The History of Queen Charlton
Queen Charlton is a small village located 2 miles outside of Keynsham in the West Country.
Charlton...
Originally simply named ‘Charlton’, the prefix was added when the estate was given by Henry VIII to Queen Catherine Parr. There is a late medieval cross on the village green.
A fair, granted by Queen Elizabeth I when she passed through the village in 1573, is held annually on the second Saturday of June. The tradition continues to this day so please join us for our next fete on Saturday 8th June, 2023!
A Royal charter was granted by Queen Elizabeth in 1574. The manor belonged to Keynsham Abbey. The last abbot, John Stourton, retired to the village reputedly bringing the Norman arch from the Abbey with him.
Did you know...
- There is an old Norman arch, possibly from Keynsham Abbey.
- The oldest house recorded is Tolsey House in 1549.
- 18th century Manor House. Wilkie Collins wrote most of the "Woman in White" while staying at the manor house.
- The village cross was probably a medieval market cross and has been in a number of different locations, until settling in its present position on the newly-created green in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Jubilee.
- The author Dick King-Smith lived in Queen Charlton until his death in 2011 - writer of "The Sheep Pig" adapted for the big screen as "Babe".
St Margaret's Church
The Church, dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch, was built circa 1200, probably superseding a timber building from before the Norman Conques and has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building.
