Welton, Northamptonshire
| Welton | |
| Northamptonshire | |
|---|---|
 Kiln Lane, Welton | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SP581660 |
| Location: | 52°17’21"N, 1°8’58"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 596 (2021) |
| Post town: | Daventry |
| Postcode: | NN11 |
| Dialling code: | 01327 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | West Northamptonshire |
Welton is a village in Northamptonshire, found two and a half miles north of the nearest town Daventry, and 13 miles west of Northampton. The village is a mile off the A361 that runs between Daventry and Crick.
The parish at the 2021 census had a recorded population of 596.
A large portion of the village sits on the south-east slope of Crockwell Hill, one of the many low range hills which characterise this part of the Northamptonshire Uplands. To the east runs a major Roman Road, Watling Street. In the south runs the Grand Union Canal.
Parish church
The parish church, St Martin, stands in the centre of the village. It is constructed from Northamptonshire ironstone. It has a square tower which dates from the beginning of the 14th century, with an octagonal clock face on the western elevation. The line of an earlier nave roof is visible on the tower. The nave is in the perpendicular Gothic style.[1] The chancel is also perpendicular, with a vestry to the north in the angle between nave and chancel.
The simple font is late mediæval. The pulpit was carved by local villagers and has an 18th-century memorial plaque on the wall beside it. Also of interest is the wooden alms box which has a carved open palm on top and stands by the south door. In front of the altar at the eastern end of the church there is a 19th-century polychrome marbles and malachite floor which is reputed to be a Russian gift.
History
The name Welton derives from the Old English Wielle tun or 'Spring village'.[2] Archaeological evidence as shown that the six wells in the parish prompted a Roman encampment.
Welton has an entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, in which it is recorded by the names of Waletone, Weletone and Welintone. Three landholdings are listed: the land of Count Robert of Mortain had half a ploughland and one acre of meadow, valued at 5 shillings in 1086, and the tenant before and after the Conquest was Wulfmer. The land of Hugh of Grandmesnil had 5 villeins, 3 slaves, 7 ploughlands with 2 lord's plough teams and 4 men's plough teams: the lord before the Conquest was Baldwin son of Herlewin, but in 1086 was Osbern. The land of Countess Judith had 2 smallholders, one ploughland and half a lord's plough teams: the lord before and after the Conquest was Leofric.
In a later age, the village had its own railway station, but it did not survive the Beeching Axe.
Welton Place
Welton Place[3] was a large country house which once stood in the village which was demolished in 1972. It was built by Joseph Clarke in 1758. The house was situated by a lake around which were planted rare cedar trees some of which are protected and can still be seen as can the lake.
Welton Place was converted to flats but ultimately demolished in 1972.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Welton, Northamptonshire) |
References
- ↑ Nikolaus Pevsner: The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, 1961; 1973 Penguin Books ISBN 978-0-300-09632-3page 456
- ↑ Mills, Anthony David: 'A Dictionary of British Place-Names' (Oxford University Press, 2003) ISBN 978-0-19-852758-9
- ↑ Nikolaus Pevsner: The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, 1961; 1973 Penguin Books ISBN 978-0-300-09632-3page 457