Wappenham
is located in rural South Northamptonshire in the upper Tove valley,
some 15 miles south west of Northampton and around 13 miles north east
of Banbury. Towcester, 5 miles to the east and Brackley, 8 miles to
the west, are the nearest towns. (Location
Map)
The village has a population around 200 and like a lot of villages most
people commute elsewhere to work and children travel to schools in Silverstone
and Towcester. There are a couple of buses a week going to Northampton
and one to Banbury.
We have a number of small businesses operating in the village but agriculture
predominates in the surrounding area. Whilst, regretfully, we have no
pub, we do have a much valued Post
Office and Stores and a 'Postie' who lives in the village.
There are a number of thriving organisations which provide essential
social contact and community service for all ages. The old school, which
is now the village hall, is the centre for many of the activities including
meetings of the Parish Council and Annual Assembly. Religious Services
and other activities also take place at the Chapel and the Church.
The village is linear in style and comprises a mix of old and new houses
but with no large developments. A number of the older buildings are
listed, as is the old red telephone box on the green opposite the church.
We have no street lighting which some consider keeps us, literally,
in the dark ages! The 13th century Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin
is a prominent feature and there are fine examples of architect Sir
Gilbert Scott designs around the village including the Rectory next
to the church. There is a good network of well signposted public footpaths
from which the village and its features can be better viewed and appreciated.