Our Community Heritage
Alan Dodge has written an important local history
Freshford – History of a Somerset Village, Alan Dodge, 2000. It has now been reprinted. Alan has also produced a series of walking guide leaflets that give information on local history along the walks. These are sold in our local village shop The Galleries.
Alan is also the author of an important article called 'The Nature and Character of the village'. This article was originally prepared for the Freshford Parish Plan in 2008 and remains highly relevant.
Freshford – History of a Somerset Village, Alan Dodge, 2000. It has now been reprinted. Alan has also produced a series of walking guide leaflets that give information on local history along the walks. These are sold in our local village shop The Galleries.
Alan is also the author of an important article called 'The Nature and Character of the village'. This article was originally prepared for the Freshford Parish Plan in 2008 and remains highly relevant.
Freshford And District Local History Society
If you want to know more about the history of our local area, why not check the activities listings for the Freshford and District Local History Society here.
Freshford and Sharpstone Conservation Area Appraisal
The following is from the www.bathnes.gov.uk web site
"The Purpose of the Appraisal"
Freshford and Sharpstone were recognised as having special architectural and historic interest and were designated as Conservation Areas in November 1975.
The Council has a duty to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of Conservation Areas, and to periodically reappraise the boundaries. This appraisal will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
'Conservation Area Appraisals' give an overview of the history and development of an area and try to define what it is that makes them special. They also identify specific features which contribute towards their character, for example historic buildings, open spaces, significant views, natural elements and features which help make an area locally distinct. They may even include intangible qualities such as activities, sights and smells which are characteristic of a place. The documents also identify elements that could be improved."
Freshford and Sharpstone: summary of special interest
"The Purpose of the Appraisal"
Freshford and Sharpstone were recognised as having special architectural and historic interest and were designated as Conservation Areas in November 1975.
The Council has a duty to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of Conservation Areas, and to periodically reappraise the boundaries. This appraisal will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
'Conservation Area Appraisals' give an overview of the history and development of an area and try to define what it is that makes them special. They also identify specific features which contribute towards their character, for example historic buildings, open spaces, significant views, natural elements and features which help make an area locally distinct. They may even include intangible qualities such as activities, sights and smells which are characteristic of a place. The documents also identify elements that could be improved."
Freshford and Sharpstone: summary of special interest
- The secluded location in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- The landscape setting within a valley, framed by hills and woodland
- The proximity of the River Frome as a landscape feature and formerly the power source for the wool mills
- The physical separation of Freshford and Sharpstone by the Tyning
- The close grain of the buildings, often hard on to the road
- Remnants of the industrial past, in particular Dunkirk Mill, Freshford Mill, and former weavers’ cottages
- The familiar landmark of the brewery chimney
- The variety of traditional building materials
- High rubble stone boundary walls
- The wide range of buildings of varying status within a small area
- Narrow, unmarked roads and rural verges
- The particular contribution of the natural landscape, trees and vegetation to the character of the area
Listed buildings in Freshford and Limpley Stoke areas
According to the British Listed Buildings website, a listed building iis one which has been placed on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Also from their website the following details explain how grading works for listed buildings:
- Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important. Just 2.5% of listed buildings are Grade I.
- Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. 5.5% of listed buildings are Grade II*.
- Grade II buildings are nationally important and of special interest. 92% of all listed buildings are in this class and it is the most likely grade of listing for a private residential building.
Freshford and Limpley Stoke History and Facts
Some useful historical information about local buildings and relevant news clippings etc is held on line for Freshford here
and for Limpley Stoke here
and for Limpley Stoke here
Photographic records
Bath in Time is an important local source of photos. Search for Limpley Stoke or Freshford. Please also consider allowing your own historical pictures to be recorded by this important local history site! This way they are available for all in the community to view and held safe for future generations.