Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire

Description
Sharnbrook, a large village and a parish in Bedfordshire. The village stands on the river Ouse, and on the main line of the M.R., on which it has a station. It has a post, money order, and telegraph office (S.O.), and a police station. The parish comprises 2387 acres; population, 761. Colworth, a fine country mansion in the Italian style, which was erected between 1720-60, is the seat of the Magniac family, who are lords of the manor. Other residences are Ouse Manor, Shambrook House, and the Toft. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Ely; gross value, £219 with residence. The church is a building of stone chiefly in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel with N chapel, nave, aisles, N and S porches, and a western tower with octagonal spire. It was partly rebuilt in 1855, and the tower and spire were restored in 1882. In the church there are several ancient and interesting tombs and monuments. There are two Baptist chapels. Colworth Farm, formerly an extra-parochial tract, is now a parish in Bedford union. It is 2 miles N of Sharnbrook station, has an area of 31 acres and a population of 6, and consists of a small farm and two cottages.