Nestled in a ring of beautiful villages, Badby, Everdon, Fawsley and Preston Capes, Newnham evokes idyllic rural countryside scenes.
Northamptonshire has been touted as the next Cotswolds — a county steeped in picturesque villages, rolling countryside, and timeless charm just waiting to be explored.
The village of Newnham in West Northamptoshire nestles in a cluster of beautiful villages — Newnham, Badby, Everdon, Preston Capes and Fawsley — just south of Daventry, in an area of remarkable beauty. Badby Wood is known for its vibrant display of bluebells, bobbing in the woodland like a luxurious sapphire carpet.
It’s an area of peaceful rural countryside, combining historic stone buildings, idyllic nature and countryside walks in rolling hills attracting hikers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Greeting you as you drive or walk into the village of Newnham, are a host of smiling daffodils clustering around the village sign, depending on the time of year
The Nuttery In Newnham Village
The Nuttery is one of the most distinctive little historic sites in Newnham. It’s essentially an old cobnut (hazelnut/filbert) orchard and woodland on Manor Lane that has been part of the village landscape for well over 150 years.
It was planted in the 1800s by the Marriott family of Newnham House as a commercial cobnut orchard. The nuts were harvested and sold locally and in London markets.
Under the trees, villagers grew huge drifts of snowdrops. In winter, local women would pick and bundle them for sale in Birmingham and Covent Garden markets.
Most of the orchard was gifted to the Woodland Trust in 1989, and it is now managed partly as a nature reserve and historic orchard.
The site is especially famous locally for its snowdrop displays in January and February. The village even holds “Snowdrop Sunday” celebrations around that season.
At the end of the Nuttery lies a tranquil landscape of grazing sheep in fields of green. It really is a lovely sight.
St Michael and All Angels Church
The church in Newnham, Northamptonshire, is St Michael and All Angels Church. It’s a small medieval parish church with a great deal of local history tied into Badby and the old manor estates nearby.
The church was originally a chapel linked to Badby, rather than a completely independent parish church. The benefice was historically known as “Badby-cum-Newnham.”
Parts of the building date back to the 13th and 14th centuries, although there were later Victorian restorations, which was common for Northamptonshire churches.
It sits slightly above the centre of the village and is built from the local ironstone and limestone that give many Northamptonshire churches their warm honey colour. • Inside, it is known for being fairly simple and rural compared with the larger churches in nearby market towns — very much a traditional agricultural village church. A delightful walk takes you through the churchyard, down a path with pleasant countryside views leading up to the High Street.
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Snowdrop Sunday
Snowdrop Sunday in The Nuttery is an annual community event held in the village. It usually takes place in February when the snowdrops are flowering. This year it took place on Sunday 8th February.
During Snowdrop Sunday, visitors typically:
- walk through the snowdrop displays in and around the village,
- visit The Nuttery garden,
- explore the churchyard and village lanes,
- and enjoy tea and cakes in the village hall.
Regular events in Newnham Village
Despite its small size, Newnham has a strong sense of community and there are many local events and activities to get involved in. Newnham has a primary school with an active PTA fondly known as FONs, a pub, and a village hall which hosts regular events such as comedy nights, quiz nights and live music. There are also several clubs to get involved with, including the Girl Guides, the History Society, the Book Club, the Women’s Institute and the Bell Ringers, which gives opportunities for people of all ages to get active and socialise with others in the community.
Photo Disclaimer:
All photographs featured in this series were taken from public streets and pathways. No private property was trespassed upon. Images are used for editorial purposes only, showcasing the charm and character of Northamptonshire villages, and are not intended to depict or identify residents.
If you enjoyed this article be sure to check out another in Northamptonshire’s top 10 prettiest villages here: https://northantsmag.co.uk/exploring-yardley-hastings-a-haven-of-beautiful-blooms-stone-cottages-and-community-spirit
Exploring Newnham and Beyond On Foot
The best way to explore Newnham and the surrounding villages and countryside is on foot.
Newnham includes some gardens that are part of the National Garden Scheme.
https://ngs.org.uk/gardens/the-banks-nn1/
There are some excellent trails to follow both in and out of the village.
https://northamptonshirewalks.co.uk/about/walk-211-newnham-the-nuttery/
https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/england/northamptonshire/everdon-newnham-and-badby-circular