England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Bulley St Michael

The Parish

The parish of Bulley lies in northwestern Gloucestershire close to its border with neighbouring Herefordshire. Bulley lies about 6 miles west of the city of Gloucester just north of the A40 road which links the city to the Herefordshire market town of Ross on Wye. Bulley is not a substantial village being merely a scatter of farms and cottages along a northward leading lane. Most population is grouped around the junction by the church but Bulley has never been more than sparsely populated. The area is close to the plain of the Severn river but a little drier, however the area is still dominated by pastoral farming and small hedged fields. Bulley sits at about 30 metres above sea level, what drainage there is is headed southwards towards a stream called the Long Brook which is headed for the Severn. Bulley parish is small for Gloucestershire, at about 500 acres it is small even by southern Britain standards, it supported around 200 parishioners. In Domesday times the land was held by one Walter the Bowman and supported a mere 4 ploughs with some meadow.

The Church

St Michael's church sits alongside the lane (Bulley Lane) which passes through the hamlet. The church is to the west in semi-parkland by the junction which marks the centre of population. The church is old, probably Norman in origin but substantially rebuilt in a sympathetic style in 1886. The building is small as befits a tiny parish and lacks a tower or spire, the bell turret being a 19th century addition. Most of the fabric appears to be 11th or 12th century although the inevitable Perpendicular modification is present. St Michael's is well-screened from the lane behind substantial hedges, access is through a flagged and tarred driveway and two wooden gates. The graveyard opens up behind the hedging to give clear sight-lines and is a quiet and peaceful spot indeed.