Tilton on the Hill
| Tilton on the Hill | |
|---|---|
| Population | 450 |
| OS grid reference | SK 743 056 |
| • London | 85.2 mi (137.1 km) South |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LEICESTER |
| Postcode district | LE7 |
| Dialling code | 0116 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | |
Tilton on the Hill is a village and civil parish in the Harborough district of Leicestershire. It lies 2 miles north of the A47, on the B6047 to Melton Mowbray. Halstead civil parish (grid reference SK750056) was merged with Tilton in 1935, while the deserted medieval village of Whatborough (SK772059) was merged in 1994. Marefield remains a separate civil parish, but is part of the Tilton Electoral Ward.[1] St Peter's Tilton, the Parish Church is in the parish of Halstead, as is the vicarage.
Tilton on the Hill is one of the highest places in East Leicestershire at 719 feet (219 m) above sea level, with the Mill House standing at the highest point. Whatborough is the highest summit in the eastern half of the county. The centre of the village was designated a Conservation Area in 1975, with the boundaries updated in 1994 and 2005.[2]
In 2009, the village was named as the "Best Village in Leicestershire" in the Calor Village of the Year competition and also won Calor "Sustainability Village of the Year" for the Midlands.[3]
Tilton is represented in cricket by Tilton and Lowesby CC. Rob Welsh is currently the captain.
Services
The village has one public house called the Rose & Crown and one general store. The village is served by Kyriacou's Fish 'n' Chip van twice a week.[4]
The Village Hall stands near the centre of the village.[5]
The village's post office was replaced by an 'Outreach Service' in 2008, serving the village on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
Tilton railway station on the Great Northern Railway was closed in 1953. The railway cutting is a Geological Site of Special Scientific Interest and is owned and managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.
Churches
There are two churches in Tilton on the Hill: St Peter's Tilton on the Hill (Church of England) and Halstead Methodist Chapel.
St Peter's Church
The first known mention of a religious establishment in Tilton is a reference in the Domesday Book to a priest. Much of the current church dates to the 13th and 14th Century and is a landmark for miles around. In 1854 substantial restoration work was carried out, which led to the removal of the gallery at the west end of the church, as well as the medieval chancel screen.
St Peter's contains the tombs of Sir Johan de Diggebye and his wife, dated 1269.[6] The tomb of Sir Everard Digby is dated 1509.
Halstead Methodist Chapel
Halstead Methodist Chapel, a Wesleyan chapel, was built in 1813 on land let on a 99 year lease by T. Sikes esq.[7] for a nominal 3 peppercorn rent. The chapel was enlarged in 1834, again in 1862 and restored in the late 1980s. Confusingly, while the entrance to the Methodist Chapel lies in Halstead, it is predominantly built on land in Tilton.
Scheduled Ancient Monuments
There are 5 Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Tilton on the Hill:[8]
| S.A.M. Number | S.A.M. Description | Grid reference |
|---|---|---|
| 17014 | Moated site at Tilton | SK 7453 0519 |
| 105 | Churchyard Cross | SK 743 056 |
| 106 | Mound 220yds north-west of church | SK 742 058 |
| 186 | Defended enclosure on Robin-a-Tiptoe Hill | SK 773 042 |
| 17090 | Whatborough deserted medieval village | SK 7716 0593 |
St Peter's Church is grade I listed, while a further 18 buildings are grade II listed[9]
References
- ^ Harborough District Council Wards retrieved 3 January 2009
- ^ Tilton Conservation Area: Proposed Boundary Changes: 2005 Harborough District Council
- ^ This is Leicestershire 28th September 2009
- ^ Kyriacou's Family Fish & Chip Van
- ^ Tilton Village Hall
- ^ St Peter's Church guide
- ^ *History, Gazetteer and Directory of the Counties of Leicestershire and Rutland, William White . Published 1863
- ^ Harborough Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Appendix C
- ^ Heritage Gateway Listed Buildings online
External links
- Tilton on the Hill with information on the genealogy of Tilton.
- Phillimore's Marriage Index
- Tilton Church official website.
- The Rose & Crown pub at the centre of the village for over 300 years
- Hedgehog Hall Luxury Bed & Breakfast accommodation
- 2001 Census Tilton Parish Profile
- Leicestershire Villages community website with information on local organisations and activities.
- Parish Walks for Tilton on the Hill