Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire

Description
Westbury-on-Severn, a village, a parish, and the head of a poor-law union, in Gloucestershire. The village stands near the river Severn, 2 miles SSW of Grange Court station on the G.W.R., 3 NNE of Newnham, and has a post and money order office under Newnham; telegraph office, Newnham. The parish includes the tithings of Adsett, Bollow, Boseley, Chaxhill, Cleeve, Eiton, Upper and Lower Ley, Northwood, Stantway, Rodley and Westbury, and the village of Broad Oak. It comprises 8243 acres of land and 21 of water, with 332 of adjacent tidal water and 304 of foreshore, population, 2005. There is an urban district council of twelve members. Westbury Court, Adsett Court, Chaxhill House, and The Broughtons are the chief residences. In the gardens at Chaxhill House is an old statue of Charles I., which till 1749 was part of the High Cross at Gloucester. The old mansion of Westbury Court was pulled down in 1806, but the gardens, laid out in the Dutch style of the 17th century, still remain, and here the lord of the manor built a handsome residence in 1895. The manor has been held by the Colchesters since 1641. Fruit-growing is the principal industry of the parish. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol; net value, £128 with residence. Patrons, the Custos and Vicars Choral of Hereford Cathedral. The church was built in 1530, and was restored in 1862 and 1878. It has a detached square tower of the 13th century date with a lofty spire. There are several monuments to the Colchester family. A chapel of ease is at Chaxhill. There are Congregational and Wesleyan chapels.