About Whitnash
Whitnash is a small growing town contiguous with Royal Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, England.
In 1911, it had a population of 525, expanding to 8,806 a century later in 2011 and has grown over recent years through modern continuing development. The Parish acreage is 1,239 before any boundary changes.
The once Great Western Railway main line, now used mainly by Chiltern Railway, forms the eastern boundary.
Twinned with Weilersweist, near Cologne Germany and Villebon-sur-Yvette in France.
There are a few remaining 17th Century properties which are grade 2 listed, including the Plough and Harrow public house. St Margaret's Parish Church also listed, dates from Saxon times
Nicholas Chamberlaine (1632 - 1715) noted for his charitable work was born in Whitnash, was vicar of Leek Wootton and rector of Bedworth for 52 years until his death. Nicholas had willed trusts in his name to aid the poor, he was related to the Chamberlains' of Astley Warwickshire.
History
Whitnash is a very ancient settlement. Its earliest origins can be traced
back to pre-Roman occupation. Whitnash has several possible origins as a place
name. It could variously mean "at the white ash", "place by the wood", "sacred
ash", or even "meeting place of the wise". However, the first meaning is the
considered most likely to be correct.
By the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086,
Whitnash was part of the Stoneleigh Hundreds area, and referred to as Witenas.
The population consisted of 11 villagers and 8 smallholders. It remained a small
village for many centuries, not even being connected to local towns by anything
more than country lanes until around 1850.
Dramatic population growth began during the second half of the 20th
century. In the space of a few decades, the population increased by over five
times. Reflecting its much larger size, Whitnash became a town in 1972.
There are a number of leylines (prehistoric tracks) traversing Whitnash.
The "Regia Via" was the main Roman road from Radford Semele to Whitnash that
passes through the Whitnash Brook Valley. The Valley is of great interest as it
was the original site of the early collection of huts that constituted Whitnash
as an ancient village. A nearby field is called Castle Hill Field close to the
site of an ancient Holy Well; it has been suggested that at one time it was the
site of an important fortification in Celtic times.
back to pre-Roman occupation. Whitnash has several possible origins as a place
name. It could variously mean "at the white ash", "place by the wood", "sacred
ash", or even "meeting place of the wise". However, the first meaning is the
considered most likely to be correct.
By the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086,
Whitnash was part of the Stoneleigh Hundreds area, and referred to as Witenas.
The population consisted of 11 villagers and 8 smallholders. It remained a small
village for many centuries, not even being connected to local towns by anything
more than country lanes until around 1850.
Dramatic population growth began during the second half of the 20th
century. In the space of a few decades, the population increased by over five
times. Reflecting its much larger size, Whitnash became a town in 1972.
There are a number of leylines (prehistoric tracks) traversing Whitnash.
The "Regia Via" was the main Roman road from Radford Semele to Whitnash that
passes through the Whitnash Brook Valley. The Valley is of great interest as it
was the original site of the early collection of huts that constituted Whitnash
as an ancient village. A nearby field is called Castle Hill Field close to the
site of an ancient Holy Well; it has been suggested that at one time it was the
site of an important fortification in Celtic times.
©2017 Steve Cherry