OS grid reference SP0207 Region South West Sovereign state United Kingdom Shire county Gloucestershire Dialling code 01285 | Civil parish North Cerney Country England Post town CIRENCESTER District Cotswold District UK parliament constituency The Cotswolds | |
 | ||
North Cerney is a village and civil parish in the English county of Gloucestershire, and lies within the Cotswolds, a range of hills designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village is 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Cirencester within the Churn valley. It was recorded as Cernei in the Domesday Book. However, the North Cerney parish boundaries were known to exist in 852 AD when it was recorded that King of the Mercians granted lands in North Cerney to a man called Alfeah.
Contents
Map of North Cerney, Cirencester, UK
The parish also includes the villages of Woodmancote and Calmsden.
The North Cerney Manor was in the possession of the Bishop of York from the Conqueror's time until 1545 when it was returned to the Crown.
North Cerney is represented by the county councillor for Northleach division and the district councillor for Churn Valley ward on Cotswold District Council. The County Council estimated in 2010 there were 556 people living in the village.
The village has a pub, The Bathurst Arms, a primary school, North Cerney Church of England School, and a cricket club, North Cerney Cricket Club.
Church of All Saints
The early 12th-century Church of All Saints is English Heritage Grade I listed for its special architectural and historic interest. Restorations and excavations on the site have revealed several 12th-century artifacts that have been subsequently incorporated into the later works. Similarly, the Church's original 12th-century stone altar was rediscovered and returned to the church in 1912.
A fire in the 14th century severely damaged the Norman-era roof as well as some walls. The church was fully restored though the wealth of the Cotswold wool industry and the determination of the rector William Whitchurch. A stained-glass window in the church memorialises him for his efforts. Despite the fire, some Norman work in the tower, porch and chancel is still evident along with two other 14th-century stained glass windows. The south wall exterior shows some unusual scratch markings of a manticore and a leopard. The purpose of the markings is unknown but thought perhaps to have been the work of masons during one of the expansions. There is a 14th-century churchyard cross on the grounds as well as numerous ancient grave memorials.