Tortworth
Tortworth is located in Gloucestershire
Tortworth
Tortworth
Location within Gloucestershire
Population147 
OS grid referenceST7093
Civil parish
  • Tortworth
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townWotton-under-Edge
Postcode districtGL12
PoliceAvon and Somerset
FireAvon
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament

Tortworth is a small village and civil parish, near Thornbury in Gloucestershire, England. It has a population of 147 as of 2011. It lies on the B4509 road, which crosses the M5 motorway to the west of Tortworth.[1]

History

In the Domesday Book of 1086 the manor is recorded as held by Turstin FitzRolf.[2] Tortworth is noted for its ancient chestnut tree in St. Leonard's churchyard, which became known as the "Great Chestnut of Tortworth" as early as 1150. This tree measured 51 feet in circumference at 6 feet from the ground in 1720.[3] The tree is one of fifty Great British Trees, selected in 2002 by The Tree Council to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.[4]

Geography

The Tortworth inlier is the most complete section of "Silurian" rocks in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire area.[5] Old red sandstone is most dominant.[6]

Notable landmarks

St Leonard's church

The civil parish contains Tortworth Court. It was formerly the home of the Earls of Ducie, but is now run as a hotel.[7][8] Tortworth Rectory, was part of Oriel College.[9] It was renowned for its library collection, which was eventually purchased by the Earls of Ducie.[10]

There is a national prison nearby, HM Prison Leyhill, which was converted into a prison from an army hospital in the post-war period.[11] In 1985 the prison won the Windlesham Trophy for the best-kept prison gardens.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Google (29 August 2016). "Tortworth" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  2. ↑ Williams, Ann; Martin, Geoffrey Haward (2003). Domesday Book: A Complete Translation. Penguin Books. p. 469. ISBN 978-0-14-051535-0.
  3. ↑ Sylvan sketches; or, A companion to the park and the shrubbery, by the author of the Flora domestica. 1825. p. 96.
  4. ↑ "Tortworth Sweet Chestnut". Woodland Trust. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  5. ↑ British Geological Survey 1:50,000 geological map sheet no 264 (England & Wales series) Bristol & 1" scale Bristol District:special sheet, BGS, Keyworth, Notts
  6. ↑ Transactions Of The Geological Society. Cadell. 1824. p. 341.
  7. ↑ The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle, for the Year ... Edw. Cave. 1853. p. 87.
  8. ↑ Hospitality. Hotel, Catering and Institutional Management Association. 2003. p. 637.
  9. ↑ Mabey, Richard (1986). Gilbert White: A Biography of the Author of The Natural History of Selborne. University of Virginia Press. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-8139-2649-0.
  10. ↑ Ker, Neil Ripley; Perkin, Michael (2004). A Directory of the Parochial Libraries of the Church of England and the Church in Wales. Bibliographical Society. p. 373. ISBN 978-0-948170-13-3.
  11. ↑ The British Journal of Delinquency. Institute for the Study and Treatment of Delinquency and Baillière, Tindall and Cox. 1951. p. 25.
  12. ↑ GC & HTJ. Haymarket Publishing. 1985. p. 4.


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