Northleach, small market town, par., and township, Gloucestershire, among the Cotswolds, near the source, of the river Leach, 10 miles NE. of Cirencester - par., 3460 ac., pop. 1186; town and township, pop. 831; P.O., T.O. 1 Bank. Market-day, Wednesday. The principal feature of the town is its handsome church, containing several ancient monuments. Northleach has a free grammar school, founded in 1607. Stock fairs are held twice a year, and much business is done in connection with Cotswold sheep and Hereford short-horned cattle, for which the surrounding district is celebrated.

(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))