Welcome to Colston Bassett
Colston Bassett is a beautiful village with a population of approximately two hundred people situated within the rolling countryside of the picturesque Vale of Belvoir. Located in South Nottinghamshire, but within five miles of the borders of Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, it is truly East Midlands in regional character.
The Parish Council is made up of seven Parish Councillors, all elected volunteers who meet on around a six week cycle and have various dedicated areas of interest. Rushcliffe Borough and Nottinghamshire County Councillors are invited to attend meetings, as is the Internal Auditor. The Parish Clerk also serves as the Responsible Financial Officer and helps oversee the day to day operations and finances of the Parish Council, so is usually the first point of contact for most enquiries. The current Parish Councillors are listed elsewhere on this website and contact is also usually possible via the Parish Clerk..
Historically the village has been at the forefront of events, being the location of various skirmishes and incidents during the English Civil War, particularly due to the split allegiances of two major local families. Both sides held claim to the support of the village during the course of that war. A potted history of the village can be found at https://nottsvillages.blogspot.com/2016/07/colston-bassett.html
Being an estate village since the Norman conquest, its unique character and its subsequent development has been shaped by the various owners from Ralph Basset, who was awarded the village by William the Conqueror, through to the Le Marchant family, who acquired the village in the late nineteenth century. The original Market Cross at the centre of village was erected in 1257 when Henry III granted Ralph de Basset and his heirs the right to hold a weekly market each Wednesday, as well as an annual three-day fair, but these rights are no longer exercised.
The village was one of the first villages in Nottinghamshire to acquire full Conservation Area status in the early 1970’s and this too has influenced its special character and development to the present time, with adoption of a Neighbourhood Plan achieved in 2020.
Although predominantly agricultural in nature, the village has also a number of local businesses which have developed in its special environment. Colston Bassett & District Dairy on Harby Lane produces world famous traditional Stilton cheese. Formed in 1913, the Dairy is a community-based Limited Company which uses local milk and suppliers to create its award winning traditional stilton cheeses, so many of the cows you see grazing around the village fields are an integral part of that process. The Dairy has an international reputation for excellence and is well worth a visit during their shop opening hours.
The village is also home to the award winning pub and restaurant The Martins Arms, a listed building in the centre of the village near the Market Cross. The Market Cross itself is thought to be one of the oldest National Trust properties in Nottinghamshire and certainly one of the smallest; adjacent is The Village Meeting Shelter, gifted to the village residents by current Estate-owners the Le Marchant Family and regularly frequented by both walkers and cyclists. On the outskirts of the village the Belle Vue livery stables and riding school are on New Road, whilst further along New Road are the long established Belvoir Boarding Kennels. Also situated just off New Road and usually approached by the Jubilee Walk avenue of trees are the Listed ruins of St Mary’s Church; still the village burial-ground, the church dominates the surrounding views, offering a quiet venue for reflection and is well worth a visit.
Colston Bassett is a truly tranquil and beautiful village that offers the visitor a special experience, whether walking the many public footpaths or enjoying all that the village has to offer.
For further information, please contact Jane Clark, Clerk to the Parish Council on 01949 81717 or email info@colstonbassettparishcouncil.co.uk