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Box, Wiltshire
Frogmore House, Greensleeves, Dalebrook, Market Place, Box, all Grade II Listed,
Box is well known amongst historians, railway enthusiasts, and fans of the work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the near two mile long tunnel that he had cut through the hillside there. At the time it was the longest tunnel in the world and was considered by his contemporaries to be a dangerous undertaking, something that the 100 workmen killed in its making would probably agree with, if they could. It remained the longest Box is also known for the triangular pinnacle gravestone at the Church of St Thomas à Becket, built for a husband who did not want his estranged wife dancing on his grave! There are 30 memorials at the church that have been individually Grade II Listed, these include the memorial to John Hanning Speke, the explorer who discovered the source of the Nile. There's also one of Wiltshire's many village lock-ups in Box, mainly buit in the 1700s and supervised by an appointed trustworthy tradesman, known in England as a tythingman. it was not until 1829 that a police force was established in the UK, by John Peel, known as 'peelers'. The tythingman was supported by others in the community in the enforcement of law.
For places to eat in Box click here.
For places to eat in Box click here.
Church of St Thomas a Becket, Church Lane, Box, Grade I, 12th century.
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Malt House, High Street, Box, Wiltshire, Grade II, 18th century.
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Excerpts From The Wiltshire Council Timeline Of Box (scroll)
1656 - Box was an 'ardent centre' for Quakers: the community ejected the Vicar, Walter Bushreel, for his 'rural character'
1660 - The previously ejected Vicar, Walter Bushneel, returned to Box, his case having been publicised in the Narrative of the Proceedings of Commwassioners, Appointed by Oliver Cromwell, for ejecting scandalous and ignorant ministers
1727 - The Poorhouse, now known as 'Springfield House', was established
Late 1800s - By the end of the 19th century, there were nearly 700 quarry workers in the parish as the quarrying industry flourished
1801 - The population of Box stood at 1,165 residents
1810 - The completion of the Kennet and Avon Canal meant that the Bath Stone could now be transported easily. Demand increased and new quarries were opened to compensate
1830 - Another main road was built through Box, creating the 'Fiveways' junction and allowing access to Bradford and Melksham
1831 - Sixty labourers were recorded as living in the parish; most were employed in the stone quarries
1836 - Isambard Kingdom Brunel starts overseeing the building of the Box Tunnel, said to be the longest in England at the time. During its 5 year construction, over 100 workers were killed in serious accidents inside the tunnel.
1841 - On 30th June, the Box Tunnel was officially opened
Circa 1850 - Many colleges at the University of Oxford were being built with Bath Stone from Box parish
1867 - The Free Methodist Chapel was built by Box Methodists to attempt to combat the 'riotous' lifestyle enjoyed by many quarrymen living on Box Hill
1957 - The Rising Sun, a public house, was tragically destroyed in an explosion, killing the licensee and his family
1969 - The remaining quarries were closed
1986-1988 - Peter Gabriel, formerly of the rock band Genesis, launched his own record label, 'Real World Studios' in a converted mill
1660 - The previously ejected Vicar, Walter Bushneel, returned to Box, his case having been publicised in the Narrative of the Proceedings of Commwassioners, Appointed by Oliver Cromwell, for ejecting scandalous and ignorant ministers
1727 - The Poorhouse, now known as 'Springfield House', was established
Late 1800s - By the end of the 19th century, there were nearly 700 quarry workers in the parish as the quarrying industry flourished
1801 - The population of Box stood at 1,165 residents
1810 - The completion of the Kennet and Avon Canal meant that the Bath Stone could now be transported easily. Demand increased and new quarries were opened to compensate
1830 - Another main road was built through Box, creating the 'Fiveways' junction and allowing access to Bradford and Melksham
1831 - Sixty labourers were recorded as living in the parish; most were employed in the stone quarries
1836 - Isambard Kingdom Brunel starts overseeing the building of the Box Tunnel, said to be the longest in England at the time. During its 5 year construction, over 100 workers were killed in serious accidents inside the tunnel.
1841 - On 30th June, the Box Tunnel was officially opened
Circa 1850 - Many colleges at the University of Oxford were being built with Bath Stone from Box parish
1867 - The Free Methodist Chapel was built by Box Methodists to attempt to combat the 'riotous' lifestyle enjoyed by many quarrymen living on Box Hill
1957 - The Rising Sun, a public house, was tragically destroyed in an explosion, killing the licensee and his family
1969 - The remaining quarries were closed
1986-1988 - Peter Gabriel, formerly of the rock band Genesis, launched his own record label, 'Real World Studios' in a converted mill
Bear Cottages, Church Lane, Box,Grade II, late C17 or early C18.
Church Lane, Box
The Wilderness, Church Lane, Box, Wiltshire, 18th century, Grade II.
The Wilderness, Church Lane, Box, Wiltshire, 18th century, Grade II.
The Rectory, Church Lane, Box, Grade II, 19th century.
The Queen's Head Inn, High Street, Box, Grade II, 18th century.
The Blind House, High St, Box, Wiltshire, lock-up, early C18, Grade II.
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The Glen, High Street, Box, Grade II, 19th century.
Springfield House, Church Lane, Box, former workhouse and school, 1729, Grade II.
Spring Grove, Church Lane, Box, 18th century, Grade II.
Frogmore House, Greensleeves, Dalebrook, Market Place, Box, all Grade II Listed,
Coleridge House, Market Place, Box, Grade II, 18th century.
West Portal of Box Tunnel, Grade II*, 1814, by Isambard Brunel.
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