Leebotwood

St Mary's Church, the parish church.

Leebotwood is a small village and civil parish in Shropshire, England. Its estimated population in 2011 is 193. It is about 9 miles (14 km) south of Shrewsbury and 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of Church Stretton.

Geography

The village is located on the A49 road, north of Church Stretton and south of the village of Dorrington. The village of All Stretton is 2 miles away, between Leebotwood and Church Stretton.

Leebotwood is the only recognisable settlement in the parish. The Welsh Marches railway line runs through the parish, and there was once a small railway station, though today the nearest station is Church Stretton, 3½ miles away.

The parish was part of the borough of Shrewsbury and Atcham, which existed 1973-2009. It continues to be part of the Parliamentary constituency of Shrewsbury and Atcham.

History

Leebotwood's parish church (St Mary's) is a plain and simple building in comparison to its many neighbouring churches, including Church Stretton's St Laurence's Church.

The church dates from the 12th century when the whole are was covered in thick forest, known locally as "Botwde" or "Botwood". Henry II granted this area to Augustinian canons with a chapel at Lega - hence the placename of "Leebotwood". Nearby, in the parish of Church Stretton, is Botvyle, which also derives its name from the historic forest.

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.

Present day

Local businesses

There is a thatched public house called "The Pound", a tea rooms called "The Copper Kettle", a farm shop, and a village hall that offers internet use.

There are multiple "mixed farms", livestock farms and dairy farms boarding Leebotwood, including J & G Allsop, J Roy Davies Farmer, R J Probert & Son, T Seabury & Son.

Leebotwood also has 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