Barton-le-Clay | |
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The village sign Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire |
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Barton-le-Clay shown within Bedfordshire | |
Population | 5,000 (2002 est.) 4,992 (2011 Census) |
OS grid reference | TL082310 |
Civil parish |
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Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | Bedford |
Postcode district | MK45 |
Dialling code | 01582 |
Police | Bedfordshire |
Fire | Bedfordshire and Luton |
Ambulance | East of England |
EU Parliament | East of England |
UK Parliament | |
Barton-le-Clay is a small town and a civil parish located in Bedfordshire, England. The town has existed since at least 1066 and is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
To the southwest of the town, across the A6 is Sharpenhoe Clappers, an Iron Age hill fort.
Barton-Le-Clay Domesday Book entry, taken from 210d 2.
In FLITT Hundred M. The Abbot also holds Barton (in-the-clay). It answers for 11 hides. Land for 12 ploughs. In lordship 3 hides; 2 ploughs there; a third possible. 20 villagers have 9 ploughs. 7 smallholders and 6 slaves. 1 mill, 2s, meadow for 6 ploughs; woodland, 200 pigs. In total, value £10; the same when acquired; before 1066 £12. This manor always lay in (the lands of) St Benedict's Church. With this manor the Abbot claims against Nigel of Aubigny and Walter the Fleming 12 acres (4.9 ha) of meadow which lay there before 1066, but John of Les Roches dispossessed him wrongfully, and this the Hundred testifies.
Barton-le-Clay is in Central Bedfordshire between Bedford and Luton, 34 miles (55 km) north of London. Nearby villages include Sharpenhoe, Silsoe, Westoning and Pulloxhill. The A6 which runs from Luton (6 miles south of the village) bypasses Barton and continues through Bedford (north of the village) to Carlisle. The bypass was constructed in January 1990.
In the southeast of the parish are the Barton Hills, which form the northeast extremity of the Chiltern Hills. Much of this area of chalk downland is now a nature reserve.