- Winchcombe
infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Winchcombe
latitude= 51.9549longitude= -1.9650
population= 4,379
shire_district= Tewkesbury
shire_county=Gloucestershire
region= South West Englandconstituency_westminster= Tewkesbury
post_town= CHELTENHAM|postcode_district = GL54
postcode_area= GL
dial_code= 01242
os_grid_reference= SP025285Winchcombe is a Cotswold
town in the Local Authority District of Tewkesbury, inGloucestershire ,England . Its 2001 census population was 4,379.Early history
The
Belas Knap long barrow to be found near Winchcombe, was constructed in about3000 BC . Later, during the Anglo-Saxon period, Winchcombe was a chief city ofMercia , favoured by Coenwulf [Mercia: An Anglo-Saxon Kingdom in Europe, Michelle P. Brown, Carol A. Farr ISBN:0826477658] ; the others beingLichfield andTamworth . Subsequently, during the11th century , the town was briefly thecounty town ofWinchcombeshire . The Anglo Saxon SaintSt. Kenelm is believed to be buried in the town.Notable buildings
In Winchcombe and the immediate vicinity can be found
Sudeley Castle and the remains ofHailes Abbey , which was one of the main centres of pilgimages in Britain due to a phial possessed by the monks said to contain the blood of Christ [ [http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/hailes-abbey.htm Sacred Destinations] ] . There is nothing left of the now-vanishedWinchcombe Abbey .St Peter 's church in the centre of the town is noted for its grotesques.Public transport
A bus service connects the town to Cheltenham, Broadway, Willersey and further afield on special services.
. A new station has been erected at Winchcombe, on its original site, the building being the former station at Monmouth (Troy). Nearby is the 693 yard Greet Tunnel, the second longest on any preserved line in Britain.
Community
A community radio station was launched in April 2005 which broadcasts for 6 days a year (3 days every 6 months) [ [http://www.radiowinchcombe.co.uk/ Winchcombe Radio] ] .
Winchcombe Town football club currently play in the Gloucestersihre Northern Senior League.(ref)www.glousnsl.co.uk
References
External links
* [http://www.dmoz.org/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Gloucestershire/Winchcombe/ dmoz - Winchcombe]
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