Facts and places of interest in Newport Pagnell

Interesting Facts about Newport Pagnell

• The Domesday Book of 1086 gives the first mention of this town as ‘Neuport', which is Old English for ‘New Market Town'. The town was originally founded by Norman invaders. The ‘Pagnell' was a later addition to the town name which came about when the manor passed to the Pagnell (Paynel) family.

• Newport Pagnell was the home of the Aston Martin until its Headquarters moved to Gaydon in Warwickshire.

• Newport Pagnell is the only place in England where parchment is still made. This trade is a relic of the lace industry as the lace was produced on parchment patterns. The firm also produces vellum parchment, made from calf skin - the Domesday Book is bound in Newport Pagnell vellum.

Places of Interest in Newport Pagnell

Tickford Bridge

The Tickford Bridge over the River Lovat was built in 1810, when it replaced an earllier stone bridge. This the only iron bridge in Britain that still carries main road traffic and is the oldest iron bridge in the world that is still in constant use.

Queen Ann's Hospital

Queen Ann's Hospital is located next to the iron bridge and was built in 1615 as The Hospital Of St John The Baptist. The building has been re-built over the years and is mainly 19th century now. The inscription on the front of the building is on an original beam, the wording is " Al you good Cristians that here dooe pas by give soome thing to these poore people that in St. Johns Hospital doeth ly ".

St Peter and St Paul Church

The parish church of St Peter and St Paul is the dominant architectural feature of Newport Pagnell. The church was about 100 years old when the present nave was built in 1475, the west tower was added in 1540. The building was added to by the Victorians.

The Swan Revived Hotel

The Swan is the last remaining coach inn in the town, originally there were more and around 30 coaches made daily stops in Newport Pagenell. The earliest information on The Swan dates back to 1597. The railways replaced the coach inns.