BIDFORD - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"BIDFORD, a parish in the Stratford division of the hundred of Barlichway, in the county of Warwick, 4 miles to the S. of Alcester, its post town. It is watered by the rivers Avon and Arrow, and contains the hamlets of Barton, Broom, and Marecliff. A market was formerly held here, which has long been disused. The parish contains several quarries of blue lias. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Worcester, value £290, in the patronage of the Rev. T. Boultbee. The church is dedicated to St. Lawrence.

The parochial charities, consisting of funds given by Alicia, Duchess Dudley, in 1655, for various benevolent objects, produce about £110 per annum. Bidford Grange, once among the possessions of the abbey of Bordsley, is the property of Mr. Brown, lord of the manor. Near Bidford grew the crab-tree distinguished by tradition as sheltering the spot where Shakspeare and his comrades slept a whole Sunday through after a drinking bout in the town, but it has recently disappeared."

"BARTON, a hamlet in the parish of Bidford, and hundred of Barlichway, in the county of Warwick, 6 miles to the S.W. of Stratford."

"BROOM, a hamlet in the parish of Bidford, hundred of Barlichway, in the county of Warwick, 2 miles to the S. of Alcester."

"MARCLIFF, a hamlet in the parish of Bidford, county Warwick, 4 miles S.E. of Alcester. It is situated on the river Avon."

"MARLCLIFT, a hamlet in the parish of Bidford, hundred of Barlichway, county Warwick, 5 miles S. of Alcester."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]