Highworth
Encyclopedia
Highworth is a market town
in the unitary authority
of Swindon
in Wiltshire
, England
, located about 6 miles (9.7 km) north-east of Swindon
town centre. At the 2001 census it had a population of 7,996. It is often described as the "gateway to the Cotswolds
" but only on the recently erected signs, and is notable for its Queen Anne Style architecture
and Georgian
buildings dating from its pre-eminence in the 18th century.
On John Speed
's map of Wiltshire
(1611), the name is spelt both Highwoth (for the hundred) and Hiworth (for the town itself). Highworth was first recorded as a post town
in 1673. From 1835 to 1839 there was a Penny Post
between Highworth and Cold Harbour, a village on the Swindon
to Cirencester
road near Broad Blunsdon. Mrs. Mabel Stranks, who was postmistress here during World War II
, was a key reference point for members of the Auxiliary Units
, a resistance organisation. A memorial plaque on the wall of the former post office
records her contribution.
and at 436 ft (132.9 m) above sea level it is the highest town in Wiltshire.
branchline from , the Highworth branch line
.
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
in the unitary authority
Unitary authority
A unitary authority is a type of local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all local government functions within its area or performs additional functions which elsewhere in the relevant country are usually performed by national government or a higher level of sub-national...
of Swindon
Swindon (borough)
The Borough of Swindon is a local government authority in South West England. It is centred on the town of Swindon and forms part of the ceremonial county of Wiltshire...
in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, located about 6 miles (9.7 km) north-east of Swindon
Swindon
Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
town centre. At the 2001 census it had a population of 7,996. It is often described as the "gateway to the Cotswolds
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are a range of hills in west-central England, sometimes called the Heart of England, an area across and long. The area has been designated as the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
" but only on the recently erected signs, and is notable for its Queen Anne Style architecture
Queen Anne Style architecture
The Queen Anne Style in Britain means either the English Baroque architectural style roughly of the reign of Queen Anne , or a revived form that was popular in the last quarter of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century...
and Georgian
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
buildings dating from its pre-eminence in the 18th century.
History
Highworth is mentioned in the Domesday Book as 'Wrde'. During the English Civil War, when Charles I fought against Parliament, Highworth was a royalist stronghold. From 1894 to 1974 there was a Highworth Rural District. In 2006 the town celebrated the 800th anniversary of the granting of the charter for its market, which is still held every Saturday. Highworth, with a population of over 12,000, was formerly larger than neighbouring Swindon. The origins and layout of Highworth are medieval. The centre of the old town has been designated as a conservation area.On John Speed
John Speed
John Speed was an English historian and cartographer.-Life:He was born at Farndon, Cheshire, and went into his father's tailoring business where he worked until he was about 50...
's map of Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
(1611), the name is spelt both Highwoth (for the hundred) and Hiworth (for the town itself). Highworth was first recorded as a post town
Post town
A post town is a required part of all postal addresses in the United Kingdom, and a basic unit of the postal delivery system. Including the correct post town in the address increases the chances of a letter or parcel being delivered on time. Post towns are usually based upon the location of...
in 1673. From 1835 to 1839 there was a Penny Post
Penny Post
The Penny Post is any one of several postal systems in which normal letters could be sent for one penny.-London Penny Post:In England, the Post Office had a monopoly on the collection and carriage of letters between post towns but there was no delivery system until the London Penny Post was...
between Highworth and Cold Harbour, a village on the Swindon
Swindon
Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
to Cirencester
Cirencester
Cirencester is a market town in east Gloucestershire, England, 93 miles west northwest of London. Cirencester lies on the River Churn, a tributary of the River Thames, and is the largest town in the Cotswold District. It is the home of the Royal Agricultural College, the oldest agricultural...
road near Broad Blunsdon. Mrs. Mabel Stranks, who was postmistress here during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, was a key reference point for members of the Auxiliary Units
Auxiliary Units
The Auxiliary Units or GHQ Auxiliary Units were specially trained, highly secret units created by the United Kingdom government during the Second World War, with the aim of resisting the expected occupation of the United Kingdom by Nazi Germany, after a planned invasion codenamed Operation Sea Lion...
, a resistance organisation. A memorial plaque on the wall of the former post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
records her contribution.
Geography
The ancient hill-top town of Highworth occupies a pre-eminent position above the Upper Thames valleyThames Valley
The Thames Valley Region is a loose term for the English counties and towns roughly following the course of the River Thames as it flows from Oxfordshire in the west to London in the east. It includes parts of Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, North Hampshire, Surrey and west London...
and at 436 ft (132.9 m) above sea level it is the highest town in Wiltshire.
Railway
Highworth was the terminus of a GWRGreat Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
branchline from , the Highworth branch line
Highworth branch line
The Highworth Branch Line was a railway line in Swindon, England. It ran from the main Swindon railway station to the town of Highworth away.It operated a service for paying passengers from 9 May 1883 until 2 March 1953 and the section from Highworth to Kingsdown Road closed completely in 1962....
.
Schools
Highworth Warneford School is a secondary school situated on Shrivenham Road.Notable people
- William Joscelyn ArkellWilliam Joscelyn ArkellWilliam Joscelyn Arkell M.A.; D.Phil.; D.Sc.; FGS.; FRS. was a British geologist and paleontologist, regarded as the leading authority on the Jurassic Period during the middle part of the 20th century.-Childhood:...
, geologist and palaeontologist - Eric BullerEric BullerMajor Eric Tremayne Buller M.C. was an English cricketer and decorated British Army officer.-Early life and military career:...
M.C.Military CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(1894-1973), British Army officer and cricketer - Narcissus MarshNarcissus MarshNarcissus Marsh was an English clergyman who was successively Church of Ireland Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin, Archbishop of Cashel, Archbishop of Dublin and Archbishop of Armagh....
, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh - Melinda MessengerMelinda MessengerMelinda Jayne Messenger is an English ex-glamour model, Page 3 Girl and a former presenter on the magazine programme Live from Studio Five. She is currently co-broadcaster of the reality show Cowboy Builders.-Biography:...
, model - Helen ShapiroHelen ShapiroHelen Kate Shapiro is an English singer and actress. She is best known for her 1960s UK chart toppers, "You Don't Know" and "Walkin' Back to Happiness".-Early life:...
, singer - Alfred WilliamsAlfred Williams (Poet)Alfred Mason Williams was a poet who lived in the vicinity of Swindon, UK. He was almost entirely self taught, producing his most famous work, Life in a Railway Factory , at night after completing a gruelling day's work in the Great Western Railway works in Swindon...
(1877–1930), "The Hammerman Poet" of South Marston