Wappenham’s history spans the medieval building phases of St Mary’s Church and the creation of Silver Lake on the edge of the village in 1986–1987. Beyond the church, houses, waterways and traces of paths also tell different stories about the place.
Church, manor house and architectural details
St Mary’s Church contains fabric dating from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. Parts of the chancel were rebuilt in 1833. Inside is an octagonal font, probably dating from the 17th century. The church therefore brings together several building phases; the font’s date is explicitly described as probable.
The Manor is a Grade II* listed building in Wappenham. Wappenham House, now often called The Manor, was built by Theophilus Hart between 1670 and 1686. Another building with a specific connection to the 19th century is The Old Rectory, built by George Gilbert Scott in 1833 for his father. The year coincides with the partial rebuilding of St Mary’s chancel, but refers to two separate building projects.
Individual staircases are also among the architectural details described in the village. The Beeches has an open staircase with winding flights and turned balusters. At 8, High Street, the balusters are stick-shaped; there are also carved tread ends and a ramped handrail. The comparison shows different examples of craftsmanship, without implying that the buildings are open to the public.
Silver Lake and paths through farmland
A tributary of the River Tove rises south of Wappenham, flows into Silver Lake and then runs along the eastern edge of the village. The lake was created on the edge of Wappenham in 1986–1987. It is associated with fishing, but access is currently restricted. If you plan to visit the lake, take this access restriction into account.
Old footpaths cross Wappenham’s farmland and connect the village and church with neighbouring settlements. Two other footpaths branch off Pittams Lane, with views across the landscape. A 5.5-mile walk starts at a car park at the end of Brookside in Wappenham. Check parking and path conditions locally before planning this walk; no walking time is specified for the route.
The waterside landscape and the paths offer different ways to shape a stay: Silver Lake is subject to a specific access restriction, while the footpaths across the farmland and their connections to neighbouring settlements describe the routes themselves. The two footpaths from Pittams Lane also have their own viewpoints. This lets you choose between connecting routes and landscape views when deciding where to go, rather than treating all the paths as a single route.
Historic traces and a village event
The former railway is also part of the village’s history. The route of the old railway line can still be traced, and the Wappenham Station platform remains beneath the field shelter at Holly Blue. These remains add another historical trace to the village’s built heritage. They sit alongside historic settlement remains that suggest the village once contracted. A manor house surrounded by a ditch is one possible interpretation, not a confirmed description.
At the western end of Silver Lake, Eye Spring was historically known as a chalybeate healing spring and a place of pilgrimage. This former significance should be distinguished from the lake’s present-day conditions. There is also a regular event, Breakfast Church, held in Wappenham on the second Sunday of each month at 9 am. As the schedule may change, check the date before making plans.
When looking for a holiday rental, you can assess Wappenham according to the focus of your stay: the church and the houses described here offer architectural history, while the waterway and footpaths offer a landscape perspective. This comparison can help you choose a location that suits your interests.
Discover more destinations: Quinton, Rushden, Northampton, Hackleton, Weedon Bec, Crick, Kettering, Upton.
To the main travel guide: Northamptonshire.
