Henley-in-Arden Walk: Town Centre【4K】

Located in the county of Warwickshire, and around 15 miles southeast of central Birmingham, is the town of Henley-in-Arden.

The town's name derives from Old English for 'high clearing', with its suffix referencing the Forest of Arden which would have been cleared to make way for the settlement. In the early 12th century, the De Montfort family ordered the construction of a castle at Beaudesert - a village directly to the east of Henley-in-Arden. A market is believed to have existed in or around the castle before moving to Henley by the early 13th century. The town was laid out on either side of the historic road between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon, along with a medieval property pattern that remains largely intact to this day.

In the 12th century the Church of St Nicholas was built (seen from around the 9-and-a-half minute mark). This is situated at the foot of the mound where Beaudesert Castle once stood, both of which were constructed by the De Montfort family. The Grade I listed church features a 15th century tower. Another religious building of particular note is St John the Baptist Church (seen around the 7-minute mark). This dates from the 15th century, and is also Grade I listed. The church adjoins the Guild Hall - also dating from the 15th century. The Guild Hall has had various uses over the centuries, from a meeting place for a religious fraternity to a butcher's shop, and presently serves as a venue for private events such as weddings and corporate functions.

In 1894 the railway arrived in Henley-in-Arden. Today the station is situated on the North Warwickshire Line, also known as the Shakespeare Line, which runs from Birmingham Snow Hill to Stratford-upon-Avon.

In 1934 two brothers, Harry & Arthur Fathers began making ice cream in the town. By 1937 they had won the Facchino Silver Challenge Cup for the best ice cream in the country. Thus, Henley-in-Arden became renowned for its ice cream, which remains on sale to this day at the same parlour on the High Street.

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Filmed: 19th February 2024

Link to the walk on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c8pTahME1hmiP...

Filmed on a Sony FDR-AX700 with a Zhiyun Crane 2 and a Sony ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Stratford Road
0:39 High Street
7:42 Beaudesert Lane
9:57 St Nicholas Church
10:53 Beaudesert Lane
12:35 High Street