Olveston 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 Olveston lies to the south-west of Thornbury at the edge of the River Severn's extensive alluvial plain. The village enjoys a sheltered position nestling against the hillside to the east.
History
Olveston's historic economic base appears to have been farming with the floodplain offering rich farmland particularly for the raising of cattle.
Olveston was given to Bath Abbey by King Edwy by a charter in roughly 955-9. At the dissolution of the abbey the estate was sold to Sir Ralph Sadleir, a diplomat and one of Edward VI's council.
St Mary's Church (grade II*-listed), north of the village is built round a central Norman tower over a cruciform structure of the transitional style (1150-1200). The nave arcades date from the decorated period - early 14th century, as does the east window with its unusual tracery. Another interesting feature is the porch with its minute 14th century priest's room above. In 1604 lightning struck the spire and the present pyramidal shape of the tower roof dates from its rebuilding in 1606.
Olveston Court (grade II*-listed), together with its associated buildings is situated to the west of the village and was formerly a fortified manor house. It was once a moated site and part of the battlemented walls still remain. The house was once occupied by the locally important Denys family. The most attractive part is the two-storeyed tudor gatehouse with its fine four-centred arch. To the north, the Great Barn (grade II-listed) and the Bee Garden building (grade II-listed) complete the grouping.
Olveston Court is all but obscured from the village and new housing development largely hides the impressive buildings. However the remains of Olveston Court can still be viewed over The Common to the north-west.
North of the village, opposite the church lies the White Hart Inn (grade II-listed). It was known by that name at the beginning of the 17th century and was rebuilt in the 1670s, illustrating its long use as an inn. Cromwell House (grade II-listed), in the centre of the village still retains features of the former cider house including wide doors large enough to accommodate the barrels.
To the south of the village at Olveston Green lie a number of important houses. Hill house (grade II*-listed), of early 16th century origin is an impressive building, set in splendid grounds complete with a duck pond. Olveston was an important quaker centre and George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends, once stayed here. The former meeting house built in 1670 has now been converted to a private dwelling.
Character
The village of Olveston is predominantly linear in character, although three physically separate groups of buildings can be identified.
The buildings of Olveston Court, set within the gently undulating common land to the west of the village form the original historic and economic core of the settlement. These buildings are removed from the main part of the present day village and a clear relationship between the buildings and their agricultural origins can be seen.
The centre of the village today lies in the vicinity of St Mary's Church, with the church tower forming a focal point. The White Hart Inn and terrace of natural stone cottages (grade II-listed) on the south side of the church make an important contribution to the traditional village character of this area as do the 18th century properties set back from Vicarage Lane. The post office (grade II-listed), of Georgian style, is also an important focal point, particularly from The Street. The area has a sense of enclosure created by the continuous facades and high stone walls.
The third important grouping of buildings is at Olveston Green to the south of the village. The houses are large in scale and set within spacious grounds with many mature trees giving a sense of openness and grandeur. The duck pond adjacent to the road is a traditional village feature which complements the built environment in its part of the village.
Olveston has grown extensively over recent years with much new residential development, dating from the 1970s and 1980s. In consequence Olveston is particularly well supplied with shops, including a post office, newsagents, general store, bakery, butchers and greengrocers.
Village design statement
The parish of Olveston design statement gives examples of good practice for extensions, alterations and news for building in the parish. The parish includes the villages and hamlets of Olveston, Tockington, Old Down, Lower Hazel, Woodhouse Down, Ingst and Awkley. It has been endorsed by South Gloucestershire Council.