Ashton Keynes Timeline

Neolithic axe heads have been found here dating back to this period.

Crop marks in the centre of the parish near Kent End found dating back to this period.

Romano - British settlement here; Cleveland Farm is on the site of a Roman temple.

The village was named as Ashton.

All the land in Ashton Keynes descended as a single estate belonging to Tewkesbury Abbey.

Building started on the Church of Holy Cross

The Church of Holy Cross was standing in some form when a new chancel arch and a north arcade were built.

The south aisle was added to the church and the east end of the church was altered.

The manor was occupied by a William de Keynes whose family name was used as an addition to Ashton.

The tower and north porch of the church were built and a clerestory was inserted.

Forest officers reported that the Abbot of Tewkesbury's wood at Ashton Keynes had been 'disafforested'.

The four Crosses of Ashton were all erected.

The Mill House was built.

Church Farm Manor converted to domestic use after the dissolution of the monastries.

A rectory was built.

Cove house was built and is believed to have been the residence of the Lord of the Manor.

Church Farm Manor's west wing and passage re-roofed.

The Old Rectory was built on the site of the 1584 rectory.

Ashton House was built and stood in 2000 much the same as it was in the 1700s, with a few additions such as the stables.

Long House and Long Cottage in Park Place were built by Thomas Carter.

Population was 764 people.

Mr M. M. Bennet lived in Ashton House.

First known record of a school and schoolhouse in the area.

Mr M. Maskelyne, of Upton House, Tetbury lived in Ashton House.

Estate was sold to Lord Henry Vane.

G. S. Hurlock lived in Ashton House.

Villagers signed a petition requesting a public health inspection.

The census records 122 agricultural labourers; second in this list are the 55 glovers.

Captain Dickenson lived in Ashton House.

Ashton Keynes had its first population peak of 1070.

The Church of the Holy Cross was restored by William Butterfield.

Estate passed to Arthur Hay-Drummond through Lord Vane's will.

Captain Gouldsmith lived in Ashton House and the stable was extended at this time and a covered riding school was built in the grounds.

Gravel extarction began; many of the male villagers worked on excavating the area that is now Cotswold Water Park.

The Mill House was converted from a mill into a house.

The whole estate was put up for auction; the numerous farms and cottages were sold seperately.

The Churchyard Cross was re-erected.

A telephone exchange was installed.

British, Canadian and American troops were stationed here at different times.

There were 14 acres of water in the area. Today after extracting 15 million tons of gravel there are 150 acres of lakes.

Some evacuee children from nearby towns and cities went to the village.

A skittle alley was opened.

An 18 hole putting green was opened.

Wheatley's Barn Farm was sold for the purpose of mineral extraction.

Henry III coin was found on the site of Church Farm.

(March 24th) The church needed a donkey for its Palm Sunday procession.

(April) The Tennis Club started building its second tennis court.

Ashton's population was 1,420. The last 30 years of the 20th century have seen a 50% growth and the number of houses is now over 500.