Newton Burgoland

Newton Burgoland is home to the oldest pub in Leicestershire called the Belper Arms. Forming part of the Swepstone civil parish in the North West Leicestershire district of Leicestershire, England. The Swepstone parish also includes a small settlement named Newton-Nethercote, which forms as part of the village. The population is included in the civil parish of Swepstone.The place-name is first attested in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as Neutone. It is referred to as Neuton Burgilon in 1390. The name 'Newton' means 'new homestead or village'. The 'Burgoland' element refers to the Burgilon family, the name meaning 'Burgundian'.The village contains a public house, "The Belper Arms", which is identified as the oldest pub in Leicestershire. The pub dates back to 1290 when which it was named "The Shepherd and the Shepherdess Inn". During World War II, the village was highly affected by German bombing which took place in surrounding villages such as Odstone, Measham, and Heather. In 1940, evacuees were escorted to the village notably from Coventry, Birmingham, and London to escape the bombing in such cities. Nearby Gopsall Hall was later requisitioned as barracks for English soldiers during the war. English soldiers thus visited public houses in Newton Burgoland such as "The Belper Arms" and "The Spade Tree".