Sitting on the southern edge of the Cotswolds lies the pretty village of Barnsley. Lying 4 miles northeast of Cirencester along the B4425 to Barford the area is rich in history; in Barnsley Park just to the north of the village are to be found the remains of an Iron Age settlement and a 3rd century Roman Villa (the site is situated between the old Roman Roads of Akeman Street, to the south and the Fosse Way, to the west). The Saxons settled in 577 and called it Bearmodeslea [Bearmod`s Glade] and by the 13th century was known as Barndesley. In the 14th century the Manor was given by Edward III to the Earl of Kent and Henry VIII seemed to take a shine to the place as he gave it to each of his wives in turn! In 1548 the manor passed to the Bourchier family, then through the Perrots to the Musgraves. The Georgian Baroque mansion in the park was built in 1730 and contains some fine fresco`s and once housed the library of Sir Isaac Newton there is also a conservatory and lodge designed by Nash. In the village is Barnsley House, built in 1697 by Brereton Bouchier in the lovely local Cotswold stone it became, in the 1950`s, the home of the garden designer and writer Rosmary Verey who created one of Britian`s finest private gardens (NOTE: the house is now a Hotel and the gardens are not open to the public except on Charity Days or for organised Garden Tours). The Norman church of St.Mary with it`s Elizabethan Tower was re-built in 1841 and contains an Organ by Samual Green (1740-96). With it`s tranquil setting Barnsley offers a chance to escape the busstle of city life.
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Places to Stay near Barnsley
Barnsley House (0.16 miles)
Crown of Crucis (2.20 miles)
The Crown of Crucis is to be found in a picturesque village setting in the beautiful South Cotswolds near the town of Cirencester known as Corinium in its heyday of ... More
Hare & Hounds (2.31 miles)
Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel (2.35 miles)
Opening August 2007 and located in a lakeside setting on the Cotswold Water Park near Cirencester, Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel, will blend contemporary design with nature, capturing the ... More
Swan Hotel (2.59 miles)
Bibury Court Hotel (2.77 miles)
Probably the best kept secret in the Cotswolds, Bibury Court Hotel offers the ultimate in peace, tranquility and comfort. Set in 6 acres and bounded by the River Coln, the Court is a beautiful ... More | visit website
Travelodge Cirencester (3.22 miles)
There are loads of reasons our customers choose to stay at Travelodge. Our great value clean and comfortable rooms with en-suite provide everything needed for a good night's sleep and are close to where people ... More | visit website
The Old Brewhouse (3.64 miles)
Fleece Hotel (3.80 miles)
The Fleece Hotel has benefited from extensive upgrading since being taken into private ownership by the Barlow family in 2001. The Fleece Hotel occupies a Grade II listed building in Cirencester's Market Place, very close ... More | visit website
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