Daventry is a small market town set to the west of Northamptonshire. The historic heart of the town is in a conservation area and several of the buildings along the high street and its offshoots date back to the 17th century. However, this is a place with history that reaches far further back than that, and it’s specifically mentioned in The Domesday Book as belonging to the niece of William the Conqueror.
The wider area defined as Daventry District offers a lovely selection of picturesque villages and rustic idylls. However, the ambience of the town itself is also nicely countrified and you’re never more than a few minutes away from a rural walk with a view. With good local amenities and easy access to larger conurbations such as Northampton, Milton Keynes, and Rugby for occasional extras, people seeking a peaceful and gentle urban existence can flourish.
For those travelling and commuting by road, Daventry is extremely well located. Surrounded by stunning countryside, inhabitants living in Daventry and its surrounds can reach the M1 in just a few minutes and then head north to Leicester and beyond, or south to Milton Keynes, Luton, and London with ease. The A45 also weaves conveniently to Rugby and Coventry. And that road will take you further onto the M6 for Birmingham (in less than an hour). In the opposite direction, eastwards on the A45, Northampton is 20-25 mins drive. And the M40 can be reached within half an hour along the A361.
With regard to rail travel, Daventry doesn’t have a station. However Long Buckby is less than ten minutes drive and will give you access to the routes to Northampton, Milton Keynes, and London heading south, and Rugby, Coventry, and Birmingham heading north. Other commuters drive to Banbury or Rugby daily
A range of good bus services serve the Daventry District and will take passengers out to the surrounding villages and onto towns such as Northampton or Banbury. And for those needing easy access to an airport, with the motorway network available, Luton, East Midlands, and Birmingham airports are all under an hour’s drive.
Daventry is Northamptonshire’s 6th largest town, and as such serves to provide amenities to both locals and a wonderful smattering of satellite villages. The town itself is enjoying considerable infrastructure investment and there are several new developments that offer an attractive range of properties to suit many tastes and budgets.
However, if you are seeking a more rural location, a world of chocolate box villages opens up to you. For example, if you head south west along the A361, you’ll soon come to Badby, Charwelton, and Byfield, with offshoots to places such as Newnham, Woodford Halse, and Priors Marston along the way. Driving due east along the A425, you’ll quickly arrive in Staverton and Napton, before you reach Southam. The A45 heading north west will bring you to Braunston, Willoughby, and Dunchurch. And if you pass north, just on the outskirts you’ll discover the delightful little villages of Welton and Ashby St Ledgers.
We’ve already mentioned the proximity of Long Buckby, but if you head further out in that direction you’ll soon come to gorgeous villages such as Althorp, East and West Haddon, and Guilsborough. And the A45 east will bring you to Dodford, Weedon Bec, Flore, and Upper Heyford. Plus if you allow yourself to wander off the beaten A-road track, you’ll find Farthingstone, Upper Stowe, Church Stowe, Litchborough, Preston Capes, and a whole host more of tiny rural hamlets.
With Daventry District sitting on the west side of the county, families have access to quite a selection of schools in various directions. Many choose schools located near the border in Warwickshire, and there are some outstanding state secondary schools, such as Southam College, and grammar schools, such as Lawrence Sheriff and Rugby High School that are easily accessible. We’d advise you to check the catchment areas for those you are interested in, and liaise with the schools directly to understand if they are over-subscribed.
With regard to independent schools, you are also spoilt for choice. For example, there is Rugby School, Princethorpe, Stowe, and Bloxham all within driving distance. Plus, other boarding schools such as Uppingham, Oakham, Oundle, Wellingborough, and Spratton Hall, which are slightly further afield but still within easy reach.
Bearing in mind Daventry’s location, which is set in the heart of glorious English countryside, you won’t be surprised to learn that it has a lot to offer those who love a bit of fresh air. On the edge of the town sits the award winning Daventry Country Park with its reservoir, which has a lovely looped walk, fun wooden playground, and welcoming café open all year round. Also on the edge of the town is the historic Borough Hill country park with its prehistoric hill forts and remnants of BBC broadcasting; it’s one of the highest points in the area and offers astonishing views the whole way round. And for those with a penchant for fishing, there are plenty of waterholes to investigate in the town (such as Drayton Reservoir) and further afield (e.g. Boddington Reservoir).
If you’re keen to enjoy a good walk, it’s worth a trip to Everdon Stubbs; 100 acres of ancient woodland that offers a stunning display of bluebells at the right time of year. More bluebells can be discovered in Badby Woods. Plus the waterways network in the area is very well maintained, and we’d recommend Stoke Bruerne, Braunston, and Weedon for those with an interest in the canals. However, if sailing is more to your liking, Draycote Water and Boddington Reservoir are two noted venues amongst others.
Daventry enjoys a street market twice a week (every Tuesday and Friday) set out along the high street; a treat to experience, ensconced amongst some of the listed 18th century buildings in the heart of the town.
Family days and trips out further afield are aplenty with places such as Althorp House, the National Trust’s Canons Ashby Elizabethan house, Coton Manor Garden, Kelmarsh Hall, and Sulgrave Manor all within very easy driving distance. However, if it’s a bit chic rest and relaxation you’re after, there are lovely spas at Fawsley Hall and Whittlebury Park.
There is now talk of expansion of the rail depot near Blisworth, towards Northampton. And the Proposed HS2 route does pass through the area, though that’s towards Brackley. Whilst it is obviously important to understand the impact of future developments, works on HS2 have started and it is possible to find out more detail regarding a location once you’ve pinned one down. Of course it is impossible to know for sure on any house purchase what might happen in the future, though, and this must be borne in mind. For example, the impact of HS2 will vary enormously from house to house, and sound can travel in unexpected ways rather than line of sight. Also, when it is built, the HS2 trains will be electric and far less nuisance than current trains. It is possible that some properties may be adversely affected during the construction phase, even a long way from the actual route. But with careful research and an open mind, you may feel that the eventual impact will not be significant for you, and you can potentially invest in a property at a good price.
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