About Barton

Barton under Needwood

Historic village and vibrant community

Originally alongside the River Trent, Barton’s name derived from Bertone, a grain field or store – ‘under Needwood’ is a Medieval addition referring to the Forest Of Needwood that lay to the North West.

Powerful characters have influenced the village over the centuries.

Richard de Holland first settled in Barton in 1320 working for the Earl of Lancaster who ruled the Midlands from Tutbury Castle. Richard’s family name is commemorated in the nearby Holland Sports Club.

Born here around 1480, John Taylor became a learned scholar, Ambassador and Master of the Rolls to Henry VIII. He built St James church between 1517 and 1533. Our High School is named after him.

Commemorated in both the infants and junior schools, the first of which he founded as a Free School in 1595, is Thomas Russell another ‘son of Barton’ who became a wealthy 16th century merchant draper in the City of London.

Promoted by Josiah Wedgwood and Erasmus Darwin, the Trent and Mersey Canal arrived in 1777 giving industries in the Midlands direct access to the ports of Hull and Liverpool. Baron expanded back towards the River Trent with wharves at Barton Turns. 1840 saw the opening of a station, now closed, for Barton just beyond the Roman Rykneld Street (A38) on Robert Stephenson‘s Birmingham & Derby Railway.

Now with a population approaching 5,000 Barton’s vibrant community attracts visitors to societies and events throughout the year including open gardens, music, arts and scarecrow festivals. Morris dancing, music gigs in pubs, sports coaching & matches, beer festivals and our scouts bonfire.

Barton has many interesting and historic listed buildings in its Conservation Area, together with our pubs, shops and essential amenities plus the attractive Barton Marina that opened in 2007 within the National Forest.