The History of Stretton on Dunsmore
Ancient Origins and Early Settlement
Stretton on Dunsmore has a rich history spanning over a millennium, with evidence of human settlement dating back to Anglo-Saxon times and possibly earlier. The village name itself is Anglo-Saxon in origin, derived from the words “street tun on dun mor,” meaning “village on the road on the hill on the heath”. This name reflects the settlement’s strategic location alongside the Roman Fosse Way, one of Britain’s most important ancient roads connecting Exeter to Lincoln.
The village was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, though archaeological evidence suggests it may have existed for some time prior to this Norman survey. The earliest settlement was likely positioned near the Roman Fosse Way, taking advantage of this major transportation route. The first settlers would have cleared the surrounding forest to create open spaces for grazing and agriculture, with the village’s location being influenced by a natural spring of fresh water that rises north of the settlement and continues as a brook flowing through the village center.
Archaeological investigations have revealed the earliest physical evidence of human settlement close to this spring, with earthwork remains and building platforms identified in fields west of Brookside. Medieval ridge and furrow cultivation patterns are still visible in aerial photographs throughout the parish, testament to the area’s long agricultural heritage.
Medieval Development and the Manor System
During the medieval period, Stretton on Dunsmore developed as a typical English village under the feudal manor system. In the reign of William the Conqueror, the manor of “Stratone” was owned by Roger de Montgomery and comprised five hides with an ancient mill called Purmulne (later Pirrey Mill), which was eventually given to the monks of Coombe Abbey.
The title Lord of the Manor of Stretton on Dunsmore is an ancient Norman title dating from 1086. Throughout the medieval period, the manor changed hands several times, passing through various noble families including the Garshale, de Herig, de Hastings, and Bray families.
Archaeological evidence indicates that the Conservation Area lies entirely within the probable extent of the medieval settlement, with remains of the earlier medieval church still visible in the graveyard of the current All Saints Church. Medieval settlement earthworks have been discovered southeast of the church, and a recorded moat south of the church may also date to this period.
Tudor and Stuart Prosperity (16th-17th Centuries)
The 16th and 17th centuries marked a period of increasing prosperity for Stretton on Dunsmore. This economic growth is evidenced by the construction of fine half-timbered houses, most notably Moor Farm, which dates to this period. Other significant buildings from this era include:
Yew Tree Farm: Constructed in four phases, with the earliest sections dating to 1550 and 1600
Church Farm: Dating from the late 16th/early 17th century
The Manor House: Originally built in the 16th century (though much altered in later periods)
During this period, older houses were improved and expanded, reflecting the growing wealth of the village’s inhabitants. The timber-framed buildings that survive from this era demonstrate both the prosperity of major landowners and the more modest dwellings of farm workers.
The Enclosure Movement and Agricultural Transformation (18th Century)
A pivotal moment in Stretton’s history came in 1704 with the enclosure of common land. This had a major impact on the layout of the surrounding countryside, creating the pattern of smaller, hedged fields that characterizes the area today. The farms and field systems established during this period – including Church Farm, Manor Farm, and Moor Farm – remain evident in the modern landscape.
An important estate map from 1763, commissioned by the Duke of Buccleuch (who owned much of Stretton), shows the village layout to be largely similar to the present day. This map reveals that Moor Farm, with its range of thatched barns, was the dominant feature of the village green in the mid-18th century.
The 18th century also saw the construction of several notable buildings, including numbers 6 and 14-16 Brookside, which demonstrate both larger houses and terraced development of the period.
The Agricultural Pioneer: Joseph Elkington
One of Stretton on Dunsmore’s most famous historical figures is Joseph Elkington (1740-1806), a pioneering agriculturalist who revolutionized land drainage techniques. Born and baptized in the village, Elkington inherited Manor Farm in nearby Princethorpe when he was just twenty years old.
The land around Princethorpe was severely boggy, causing significant agricultural problems including livestock deaths from liver rot. Elkington’s breakthrough came when he discovered that water was traveling up through porous ground but was sometimes blocked by clay layers. Using a crowbar and later an auger, he developed a revolutionary method of creating boreholes to drain waterlogged land.
His innovation was so successful that Parliament awarded him £1,000 and a gold ring in 1795, concerned that his frail health might result in the loss of his knowledge. Elkington’s methods were studied and disseminated by Edinburgh land surveyor John Johnstone, employed by the Board of Agriculture. He later worked in partnership with Lancelot “Capability” Brown to develop drainage plans for landscaping schemes.
A monument to Elkington stands in All Saints’ churchyard, calling him a “pioneer of land drainage”. His legacy is commemorated by the Stretton on Dunsmore History Society, which erected an information board in his honor.
Victorian Era and Church Reconstruction (19th Century)
The 19th century brought significant changes to Stretton on Dunsmore’s architectural landscape. Three major transformations occurred on Church Hill during this period:
The vicarage (now Stretton House) was enlarged with the addition of its present Georgian front
The Manor House front was altered to its current appearance
The old medieval church was demolished and replaced with the current All Saints Church
The new church was built between 1835 and 1837 to designs by Thomas Rickman, a major figure in the Gothic revival movement. The project was funded by a £4,000 bequest from the late vicar Rev William Daniels in 1816. The first stone was laid in 1835, and the new building cost £5,232. When opened in 1837, it attracted some 5,000 people with bands playing and streamers waving.
Victorian development also included terraced housing on Brookside, School Lane, and Church Street, generally simple in character with limited embellishment. These terraces provided housing for working families, with rear gardens allowing occupants to keep animals and grow food.
During this period, Stretton also housed the Warwick County Asylum for Juvenile Delinquents, established in 1818. This reformatory institution took charge of convicted boys aged 14-16, teaching them trades like shoemaking and tailoring. It operated until sometime between 1861 and 1871, and is now commemorated only by the name “Asylum Farm”.
World War I and the Gallipoli Connection (1915)
Stretton on Dunsmore holds a unique place in World War I history due to its connection with the Gallipoli Campaign. In early 1915, the village and surrounding area became the assembly point for the 29th Division, known as the “Incomparable Division”.
On March 12, 1915, King George V reviewed approximately 18,000 servicemen who had formed into a marching column approximately 2 miles long near Rugby. The King took the salute mounted on his horse Delhi, and the column took over an hour to pass. Local villagers witnessed this remarkable event as the troops prepared to depart for the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign.
Shortly afterward, the 29th Division left England for war service abroad, joining the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force that landed on the Gallipoli peninsula in April 1915. The division suffered enormous casualties – by the time it was disbanded in March 1919, it had suffered some 94,000 casualties, with Gallipoli alone accounting for 34,000.
To commemorate this event, a Portland stone obelisk was erected in 1921 at the junction of the A45 and B4455. The memorial, unveiled on Empire Day (May 24, 1921) by the Earl of Craven, stands where the King reviewed the troops. It is described by Historic England as “probably the most significant single memorial in Britain associated with the Gallipoli campaign”. The memorial was originally flanked by two captured German guns, which were melted down during World War II.
20th Century Expansion and Modern Development
The 20th century brought significant expansion to Stretton on Dunsmore, with the village growing substantially to the north, east, and south of the historic Conservation Area. This modern development dwarfs the original historic core, reflecting the broader trend of rural village expansion during this period.
Later development in the second half of the 20th century comprised primarily infill dwellings, which were generally low-key in character and set back from the highway behind front gardens. This sensitive approach to development helped preserve the character of the historic village center while accommodating population growth.
The former vicarage ceased its ecclesiastical function in 1973 and became known as Stretton House. Despite modernization, Church Farm has remained a working farm, maintaining the village’s agricultural heritage.
Modern Heritage and Conservation
Today, Stretton on Dunsmore is recognized for its historical significance through its designation as a Conservation Area, one of 19 such areas in Rugby Borough. The historic core includes timber-framed buildings dating from the medieval period to the late 20th century, with notable examples on Brookside and School Lane.
The Stretton on Dunsmore History Society, established in 2001, actively researches and preserves the village’s heritage. The society was formed following the publication of a millennium village history book and continues to collect archives, provide educational programs, and maintain connections with people worldwide who have links to the village.
The village retains its essential character as a rural English settlement, with its parish church, village shop and post office, primary school, and public houses serving as community focal points. The relationship between the historic buildings, village greens, and the brook that flows through the center creates what the Conservation Area Appraisal describes as “a unique environment, which provides a sense of identity and amenity for residents and an irreplaceable part of our local, regional and national heritage”.
The history of Stretton on Dunsmore thus encompasses over a thousand years of continuous settlement, from its Anglo-Saxon origins through medieval manor life, Tudor prosperity, agricultural innovation, Victorian reconstruction, wartime significance, and modern conservation efforts. This rich tapestry of history is preserved not only in the village’s buildings and landscape but also in the ongoing efforts of its residents to understand and protect their remarkable heritage.
