Harbury

Infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Harbury
latitude= 52.241011
longitude= -1.450746
civil_parish= Harbury
population = 2,485 (2001)
shire_district= Stratford-on-Avon
shire_county= Warwickshire
region= West Midlands
constituency_westminster= Stratford-on-Avon
post_town= SOUTHAM
postcode_district = CV33
postcode_area= CV
dial_code= 01926
os_grid_reference= SP3760

Harbury is a large village and civil parish in the Stratford-on-Avon district of Warwickshire, England. In the 2001 census it had a population of 2,485.

The village is located around convert|3|mi|km|0 south west of Southam, and around convert|5|mi|km|0 south east of Leamington Spa, just south of the A425 road. The Chiltern Main Line runs just to the north of Harbury. The cutting in which the line runs was said to be the deepest hand-dug cutting in the world, at the time of its construction in 1852. The village used to have a station called [http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/southamroadharbury.htm "Southam Road & Harbury"] but this closed long ago.Harbury has ancient origins. Bronze Age cooking pots have been found in the area, and the name of the village is said to be derived from "Hereburgh" a woman tribal chief of around 500 BC. The Domesday Book recorded the name as "Edburberie" where it is listed amongst the lands given to Henry de Ferrers "Domesday Book: A Complete Transliteration". London: Penguin, 2003. p.663 ISBN 0-14-143994-7] by the King. The land consisted of work for over 5 ploughs and was valued at four pounds.

Harbury has a former windmill which still stands but has no sails. It also contains "All Saint's Church" which dates partly from the 13th century although with a Victorian brick top. Within the parish of Harbury lies the hamlet of Deppers Bridge. The parish borders with the parishes of Ladbroke, Bishop's Itchington, Bishops Tachbrook, Chesterton and Southam.

The parish has recently seen proposals for development of the land known as the Harbury Estate by the owners, Follett Property Holdings Ltd, who envisage a development of houses and a business estate. There have also been proposals put forward for a new Harbury Station; however it is believed that the current infrastructure of the railway is incapable of facilitating this. The Parish Council and Stratford District Council are reviewing the proposals bit by bit.

Harbury is home to the Chief Executive of J Sainsbury's, Justin King.And Philip Bushill-Matthews, Conservative MEP for the West Midlands region, former Managing Director Red Mill Snack Foods and author of two books.

Harbury has a Primary School, with around 200 students attending.

Harbury has a small number of shops, including 2 newsagents, a chemist, a grocery shop (Mugleston's Country Fayre) and an estate agent, as well as the Library.

Harbury has five pubs (The Shakespeare, The Crown, The Dog Inn, The Old New Inn and The Gamecock), originally established for local workers.

References

*"Warwickshire Towns & Villages", by Geoff Allen; Sigma Leisure, 2000 ISBN 1-85058-642-X

External links

* [http://www.harbury-parish.co.uk/4598.html Harbury parish council]
* [http://harbury.villagebuzz.co.uk/ Harbury Villagebuzz online community]