| Kelmscott | |
|---|---|
 St George's parish church | |
  Kelmscott Location withinOxfordshire | |
| Population | 198 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SU2499 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Lechlade |
| Postcode district | GL7 |
| Dialling code | 01367 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Oxfordshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| UK Parliament | |
| Website | Kelmscott Village |
| |
Kelmscott is a village andcivil parish on theRiver Thames inWest Oxfordshire, about 2 miles (3 km) east ofLechlade in neighbouringGloucestershire. Since 2001 it has absorbedLittle Faringdon, which had been a separate civil parish. The2011 Census recorded the merged parish's population as 198.[1]
Kelmscott Manor is a Cotswold stone house, built in about 1570 during theGreat Rebuilding of England and extended late in the 17th century.[2] It was the country home ofWilliam Morris from 1871 until his death in 1896. He drew great inspiration from the unspoilt authenticity of the house's architecture and craftsmanship, and its organic relationship with its setting.[citation needed] Kelmscott Manor now belongs to theSociety of Antiquaries of London.[3] Morris renamed hisLondon town houseKelmscott House after Kelmscott when he bought it in April 1879. He named his private press, which he started in 1891,Kelmscott Press.
Thenave of theChurch of England parish church ofSaint George was built in about 1190 in the transitional style betweenNorman andEarly English, and thechancel is probably of the same date. The building hastransepts that were added in about 1260. Theclerestory of the nave was added in the 15th century. Many of the windows of the nave and chancel arePerpendicular Gothic additions, including the east window of the chancel.[2] The church is aGrade II* listed building.[4]
In the churchyard is thetomb of William Morris, designed byPhilip Webb. Morris featured the church in his novelNews from Nowhere, when in the final part of the book the Guest is taken there for the feast.[citation needed] St George's parish is now part of theBenefice of Shill Valley and Broadshire, which includes also the parishes ofAlvescot,Black Bourton,Broadwell,Broughton Poggs,Filkins,Holwell,Kencot,Langford,Little Faringdon,Shilton andWestwell.[5] In the village, next to thepub The Plough Inn, are the remains of a 14th or 15th century cross.[6]
