Near Kidderminster Worcestershire UK
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You are Visitor Number Last Updated - 11 October 2004
Cookley is a relatively small village set in open countryside some 3 miles North of Kidderminster (map). It is easily accessible by road as the A449 Kidderminster to Wolverhampton Road passes close by. However, visitors to Cookley often arrive by narrowboat as the Staffs & Worcs Canal passes through the centre of the village. Many visitors also come to the village to take advantage of the excellent Fishing on both the Canal and River Stour, and to walk the extensive footpath network in the beautiful countryside steeped in history. Cookley appears to have originated around the sandstone outcrop near Debdale farm called Pigeon Hill, where there was a crossing over the river Stour. Many parts of this Red Triassic sandstone can be seen in outcrops in the area. In 964 AD in the Saxon Charter ( a copy of which can be viewed in the Church) it was called Culnan Clif (Culfran was the Saxon word for Pigeon). In 1240 AD it was called Culleclife or Culla Clife and by 1608 it became Cookley and Cookecliffe. The name of Cookecliff would be the more correct name for the village - as the 'ley' in Cookley means 'clearing' which the cliff never was! (Sources: The Place Names Of Worcestershire by Mawer & Stenton - English Place Names Society)
Being a relatively new resident of the village (some 19 Years), I have become fascinated by the history of Cookley and surrounding area. I owe a large debt of gratitude to Betty Caswell a local historian, whose writing and knowledge of the Community has given me the enthusiasm to start writing this web site, so that others too, can share in the fascinating history of our village. I would also like to thank Betty for the permission to use her material in the construction of this site. I recommend that, if you find this site of interest, you read her publications as she has included far more detail than I possibly could in the space I have available. If you have any comments on this site or suggestions of further material that you feel should be included then please email me. Andy Griffin B.Ed. M.A.
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