Ufton is a small village andcivil parish in theStratford-on-Avon District ofWarwickshire, England. The population taken from the2011 census was 319.[1] It is 5 miles (8 km) south east ofRoyal Leamington Spa and 2 miles (3 km) west ofSoutham on the A425 road. It sits on top of a glacialescarpment 121 metres above sea level, which was formed during the last ice age.[2]Ufton Fields, a 77-acre (31 ha)Site of Special Scientific Interest, is to the south east of the village. Theparish church, which is dedicated toSt Michael, dates back at least to the start of the 13th century. TheGrand Union Canal is within walking distance of the village to the north.
The origin of the name Ufton is uncertain. In theLong ItchingtonCharter is called "Wulluht Graf" which is, in modern English, Ufton Wood. In theDomesday book it is called "Ulchtune". One theory is the name comes from the Danish chief Ulla who lived in the area. The village has historic links toBalliol College ofOxford University which owned much of theparish land in the 19th century.[3] In September 2007, a large fire at thelandfill site just outside the village resulted in 100 tonnes of rubber burning for two days. The story made the national press.[4] Just over a year later, however, the village won the "Best Village inWarwickshire" award as voted for by the Warwickshire Rural Community Council, as well as the "Best Communications" section in a similar competition sponsored byCalor.[5]
Media related toUfton at Wikimedia Commons