
The original name, Heatun, came from Old English. It meant "high town" or "high settlement". The extra part, mynecen, is also Old English and means "nun". It's related to the word "monk".
This is because Minchinhampton used to belong to a group of nuns. They lived in a nunnery in Caen, Normandy, France. So, the town's name means "the nuns' high town" or "the nuns' high settlement".
Town Features and Fun Things to Do
The main square in Minchinhampton is a busy spot. It has a war memorial to remember brave soldiers. There's also a historic Market House from the 1600s. A kind person, Lt Col. H. G. Ricardo, gave it to the town in 1919. It was fixed up in 1944.
A market is held here on the first Saturday of every month. You can find unique crafts at a fair held twice a year in nearby Gatcombe. Every summer, the fun Gifford's Circus visits the town. The Minchinhampton Country Fayre is a big event held every other year on the High Street.
The small High Street has useful shops like Henry's Dairy and The Kitchen coffee shop. There's also a corner shop, a post office, and a Boots pharmacy for medicines.
Sports and Outdoor Activities
Minchinhampton offers many ways to stay active!
Horse Riding Events
The town is close to Gatcombe Park, which is the home of the Princess Royal. Every late summer, Gatcombe Park hosts exciting Horse Trials. Riders and horses compete in different challenges.
Rugby Teams
Minchinhampton has its own rugby club. It has three adult teams and many younger teams for kids from under 6 to under 16. There's also a large touch-rugby section, which is a fun, less physical version of the game. The club plays in the Gloucester 2 North league. In 2014, famous rugby player Mike Tindall joined the club's players. He won the Rugby World Cup in 2003 with England.
Golf Courses
Minchinhampton Golf Club has three different golf courses. The Cherington and Avening courses are located near villages with the same names. They are south-east of Minchinhampton. The third course, called The Old Course, is right on Minchinhampton Common.
Tennis Club
The Minchinhampton Tennis Club is found at the Stuart Playing Fields. Their teams often compete in big regional and national tennis events.
Local News and Media
If you want to know what's happening in Minchinhampton, you can watch local news on BBC West and ITV West Country. TV signals come from the Mendip TV transmitter.
For radio, you can listen to BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Heart West, and Greatest Hits Radio South West. The town also has local newspapers like the Stroud News & Journal and the Gloucester Citizen.
How the Town is Run
Minchinhampton is part of an electoral ward that goes east to Aston Down. In 2011, about 4,357 people lived in this area. Minchinhampton is also twinned with a place called Nkokoto in Tanzania. This means they have a special friendship connection.
Places of Worship
Minchinhampton has two main places where people go to worship. There's the Anglican parish church, called Holy Trinity Church. There's also Minchinhampton Baptist Church.
The spire of Holy Trinity Church had to be taken down in 1563 because it wasn't safe. What was left of the spire was then topped with a special 'coronet' structure. James Bradley, a famous astronomer, was buried in the churchyard in 1762.
Minchinhampton Baptist Church on Tetbury Street was built in 1834. The older Baptist chapel, from 1765, is now a private house.
Minchinhampton Common: A Special Place
Minchinhampton Common is a huge area of common that covers about 580 acres (235 hectares). It's a great place for walkers and golfers. It's also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means it has important plants, animals, or geology.
The National Trust has owned the Common since 1913. They have managed it since 2000. From May to October, cows and horses graze freely on the Common.
The Common has long, parallel ditches and mounds called the Bulwarks. These were part of a large Iron Age fort from long ago. From the Common, you can see wide views. To the west, you can see the Severn estuary and into Wales. To the east, you can see the Golden Valley and more of the beautiful Cotswolds.
There's also a limestone Longstone of Minchinhampton. People used to say it was where a Danish leader was buried. But as a standing stone, it probably dates back even further, to the Bronze Age.
Aston Down: From Airfield to Gliding
Minchinhampton is close to Aston Down. This used to be a Royal Air Force airfield and a big employer in the area. Now, it's closed as an airfield and is mainly used for gliding. Gliding is when people fly in planes without engines, using air currents.
Amazing Discoveries
One of the oldest known tyrannosaurs in the world was found near Minchinhampton! This dinosaur, called Proceratosaurus, was dug up from Minchinhampton reservoir. The only known example of its skull is now kept at the Natural History Museum, London.
Famous People from Minchinhampton
Many interesting people have lived in or been connected to Minchinhampton:
- James Bradley (1693–1762): A famous astronomer and university professor. He is buried in the churchyard.
- Mary Deverell (1731–1805): A writer and poet who was born and buried here.
- Jolly John Nash (1828–1901): Born here, he became a popular music hall entertainer in London.
- Flora Annie Steel (1847–1929): A writer who passed away in Minchinhampton.
- Aubrey Mather (1885–1958): An actor who appeared in many British and American movies. He was born here.
- Jenny Joseph (1932–2018): A poet who lived in the town.
- Anne, Princess Royal (born 1950): She lives nearby at Gatcombe Park.
- Keith Allen (born 1953): An actor who lives in the parish.
- Robert Addie (1960–2003): An actor whose ashes are buried in Holy Trinity churchyard.
See also
In Spanish: Minchinhampton para niños
