Leebotwood

St Mary's Church, the parish church.

Leebotwood is a small village, which is also a civil parish located within Shrewsbury and Atcham district in Shropshire, England. Its estimated population in 2011 is 193. It is about 9 miles (14km) south-east of Shrewsbury and 12 miles (19km) south-west of Telford.

History

Leebotwood’s village church is a plain and simple building in comparison to its many neighbouring churches, which include Church Stretton. The church dates from the 12th century when the whole are was covered in thick forest. It was known locally as Botwde or Botwood. Henry II granted this area to Augustinian canons with a chapel at Lega - hence Leebotwood. A valley between Leebotwood and Caer Caradoc was important as a thoroughfare dating right back to Roman times. The eastern boundary of the village was formed from the ancient route of Watling Street which is still visible today. Caer Caradoc to the south of Leebotwood rises to a height of 1506ft and is said to be one of the last strongholds of the native chief Caradoc or Caractacus who held out against the Romans.

Local businesses

The Pound at Leebotwood is situated off the main A49 just 9 miles south of Shrewsbury. It boasts a newly refurbished thatched country pub and eating-house. There are multiple mixed farms, livestock farms and dairy farms boarding Leebotwood some of which including J & G Allsop, J Roy Davies Farmer,[R J Probert & Son, T Seabury & Son. Leebotwood also has to offer a variety of other local businesses such as;

• Architects - Geoffrey R Smith.
• Baby & nursery equipment - Full of beans.
• Builder merchant - Shropshire Building Supplies Ltd.
• Building Construction Contractors - RJS services Ltd.
• Craft - Heather brea.