Birstall, Leicestershire
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2019) |
This article needs to be updated.(July 2020) |
Birstall | |
---|---|
Leicestershire | |
Ambulance | East Midlands |
UK Parliament | |
Birstall is a large village and civil parish within the Charnwood borough of
It is the largest village in
at the 2001 census.The village
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2019) |
Birstall lies on the
There is a large housing estate in the north-west of the village, leading off Greengate Lane.
The Grand Union Canal runs along the eastern side of the village, which is adjacent to Watermead Country Park, a series of lakes in the bottom of the Soar Valley, which have been set aside as a recreational area and country park.
The Great Central Railway steam railway has its southern terminus near the village, where the A6 meets the Leicester outer ringroad at Red Hill Circle. Just north of Red Hill Circle, and west of the A6, is Red Hill filling station, which became a Grade II listed building in 2012. The railway also forms the boundary of the southern end of Birstall Golf Club.
To the north of the village, the A6 meets the
The symbol of Birstall is a Cedar tree.[1] The original tree stands in Roman Road. It was once in the grounds of the now demolished Birstall Hall.
The local Royal Air Force Air Cadet squadron is 1947(Birstall) Squadron.
The area of the Parish is 791 acres (3.20 km2).
History
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2019) |
The village's name means 'settlement built on the site of a fortification'.[3]
Saxon remnants have been found in the village and surrounding area. The village was called Burstalle in the Domesday Book when it belonged to Hugh de Grandmesnil.[4] Willard held these lands for Hugh and the 16 acres (65,000 m2) of meadow and a mill were said to be worth three ounces of gold. The village was a small one until the arrival of the Great Central Railway in 1899. From then onwards development has continued and still continues to-day. Between 1901 and the 2001 the population grew from 611 to over 11,000.
Hallam Fields
This section needs to be updated.(June 2020) |
A new housing development called 'Hallam Fields' commenced construction in 2006 and was well advanced by 2008. It occupies land to the west of the A6, between the 'Gates' estate and the
Places and buildings within the village
Schools:
- Highcliffe primary school
- Riverside primary school
- Hallam fields primary school
- The Cedars Academy
Note: Longslade Community College and Stonehill high school merged to become Cedars Academy
Shops:
- One main supermarket
- One garden centre
- Various shops along Sibson road
Community facilities:
- Library on Wanlip Lane
- Parish Council offices
Parks:
- Watermead Country Park
- School Lane recreational park
- Harrogate park
Golf club:
- Birstall Golf Club - founded in 1901 - one of the first golf clubs in Leicestershire[5]
Pubs / Clubs:
- The White Horse - Founded around the time the canal was constructed.
- The Earl of Stamford.
- The Old Plough - Opposite the White Horse.
- Birstall Social Club
- The Royal British Legion
Local organisations:
- 1947 (Birstall) Squadron[6] - RAFAC squadron located within the grounds of Riverside primary school.
Transport
The main village areas of Wanlip Lane and Harrowgate Drive are served by Centrebus service 22A while the A6 corridor is served by buses between Leicester and Loughborough operated by Kinchbus service 2 (until 4 September 2022), Skylink and Arriva Midlands services 126 and 127.
The Birstall
Neighbouring villages
The closest village to Birstall is
Twin towns
References
- ^ a b Birstall Parish Council Archived 12 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 26 July 2008
- ^ [St James' Church], accessed 25 July 2008
- ^ "Key to English Place-names". kepn.nottingham.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ISBN 0-14-143994-7
- ^ Birstall Golf Club Archived 30 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 25 July 2008
- ^ "1947(Birstall) Squadron – C/O Riverside Academy, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester. LE4 4JU. Tel: 0116 267 5631". Retrieved 19 January 2024.