A military base since 1918, Burnham is 6 km south-west of Rolleston. Originally the area was the site of Burnham Industrial School (1874) for neglected or troublesome children. All Saints Church (1864) was moved to the school in 1901. In 1882 the transit of Venus was observed from Burnham, and a stone cairn commemorates this.
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Meaning of place name
Named by pioneer Richard Bethell after his birthplace Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire, England
