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| Historic Article Themes: Places |
Agricultural Buildings
By 1790, there were apparently only 20 inhabited houses in the village, but in the early 1800’s due to the period of agricultural prosperity (referred to above) the village had expanded considerably. The first half of the nineteenth century heralded an unprecedented level of building of farmhouses and agricultural buildings including the farmhouse now known as The Martin’s Arms.
Colston Bassett Hall
It is considered that a Hall or Manor House has existed in the vicinity of the current Hall since early mediaeval times. The 1600 map shows a group of buildings as the "Scit. Maner" but nearer to the River Smite than the current Hall stands. The Hall dates in its present design to around 1704 and was enlarged, reputedly by the renowned architect, Sir Charles Barry who designed the Houses of Parliament.
Colston Bassett School
Mr. Henry Martin, the Squire of the village in the first half of the nineteenth century, paid for the education of 18 children, also the upkeep of the Sunday School. The village school was erected by a subsequent Squire, George Davy, on School Lane in its present location in 1872.
Early Dwellings
Prior to the eighteenth century many dwellings in Colston Bassett consisted of mud walls and thatched roofs. Although fireplaces and chimneys were brick, it was not until the 18th century that brick floors were introduced. The peasantry were generally living wretchedly in no better than mud huts.
Growth of the Village
On old maps, a paved Roman Road is shown called Streets Way. It probably linked Colston Bassett with the Fosse and Margidunum. Part of the old Fosse could still be seen in the 18th century, but then it disappeared. The local farmers and householders must have found good use for the paving slabs.
Hall House Estate
Manor Farm is the oldest property in the village and situated on Bakers Lane and Bunnison Lane. It was the family home of the Hacker family and was built in 1625 shortly after they purchased the land. It is a fine building with a date stone displayed on the end gable wall.
Market Cross
The Market Cross in the centre of the village opposite the store and the village hall is in the same position as shown on the earliest of maps. On 3rd September 1257 the then king, Henry III made a grant to Ralph Basset and his heirs of a weekly market on Wednesdays at his manor of Colston Bassett.
Pubs & Ale Houses
Until 1844, there were four (possibly five) pubs in Colston Bassett. They were The Five Bells, The White Lion, The Martin’s Arms and the Shoulder of Mutton. In earlier times they were known as alehouses. Clearly with so many pubs being situated in a small village, they must have fulfilled an important social and community function for the inhabitants.
Religious Buildings
The Methodist chapel was built in 1838 followed by the Roman Catholic Church in 1840, which, surprisingly, was built immediately next door to the chapel at the end of Church Gate. The Methodist chapel was in use up to the early 1950's, but by 1940 the congregation had dwindled to only 5 members.
St. John the Divine
The church of St John the Divine was consecrated in 1892 and was designed by local architect A. W. Brewill. It is acknowledged to be a splendid design for a village church. It has been virtually unaltered since the consecration and the whole interior is rich in carvings and ornament.
St. Mary's Church
The church stands prominently on a site known to originate from Norman times with many developments through out the centuries. The site may be of earlier significance but evidence for this or of surrounding dwellings has not been found. On arrival at this well preserved ruin, every period of medieval architecture is on show:
The Gallows
This frightening structure is referred to in the 1600 map and is shown as a gibbet on the northern boundary of the parish, almost touching the right bank of the Smite near what is now called the weir.
The Vicarage
The Vicarage, situated on Hall Lane, was built in 1834 and was surrounded by pasture land forming the Glebe. It is shown in roughly the same position on the earlier 1600 map but is surrounded by other domestic buildings described as Weavers Cottages.
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