Population 1,489 (2011) Region South West Sovereign state United Kingdom Local time Sunday 7:12 PM District Forest of Dean District | OS grid reference SO689189 Country England Post town Longhope Shire county Gloucestershire UK parliament constituency Forest of Dean | |
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Weather 9°C, Wind NW at 16 km/h, 85% Humidity | ||
Longhope is a village in west Gloucestershire, situated within the Forest of Dean, England, United Kingdom.
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Map of Longhope, UK
The placename Longhope means "long, enclosed valley" which describes the aspect of the village.
The village was inhabited by the 11th century and the manor of Hope is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The village parish church, dedicated to All Saints, dates back to Norman times although it was heavily restored during the 1860s when the north vestries were added and the tower was partially rebuilt. The arms of William III hang above the door and lower parts of the four stage west tower are late Norman, as is one window. There exists also, in the north transept, an effigy of a priest which is dated to circa 1300. The porch and several windows are early 14th century.
Opposite the church, Court Leet was once the local court with the adjacent half timbered cottage being the gaol. Another house of historic interest is Royal Spring, where Charles I is said to have stopped for refreshment in 1642 after the battle of Powick Bridge during the English Civil War.
May Hill is a prominent landmark and the ownership of the summit is vested with Longhope Parish Council.
The village school, Hope Brook Church of England Primary School, was formed on 1 September 2001, by the amalgamation of Hopes Hill County Primary School and Longhope Church of England School. The school is situated next to the village's Recreation Ground.
Governance
The village falls in the 'Blaisdon and Longhope' electoral ward. This ward has Longhope in the north and Blaisdon as its smaller southerly neighbour. The total ward population taken at the 2011 census was 1,754.
Longhope Football Club
The village has only one football team in the North Gloucestershire division one. Their home ground is the Recreation Ground in the centre of the village.
Railways
Longhope station opened in 1855 with the line it was located on. being the Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway (part of the Great Western Railway) linking Ross-on-Wye and Grange Court and thence to Gloucester. Longhope station was used in season to export locally produced jam and fruit grown locally. The station had a passing loop on what was a single track.
The station has been demolished but the waiting room still remains.