U3A WTT Thornton Stuart Galloway
Route Summary
A short circular walk around Thornton.
Route Overview
Category: Walking Length: 3.400 km / 2.13 mi Parking: Reservoir Car Park or pub if eating Difficulty: Medium Rating: Unrated Surface: Average Last Modified: 17th April 2016 Date Published: 17th April 2016
Description
A walk taking the history of Thornton. This walk can be extended by walking around the reservoir or by taking the many paths towards Bagworth.
Waypoints
Thornton (52.66240; -1.30571)
The history of the village of Thornton goes back to well over a thousand years when the first settlement was made on the ridge between the two streams which still run on either side.
Although exposed to strong winds from every direction, primarily the south west, the village is safe from flooding standing as it does 460 to 480 feet above sea level.
The village name is generally thought to be Saxon meaning the 'tun' (a landed property) in a thorny district. Thornton derives its name from an old reference to the vegetation that grew wild around the village, hence the "Town of Thorns" or Thornton.
The whole area around Thornton was covered with a thick deposit of boulder clay at the end of the Ice-age and this
1 / 8 subsequently made an ideal bed for the construction .of the reservoir in the mid 1850's since water does not easily seep through it.
In the 19th century the village was mainly agricultural, there being about 12-16 farms, few of which now exist.
Most dwellings in the village were owned by the Countess of Warwick and these were sold at a
Grand Auction in about 1919, catalogues of which are still in existence. There were several areas of the village where water had to be collected from taps sited at the ends of rows of houses etc. and well within living memory, as are 'pan' toilets which were emptied at night by the "night soil' men.
Old kitchens were demolished and replaced with new kitchens and bathrooms containing toilets in the 1960s in the 2 rows of cottages belonging to Desford Colliery. Other cottages were owned by Bagworth colliery and were rented out to their employees at both pits.
The village gradually changed as most people had to travel well beyond the boundaries of the village to find employment.
Turn right out of the reservoir care park ot left out of the pub car park and walk up Main Street.
The Reservoir Inn (52.66375; -1.30960)
The Bulls Head pub was a feature in the village for over 100 years and was enlarged over-recent years and the name was changed to 'The Tipsy Fisherman', and in 2013 to the Reservoir Inn.
Fishing licences for the reservoir had to be obtained from the pub until the new fishing lodge was built.
Continue down Maim Street
2 / 8 The Bricklayers Arms (52.66496; -1.31177)
The Bricklayers Arms has been in existence for many years and is reputed to have been 'kept' by members of the Dilks family for almost 500 years. The last Dilks landlord was Arthur Dilks, who was born at the pub and retired soon after his 65th birthday in 1982. The pub was given its name because the Dilks family carried on the trade as builders. It is understood that employees were paid their wages in the pub.
Continue down Main Street
The Community Centre (52.66571; -1.31362)
Thornton Community Centre came into existence in the 1970's mainly because there was not an existing building which could be used for community use at all times.
Fund raising was started in the village at the beginning of 1970 and the first building was opened on 8th September 1973; extensions were added in 1978 and 1988.
Continue down Main Street
Thornton School (52.66670; -1.31481)
3 / 8 Thornton School has been in existence for over 100 years.
Following the Leics Round footpath signs turn left off the main road onto Hawthorne Drive and follow the road to the end then turn left onto the footpath across the field onto Mill Lane.
The Mill (52.66699; -1.32101)
Cross a stream and a small field with a couple of donkeys. The stream was the old mill race for Thornton Mill. The mill was built in 1847 and functioned until the 1930s. The daughter of the last miller still lives in the mill house, and the house next to it was converted from the mill itself.
Follow the path until you arrive close to the railway line.
Leicester to Swannington Railway (52.66786; -1.32403)
This railway line was one of the first railway lines in the world (probably within the top six). Originally, the bridge in Thornton Lane (The Hollow) did not exist and there was a level crossing.
On Saturday 4th May 1833 an accident occurred at Thornton Lane level crossing. The gates had been left open, and the train, pulled by the engine, "Samson" ran into a horse and cart, the driver of which had not heard the engine driver's warning bugle. The Company had to pay for a new horse and cart, for fifty pounds of butter, and eighty dozen eggs.
4 / 8 George Stephenson thereupon devised a steam whistle. It was constructed by a Leicester musical instrument maker working in King Street, and adopted for all engines.
The Midland Railway took over the line in 1845. The Ellis family created the colliery and village of Ellistown in 1873 and the station in Bagworth was renamed the Bagworth & Ellistown station.
In the 1990's British Rail considered restoring passenger services from Leicester to Burton on Trent as part of the Ivanhoe Line project.
This line still operates with about two trains a day taking from freight from Bardon Quarry.
A public house named the "Stag & Castle" existed in The Hollow near to the railway bridge and this property was also used as a ticket office for the Swannington line into Leicester as there was a 'halt' for passengers from the village in order that they did not have to travel to Bagworth Station (opened on 18th July 1832).
The village was also served from 1832 until 1871 Merry Lees railway station.
Cross the road and onto the footpath bearing to the right this will bring you out at top of the village, follow the footpath back into the village and turn left onto the Leicestershire Round down to the Reservoir
Thornton Reservoir (52.66826; -1.31181)
Thornton Reservoir was built in the mid 1850's to take the first fresh piped water to Leicester but at that time water was supplied to the village via the Water Tower which stood at the bottom end of the village near the Wheelwright's Cottage.
5 / 8 Thornton Reservoir has an area of 75 acres. It is no longer used as a source of drinking water. Severn Trent opened it in 1997 to the public and is an idyllic location for walkers, birdwatchers and anglers.
Thornton Reservoir now more than 150 years old, is situated on the edge of the village and is set in a picturesque valley surrounded by a landscape of rolling farmland and mature woodland. The creation of the reservoir took almost seven years of planning and building works. It was originally constructed to provide water for Hinckley and Nuneaton, together with the western parts of Leicestershire, and has a total capacity of 1,320,000 m3. Water was originally abstracted from the reservoir and treated at the works at the toe of the dam.
In 2005, Thornton Reservoir was designated as a Local Wildlife Site due to its importance for wildlife. It is now a peaceful and picturesque location that offers a wide network of trails and footpaths around the reservoir and through the woodland areas. There are also links with longer trails including the Leicestershire Round, the National Forest Company's Coal Tips to Country Parks Walk and various other public footpaths.
Walk down the path alongside the reservoir until you see St Peters Church on the right.
St Peter's Church (52.66532; -1.30821)
The church is a worthwhile diversion by turning left at the sign from the path.
How long a church has been present in the village is unknown, (although written evidence dates back to 1220) Thornton Church is unrecorded in the Domesday Book which describes only the 'Manor of Bageworde'. Doubtless this includes Thornton as the two have always been in the same parish.
The Church of England parish church of St Peter was built in the 13th century. The church door was originally at Ulverscroft Priory. It was reported in November 2011 that the church is being split in two by subsidence. There was probably an earlier church on the site, but the earliest parts of the present church date from the 13th century, these
6 / 8 are the aisles and nave. The tower is 15th century in the perpendicular style with recessed spire and two tiers of lucarnes (small dormer windows), the clerestory windows and heightened nave also dates from this time. At the west end of the north aisle is a cusped spherical window which probably dates from the 13th century, this was hidden for many years.
On entering through the porch you will be met by a 6ft by 9ft door dating from the 14th century, this is supposed to have come from Ulverscroft Priory. This was a monastic building in Charnwood Forest founded in the reign of Henry II of the Augustinian order and it survived until the dissolution. There is still the 'sanctuary ring' attached to the door by the handle, anyone grabbing this would have been given sanctuary in the Priory. The font by the door is 15th century and of octagonal design. On the base is carved tracery and on the entablature are Tudor roses of Henry Vll's time. Above the chancel arch is a colourful 1820 tympanum which depicts the commandments and prayers.
The pew seating dates from 1500-1560 and was made by one Robert Baken. Every bench end is carved with straight and linen fold carving which is quite exquisite. The Victorians did not restore (or my usual term 'Victorianize') the church apart from the chancel area. This has left us with the fine woodwork, plastered walls and original floors. The east window of the south aisle contains 14th century glass, in the chancel arch is the remains of the rood screen which was mostly removed in 1644. There are apertures for the rood loft on the arches either side.
The church of St Peter's is special in that it has many interesting features, and due to the lack of a Victorian restoration these have survived.
Either continue past the church back to the main road and to the Reservoir Inn or go back to the path by the reservoir and turn right to get back to the reservoir car park.
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