Newport Pagnell Town Description


THE BACKGROUND TO THE TOWN

There is little evidence to suggest significant early settlement, although an Anglo Saxon burial ground was discovered a short distance from the present town centre. Newport's origins as a burgh are considered to be late Saxon – probably early 10th century as defence against Danish invasion along the Ouse Valley.

The Anglo Saxon core of the town may well have had defences and gates on approach roads., leading to these being modified in the medieval era. The name Newport implies 'new market town'. The town appears in the Domesday book as a manor held by the Ansculf family, but it later passed onto to the Paynel family and the modern derivation of 'Paynel' gives the town its distinguishing name of 'Pagnell'. It was this family, which built a motte and bailey castle in the town.

The manor passed down to various families and even to the Crown at one point. However in 1819 the manor was split up and further enclosures took place. However, one of the town's major assets, Bury Field, escaped enclosure and still today has common rights held by many of the older properties of the town, owing to burgage plot arrangements.

The medieval town took the form of a long High Street joined roughly midway by St Johns Street and there was a row of shambles at the north end of the High Street.

Other important streets at this time, still to be found in the town, were Mill Street, Union Street, Silver Street, Church Passage and Ousebank/Riverside, once known as Dungeon Lane. The market was the hub of the town’s trade. An area called Market Hill developed.

During the English Civil War the town became an important centre of action. It importance was due to its strategic position at the meeting point of two rivers with bridges and fords to cross them. In 1643 the Parliamentarians placed banks and ditches around the town as defences. A gun emplacement, known as the Battery, survives in the Churchyard today, while traces of earthworks, now a scheduled ancient monument, are to be seen in Bury Field. Oliver Cromwell' eldest son, also Oliver, died of smallpox in the town whilst serving in the Newport garrison.

As the town grew into an important market town stone bridges replaced the wooden ones over the two rivers. Maintaining these bridges was the responsibility of the town burgesses from 1394 with tolls in place. After constant problems and serious flooding in 1809, an Act Of Parliament led to the rebuilding of both the North Bridge and the Tickford Bridge. This was vital for trade and the coaching business, particularly for the turnpike road between London and Northampton. In 2010 these two bridges celebrate their bicentennial and there will be major events in the town to commemorate the special date. Of particular importance is Tickford bridge, which is the oldest iron trunk road bridge in the world still carrying everyday traffic.

Newport Pagnell bridge

A Benedictine Priory, Tickford Priory, was founded in 1100 and dissolved in 1542. After falling into ruin by 1680 it was rescued by Thomas Hooton and built as a house, Tickford Abbey. It can still be seen as such today. It had a gatehouse on Priory Street. Between the Abbey and the town is Castle Meadow, locally known as the Bully.

During the nineteenth century improved communication and industrialization saw dramatic changes. In 1814 the Newport Pagnell Canal opened as part of the Grand Junction Canal. This gave way to the Newport Pagnell Railway, part of the London North Western network in 1865. This all led to a growth in housing.

New industries emerged as old ones like pillow lace went into dramatic decline. These were brewing, parchment making (still in existence today), mustard manufacture, milling and coach building. The prominent families of the time reflected this – Taylors (mustard), Coales (milling) and Salmons (coach-building, later to be car making).

The impetus after the Second World War into the 1950s and 1960s to sweep away the old and bring in the new was to have disastrous effects to St Johns Street, High Street and Tickford Street, where redevelopment has had a lasting effect on the historic core of the town.

The town has now expanded to a population of around 16,000, but thankfully in the main it has avoided large scale disruption to its conserved past. A bypass in 1981 and other road changes have helped the town to survive huge traffic problems. However, the demands of car parking and shop servicing has taken its toll on historic fabric and frontages in the old parts of the town. Nevertheless conservation of the town’s heritage is a key part of what happens in the town today.


WHAT TO SEE

To the north and east of the town lies attractive low lying meadowland. Two rivers, The Great Ouse and the Lovat or Ouzel rivers, meander through the town bringing with them an abundance of flora and fauna. Kingfishers for instance and green woodpeckers as well as ducks and geese use the rivers frequently. Fishing is often seen taking place. Where the two rivers meet is lovely spot to sit and watch the world go by. The town Partnership have put a lot of effort and time into making the Ousebank gardens and cemetery look very attractive and a walk through the whole site is a must. Bordering the gardens is the North Bridge now commemorating its bi-centennial. The land is designated as an 'Area of Attractive Landscape'.

From the northern Northampton Road approach there are important views of the historic and character buildings of the town conservation area. The River Lovat flows through the town, separating Tickford End from the centre and forming the northern limit of the linear park and wildlife corridor emanating from Milton Keynes. Outside the town's conservation area of historic buildings and sites there has been in the recent past a lot of expansion with housing and employment areas. The former railway line, built on the line of the canal which preceded it, has been converted into a 'redway' or cycleway/footpath. This way leads all the way into Milton Keynes and is another of the town's lovely walks/wildlife corridors. To get a glimpse of a row of large Victorian/Edwardian houses there is no better example than those to be found in the Wolverton Road.

Perhaps the character of the town is best summed up seeing it as tightly knit group of businesses and housing interwoven with yards and passages. There are good views to be had from the riverside and green spaces and the crowning glory is the church of St Peter and St Paul, which occupies the area known as the Battery from the Civil War period. The buildings in the town comprise a broad range of types, ages and styles, chiefly dating from the late Georgian to Edwardian period with cottages, chapels and workshops. To be seen are examples of timber framing, non standard brick walls and clay tile roofs together with residential terraces.

Newport Pagnall house

However, the most important site of interest beside the church is the wonderful old Tickford Bridge. The oldest iron trunk bridge still carrying traffic in the world. Major celebration of its bicentennial happens in 2010. It is a must-see attraction.

Just past the bridge is another iconic site in the form of the Aston Martin manufacturing works. One side of the road houses the works still in operation, while the other side features the now redundant historic buildings, including a three storey carriage shop and mock tudor building called 'Sunnyside'. These fall within the conservation atrea and there is great determination the preserve them from demolition.

For more detail of the town’s heritage, what to do today and for a town trail go to: www.mkheritage.co.uk/nphs


Newport Pagnell Contact

Newport Pagnell Town Council
Tel: 01908 618 756