The Villages Of The Cotswolds

Bisley

The Village

The local tradition of dressing the well takes place on Ascension Day Bisley is a large village sitting high on the Cotswolds overlooking the Frome Valley & at the head of the Toadsmoor Valley. The village is a maze of steep, winding, narrow streets which are ideal for exploring the village on foot. Many of the buildings are built from the local stone.

Bisley was first mentioned in the Domesday Book but a Saxon charter was granted in AD896. Throughout the local area, the hills are littered with burial barrows & there is evidence of Roman occupation near the village. Like many Cotswold villages & towns, Bisley became wealthy through the trading of wool & cloth which is evident in the fine houses through the village. The local lock up built in 1824

Some buildings of note are the parish church which has a fine spire, & the rare "Poor Souls' Light" which is the only outdoor example to be found in England. Near the Bear Inn is the double-celled lock up which was built in 1824 & is topped by a ball finial.

A village tradition re-kindled by the Vicar, Thomas Keble is the annual "Well Dressing" which takes place on Ascension Day each year.

Top

Getting Here

The village is off the A419 between Stroud approximately 5 miles & 10 miles from Cirencester.

The nearest rail station is at Stroud with services operated by First Great Western.

Bus services connecting Bisley are: