Kilvington & Alverton

A Pair of Charming Hamlets

Kilvington and Alverton are two picturesque hamlets located just outside Staunton. These small villages are perfect for a peaceful walk, and they are included in a lovely 7km circular walk starting and ending at the Staunton Arms. Details about the route and the villages can be found on Newark Map.

Historical Significance

The Domesday Book refers to land holdings at Kilvington (referred to as ‘Chelvintone’) including some held by the Bishop of Lincoln, but no mention is made of a church. From an early date, Kilvington was linked with the nearby hamlet of Alverton in terms of land holding, with common fields adjacent to each other

Staunton Family Connections: Kilvington, Alverton, and Flawborough have shared close connections with Staunton since the 11th century due to land ownership. Members of the Staunton family are listed on the church incumbents board as early as the 1270s. Although they occasionally lost control of these villages, they worked to regain them

Mortgages and Losses: In 1602, William Staunton mortgaged Kilvington to William Cecil (grandson of Lord Burleigh, Elizabeth I's chief advisor) for £600 to pay the debts of his "extravagant wife." His son, Anthony, bought it back in 1613. Another William Staunton lost it again after the Civil War due to heavy fines for siding with the Royalists

Kilvington

For many years, Kilvington had opencast gypsum extraction until the quarry was exhausted in 2004. The pits have since filled with water, creating a peaceful haven for wildlife

St. Mary's Church: Kilvington St. Mary is a small church situated just half a mile from the larger church at Staunton. The church was probably constructed in the 12th century, but records are sparse. The earliest record of an incumbent is from 1190, when ‘William, parson of Kilvington,’ witnessed a deed freeing a serf from Alverton

Historical Events: The village has seen its share of historical events, including the murder of Thomas de Sibthorpe in 1351 and the death of John de Sibthorpe during the Black Death in 1349. Services at the church stopped in 1820, and the building fell into disrepair until it was replaced in 1851

Alverton

Alverton historically formed part of Kilvington parish and appears in the 1086 Domesday Book as Alvretun and Alvritun

The Old School: Built in 1881, the old school house was constructed by the Duke of Newcastle on land donated by the Duke of Portland. It served the children of Staunton, Flawborough, Kilvington, and Alverton. The building is now a private house and is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a school teacher

The Chestnuts: This fantastic property, a former Duke of Portland Estate Farm, is now a lovely boutique B&B. The house has been lovingly renovated by David and Kelly over 11 years. The creation of the bed and breakfast rooms in the old stables and coach house was completed in 2021. The Chestnuts is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Mary Brown, a seamstress to Queen Victoria who returned to Alverton to look after her brother's children

Unique Features and Legends

Californian Redwoods and Gold Nuggets: The Chestnuts has a giant redwood planted at the front of the house, said to have grown from a seed brought back from California during the gold rush. There is also a rumor of a hidden golden nugget brought back from the gold rush, though it has never been found

Ghost Stories: Both Kilvington and Alverton have their share of ghost stories, adding to the charm and mystery of these hamlets. The Chestnuts is said to be haunted by Mary Brown, who ruled her brother's children with a rod of iron

Cultural Impact

Kilvington and Alverton's rich history, beautiful houses, and peaceful walks make them wonderful places to explore. Whether you're interested in their historical connections, unique legends, or simply enjoying the tranquil countryside, these hamlets offer a unique blend of past and present.