Some Buildings and Views in Wanborough, Wiltshire

Contents

• Introduction
• St. Andrew's Church
• Pubs and Inns
• The Harrow
• The Plough
• The Brewer's Arms
• The Black Horse
• The New Calley Arms
• The Cross Keys
• Streets and Houses
• Church Road
• High Street
• Rotten Row
• Browser compatibility statement
• Main links to other pages on this site

Introduction

St. Andrew's Church

The church, with a spire, is thought to have been built in the first half of the 14th century - certainly there is an inventory of church goods dated 1370, so it must have existed before then. The tower was added in 1435 and the spire was rebuilt and possibly enlarged in 1735.

The east window depicts the ascension of Jesus, with angels in the top lights. In the final picture, looking along the nave from under the tower, the vicar can be seen approaching the altar.

Pubs and Inns

The Harrow, on the east side of the High Street in Lower Wanborough, is thought to be the oldest inn in the village, dating back to at least 1720.

The Plough is another thatched inn, just up the road from The Harrow. It dates from before 1848.

The Brewer's Arms was originally a brewery and beerhouse, and had opened for business by 1861. My uncle was the landlord for some years in the mid-twentieth century.

The Black Horse is a little away from the main village at the cross-roads half way up Callas Hill, with wonderful views north across the Thames valley to the Cotswolds. It opened as a beerhouse in 1862.

The New Calley Arms stands on the corner of Ham Road and Church Road in Upper Wanborough. The original Calley Arms was on the opposite side of the road. It was in operation by 1841, and the New Calley Arms was in business by 1874. The old pub continued in business for some time after the new one opened!

The Cross Keys is on the north side of Burycroft. It was originally a combined beerhouse and shop, and was sold as such in 1854. In 1930 it was demolished and the present building was erected behind the site of the old one.

Streets and Houses

Church Road

Junction of Ham Road (to the right) and Church Road, Wanborough, from the New Calley Arms.

Junction of Church Road (foreground) and Kite Hill (going off to right), Wanborough.

Cottage at junction of Church Road (foreground) and Kite Hill (right), Wanborough.

High Street

This view of the High Street, once called Lower Town, is looking roughly north from outside The Plough. The Harrow can be seen in the distance (on the extreme left of the photo), but not The Brewer's Arms, which is a similar distance beyond The Harrow.

Wanborough Village Hall. It is close to the post office, nearly opposite The Harrow.

Wanborough village store and post office. It is located opposite The Harrow.

This house was the blacksmith's forge where my ancestors worked in the 19th century. It is located close to the Brewer's Arms, right opposite the junction of the High Street with Rotten Row (A junction referred to in one census as "Fisher's Corner"). The house is now called "Forge Cottage".

The Old Maltings, Wanborough. It is now a private house, but when in use for making malt was conveniently adjacent to the village brewery. It also at one time incorporated a beerhouse called The Yew Tree.

This thatched house, called "Thatcher", is almost opposite The Plough.

Children's play area at one end of the recreation ground behind Wanborough Village Hall.

Rotten Row

Rotten Row, Wanborough, looking towards High Street from outside Slate Farm.

Rotten Row, Wanborough, looking away from High Street from outside Slate Farm.

Rotten Row, Wanborough from Kite Hill Cottages, looking away from Kite Hill with Warneage Wood at left.

Slate Farm, Rotten Row, Wanborough. Part of the roof is made of stone tiles, while theother half is thatched. The original purpose of the thatch was to keep at an even temperature the cheese lofts, so that the cheeses there ripened evenly.

Magdelen Cottage, Rotten Row, Wanborough.

Hooper's Field recreation ground, Rotten Row, Wanborough - the bowling green.

Hooper's Field recreation ground, Rotten Row, Wanborough - looking across cricket field towards tennis courts (left) and bowling green (right). Rotten Row itself is behind the trees along most of the background.