Iron Acton was designated as a conservation area on 30th July 1975. A copy of the full statutory conservation area leaflet and maps - the result of a public consultation process, can now be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.
Setting
The village of Iron Acton lies approximately two miles north-west of Yate and Chipping Sodbury at the junction of the B4058 Bristol to Wotton-under-Edge and B4059 Chipping Sodbury to Rudgeway roads. The name of Iron Acton is derived from 'tun' or township timbered with 'ac' or oak where iron ore is dug. This suggests that oak woodland once characterised the locality while the prefix 'iron' is evidence of old workings for iron scoria or cinders.
Iron Acton may be described as an example of ancient ribbon development. It is a village with a very regular plan which reflects a probable planned origin in the Middle Ages. In earlier centuries it comprised the two manors of Acton Ligar and Iron Acton. Acton Ligar is now known as Algars Manor, situated to the south of the Iron Acton village.
History
Shortly after the Norman Conquest, the family of Acton held the manor of Iron Acton. It descended through several generations to Sir John Acton, who died in 1344. His estates passed to his cousin Maud and it is here where the Poyntz connection begins. Maud was the second wife of Sir Nicholas Poyntz who had died in 1312. He had been dead for many years and Maud was an elderly woman when the estates were passed to the family. The Iron Acton estates then passed to her son, Sir John Poyntz and from 1344 continued, son succeeding father until the death of Sir John Poyntz in 1680. He was the last of the family to be Lord of the Manor and after his death the manor was split up, Acton Court being sold to William Playes Esquire.
Acton Court is an impressive and striking building which, although it has suffered from years of neglect, is now being restored to its former glory by English Heritage. It is a large, mainly tudor building, formerly the mediaeval manor house of the Poyntz family. Its main features include large brick diagonal chimneys and moulded stone doorways. The gateway to Acton Court dates from the late 16th century and forms a noble entranceway to the court. It is highly decorative with shields and foliage adorning the spandrels. The Poyntz family was related to the Tudors and it is said that Henry VII, Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh were all entertained at Acton Court.
Another interesting feature is the elaborate early 15th century churchyard cross, considered by some to be a preaching cross and by others a memorial cross to one of the Poyntz family. The original height was some 30 feet and the builder was first Sir Robert Poyntz who died in 1439.
The Old Rectory to the south of the church is set in splendid grounds and was rebuilt in the early 19th century. Arched doorways and walls of the earlier house remain in the grounds to the west side of the church and there is an interesting subway built by the person to prevent a public footpath crossing the approach to his new house.
Expansive areas of open space surround the village effectively segregating it from the bypass to the north and Nibley Lane to the south. The village green with its maypole also provides another focal point to the west of the village, away from the main street. These areas of open space also contain numerous shrubs and hedges which form an attractive setting and provide a network of footpaths, well used by local people.
For group visits to Acton Court telephone Brian Hales on 01454 228224.
Character
The character of the village derives from its layout and form as well as containing some impressive buildings. The narrow High Street is flanked by terraces and groups of buildings, many of which are interesting and individual in their architectural design and form. The buildings, exhibiting different styles, scale and use of colour, further add to the interest of the street scene.
The buildings, high stone walls and mature overhanging trees create a sense of enclosure to the High Street accentuated by the curvature of the road. The public house at the eastern end of the street serves as a visual stop and completes the feeling of enclosure. The focal point of the High Street is the Church of St James. It is of perpendicular style with Saxon origins and dominates the street scene from many points, being built on raised ground above the road. There are some splendid views from the church, the most notable being the unobstructed view of Acton Lodge clearly visible to the north.