Bigfern Guide to Market Harborough & district

GREAT BOWDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
by Dr Paul Harrison, Chairman

The Great Bowden Historical Society was formed in 1996, the same year that the Parish Council came into being. Our aim is to provide interesting and informative talks and other events related to local history, and to foster research into both the recent and distant past of this ancient village. An important specific objective is to publish articles in the form of books and pamphlets. The Society is managed by a committee which meets about six times a year. Society meetings and outings are usually held every month throughout the year.

To find out more about Great Bowden and the Society, visit GBHS or buy this book from Amazon. Great Bowden book

Great Bowden

St Peter & St Paul, Parish Church The village of Great Bowden lies to the North East of Market Harborough, and is seperated only by the Midland Mainline Railway bridge. A number of old buildings dating back several centuries, add to the charm of this country village, which, despite being flanked on one side by the A6 bypass, and the railway line on the other, has a quiet air to it. To the North of the village is the Grand Union canal, and close by the old Hall, which has recently been refurbished and converted into flats.
Further south down the Main Street into the village is Upper Green, one of its three greens, and the Old Bakehouse. Close to the railway in Gunsbrook Close, which was built on the site of an old pond, is the Primary School, which hosts a summer Car Boot sale, a very popular annual event. There are two pubs close to the centre of the village, The Red Lion and The Shoulder of Mutton, and on the bottom green is the Post Office and village Hall.

Langton House, The Green Also on the green is Pearly House general stores, who's wares are a familiar site spilling out onto the green in front of the shop in traditional fashion!
The Fernie Hunt Kennels, which were built in the 1920's, are based off Welham Road, and the Boxing Day meet is another traditional event held here each year.

Congregational Chapel Great Bowden has it's own art gallery on Station Road called Frank Haynes Gallery, where some excellent paintings by local artists are on display. Frank is also a very talented potter who's work is for sale in the gift shop.
Other businesses and industries include Bowden Fencing, where you can buy a wide range of building materials.

Opposite is the old Congregational Chapel, which has now been converted into living accomodation.

The Old Bakehouse.
This is thought to have originated in the 16th century as a single storey stone house. The timber framed upper floor, with its central cruck truss, would be added about 1620; the projecting gable is characteristic of the period. In the 19th century it was occupied by a baker named Buttress.

The Old Bakehouse text and sketch reproduced by kind permission of Troubador Publishing Ltd, from 'Alec Ridett's Sketchbook of Great Bowden'. Available from local stores for £6.99, ISBN 1 899293 41 8 or contact troubador