Ashford Carbonell. SO 520 711.

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Derivation: Ash-tree ford. It was called “Esseford” in Domesday. Ashford Carbonell takes its name from the Carbonel family - John Carbonel in 1221 and a charter of 1174 granting Ashford to William Carbunel. It was called “Nether Ashford” to distinguish it from “Upper Ashford” or “Ashford Jones”, probably called after John de Esseford who was tenant in 1240-56. Upper Ashford corresponds to the modern “Ashford Manor” some distance from the river and alongside the road to Caynham.

The two parishes of Ashford Bowdler and Ashford Carbonell lie on either side of the River Teme. The ford was replaced by the bridge designed by Thomas Telford and built in 1797. Ashford Carbonell is a fair sized village with a church and school.

The map shows the River Teme south of Ludlow and the two parishes of Ashford Bowdler and Ashford Carbonel on either side of the river. The Ashford bridge is shown on the road to Caynham and the green line indicates the probable line of the track across the Ash Ford. The present day footpaths have been diverted to cross the river by the new (1797) Ashford Bridge.

Other tracks through Ashford Carbonel lie on routes from Ludlow to Little Hereford. The route through Ashford Carbonel survives mainly as footpaths or bridle paths.

References: OS Langranger map No. 137.
Phyllis M. Ray, Ashford Carbonel: A Peculiar Parish. A Brief History
Margaret Gelling in collaboration with H.D.G.Foxall, The Place Names of Shropshire, Part One: Major Names, English Place Names Society (1990), pp.19-20.

Page maintained by Susan Laflin. Last updated October 2003.