| Benington | |
|---|---|
 St Peter's Church with one of its war memorials to the right | |
  Benington Location withinHertfordshire | |
| Population | 908 (2011 Census)[1] |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | STEVENAGE |
| Postcode district | SG2 |
| Dialling code | 01438 |
| Police | Hertfordshire |
| Fire | Hertfordshire |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
| |
Benington is a village andcivil parish in theEast Hertfordshire district ofHertfordshire, England, about four miles east ofStevenage and 35 miles north of London.
There are two theories regarding the naming of the village. One comes from Saxon times and is derived from the name of the river to the west of the village - theBeane. The middle syllable 'ing' is common in place names all over south-east England and means 'people', Benington therefore meaningThe Town of the Beane Folk.The second view is that Benington is a corruption of the name 'Belinton' which appears in the Domesday Book. This is thought to mean the town of Bela's people, after the name of the man who led the first group of immigrants to the area.[2]
According to the 2001 census it had a population of 922. At the 2011 Census the population had reduced to 908.[1]
The village has a strong farming history, and much of the surrounding countryside is still agricultural.
The village has an airstrip to the south south west—Position: N51°52.95 W000°07.37
The village is served by a local bus route, number 384, between Stevenage and Hertford, which additionally links it to Walkern, Dane End, and Tonwell.
It has two churches
There is also a primary school (Benington Church of England Primary School) and two public houses (the Lordship Arms and the Bell). The Bell is a late medievalhall house, listedgrade II*.[3]
The Old Tower is a former Victorian water tower, now converted as a private residence.
Benington Lordship is aGeorgian manor house which is situated to the west of the village. The grounds surrounding the house stretch over seven acres and also feature the remains ofBenington Castle (a Normanmotte and bailey castle).[4]
The gardens of Benington Lordship are well known for theirsnowdrops and views over the surrounding Hertfordshire countryside. The gardens also feature a Victorian folly, kitchen garden, contemporary sculptures, carp pond, wildlife areas and rose gardens.[5]
Benington High Wood is aSite of Special Scientific Interest.[6][7]
The 2009psychological horrorfound footageshort film andweb seriesNo Through Road by Steven Chamberlain follows four seventeen-year-old teenagers en-route toStevenage who find themselves trapped in atime loop along tworoad signs marking anintersection between Benington andWatton.[8][9]
