England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Newbold Pacey St George

The Parish

The parish of Newbold Pacey lies in southern Warwickshire roughly 6 miles east of the town of Stratford upon Avon. Newbold Pacey sits on the B4087 road which links the small town of Wellesbourne through to Leamington Spa. Newbold Pacey is a small estate village sitting at a crossroads, just a few properties lining the B4087, to its northeast is the slightly larger settlement of Ashorne, a linear settlement along an east to west running lane. The 17th century Hall which was replaced in the late 18th century also sits in Newbold Pacey close to the B4087, its former parkland occupies most of the parish lands between the two settlements. The parish is a farming parish with almost equal amounts of arable and pastoral methods and little has changed into modern times. The parish is drained westwards by the Thelsford Brook which makes a short trip to meet the Avon, the latter passes through Stratford and on to meet the Severn at Tewkesbury, the Severn heads determinedly south to reach the sea through the Bristol Channel. Both settlement are sited at around 60 metres above the sea in gentle terrain, to the southeast land rises up a gentle escarpment topping out at 111 metres near Moreton Morrell. Newbold Pacey parish was typically sized for its area, covering just under 1,800 acres it would have supported a population of close to 350 parishioners. In Domesday times Newbold Pacey was an equally modest farming manor held by one Hascoit Musard offering 12 ploughs backed by a small meadow.

The Church

St George's church sits well to the east of Newbold Pacey village accessed by a lengthy dead-end lane which becomes a footpath headed for Ashorne beyond the church. Sadly the church is a Victorian replacement for a rather early original church. The church was completed in 1881 and is mostly in the newly re-fashionable Early English Gothic style favoured by the later Victorians. The build of the church does, however, reuse 2 doorways from the old church which are 12th century Norman Romanesque in style and perhaps indicate what we have lost by the demolition and rebuild. Where the lane to the church leaves the B4087 is about 50 metres north of the turning for Moreton Morrell, a small white sign indicates the way. The lane is motorable to the churchyard with several spots close to the church where careful parking may be made. The churchyard is compact with many trees lining the southern and eastern boundaries which limit the views somewhat available for the photographer.