Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council

General information

Moreton-In-Marsh is one of the largest towns in the North Cotswolds. It is situated on the Roman Fosse Way (A429) dating back to the thirteenth century. It has a wide main street which has many elegant eighteenth century inns and houses including the prominent, attractive Redesdale Hall.

One of the oldest buildings in the town, is the sixteenth century Curfew Tower, which can be found on the corner of Oxford Street and the High Street. It is alleged that its bell was rung nightly until 1860 to remind people of the risk of fire at night. It is said that it once guided home Sir Robert Fry, lost in the fog, who gave money for its maintenance in gratitude.

As the name implies, Moreton lies mainly on open moor land. It is said that the name "Moreton" means "Farmstead on the Moor" and "in Marsh" is from henne and mersh meaning a marsh used by birds such as moorhens.

The town was given its market charter in 1227 and the weekly market still operates every Tuesday in the High Street and continues to attract visitors from all over the country.

During the Second World War a large area of land, to the east of the town, was developed as RAF Moreton in Marsh and used by Wellington bombers. The former airfield is now occupied by the Fire Service College where senior officers from brigades from all over the world undergo training.

There is a War Memorial in the High Street and commemorates all the town's people who lost their lives as a result of the First and Second World Wars. The Council organise the annual Remembrance Parade and Service which is fairly unique as it all takes place in High Street and the A429 and adjacent roads are temporarily closed for the duration of the Parade & Service.

The town has two Churches – St David's Church in Old Town and the Congregational Church in Oxford Street.