The town of Northleach is situated in the central Cotswolds in a long narrow valley of the river Leach and just to the east of the great Roman Road "The Fosse Way" (now the A429). The town was granted a charter to operate a market and annual fair in 1227, and from the 14th to the 16th centuries was exporting woollen fleeces to the rest of Europe - there was also a small amount of cloth making in the town. The 11th century church of St.Peter & St.Paul was rebuilt at this time, built in the Perpendicular style, the nave has lofty arcades with concave mouldings characteristic of the period and a fine South porch. There are also several brass monuments to the wool traders. The banning of the export of raw fleeces in the 16th century hit Northleach hard; the river Leach lacked the power to operate mills on a large scale and cloth making moved to other, more suitable locations, leaving Northleach to decline as a market town. However, from the 18th century the road through the town running from west to east became the principle thoroughfare as the route from Gloucester/Cheltenham to Oxford and London. In 1751 the road was Turnpiked and by 1770 was established as the principle coaching route, from 1785 Northleach was on the Mail Coach route. The Kings Head became the main coaching and posting house with, (c 1820) the Sherbourne as a less successful rival and a number of other inns - the Wheatsheaf; the Red Lion among them - serving road traffic. By 1820 there were 6 stagecoaches and one mail coach serving Northleach daily. The railways superseded the coaches in 1845, coach services dwindled to one a day in 1853 leaving Northleach to decline once again. The railways never reached the town.The motor car age in the second half of the 20th century say a revival in the town`s fortunes, the main road still went through the town (now the A40) but the speed of traffic and the obstruction of the main street by parking lead to the road being re-routed to by-pass the town in 1984. Northleach is a quiet town but has many fine features, the town centre is compact and unspoilt and the streets around the Market Place are rich in architectural interest.
Attraction
Keith Harding's World of Mechanical Music
Camping
Doctor
Inn
Puesdown Inn
Sherborne Arms
Wheatsheaf Inn
Pub and Bar
Restaurant
Blades Bistro, Bar & Cafe
Puesdown Inn
Shops
W J Castle
Blades
The Cotswold Pharmacy
Places to Stay near Northleach
Wheatsheaf Inn (0.05 miles)
Featuring open fires and flag stone floors, this 17th century stone Cotswold coaching inn fuses rustic and contemporary styles.
Listed in 'The Good Pub Guide' and offering recently refurbished, individually styled en suite guest rooms; The ... More
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Sherborne Arms (0.09 miles)
Larks Rise (4.51 miles)
Perfectly located on the edge of Bourton on the Water in the heart of the Cotswolds, Larks Rise is an ideal base for touring and walking, with the Windrush Way a minute from the door. ... More | visit website
Swan Hotel (4.85 miles)
Broadlands Guest House (4.91 miles)
Harrington House (4.94 miles)
Just 100 yards from the centre of the beautiful centre of this charming village Harrington House dates back to the Tudor period.Accommodation is in the main building and several stone ... More
Hare & Hounds (4.95 miles)
Southlands (4.96 miles)
Chester House Hotel (4.97 miles)
Chester House lies in the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water, the little "Venice of the Cotswolds" with the River Windrush running through the village.All rooms are centrally heated and have direct dial telephones. Colour television; tea/coffee making ... More | visit website
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