Lechlade
The Town
Recoco property finders will be delighted to introduce Lechlade, also known as Lechlade-on-Thames, at the southern edge of the Cotswolds in the tranquil English county of Gloucestershire. The town is named for the River Leach, which merges with the Thames near St John’s Bridge and the Trout Inn.
The present-day population of Lechlade, which is now part of Cotswold District, is around 4,000. Any Lechlade property search will quickly reveal that the skyline is dominated by the spire on St Lawrence's Church.
Transport
Lechlade lies on a crossroads of the A417 and the A361. The latter enters the town to the south and crossing the River Thames on the Halfpenny Bridge. Buses run from Lechlade to Fairford and Cirencester. The nearest railway station is Shipton, at a little over 12 miles away. If easy access to international airports is an important aspect of your property search, Bristol or Birmingham are both about an hour and 15 minutes' drive away on clear roads, with the fastest time to Heathrow about 1 hour 30 minutes. Gatwick should take around 2 hours 30 minutes depending on route.
The History
The area has been settled since the Iron Age and Roman times. The Manor of Lechlade is mentioned in the Domesday Book as a gift to Henry de Ferrers, and a 13th century charter granted the town a market. The excellent canal, river, road and rail links helped the town develop into an important trading centre, although the railway station closed in 1962. Lechlade was also a shipping point for stone from the quarries at nearby Taynton. St Paul's Cathedral, several colleges of the University of Oxford, and Windsor Castle have all incorporated the stone into their buildings.
Leisure and Events
Lechlade is popular with those who enjoy boating: the river here can take relatively large craft, including narrowboats. The highest lock is St John’s Lock at Lechlade, where a statue thought to represent Old Father Thames looks down benevolently on property buyers and Recoco property finders alike.
The land is generally low lying and fairly flat, and the surrounding area includes parts of the Cotswold Water Park. Subject to weather and river conditions, River Thames trips are available during the summer season. Behind Lechlade Town Hall you’ll find large playing fields, a skate park, playground, and an astro turf pitch. Property buyers who enjoy wildlife will delight in the many nature reserves in the area. The marshy, reedy environments are popular with heron, great crested grebe, dragonflies, goldeneye, and tufted ducks.
The annual Lechlade music festival has taken place since 2011. This late spring festival is known for its friendly, family atmosphere, and the wide range of live music. Property buyers are sure to find something to enjoy, whether it’s jazz, indie, world music, pop, punk, rock, reggae or world music.
Education
Schools include pre-school Lechlade Little Learners. All primary schools in the town are Church of England schools: Southrop, St Christopher's, and St Lawrence, which has Academy status. All have good Ofsted scores; Recoco buying agents can help you track down the latest reports. For secondary education, Farmor's School, founded in 1738, which is also an Academy with a well-regarded Sixth Form.
Celebrity Connections
The county as a whole is favoured by several celebrities and members of the Royal Family who prefer a more low key, rural lifestyle to the hustle and bustle of London. Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley composed his work A Summer Evening Churchyard by St Lawrence's Church. More recently, Recoco buying agents can confirm that Kate Moss is known to have a home here.
Foodies' Corner
It might be small in size, but Lechlade has some excellent eateries. Take a break from your property search to enjoy Indian food at Khushi, or for delicious Chinese fare, Rivervale will be happy to extend a welcome. Your Recoco property finder can point you towards Five Alls, a British pub and inn with great menu choices and a real fire (in season), the Trout Inn, or try the Old Swan. Or opt for locally-run café like Vera's Kitchen, which offers hearty fare with great veggie and vegan options. The award-winning artisan Lynnwood & Co brings you the best in Australian food. Should you prefer to make your own at home, ask your Recoco buying agents for details of traditional butcher and greengrocer Cutler & Baylis.
Fun Fact
Should the notion take you, you can travel from Lechlade to London on foot or by boat: Lechlade is the highest point at which the Thames is navigable.