Chedworth

The villa is a 1,700-year-old farmstead between Yanworth and Withington and some miles from Chedworth Village by road although it sits to the south of the River Coln and so is within Chedworth Parish and accessible by footpath from the 7 Tuns Inn in Chedworth by the fit and agile. It was discovered by accident in 1864[2] It is the remains of one of the largest Romano-British villas in England featuring several mosaics, two bathhouses, hypocausts (underfloor heating), a water-shrine and a latrine. The water shrine became very special as the Romans used it to worship the goddess of the natural spring that gives it an endless amount of water. New facilities opened in 2014[3]

The parish Church of St Andrew is of twelfth century Norman origin, but was much rebuilt in the second half of the 15th century.[4] The south doorway has been described as "a most notable piece of rich Perpendicular work" and the south range of five Perpendicular windows has also been admired: "The interior is very charming because these great Perpendicular windows are like a wall of clear tinted glass which reflects the light onto the plastered walls."[5]

Until the 2015 district council elections, an electoral ward in the same name existed. This ward started in the south at Chedworth and stretched north to end at Dowdeswell. The total ward population taken at the 2011 census was 1,705.[6]

Chedworth Parish Council was formed under the Local Government Act of 1894. Its first preliminary meeting was held on the 4 December 1894 and the first proper meeting was held on the 3 January 1895, chaired by the Rev Sackett Hope. Fifteen candidates stood for election to the seven seats available. Subsequently, in 1904 again 15 candidates stood for the seven seats and none of the previous incumbents was re-elected. The last opposed Chedworth Parish Council election was in 2015 when 10 candidates stood for the seven available seats. The council holds monthly meetings on the second Monday of each month at 7.30 at the Village Hall. The Parish Council has its own website which gives contact details.[7][8]

The Seven Tuns Inn is close to the church at the far western "upper" end of the village. The tuns are variously chimneys or barrels, both of which have featured on the pub sign at different times. It is a Grade II listed building. [9] Chedworth had a post office and village store for over 120 years before the final postmistress, Miss Lait, closed her Fields Road establishment in 1993, leaving Chedworth with no retail outlets. Following a vigorous campaign by local residents, Chedworth Farm Shop opened in 2006, using former dairy buildings at Denfurlong Farm on Fields Road. The farm shop also features a cafe, open daily.[10]

• List of rail trails

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chedworth.

• Photos of Chedworth Roman villa and surrounding area on geograph
• Photos of Chedworth and surrounding area on geograph
• Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust