Population 1,556 Region West Midlands Sovereign state United Kingdom Local time Saturday 7:47 PM Dialling code 01562 Civil parish Churchill and Blakedown | OS grid reference SO879784 Country England Post town KIDDERMINSTER Shire county Worcestershire District Wyre Forest District | |
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Weather 7°C, Wind SW at 18 km/h, 82% Humidity | ||
Blakedown is a village in the Wyre Forest District in the north of the county of Worcestershire, England. Due to its road and rail links it serves mainly as a dormitory village for Kidderminster, and the cities of Birmingham and Worcester. Originally part of Hagley Parish, it was transferred in 1888 to the small adjacent parish of Churchill, which became Churchill and Blakedown.
Contents
Map of Blakedown, UK
History
Much of Blakedown was originally an area of common land, enclosed in the 19th century. However Harborough Hall, which once belonged to the family of William Shenstone the poet, is probably the successor of a house that goes back to Medieval times. William Shenstone wrote some of his works whilst staying there. With the coming of the railway line and station in the mid 19th century, Blakedown began to grow into a village, eventually becoming larger than its companion, Churchill.
The main road that runs through the village was part of the turnpike road from Birmingham to Kidderminster. The turnpike trust was established in 1753. Blakedown was the location of one of the Toll gates, the other end of the section being located near Halesowen. Both Toll houses still survive, the one at Blakedown is now a shop.
Blakedown railway station was opened in 1852 and originally called Churchill station). Later it was called Churchill and Blakedown before adopting its current name. The modern village of Blakedown is effectively cleaved in half by the railway line, though the vast majority of the village situated north of the line was built afterward.
The village has a small church, St. James the Great, and a Church of England primary school. Long standing businesses such as the village Butchers, Newsagent, Grocery and Service Station/Garage have closed, though a Post Office/General Stores still services the village. Blakedown is well known for its Nurseries, indeed the first Gladstone apple was grown there in 1868.
Sports facilities
Blakedown has excellent sports facilities, including its own golf club which was originally a 9 hole course, now extended to 18 holes. Other sports facilities include a tennis club, football and cricket plus a snooker club which was established in 1904. Former World Billiard Champion and local resident Rex Williams is the club's president. A new outdoor bowling green was completed in 2016 to compliment indoor bowling held in the village hall. Blakedown also has a small sports car business and equine facilities.