Withington, Gloucestershire

Withington
Village
Church of St Michael, Withington
Population510 
District
  • Gloucestershire
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Postcode districtGL54

Withington is a Cotswold village and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England, about 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Cheltenham and 8 miles (13 km) north of Cirencester. The River Coln runs through the village. The parish includes the hamlets of Hilcot, Foxcote and Cassey Compton. The parish population taken at the 2021 census was 510.[1]

Name origins

The origin of the name is unclear but it is found in records as early as 737 AD (Wudiandun, which would mean the hill of Wudia: Wudia may be a real settler or the legendary Germanic hero Witege). The other English places called Withington may have different origins. In his 1955 work, H. P. R. Finberg argued for continuity between Anglo-Saxon Withington and an earlier Roman settlement.[2] During Saxon times there was an important monastery at Withington.

Sites of interest

Buildings

The site of a Roman villa lies to the south of the village. Remains of the villa were rediscovered in 1811 by Samuel Lysons, and investigations by the Time Team television programme for an episode first broadcast in 2006 found further Romano-British buildings east of the villa, towards the river.[3][4]

The parish church of St Michael and All Angels dates from the 12th century and is a Grade I listed building.[5] The church was altered in the 15th century when the Perpendicular clerestory and higher tower were added, and has been described as "a typical example of an important Cotswold church".[6]

Opposite the Church is Withington Church of England Primary School. The school first opened in 1856, built on the site of the former Church house. [7][8] In December 2025, the school had 11 pupils. Since 23 February 2026, the school has been temporarily closed due to a lack of staffing. In a letter from the governors addressed to the parents of the school pupils, they said "the school is currently unable to provide the education environment required to meet regulatory and safeguarding requirements, and the Governors have decided to close the school and pre-school on a temporary basis." The school is set to reopen in April.[9]

Behind the primary school is The Manor House, Withington, a Grade II listed building. [10]

From 1891 to 1961, Withington had a railway station on the Midland and South Western Junction Railway which ran between Cirencester Watermoor Station (closed to passengers in 1961) and Cheltenham Spa. Bridges and structures formerly used for the railway can still be found around the village. [11][8]

Public houses

Before the Kings Head closed down in 2017,[12] there were two public houses in Withington. The Mill Inn, now the only public house in Withington, is credited locally with creating the popular "chicken in a basket" fried chicken and chips meal in the 1960s.[13] The building of the Kings Head is now a house of residence. [12]

The River Coln runs through garden of The Mill Inn, separating part of the garden from the main building. The Mill Inn is a Grade II listed building. [14]

Other

Fergal O'Brien and Bailley & Nicholls racing, two established horse racing trainers, are both based at neighbouring farms outside the village. Fergal O'Brien Racing is based at Ravenswell farm, and Bailley & Nicholls Racing is based at Thorndale farm. [15][16]

The 2000 Trees music festival is held annually at Upcote Farm, near the village. [17]

History

Filming of "Men"

From April to May 2021, it was filmed as the fictional village of Cotson for the folk horror film Men, released in 2022 and directed by Alex Garland. [18]

1963 air crash

Two miles east of Chedworth on Thursday 2 May 1963, 23 year old Flt Lt Charles J Sturt, ejected from his BAC Jet Provost over Northleach. Firemen attended from Cirencester and Northleach.[19] The Jet Provost aircraft was from RAF Little Rissington.[20][21]

Charles Sturt would be Group Captain Sturt, by the late 1980s.[22] His brother Sqn Ldr Peter Sturt ejected from Harrier XV791 on 9 July 1973, with 20 Sqn from RAF Wildenrath, after suffering a bird strike.[23]

References

  1. ^ Gloucestershire County Council, Local insight profile for "Withington CP area", 2023
  2. ^ Finberg, H.P.R. (1955). Roman and Saxon Withington: a study in continuity. Leicester: University College, Leicester.
  3. ^ Historic England. "Romano-British villa at Withington, Romano-British building at Manor Court Field and associated features (1003345)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Time Team - Episode Guide - Series 13". Channel Four Television. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  5. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Michael (1302954)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  6. ^ David Verey (1976). Cotswold churches. B.T. Batsford. p. 86. ISBN 9780713430547.
  7. ^ "Withington Church of England Primary School - GOV.UK". get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  8. ^ a b "Parishes: Withington | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 13 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  9. ^ website, Withington Primary School. "Home". Withington Primary School. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  10. ^ "The Manor House, Withington - 1341350 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  11. ^ "Railway passenger stations in England, Scotland and Wales : a chronology | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  12. ^ a b Dickens, Gary (29 September 2022). "Successful Appeal - The Kings Head Inn, Withington". SF Planning. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  13. ^ "Feathers fly over pub meal's exit". BBC New: Gloucestershire. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  14. ^ "The Mill Inn, Withington - 1089299 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  15. ^ "Welcome to Fergal O'Brien Racing". FOBR. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  16. ^ "About Us » Home". www.kimbaileyracing.com. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  17. ^ "TREES | Getting to Trees". 2000trees.co.uk. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  18. ^ "Go Behind the Scenes of Alex Garland's Men as Filming Wraps". 24 May 2021.
  19. ^ Western Daily Press Friday 3 May 1963, page 7
  20. ^ Gloucester Citizen Thursday 2 May 1963, page 9
  21. ^ Times Friday May 3 1963, page 10
  22. ^ 1963 crash
  23. ^ XV791
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51°50′20″N 1°57′30″W / 51.83889°N 1.95833°W / 51.83889; -1.95833


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