Bishop’s Cleeve is almost a town although it still retains its village status. Bishops Cleeve is close to Cheltenhanm but it falls under the Local Authority District of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The church, shown above is St Michaels and All Angels which is a Norman church rebuilt in the 17th century.
The village is situated alongside the village of Woodmancote at the foot of Cleeve Hill. The village of Woodmancote and Bishops Cleeve are separated by the railway line which also acts as the border for the two villages. Other villages close by include Southam and Gotherington.
The village can be traced back to the 8th century and the Domesday Book in 1086 shows that approximately 100 people lived in Bishops Cleeve. The village still has a Tythe Barn and some of the older houses date from the 12th and 13th centuries.
This is a busy and thriving community with major employers situated here. Smiths Industries and Zurich Financial Services along with new housing and shops have all led to the expansion of the village.
The old railway line that runs through Bishops Cleeve had been closed but is now part of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway ( GWR ) and steam trains are now a regular feature as they pass through the village on their way to the Cheltenham Racecourse.
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