Grimscote is a

hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play. Set in Denmark, the play (the ...

in the

civil parish In England, a civil parish is a type of administrative parish used for local government. It is a territorial designation which is the lowest tier of local government. Civil parishes can trace their origin to the ancient system of parishes, w ...

Cold Higham Cold Higham is a village and civil parish in Northamptonshire, England. Cold Higham Parish, also includes Fosters Booth (West), Grimscote, and Potcote. It is adjacent to Weedon Bec, Pattishall, Eastcote and Astcote. The A5 runs along the ea ...

, in the

West Northamptonshire West Northamptonshire is a Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area in the Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county of Northamptonshire, England, and was created in 2021. It contains the county town of Northampton, as wel ...

district of

Northamptonshire Northamptonshire ( ; abbreviated Northants.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the East Midlands of England. It is bordered by Leicestershire, Rutland and Lincolnshire to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshi ...

, England. Grimscote is one of 4 settlements (Cold Higham, Fosters Booth (West) and Potcote) that make up Cold Higham parish. According to the

2011 UK census A census of the population of the United Kingdom is taken every ten years. The 2011 census was held in all countries of the UK on 27 March 2011. It was the first UK census which could be completed online via the Internet. The Office for National ...

, the population in Grimscote in 2011 was 241. It is understood that the name Grimscote means "Grim's Cott", Grim being another name for Woden.

Geology

The hamlet of Grimscote is mainly situated on Northampton Sand bedrock, with a band of Lower Estuarine and Upper Estuarine Limestone to the south of the settlement.

History

The hamlet is the largest centre of population in the parish and already was so in the early 18th century. Little is known of its history, but extensive earthworks around it might suggest that it was once much larger than it is now. The

Duke of Grafton Duke of Grafton is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1675 by Charles II of England for Henry FitzRoy, his second illegitimate son by the Duchess of Cleveland. The most notable duke of Grafton was Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke o ...

was the major landowner in Grimscote until 1919, when most of the property was sold. Grimscote has 4

Grade II listed In the United Kingdom, a listed building is a structure of particular architectural or historic interest deserving of special protection. Such buildings are placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, H ...

buildings: 2 houses on Manor Road, a house on Penthorne Close, and 'Ivy Bank' along with its barn. The former Baptist Chapel is also on Manor Road.

Sport and recreation

Although there is no evidence of a pub today, there was once an outdoor beerhouse in Grimscote during the early 1900s. A photo taken circa 1928 shows what are presumably locals, two of whom were dressed in cricket whites, relaxing with a beer outside the beerhouse. The beer was served through a window and a bell was accessible for service.

References

Villages in Northamptonshire Hamlets in Northamptonshire West Northamptonshire District {{Northamptonshire-geo-stub