Cranham

Cranham village, virtually encircled by a unique species of ancient beechwood, lies in the Westerly fold of the Cotswold Hills. Set on the escarpment its highest point is 923 ft. The Parish covers 1,914 acres, 1,200 agricultural, 67 open grass common and 408 common woods. The open common is grade 1 designated a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) and much of the woods are a National Nature reserve. 70 acres of farmland belonging to the Trust are under the National Stewardship scheme. 34 varieties of Butterfly, 20 of trees and shrubs, 70 species of birds and 184 species of ground flora have been recorded. Cowslips are in abundance and there are 8 species of Orchid. Wildlife abounds, deer and muntjack are sometimes to be seen, also the occasional adder.

The common, registered in 1967 is managed by English Nature. A small flock of Cotswold sheep given to the village grazes on the common amongst other sheep and cattle. There are many footpaths and Bridleways; the Cotswold Way skirts the Parish.

Earthworks around Brotheridge give evidence of one of the largest iron age forts in Europe. There are long and round barrows. Roman tracks and artefacts have been found. In the middle ages Cranham lay on the Gloucester - London Road. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn are said to have hunted in the woods.

There are approximately 475 residents including 75 children, about 100 are retired, 35 live and work in the village and the remainder commute to work. Of the 195 houses over half are post war and the rest have been extensively altered. There are four groups of houses with the common lying roughly in the middle. The South West contains the 14th century church with cloth scissors carved on the tower, amongst the graves there is the Horlicks family tomb, also there is the Primary School, the Playing Field, Tennis Court, Allotments, the trout farm and ancient Simmonds Hall farmhouse.

Across the common to the North in a sheltered valley with the stream, spring, pond and Pound is the Village Hall; formerly a chapel and a pottery, well used for village events and clubs - Choir, Orchestra, WI, Yoga, Gardening, Table Tennis, Play Group, Youth Club etc. The Post Office is now housed at the Gloucestershire Scout HQ and camping ground; used and remembered by Scouts from many parts of the world - this was also once a pottery. There are no potteries now but Prinknash Abbey nearby, carries on the tradition. The popular Black Horse Inn is opposite Midwinter Cottage where Holst wrote the tune of "In the Bleak Midwinter". The Old House 1687 is by the two restored Alms houses.

To the West of the Parish is Cranham Corner, where the beechwoods run along the A46 to the Royal William Inn. To the East is The Knoll on the steep hill above the common. Here is the cricket field and the site of the Cranham Feast Deer Roast. The Fostons Ash, an old turnpike, is situated on the B4070. Buckholt Road has a sawmill on the site of the derelict Sanatorium. Secluded in the valleys are nine old Farmhouses; Overtown 1660 and Freams 1676 are the oldest. Four converted mills follow the stream towards Painswick.

Very much hidden from the main thoroughfare, Cranham is well worth a visit if you wish to enjoy a quiet country walk close to nature.

For further information, view the Cranham.net website: - www.cranham.net