Ansty

Origin: Narrow footpath (possibly up a hill)

Domesday: Countess Godgifu held Ansty and Foleshill. There were 9 hides, land for 7 ploughs. In demesne 3 ploughs and 2 slaves and 30 villans and 6 bordars with 11 ploughs.


A small village which is rather split by the A46 running through the middle. Indeed transport seems attracted to the place, it sits on the canal and is triangulated by the M69, M6 , and the railway (Rugby mainline). Population in 1861 was 171 so it has never been a large village and the houses are, in the main, small cottages which have been modernised and include quite an attractive thatched cottage, unfortunately on the main road.

	The church, St James, is tucked away off the road at the end of the village and falls into the category “small but perfectly formed”. I particularly liked the spire which was apparently only added in the 1850s.

		Adjacent to the church is Ansty Hall an impressive red brick structure which looked Georgian to me and is now a hotel.

There were Dunnings living in Ansty from before 1720 (when the family moved from Alvestone) to the late 1800s. My branch were rather more adventurous, they only waited for 100 years to move to Ryton ( in Bulkington) which is 2 miles away in the 1820s. The first Dunning was a yeoman and subsequent ones (where occupation known) were weavers with occasional mention of pauper.

If you have any information on the Dunning family or Ansty please contact me




	For a description of the village in the late 1800s a Kellys Guide of 1880 is attached.