Beckington

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Beckington
latitude= 51.2649
longitude= -2.2845
civil_parish=
population = 956
shire_district= Mendip
shire_county = Somerset
region= South West England
constituency_westminster= Somerton and Frome
post_town=
postcode_district=
postcode_area=
dial_code=
os_grid_reference= ST801518

Beckington is a village and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, about three miles north of Frome. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 956.

Beckington is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and archers from Beckington were present at the Battle of Agincourt.

It has a Norman Church of St. George dating from the 14th century. The tower contains two bells dating from 1756 and made by Thomas Bilbie of the Bilbie family. [cite book |last=Moore |first=James |authorlink= |coauthors=Roy Rice & Ernest Hucker |title=Bilbie and the Chew Valley clock makers |year=1995 |publisher=The authors |location= |isbn=0952670208 ] It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building. [cite web | title=Church of St. George | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=266984 | accessdate=2007-10-05]

The Abbey, Beckington, dating from 1502 is a former monastic grange and college for priests later adapted as a house.

The castle, which housed Ravenscroft School between 1945 and 1970, was originally built in the 17th century. [cite web | title=The Castle | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=266971 | accessdate=2007-10-05]

The cottages along Church Street date from around 1720.

References

External links

* [http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/somerset/beckington/photos/beckington_B402004.htm Beckington Castle]
* [http://www.beckington.org.uk village website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjPhCzGKV2Q Village life in Beckington ]

ee also

* Thomas Beckington, (c.1390 - 1465)