Leebotwood
Leebotwood is lovely Shropshire village, 4 miles north of Church Stretton.
Motorists will often travel along the trunk road that cuts the village in two, unaware of its existence. The buildings are so spread out that there are only occasional glimpses of black and white houses and red brick farms scattered around and about. Yet despite this there is a rich history in Leebotwood.
The village church is a plain and simple building in comparison to most Shropshire churches. It dates from the 12th century when the whole are was covered in thick forest and was known locally as 'Botwde' or 'Botwood'. Henry II granted this area to Augustinian canons with a chapel at Lega - hence Leebotwood.
The valley was important as a thoroughfare dating right back to Roman times. The eastern boundary of the village is formed from the ancient route of Watling Street - still visible.
Caer Caradoc to the south of Leebotwood rises to a height of 1506ft and is said to be one of the last strongholds of the native chief Caradoc or Caractacus who held out against the Romans.
Castle Hill located on the opposite side of the valley is possibly a Saxon fortification built over the remains of a prehistoric barrow.
The village began to the shape it has today in the mid 16th century. Some houses within the village probably date back in whole or in part to this period, although red bricks may disguise the timber framed core.
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