Colwick (/ˈkɒlɪk/ KOL-ik) is a village and civil parish,[1] in the Borough of Gedling of Nottinghamshire, England. It is situated to the east of Nottingham's city boundary, and forms the Colwick ward. At the time of the 2011 census, the village had a population of 2,829,[2] falling to 2,778 at the 2021 census.[3]

Colwick
Village and civil parish
Former church of St John the Baptist, Colwick
Map
Parish map
Colwick is located in Nottinghamshire
Colwick
Colwick
Location within Nottinghamshire
Area0.24 sq mi (0.62 km2)
Population2,778 (2021)
• Density11,575/sq mi (4,469/km2)
OS grid referenceSK 61124 40380
• London105 mi (169 km) SSE
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townNOTTINGHAM
Postcode districtNG4
Dialling code0115
PoliceNottinghamshire
FireNottinghamshire
AmbulanceEast Midlands
UK Parliament
Websitewww.colwickpc.org.uk
List of places
UK
England
Nottinghamshire
52°57′25″N 1°05′24″W / 52.957°N 1.090°W / 52.957; -1.090

History edit

The village is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086,[4] since when the De-Colwick,[5] Musters[6] and Byron[7] families have all owned the village. The etymology of the place-name is from Old English wic "specialised industrial farm" with an uncertain first element, possibly col "coal",[citation needed] although there have never been coal mines in the area. Another derivation is from the area being a dairy farm.[8]

In 1844 there was a gruesome murder at 'Saville's Spinney', then part of Colwick Park and later part of Colwick Woods. William Saville murdered his wife and three children in the woods on Tuesday 21 May. Their bodies were found one day later by John Swinscoe of Carlton who fetched the parish constable to the spot. An open razor was found in the left hand of the dead woman. The crowd for Saville's execution numbered in the tens of thousands and twelve died in a panic in the moments after Saville was executed.

Local government edit

Following a campaign by parish councillors, Colwick won the right to be recognised as a village again.[when?] The campaign was started because locals believed that village status would be a boost for the community. Highways officials have granted permission for the area to call itself "Colwick Village", similar to Bestwood Village and Gedling Village. It forms part of the Nottinghamshire borough of Gedling. Note that Colwick Country Park, Colwick Hall and Colwick Woods are all in the unitary authority of the City of Nottingham.

Geography edit

 
Holme Sluices and lock

Colwick lies between the River Trent and the railway line, with nearby places being Sneinton to the west, Bakersfield (to the north-west), Carlton (to the north), and Netherfield (to the east). Holme Sluices and lock were built in 1950s, as a flood-prevention scheme across the River Trent where the river falls at a weir, allowing for a maximum 13 ft (4 m) range. The Environment Agency have plans to build a fish pass to enable salmon and eels to access 37 mi (60 km) of the upper reaches of the Trent. Some salmon have been known to swim against the flow through the whitewater course at Holme Pierrepont watersport centre.[9][10][11][12]

Economy edit

Originally an agricultural area, Colwick was notable as the birthplace of Colwick cheese, a soft and creamy curd cheese, allegedly invented in the village in the 17th century. By the 18th century, it was already being made at a number of other locations, persisting in manufacture until the late 20th century.[13] In the 19th century the village became heavily industrialised and was home to many notable firms such as William Lawrence & Co. Ltd, Sands and Spray & Burgass.

Culture and community edit

Colwick Country Park is a 125 acres (51 hectares) designated Local Nature Reserve on the edge of the village.[14]

Landmarks edit

Colwick Hall is a large country house that is now a hotel. The Grade II-listed Manor House dates to c1675 with early 19th century additions.[15] The derelict church adjacent to Colwick Hall was used to film the episode of The Upper Hand in which Caroline and Charlie are married.

Transport edit

The A612 road to Newark runs through the area as the Colwick Loop Road. The railway to Netherfield and Grantham runs alongside the main road but the area has not had a station since the Racecourse station shut in 1959.

Bus services edit

Bus services in Colwick, Nottinghamshire
Bus operator Line Destination(s) Notes
Nottingham City Transport 44 NottinghamSneinton HermitageColwickNetherfieldGedling [16]
44A NottinghamSneinton HermitageColwick (Colwick Industrial Estate) → NetherfieldGedling [17]
N26 NottinghamColwick (Colwick Loop Road) → GedlingBurton JoyceLowdhamNTU Brackenhurst CampusSouthwell Line serves at night only.[18]
50 NottinghamRacecourse Park & RideColwick (Colwick Industrial Estate) → Victoria Retail Park [19]

Education edit

There is a primary school, St. John the Baptist.[20]

Religion edit

The parish church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist.[21]

Sport edit

Nottingham Racecourse and Nottingham Greyhound Stadium lie to the west of Colwick.

Notable people edit

  • Mary Chaworth – the first love of Lord Byron – later married Jack Musters of Colwick Hall, creating the Chaworth-Musters dynasty.[22]

References edit

  1. ^ Colwick Parish Council (29 June 2017). "About Colwick Parish Council". www.colwickpc.org.uk. Archived from the original on 24 March 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  2. ^ UK Census (2011). "Local Area Report – Colwick Parish (E04007868)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  3. ^ UK Census (2021). "2021 Census Area Profile – Colwick parish (E04007868)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Colwick | Domesday Book". opendomesday.org. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Nottinghamshire history > History of Colwick (c.1970)". www.nottshistory.org.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Nottinghamshire history > History of Colwick (c.1970)". www.nottshistory.org.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Nottinghamshire history > History of Colwick (c.1970)". www.nottshistory.org.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Colwick :: Survey of English Place-Names". epns.nottingham.ac.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  9. ^ No plans to give public access to bridge at Colwick sluice gates despite calls from residents Gedling Eye, 22 January 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2021
  10. ^ Designs for new ‘fish pass’ on River Trent near Colwick unveiled Gedling Eye, 24 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2021
  11. ^ Colwick (Holme Sluices) Fish Pass Information Page environment-agency.gov.uk 20 September 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021
  12. ^ Plans for Colwick Park Fish Pass unveiled at community engagement event www.gov.uk, 24 September 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021
  13. ^ "Colwick Cheese". The Foods of England.
  14. ^ "Local Nature Reserve". Natural England. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  15. ^ "Colwick Manor House and Adjoining Stable, Colwick". BritishListedBuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  16. ^ "Nottingham City Transport Route 44/44A". Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  17. ^ "Nottingham City Transport Route 44/44A". Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  18. ^ "Nottingham City Transport Route N26". Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Nottingham City Transport Route 50". Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  20. ^ "Home | St John's CofE Primary School". www.st-johns-pri.notts.sch.uk.
  21. ^ "Colwick: St John the Baptist". www.achurchnearyou.com.
  22. ^ "About | Colwick Hall Hotel". Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.

External links edit