The ‘Needs to Know’
Distance: Roughly only a couple of miles
Time to walk: There’s no time limit on this one as you’ll want to stop & pop into all the shops, cafes, pubs & the church
Difficulty: Easy, flat & all on hard surfaces
Parking: Plenty of public car parks around the town
Public toilets: Cafes etc
Map of the route: There’s one in the leaflet, but just explore
Approximately 10 years ago I visited Daventry & did their Heritage Walk &, I confess, I was quite down-beat about the state of the town
Recently I attended an event at Wheatsheaf Court Care Home which many years ago was where King Charles I stayed before the Battle of Naseby. There I met Daniel Williams, “Historical interpreter On journey in King Charles I footsteps” who I’ve followed for many years on X (Twitter) plus a charming gentleman called Lawrence Wheeler, who used to own the Wheatsheaf when it was a Hotel &, for a time, when it became its current incarnation
I now think of Lawrence as ‘Mr Daventry’ & someone who is a pleasure to sit down & chat with. Check out his book “From Rock ‘n’ Roll to Bedpans” which also recounts Lawrence’s days as a showbiz agent
With the help of others, Lawrence has set up this wonderful Blue Plaque Walk around the town & has kindly given his permission for me to include it on my website
I have included the wording on the plaques as written, but have added additional information from my own research
Copies of the trail leaflet, including a map, can be purchased from the wonderful Sheaf Street Health Store which is one of the places on the route. His book can be purchased almost next door at our friends, ‘Suddenly on Sheaf Street’
The name ‘Daventry’ means ‘Tree of a man called Dafa’.
Daventry is overlooked by the 653 feet high Borough Hill on the eastern edge of the town. Please see this link for our walk around this amazing hill
According to local folklore Daventry had Danish (Viking) origins. This was partly due to the old pronunciation of Daventry as Daintry, which was interpreted as “Dane Tree”, however in more modern interpretation the town’s name is thought likelier to be Anglo-Saxon in origin
The town was mentioned by William Shakespeare in Henry IV, Part I (Act IV, Sc II), which refers to “the red-nosed innkeeper of Daventry”. Shakespeare would have known Daventry due to its relatively close proximity to Stratford-upon-Avon, & its position on the main route from the Midlands to London
During the English Civil War, the army of King Charles I stayed at Daventry in 1645 after storming the Parliamentary garrison at Leicester & on its way to relieve the siege of Oxford
The King stayed at the Wheatsheaf Inn, whilst his Royalist army camped on Borough Hill
According to local legend, it was during his stay at the Wheatsheaf Inn in Daventry that Charles was twice visited by the ghost of his former adviser & friend, Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, who advised him to keep heading north & warned him that he would not win through force of arms
However, Parliament’s newly formed New Model Army, led by Sir Thomas Fairfax, was marching north from besieging Oxford after being instructed to engage the King’s main army. Fairfax’s leading detachments of horse clashed with Royalist outposts near Daventry on 12 June, alerting the king to the presence of the Parliamentary army
The Royalists made for their reinforcements at Newark-on-Trent, but after reaching Market Harborough turned to fight, which resulted in the decisive Battle of Naseby, in which the Royalist army was heavily defeated by the Parliamentarians
Let’s Walk!
1. The Trail starts outside the hoarding in Sheaf Street…
Heading up Sheaf Street, almost next door, at No.20 is Sheaf Street Health Store where copies of the Trail leaflet can be purchased from…
“This Grade II Listed building dates back to the 16th Century and became the Prince Regent Inn throughout the 19th Century, ceasing trading in 1907. The smaller window was once the entrance to a passageway which led to Wagon Court where 14 horses were housed. Interior features large wooden beams”
2. Almost next door at No. 22 is the independent bookshop, ‘Suddenly…on Sheaf Street’
“Together, numbers 20 and 22 Sheaf Street are a Grade II listed property recorded on a map of 1571 as the town house of Sir Richard Knightley (Fawsley Hall is regarded as the primary residence). Interior contains three original stone fireplaces and staircase. Circa 1859, this was the site of the first Co-operative Society store in Daventry, later relocated to the High Street”
3. Opposite is No. 17…
“From around 1781 until 1956, this was the site of the ‘World’s End’ public house. Interior features include a large stone fireplace, large wooden beams and oak staircase”
Back across the street is the next blue plaque at No.28, the wonderful Ten Hands Bakehouse & Cafe…
“Grade II Listed building. A butcher’s shop from 1854 into the 1970s, then traded as a public house, wine bar or cafe until a bakery was installed in 2019. Interior features include original flagstones and large cellar”
4. Slightly further on the same side at No.30 is ‘The Ale Pole’. I must admit I couldn’t find the Blue Plaque…
And then almost next door are No’s 32 & 32a
“These two premises have housed clothiers, drapers, hatters, outfitters and boot and shoe dealers as far back as 1883”
5. Pass the rain shelter…
…& the first building on the left at No.47 has the next plaque
“Home of the Doddridge Academy where Joseph Priestley (the discoverer of oxygen) was a student for two years. The Academy trained and sent out 300 dissenting ministers across the country from the mid-18th century”
6. For the next plaque walk through the arch on the left of No. 47 to arrive at the hidden Chapel…
“The Independent Chapel of 1722 is now the United Reformed Church (formerly the Congregational Church). It was set back from the street to conform to the law of the time. It is the oldest religious building still in use in Daventry”
7. Come back out of the alley &, over the road’s one of Daventry’s most famous buildings…Wheatsheaf Court
“Grade II Listed, the Wheatsheaf dates back to at least 1570, though the current building is later being of the early 17th Century. It was once the largest coaching inn in Daventry. Famous for its royal connection , from June 7th 1645, in the Civil War, Carles I lodged here for 6 days before having to retreat when Oliver Cromwell’s parliamentary forces, led by Sir Thomas Fairfax, came too close for comfort. e moved to the Three Swans at Market Harborough for a night before the Battle of Naseby on the 14th – which he lost. His officers stayed at various inns in the town and the troops camped on Borough Hill. The cattle market relocated to the rear of the hotel in 1914. The hotel was later converted into a residential care home”
8. It’s now time for a sort stroll to the next Blue Plaque so cross straight over the roundabout along London Road…
Pass turnings into ‘Park Leys’ & ‘The Dingle’ & then turn right into the Hospital Grounds
The Blue Plaque is slightly further up the hill on the building on the left showing that this was once The Daventry Union Workhouse
“Built in 1836-37 with the Poor Law Commissioners authorising expenditure of £4840. Later extended to accommodate 300 residents, it was designed by John Plowmanand a southside chapel was later used by Danetre Hospital as a morgue. The Workhouse now acts as an administration block for the new hospital to the rear, opened in 2006”
9. Come back out onto London Road, turn left & walk back up to the roundabout passing the Redwoods trees…
Look out for the twin town shields on the right
10. At the roundabout turn right along New Street…
Cross the entrance road to Tesco to arrive at the old Methodist Church…
“Built in 1824, the Methodist Church was moved to a new site in Goldings Close 150 years later. The original building once included a school room”
11. Continue along New Street to No.3…
Grade II Listed building constructed around an 18th Century oblong- shaped house. This much extended and adapted building functioned as a private home until the 1960s when it was converted into flats and several staff from the BBCworking on Borough Hill were housed here. In the 1970s, it housed the Daventry and District Ex Sericemen’s Club and Institute Ltd. In 2010, it became the home of Daventry Town Council and Daventry Museum, housing many local treasures relating to the town”
12. The old stone building & adjacent small one is The Windsor Lodge…
“Grade II Listed building, originally built in 1600 as the free Daventry Grammar School. Now known as The Windsor Lodge, the school was much later converted to the Roman Catholic Church before becoming a restaurant , a private house, then a cafe. The left side of the building (with the signage) was added approximately 100 years after the school room, and was used as the Masters House”
Continue down towards the Market Square…
13. Turn right into the Square itself…
…& walk up the left side to arrive at the Abbey Buildings
This building was built in 1826 as a National School. The National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor supported the building of National Schools on behalf of the Anglican Church. It’s built on the site of a medieval priory, which may be the Cluniac Priory of St Augustine. It was founded originally at Preston Capes in c1090 & was moved to Daventry in 1107-8. It apparently reported directly to La Charite (France) in 1298, 1390, & 1405. It was dissolved in 1525
14. Go & have a look at Holy Cross Church…
There was about to be a funeral when I visited so I couldn’t spend too long there, but it was good to meet the Vicar of Weedon & have a chat about St Werberg
It’s thought that Christian worship too place on this site 950 years ago. The first Church was probably here at the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066
The foundation stone for the present Church building was laid on 8 April 1752 & the Church took 6 years to complete
The building was designed by David Hiorne of Warwick who was a specialist in the Classical Style of architecture. His design was influenced by James Gibbs who built St Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Square, London. The Church is built of local brown ironstone
15. Come out of the Church & back down the Market Square. Ahead of you is the beautiful Moot Hall. Carefully cross the road to have a closer look…
“Grade II Listed building originally constructed as a private house in 1769 to replace an earlier mediaeval structure (built circa 1150). Subsequently served as a women’s prison, town council offices, tourist information and town museum before various commercial uses including an Indian restaurant, antiques centre and children’s nursery. The original 17th Century mechanically operated clock was replaced with an electronically operated one during the mid 20th century. The original clock mechanism and hand are in Daventry Museum. Jesson’s Pump (Well) once stood outside the front of the Hall”
16. To the right’s The Plume of Feathers…
“The Plume of Feathers was first recorded in 1760. This Grade II Listed building has remained a popular town centre public house for more than two centuries”
Turn & walk past the Market Cross…
17. Ahead on the corner at 1 High Street’s the next Blue Plaque…
“Originally stretched around the corner into New Street , as the Peacock Coaching Inn, which served as the main hotel for Daventry railway station. The Weedon – Daventry – Leamington branch line opened in 1888 and closed to passenger traffic in 1958. First recorded in 1712, the Peacock Coaching Inn was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence during WWII and ceased trading in 1946. Subsequently , the building has housed a hotel, the registrars office, the Northampton Town and County Building Society and the Halifax Building Society”
18. Almost next door at No.3 is what’s considered to be Daventry’s oldest building…
“Considered to be the oldest building in Daventry town centre, it was originally built as a merchant’s house in the 15th Century. The survival of so much of the structure of a 15th century building in an urban setting contributes greatly to the building’s special architectural and historic interest and its significance as a heritage asset. Leigh’s Bakery opened in this premises in 1836 and remained in the same family until after WWII. It has been much restored and modernised over the centuries since its original construction”
19. Back over the High Street’s The Lion…
“Grade II Listed, the Lion (formerly the Lion and Lamb) is a 17th Century coaching inn with 19th century facade. At the zenith of the coaching era in the 1830s, Daventry had become a major hub of the national network, wit more than 250 coaches passing through the town every week, including services between London, Warwick, Birmingham, Liverpool and Holyhead, and Birmingham and Cambridge”
20. Continue along the other side of the High Street…
To arrive at the next plaque
“Formerly the Golden Padlock ironmonger and hardware store, which once has a giant golden padlock hanging above the door. Distinctive for the three-storey porch on the front of the building”
21. Look across the High Street & walk down the alley…
Turn right to arrive at Bishop Crewe House
“Named after Nathaniel Crewe, born in the Northamptonshire village of Steane, who became Bishop of Oxford and then Durham between 1671 and 1721. Bishop Crewe was co-founder of the original grammar school and the building was later a staff room for Daventry Grammar and comprehensive schools”
22. Come back out of the alley & turn right. On your right’s the old Northamptonshire Union Bank building. Many of these can be seen on our town & village walks around the County…
“Grade II Listed building, formerly occupied by Northamptonshire Union Bank (Ltd from 1880), which was established in Northampton in 1836. In 1920, Northamptonshire Union Bank Ltd was acquired by National Provincial & Union Bank of England Ltd (National Provincial Bank Ltd from 1924), which subsequently merged with the Westminster Bank Ltd, forming National WestminsterBank plc (Nat West) in 1970, finally closing the Daventry branch in 2017”
23. Continue towards the junction with Sheaf Street…
Turn right at the crossroads. On the right’s the Dun Cow…
“Grade II Listed former coaching inn, the Dun Cow Inn has a late 18th century frontage and is noted for its little-altered public bar and fine galleried dining room. The entrance to the public bar is beneath the coaching arch. On the left of the large inglenook fireplace, a sloping narrow passage leads to the lounge. The dining room has a galleried seating area and a fine Tudor-style fireplace reputed to have been removed from nearby Norton Hall. The lounge bar was converted from two rooms in the 1980s.”
24. Immediately opposite’s the Saracen’s Head Inn…
“First recorded as The Keye in 1622 as a coaching inn and post office, the current building dates from the mid-18th Century. At the rear, the Grade II Listed stables housed up to 50 horses where you can see an ornate window and statues at the first-floor level. The Georgian Assembly Rooms hosted dances , auctions, plays and cock fighting.”
25. Head up Sheaf Street &, almost immediately on your right’s the castle-like building…
“Grade II Listed, 17th Century private house, though the castellated decoration is later. It became the BBC Club and is a reminder of the Corporation’s activity in Daventry between 1925 and 1992. On 27th July 1925, the BBC opened its transmitting station on Borough Hill. It was the world’s first Long Wave transmitting station and enabled the broadcast of a national programme, which most of the nation were able to hear on the radio. At the opening ceremony, a poem written especially for the occasion by Alfred Noyes, was recited and coined the phrase ‘Daventry calling’ as each broadcast began”
Alfred Noyes was also Poet Laureate
Nearby Borough Hill has so much more history that just the BBC, being the birthplace of radar, a camp before the Battle of Naseby & a medieval fort & burial ground. It’s also our second highest hill & we have a great 2 mile walk around its top. Click on this link to access it
26. Almost next door’s another plaque…
“Recorded in 1838 as The Bell Inn public house, changed use to a tobacconist in 1894 and remained a tobacconist / newsagent for more than a century”
27. There’s so much history here & at No.s 6-8 there’s even more…
“First recorded in 1772 as the Black Boy Inn public house. Subsequently home to a tailoring business, a post office, briefly by a false teeth maker, a printers, and from 1948 to 1953 as the office of the Daventry & District Weekly Express newspaper.”
28. There’s only two more plaques to go to bring us back to the start of the fabulous walk. The next one’s at No. 12-14…
“A watchmakers premises from 1824 to 1885, these Grade II Listed premises have been home to a variety of hairdressing businesses for more than a century. Harding John Clement, popularly know as Jack, died while at work in his shop on the 18th of January 1960.”
29. And here we are…at our final stop outside No.16…
“Grade II Listed building recorded in 1726 as the Wagon & Horses Inn which traded for nearly two centuries, closing finally on 26th August 1916.”
So that’s it…the end of the Daventry Blue Plaque Walk & what a joy it’s been to do it & include it on my website
Lawrence..I hope you think I’ve done it proud & it will attract people to your lovely town which, I feel, is becoming a real gem
This trail will help you explore it & maybe combine it with our Daventry Country Park & Borough Hill Walks to make a great day out
Go Walk!