Lechlade

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.6988
longitude= -1.6916
official_name= Lechlade
constituency_westminster=
post_town=
postcode_district =
postcode_area=
dial_code=
os_grid_reference= SU2199
population= 2,759 (2001 Census)
shire_district= Cotswold
shire_county = Gloucestershire
region= South West England

Lechlade is a town in Gloucestershire, England. It is located at the southern edge of the Cotswolds. It is the highest point at which the River Thames is navigable. The town is named after the River Leach which joins the Thames near here.

The town is a popular venue for tourism and river-based activities. There is a convenience store, food outlets, a garden centre and a 'Christmas shop'. Near the 15th Century parish church of St Lawrence, in the centre of the town, there is a large open space which is now a car park. The main roads through the town are busy, as the town is situated at an important cross roads, of the A417 with the A361. As the A361 enters the town from the south, it crosses the River Thames on the Halfpenny Bridge. Another tributary of the Thames, the River Coln, joins the Thames at the Inglesham Round House.

The River Thames

Lechlade is the highest town to which the River Thames is navigable by large craft including narrowboats. It is possible to travel by river or on foot from here to London. The Halfpenny bridge is therefore the usual start for a water based Thames meander - the term for a long distance journey down the Thames. The Thames Path also continues upstream to the traditional source of the Thames at Thames Head). The river is actually navigable for a short way further upstream, near to the village of Inglesham, where the Thames and Severn Canal joins the River Thames. Rowing boats can reach even further upstream, to Cricklade. Lechlade is a popular 'resort' for Thames boating. Boats of different types can be hired from here, from rowing boats to river cruisers.

The highest lock on the Thames is St John's Lock, at Lechlade, where there is a statue of Old Father Thames overlooking the boating activities. The view from St John's Bridge across the lock and the meadows to the spire of St Lawrence's church is memorable. The River Leach flows into the Thames at St John's Bridge. The poet Percy Bysshe Shelley composed "A Summer Evening Churchyard" here which includes the lines:"Clothing in hues of heaven thy dim and distant spire:"Around whose lessening and invisible height:"Gather among the stars the clouds of night

Youth activities

Lechlade has a number of activities available to its younger citizens, most of which are centred around the Memorial hall and its adjacent structure, the Lechlade Pavilion Hall.

Since 1997, the town has seen the birth and growth of 1970 Squadron of the Air Training Corps. The squadron's membership consists of young people from the town itself as well as neighbouring towns such as Fairford and Faringdon. This unit has now disbanded and all cadets transferred. Look for No 2267 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton

Behind the town hall are large playing fields and a skate park.

Location

Lechlade is situated on the A417, at its crossing with the A361. The 15th century parish church is located at gbmapping|SU215995.

External links

* [http://www.lechladeonthames.co.uk/ Lechlade-on-Thames official website]
* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~engcots/LechladePhotos.html Images of the church of St Lawrence]
* [http://www.stlawrencelechlade.org.uk/index.html St Lawrence Church Website]