Axford, Wiltshire Explained

Official Name:Axford
Static Image Name:The Red Lion Inn, Axford - geograph.org.uk - 1635199.jpg
Static Image Caption:The Red Lion Inn in 2009
Coordinates:51.429°N -1.659°W
Os Grid Reference:SU2370
Label Position:left
Civil Parish:Ramsbury
Unitary England:Wiltshire
Lieutenancy England:Wiltshire
Region:South West England
Country:England
Constituency Westminster:Devizes
Post Town:Marlborough
Postcode District:SN8
Postcode Area:SN
Dial Code:01672

Axford is a small village in Ramsbury parish in the English county of Wiltshire. It lies on the north bank of the River Kennet, about 3miles south-west of Ramsbury village and the same distance east of Marlborough.

History

Axford was one of seven Saxon settlements along the Kennet Valley in modern-day Wiltshire in the 5th and 6th centuries.[1]

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Axford manor was centred on Priory Farm a short distance from the village itself. The majority of housing was built to the south of the main road through the village; the area to the north was developed during the late 18th and early 19th century.[2]

St Michael's church was built in 1856 to designs of William White, as a chapel of ease to Holy Cross at Ramsbury.[3]

A military camp was sited near Axford during the Second World War.[4]

Notable buildings

Axford has a Grade I listed building, Axford Farmhouse, which has medieval origins. Riverside House, Grade II* listed, has a 16th-century wing, partly timber framed; the house was enlarged in the 17th century.

Local government

Axford is in Ramsbury civil parish; the parish council styles itself as Ramsbury & Axford Parish Council.[5] The second tier of local government is Wiltshire Council. The two councils are responsible for different aspects of local government.

Amenities

Axford is close to the A4 road. Bus services are provided by the Swindon's Bus Company route 48 between Swindon and Marlborough.[6]

The village pub, the Red Lion, closed in 2019.[7]

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wiltshire Community History . Ramsbury . Wiltshire Council . 17 November 2022.
  2. Book: Chandler, John. Marlborough and Eastern Wiltshire. Ramsbury Concise History. 2001. Hobnob Press. 0-946418-07-1.
  3. Web site: Church of St. Michael, Axford, Ramsbury. Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. 28 November 2019.
  4. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1ppTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UzgNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3192,29416&dq=axford+wiltshire&hl=en Flying Troops to Camp
  5. Web site: Ramsbury and Axford Parish Council, accessed 13 March 2013 . 13 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130823094015/http://www.ramsbury.org/community/council/index.htm . 23 August 2013 . dead .
  6. http://www.thamesdown-transport.co.uk/times/046.htm Thamesdown Transport - Timetables - Route 46/46A/48
  7. Web site: May 2022 . Wiltshire/Berkshire border pub project for sale . 2022-11-17 . Sidney Phillips.