Uppingham
From Free net encyclopedia
Template:Infobox England place with map UA Uppingham is a small market town in the county of Rutland in the East Midlands of England. It is located on the A47 between Leicester and Peterborough, about 6 miles south of the county town, Oakham. It is the second largest town in the county.
Uppingham ward, which includes the neighbouring parish of Beaumont Chase, has three councillors on Rutland County Council. It is the only ward in the county to have more than two representatives.
Uppingham is notable as the home of Uppingham School, an independent school founded in the 16th century, and twinned with Oakham School near by. It is claimed that the school has the largest playing fields of any school in the country.
There is also a state secondary school (Uppingham Community College) and two primary schools — Leighfield and Uppingham Church of England School.
Uppingham railway station was opened in 1894 and was located at the bottom of Queen Street. It was closed to passengers in 1960 and closed completely in 1964. The area has now been redeveloped as an industrial estate.
In the 18th and 19th centuries Uppingham had a workhouse, first recorded in 1777 with space for 40 inmates. Until 1834 it was a parish workhouse, but in 1836 the Uppingham Poor Law Union began, and a Union workhouse was built to the south of the town, by architect William J Donthorn, designed to house 158 people. It was closed in 1929, and taken over by Uppingham School who still use the building.