Leckhampton Road

LECKHAMPTON, BATH ROAD

Leckhampton is a quiet residential area with the population of about 5,200. With easy access to the M5, M4 and town centre, as well as open fields, and Leckhampton Hill with its famous Leckhampton landmark the Devil's Chimney, it is conveniently located for work and for leisure. Situated on the southern edge of Cheltenham, Leckhampton only became part of the town in 1991 and it still keeps its picturesque village atmosphere.

Large Victorian town houses along Leckhampton Road contrast sharply with old thatched cottages along Church Road, where the heart of Leckhampton village originally was. This is where the Village hall and medieval St. Peter's Church are. Leckhampton Court, medieval manor to which Leckhampton village once belonged to, can be found nearby and is now a Sue Ryder Care hospice. It hosts many community events and family days throughout the year.

The village has a large playing field used for cricket, rugby, and football matches, with a play area and nursery nearby. Every August Burrows Playing Field is also the venue for a popular event Paws in the Park, where dogs of all breeds can compete in several different competitions. Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve, located on the site of disused Kingham railway line running through Leckhampton, provides valuable habitats for birds, butterflies and amphibians.

Bath Road

Bath Road connects Leckhampton with the town centre. With its friendly pubs, cafes, restaurants and local independent shops, Bath Road is very much the centre of the area providing residents with opportunities to shop and dine out. Attractive houses of this part of town date back to the early 19th century when the area around Bath Road provided housing for the artisan community of Cheltenham.

In the lower part of Bath Road visitors can admire the magnificent buildings of Cheltenham College, the first of the major public schools of the Victorian period. Thirlestaine House, now part of the college, was once one of the most magnificent private palaces in Cheltenham.

HISTORY

Leckhampton was first recorded in Domesday Book, 1086. The old village was situated close to Leckhampton Court and St. Peter's church, both built in the 14th century by Sir John Giffard, the then Lord of the Manor. The history of Leckhampton is marked by the existence of the limestone quarry at the Leckhampton Hill.