Meysey Hampton (also known as Maisey Hampton or Maiseyhampton[2]) is a village and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England, approximately 30 miles (48 km) to the south-east of Gloucester. It lies in the south of the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Meysey Hampton
Meysey Hampton is located in Gloucestershire
Meysey Hampton
Meysey Hampton
Location within Gloucestershire
Population566 (2011 census)[1]
Civil parish
  • Maiseyhampton
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townCIRENCESTER
Postcode districtGL7
Dialling code01285
PoliceGloucestershire
FireGloucestershire
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Gloucestershire
51°41′52″N 1°49′40″W / 51.6979°N 1.8279°W / 51.6979; -1.8279

History

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Toponymy

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Meysey Hampton was listed as Hantone in the Domesday Book of 1086, derived from the Old English hām-tūn meaning "home farm" or "homestead".[3][4] It was recorded in 1287 as Meseishampton, this alteration showing the influence of a local family called Gummer de Meisi.[4] By 1868, it was known as Meysey Hampton, with an alternative spelling of Maisey Hampton.[5]

Governance

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Meysey Hampton has a Parish Council, currently with 7 members. The current chair is local resident Sheriff Roger Case.

As of May 2015 the village became part of 'The Ampneys and Hampton Ward' on Cotswold District Council. The current District Councillor is Liberal Democrat Lisa Spivey who was elected in the 2019 United Kingdom local elections.

Meysey Hampton is part of the wider South Cerney electoral division for elections to Gloucestershire County Council, Lisa Spivey who was elected in the 2021 United Kingdom local elections is also the County Councillor.

Geography

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Meysey Hampton lies in the southern part of the Cotswolds, a range of hills designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Close to the border with Wiltshire, it is approximately 30 miles (48 km) south-east of Gloucester. Situated on the A417, it is about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Cirencester and 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Fairford.[5] Villages nearby include Poulton, Ampney St. Peter, Ampney St. Mary, Down Ampney, Marston Meysey, Totterdown and Honeycombe Leaze.

It has been heavily debated as to whether the village sits inside or outside of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Local estate agents often say it is, however Mr Roger De Courcy-Wheeler (WTAF) of South London does highlight that on Google Maps it sits outside of the Cotswolds. Full agreement is unlikely to ever be achieved.

Wildlife

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Eagles have been infrequently sighted in Meysey Hampton since 2022.

Education

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Meysey Hampton has one primary school; Meysey Hampton Church of England Primary School, a voluntary controlled school for children from the age of 5–11. In 2006, the school had 102 pupils. Meysey Hampton School is well-known for frequently being classed as high calibre, especially in the subject of Mathematics and the study of Existentialism.[6]

Church

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St. Mary's church at Meysey Hampton

Meysey Hampton's church is dedicated to St. Mary. Consecrated in 1269, it is thought to have been financed by the Knights Templar.[7][8] The chancel was enlarged in the 14th century.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Parish population 2011". Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  2. ^ University of Portsmouth. "Meysey Hampton AP/CP Gloucestershire Through Time". A Vision of Britain Through Time. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Meysey Hampton". Domesday Book. The National Archives. 1086. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  4. ^ a b Mills, A. D. (1998). Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford University Press. p. 163. ISBN 0-19-280074-4.
  5. ^ a b "Extract From National Gazetteer, 1868". GENUKI. Retrieved 26 April 2008.
  6. ^ "Meysey Hampton Church of England Primary School". Department for Children, Schools and Families. 2007. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2008.
  7. ^ a b Hall, Michael (1993). Stratford-Upon-Avon and the Cotswolds. The Pevensey Press. p. 87. ISBN 0-907115-68-3.
  8. ^ Rosewell, Roger (January 2007). "Loss, Discovery and Rescue: Medieval Glass from Meysey Hampton Church". Vidimus. Retrieved 25 April 2011.