Billesdon Heritage Trail

31 ECHOES

Location: Leicester, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom

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Located nine miles east of Leicester within open rolling countryside, Billesdon has existed for over a thousand years as an agriculture-based community.

With permission, this Sound Walk has been based upon a Heritage Trail published by Visit Harborough District www.visitharborough.com

If you like this, please let your Twitter / X followers know about it: vtsw.uk/sw/htb/x

Introduction

Billesdon village’s name reputedly originated from Bill's Hill and was first applied by the early Anglian settlers to the prominent hill nearby.

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The Market Cross and War Memorial

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The Old Greyhound

This was the original Greyhound which was the oldest pub serving this area of the village, until it ceased to be licenced premises in 1916.

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The White Hart

Around 1800 the increasing amount of road traffic called for a coaching inn and the White Hart was built.

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The Bank

On the same side of the road the 1930's semi-detached houses on The Bank were built of the bricks from the old Billesdon Brick Works which was demolished in 1935.

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Muddy Lane

At the Western edge of the village, there is a sign posted footpath. This is known locally as Muddy Lane.

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Billesdon Coplow

The name 'Coplow' is of Old English derivation meaning the summit and mound.

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Bradley Square

Bradley Square was the village's centre for the hosiery framework knitters.

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The Queens Head

The Queen’s Head was once a dwelling house but for over 200 years has been selling drinks and is the oldest surviving pub in the village.

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1769

The brick-built house here, end-on to the road, has a date tablet of 1769 and many features of that date.

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The Methodist Chapel

Here used to be a shop with a very unusual history; originally a dwelling house it was converted into a Chapel in 1859.

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The Quadrant

Here is the entrance to the Quadrant, which used to house horses and hounds, and is part of the rich history of hunting in the district.

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Manor Farm House

The L-shaped Manor Farmhouse is one of the oldest houses in the village.

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The Church of St. John the Baptist

The Church of St. John the Baptist, was probably founded in the 11th century and was given to the Abbey of Leicester in 1162.

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Tithe Cottage

To the north of the church, Tithe Cottage was originally a 17th century barn in which was stored the vicar's portion of the crops and stock produced by the inhabitants.

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Mud & Cob

The use of mud as a building material was once extensive.

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The Old Vicarage

The Old Vicarage, old becausea new one was built in 1991, was started in the early 17th century and has appropriate moulded stone mullioned windows and transoms.

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The Old School

The Old School was built in 1650 of ironstone with a sundial on each wall and was originally thatched.

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The Manor House

The Manor House started as a small ironstone house in the 17th century, was enlarged in the 19th century and, because of the proximity of the kennels and stables in the Quadrant, was frequently occupied by keen huntsman.

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Suffield Terrace

Suffield Terrace was built by Lord Suffield to house the hunt servants.

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The Old Boarding School

The three-storey brick house close to Baptist Chapel was built early in the 19th century and became a boarding school for boys from nonconformist families.

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The Baptist Chapel

In the autumn of 1812, the pastor of the Old Baptist Church in Friar Lane, Leicester, decided the time had come to establish a Baptist Church in Billesdon.

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The White Hall

The White Hall was for several generations the home, surgery, and the dispensary of the village doctors.

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The Old Village Hall

The builders of the elaborate original Village Hall, that used to be here, left enduring evidence of origin in the stonework on the front, and on the pillars either side.

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The Maltings

12 & 14 Uppingham Road, The Maltings, is a Regency house with elegant windows and front door.

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Smith's Shop

The substantial 17th century ironstone building with the sundial on the front was for nearly 100 years used as a general store.

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6 & 8 Uppingham Road

6 & 8 Uppingham Road, are part of a tall brick residence with side wings

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Potters Cottage

Potters Cottage was the home of two well-known taxidermists.

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The New Greyhound

The New Greyhound raises questions about its name.

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The Gables

The Gables, on Church Street, was one the home of the famous horse breaker Thomas Tomblin.

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Doone Cottage

Doone Cottage on Long Lane is one of the oldest surviving cottages in the village.

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