Conservation Area: Kingsthorpe conservation area (DNN12324)

The village lies approximately two miles north of the town centre, west of the main A508 Market Harborough Road, and is situated on sloping land overlooking the Brampton branch of the Nene Valley. To the north and east the former village has been surrounded by newer urban development. Part of Kingsthorpe was first designated as a conservation area in 1971. This area has been extended to incorporate Vicarage Lane and Kingswell Road which both contain sufficient good or potentially improvable buildings to warrant their inclusion. Vicarage Lane reflects the irregular layout and mixture of buildings which characterise the old conservation area. It has several listed buildings and stone cottages and some of these have now been renovated. The lane is a cul-de-sac terminating with a view to Dallington Heath. Kingswell Road is notable for its high stone walls and the stone house known as Home Farm. The farm complex includes two listed buildings, a 17th century dovecote and stone barn of the same period. On the western side of the conservation area the land falls away fairly steeply into the Brampton branch of the Nene Valley. This affords views out across the Valley to Kings Heath, principally from the Green, from the footpath as the west front of the church and from Green End and points along Vicarage Lane. Traffic flows present some problems on the periphery in Mill Lane, Kingswell Road and the eastern end of The Green, but the village is set apart from the main traffic routes and commercial areas and its character is unique within Northampton. The Green provides the central feature of the village, and is dominated on the northwest by the Church of St John the Baptist, dating from the 12th century. The southern side of The Green is bounded by attractive houses in Green End. To the southwest views of the valley will be somewhat curtailed by infill development in the grounds of Hopes Place. The scheme will however complete the enclosure of the Green. The Kingswell (sometimes known as Longwell) is set against a high bank and stone wall to the south of The Green. The well itself is a natural spring which flows from beneath the retaining wall into a long brick trough and then into a culvert under the Green. The conservation area contains a variety of domestic buildings including stone cottages and 18th and 19th century brick dwellings. A number of buildings are listed. The most extensive new housing development is in Well Yard where the design and layout integrate successfully with the old village. The number of unfit dwellings has diminished because of an increased interest in their improvement and restoration, particularly of stone building. Existing trees and grassed areas add significantly to the attractions of the village and tree preservation orders cover a number of trees. Stone walls border the road in Vicarage Lane, The Green, Kingswell Road and Mill Lane and also flank the footpaths leading from Green End. These footpaths are interesting features, forming small lanes, fronted by domestic buildings and narrowing as they proceed southwards into a setting with a rural appearance. There are also footpaths linking Vicarage Lane to Knights Lane and Julian Way.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 8:21PM