page_title: Broom, Bedfordshire
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Broom, Bedfordshire / History
caption_attribution_description: English: The traditional game of Nine Pin Bar Skittles at The Cock, Broom, Bedfordshire.
context_page_description: Broom is a small village in the Central Bedfordshire district of the county of Bedfordshire, England about 8.5 miles south-east of the county town of Bedford.
  The 2011 census shows its population as 579.
context_section_description: The name Broom simply refers to the plant.
  Broom is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The entry reads; Brume: Nigel de la Vast from Nigel d'Aubigny
  It has long been a 'farming' village with a number of small local market gardeners. Many have been farming families for generations.
  The village originally consisted of the High Street, High Road and Southill Road. Housing was built by Biggleswade Rural District Council on Bancroft Avenue in the first quarter of the 20th century. In the 1970s, Birch Close and The Woodlands were built on the other side of 'the ditch'. There is a mixture of old farm houses as well as newer buildings.
  In past years the village had four pubs, a post office, village shop and a small church.  There was also a village football team that played on the village green.
  The Cock is a mid-19th century Grade II listed public house at 23 High Street. It is on the Campaign for Real Ale's National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. The pub is one of a handful in the UK that has no serving counter. Drinks and food are served by staff to customers in a variety of small rooms. The pub also boasts traditional table skittles.
  Broom Hall is a three storey, grade II listed, mid 18th century country house standing just off the High Street. It has been converted into flats and apartments. Broom Park was described as a Gentleman's Country Estate when it was put up for auction shortly after the Second World War.
caption: The traditional game of Nine Pin Bar Skittles at  The Cock, Broom, Bedfordshire.
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