Kineton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kineton | |
  Kineton shown within Warwickshire |
|
| Population | 2,278 (2001) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Parish | Kineton |
| District | Stratford-on-Avon |
| Shire county | Warwickshire |
| Region | West Midlands |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WARWICK |
| Postcode district | CV35 |
| Dialling code | 01926 |
| Police | Warwickshire |
| Fire | Warwickshire |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| European Parliament | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament | Stratford-on-Avon |
| List of places: UK • England • Warwickshire | |
Kineton (pronounced /ˈkaɪntən/) is a large village and civil parish on the River Dene in south-eastern Warwickshire, England. The village is part of Stratford-on-Avon district, and in the 2001 census it had a population of 2,278.
Kineton is located around ten miles (16 km) from the towns of Banbury to the south-east, Warwick and Leamington Spa to the north, and Stratford-upon-Avon to the west. Nearby is the village of Wellesbourne with its historic water mill.
Contents |
[edit] History
The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Kington. On the outskirts of the village is the remains of a motte-and-bailey castle, known as King John's Castle, so called because it is believed that King John held a Court Leet there. Kineton gave its name to area of south-east Warwickshire known as Kineton Hundred.[1]
For a period of the English Civil War, Kineton was looted by Prince Rupert with part of the Royalist army. This was after he had defeated Sir James Ramsay, from the Parliamentarians, and by doing this he failed to aid the rest of his army, thus leading to a neutral ending to the Battle of Edgehill on 23rd October 1642.
King Charles met with Queen Henrietta Maria at Kineton in July 1643.[2]
It is believed that John Newton wrote the hymn Amazing Grace around Christmas 1772 in Kineton after converting to Christianity.
[edit] Military connections
During the Second World War Kineton served as a transit camp, with Polish and Czechoslovakian troops stationed there.
Today, one of the UK's main military ammunition depots is located partially within Kineton parish, known as the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, Kineton. Extending to several hundred acres and linked to the main Network Rail system by a branch line. The depot also stores spare railway trains and carriages on behalf of the various UK Train Operating companies.
[edit] Present
In the centre of the village is St Peter's church, which dates partly from the 13th century. There is also a 19th century Methodist chapel and a 20th century Roman Catholic church.
The village has several shops; Londis, a Post Office, HSBC Bank and two Public houses: "The Swan Hotel" which has a B&B, and "The Carpenters Arms", which has a Chinese take-away inside. There is an Indian restaurant "Shukurs Brasserie" that serves a range of Indian and Bangladeshi meals.
The village has a primary school, Kineton Church of England Primary, and a secondary school, Kineton High School, both serving the village and surrounding area.
[edit] Transport
Kineton is close to the Fosse Way Roman Road and the M40 motorway which links it to Birmingham and London.
Regular bus services to Stratford upon Avon, Banbury and Leamington Spa are operated by Stagecoach and other independent companies.
The village was once served by the Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway between Stratford-upon-Avon and Towcester, Kineton railway station was opened on 1st June 1871 and was situated on the Broom to Fenny Compton line. The station was closed in 1963 due to the Beeching Axe and the line itself was closed two years later.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Warwickshire Towns & Villages, by Geoff Allen (2000) ISBN 1-85058-642-X
- ^ A History of the county of Warwick: Volume 5 - L.F.Salzman
- ^ Station info by Warwickshire Railways
