Seven miles down the old Gloucester to Bristol Roman road, now the A38, is the village of Whitminster from which a twisting lane leads to the church and Whitminster House, sitting on the banks of the River Frome. Known to the Saxons as Wheatenhurst (Hwita = a personal name of the local chieftain; hurst = a clearing), over time the name became corrupted to Whitnester or Whitmister until finally in the 16th or 17th century to Whitminster. However, the use of Wheatenhurst persisted and either or both names were used up to the mid 20th century but in 1945 Whitminster was used as the official name for the hamlet. The settlement around the parish church, manor house and mills pre-dates those by the main road; in 1486 there were 15 cottages at the crossroads increasing to some 30 dwellings by 1591. In 1675 Whitminster was described as a small village with good accommodation for the travellers on the main road. The road was turn-piked from 1726 to 1877 but the stretch through Whitminster was often deep in mud due in part to the lack of stone on the road and to the nature of the low, flat land which is liable to winter flooding. St.Andrew`s is built on the site of a Norman church, the present church dates from the 14th century but was heavily restored in the 19th. The Stroudwater Canal intersects with the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal just north of the church. Water from the River Frome feed the canals via the Whitminster Weir; the scene, in 1833, of an often bloody dispute between mill owners over the amount or water allowed to feed the canals. In 1823 some cottages were pulled down to provide access to a new house called Parklands and others made way for Whitminster Lodge. In the 1960`s the widening of the A38 resulted in the demolition of a number of houses which were replaced to the northwest of the road. The result of the new building was that by 1968 there are few ancient houses in Whitminster.
Pub and Bar
Restaurant
School
Whitminster C of E Primary School
Shops
Highfield Garden World
Highfield Nurseries
Attwoolls Camping Centre
Attwoolls Ski Shop
Places to Stay near Whitminster
The Stable (0.23 miles)
Click here to book this cottage with Hoseasons
Originally used for cider making, and more recently for stabling working horses, this tastefully converted detached property features a wealth of splendid elm timbering, including part of ... More
Whitminster House Cottages (0.78 miles)
Self-Catering Holiday Cottages ideally situated by the Cotswolds Edge on a picturesque small English country estate within easy reach of many interests & activities. Each cottage has individual character and is comfortably-equipped.
The properties individually sleep ... More | visit website
Bell Inn (1.46 miles)
Travelodge Stonehouse (1.47 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 Ship Inn (1.74 miles)
Set next to the Stroudwater Canal, the Ship Inn reflects the old charm of a traditional country pub. A favourite with CAMRA members and a fully fledged member of the ... More
Stonehouse Court Hotel (2.61 miles)
Stonehouse Court is an outstanding Grade II listed manor house built in 1601 and set in 6 acres of secluded gardens in Stonehouse, near Stroud.
As well as offering 36 individually decorated ... More
The Beacon Inn and Hotel (2.69 miles)
This 19th century country inn and hotel is at the heart of the village of Haresfield just 1 mile off the M5 junction 12. The Beacon Inn is a traditional ... More
The George Inn (3.18 miles)
Offering a selection of good Home-Cooked Food, Local Ales, and an excellent Wine List, why not enjoy a meal, drink and take a chance to ... More | visit website
Express by Holiday Inn Gloucester (3.64 miles)
Express by Holiday Inn Gloucester is conveniently located off junction 12 of the M5, just 3.5 miles from Gloucester city centre and 15 miles from Cheltenham. The hotel is ... More
Old Passage Inn (4.31 miles)
The Old Passage, for centuries the site of the ford across the River Severn, is now a seafood restaurant with hotel accommodation. Set at the end of a peninsula on a great ox bow bend, ... More | visit websiteBrit Quote: |
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