Marshfield was designated as a conservation area on 17th September 1973.
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
Marshfield is a small market town, linear in plan form, which lies adjacent to the A420 Bristol to Chippenham Road. It occupies an exposed position on the dip slope of the southern Cotswolds.
Marshfield is located within an agricultural area and is surrounded by attractive open countryside. The town possesses a wealth of historic buildings, many of which are listed. The High Street consists of 17th and 18th century houses, all of which contribute to the historic character of Marshfield.
History
Marshfield was an historically important local town, partly due to its strategic location in the Cotswold wool country but also due to its proximity to Bath and to Bristol with its port. It gained market status in 1234 and 30 years later was granted a charter for a three-day fair. During this period, Marshfield was planned, conforming to the typical mediaeval market town layout, with long narrow burgage plots extending back from the narrow frontages, served by two rear access lanes now known as Back Lane and Weir Lane.
This planned part of the town is clearly evident today and lies between Hay Street at the eastern end and past Touching End Lane to the west. By 1334 Marshfield was the fourth most prosperous town in the area after Bristol, Gloucester and Cirencester. Development further west on the High Street occurred between the late 13th century to around 1600. This part of the village displays longer and more irregular plots with no rear access lanes.
Although there are some 17th century buildings of note, in particular the fine almshouses at the western end of the village, the next main period of development was during the 18th century, stimulated by trade in wool, candles and malt. Evidence of this last trade is still to be found in the former malthouses and storage buildings, often of unusual length, situated to the rear of many properties fronting High Street. In addition, many of the buildings have very large cellars as a result of the trading activities of the town.
The church and manorial farm are situated to the east end of the village, which may have existed before the planned town. It has also been suggested that the Saxon nucleus from which the town developed could have centered around the church. The area around the east end of the village may also be part of the planned layout with the streets north and south running parallel to the two back lanes of the town.
On the present church site there was an earlier church dedicated to St Nicholas in the early 13th century. In 1242 a new church was built on the site and was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. In its present form the church dates from around 1470 when the monks of Tewkesbury Abbey rebuilt it in perpendicular style.
Character
High Street is the single main thoroughfare of Marshfield and is approximately 350m in length and straight in nature. It is broader towards the eastern end where the market place was situated, being the main site for booths and temporary stands on fair and market days.
This eastern part of the village also contains the parish church, manor house and Home Farm - an important group of historic buildings noted for their architectural features. Both frontages to High Street are continuously developed along their entire length, interrupted only occasionally by narrow streets which afford glimpses of buildings and open countryside beyond.
The majority of buildings lining the street are of 18th century origin although several buildings date from the 17th century and many conceal older cores. They are generally two or three storeys in height and built of ashlar and coursed rubble often with cotswold stone slate roofs. The building style is largely georgian although each building or terrace has its own individual style and detailing. The façades of the buildings are unified by the consistent use of local stone and other materials which add further character to the village.
The view at the eastern end of High Street is closed by a group of buildings which form an island bounded by High Street, Hay Street and Market Place. The broad southern section of Market Place is enclosed on two sides by buildings and on a third by the boundary wall and mature trees of the vicarage garden. This creates a sense of enclosure broken only by a splendid view of the open countryside southwards. The narrow and winding roads that serve Marshfield south of the High Street provide the best views of the landscape. These are truly magnificent, especially from St Martins Lane and Weir lane.
St Mary's Parish Church with its tower provides an important focal point that can be observed from numerous points in the village and is a landmark visible from many miles around.
As one enters the west of the village the interesting building of the turnpike tollhouse is the first building to be observed, its half-hexagonal end wall providing a reminder of a bygone age. Further down the road at the beginning of the High Street are the early 17th century almshouses. They occupy a very important site as the first building in the village street from the west. The octagonal spire on the top of the central square clock tower is clearly visible over open land for a considerable distance along the A420.