Smeads

Smeads is a village and civil parish in the fictional county of Westhaven, United Kingdom. It lies on the eastern bank of the River Alder, about six miles north of Grindlewick and five miles east of the county town. The parish covers around 2,000 hectares of arable fields, hedgerows, and small woodlands, with the village core along a single main street.

The earliest documentary references to Smeads date to the 13th century, and the name is thought to derive from Old English elements referring to meadow and enclosure. By the 14th century Smeads Manor appears in records, and agriculture has long shaped life here. Over time the village grew slowly, with cottages clustered around the parish church.

Smeads forms a civil parish in the Westhaven district. Local governance is provided by a parish council, which sends representatives to the district and county councils. The parish is part of a rural electoral ward and participates in wider planning and services.

The local economy remains predominantly agricultural, with arable farming and dairy enterprises visible in the surrounding landscape. A small village shop, a pub, and a post office serve residents, while many people commute to nearby towns for work. Community life centers on the parish church and village hall, which host regular events.

Landmarks include St. Mary’s Church, a 14th-century stone building with a 13th-century font, and Smeads Mill, a former flour mill repurposed for community use. An ancient lime tree stands near the church.

Population is about 320. Transport is rural, with bus services to Grindlewick and the county town; the nearest rail connection lies in Grindlewick.