Bishop's
Cleeve is almost a town although it still retains its village status.
Bishops Cleeve is close to Cheltenhanm but it falls under
the Local Authority District of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
The
church, shown above is St Michaels and All Angels which is a Norman
church rebuilt in the 17th century.
The
village is situated alongside the village of Woodmancote at the foot of
Cleeve Hill. The village of Woodmancote and Bishops Cleeve are
separated by the railway line which also acts as the border for the two
villages. Other villages close by include Southam and Gotherington.
The
village can be traced back to the 8th century and the Domesday Book in
1086 shows that approximately 100 people lived in Bishops Cleeve. The
village still has a Tythe Barn and some of the older houses date from
the 12th and 13th centuries.
This
is a busy and thriving community with major employers situated here.
Smiths Industries and Zurich Financial Services along with
new housing and shops have all led to the expansion
of the
village.
The
old railway line that runs through Bishops Cleeve had been closed but
is now part of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway ( GWR ) and
steam trains are now a regular feature as they pass through the village
on their way to the Cheltenham Racecourse.