Two Villages
Welford and Weston have histories deeply entwined with their neighbouring villages of Clifford Chambers, Long Marston, and Milcote. The Greville Family had long associations and in Saxon times before King Canute much belonged to the Bishops of Worcester.
A horseshoe loop of Shakespeare's Avon is the setting for Welford and Weston. Like Stratford, their more famous neighbour; they have many picture-book views of eye-catching black and white or red brick cottages. Both villages contain a rich variety of architectural styles and as you explore them you will also come across modern developments and cottage conversions.
Welford, mentioned in the Doomsday Book, has a long history. Back in the 11th century it was owned by the Earl of Gloucester who gave the village to the Saxon priory of Deerhurst, near Tewkesbury. The history of the Parish Church dates back to before these times. The Methodist Church (which celebrated its bicentenary in 2002) is located in Chapel Street; the services of both churches are listed in the Welford Matters magazine, as are those for the Church at Weston on Avon. The hamlet of Weston is linked to Welford both historically and ecclesiastically. The Greville's were major landowners in Weston.
Today the two villages are active communities sharing popular pubs, a garage, shops, a golf course, bowling club and a flourishing variety of clubs and societies. Welford is fortunate too, in having a village school. It is not surprising that large crowds gather when the local schoolchildren dance around the impressive red, white and blue maypole.
