Welcome To The Wadenhoe Trust Website
Wadenhoe Trust
Caring for one thousand years of history, The Wadenhoe Trust owns 30 domestic properties in the village of Wadenhoe as well as a number of commercial and agricultural properties, including The King’s Head Public House and Home Farm Close. The Trust’s agricultural estate includes a longstanding farm tenancy, grazing agreements and various paddock tenancies.
As part of its programme of improvements for the estate, the Trust has built a new agricultural yard, refurbished farm buildings and implemented various sewage treatment schemes. In recent years, the Trust has developed off-street parking for the convenience of residents and visitors, and to help protect the historic character of the village.
Over time, the Trust has sought to upgrade its properties to meet the requirements of modern life while preserving their historic character. Since 2009, the Trust has undertaken landscaping work with trees and hedges having been planted in various locations throughout Wadenhoe. The Trust intends to continue this programme in future years.
The Trust endeavours to improve public understanding of Wadenhoe’s history and the study of its archaeological sites and nature. The Trust has provided modest financial support for a number of educational events and would like to develop this programme further.
Wadenhoe Village
Wadenhoe is a small village approximately equidistant between Oundle and Thrapston. The parish covers some 1,200 acres situated between the parishes of Pilton to the north and Aldwincle to the south. Its western boundary stops near the Lyveden New Bield and its Eastern boundary is the River Nene.
The village is mainly built on a gentle incline down to the River Nene and has a population of about 130, when all houses are occupied. Approximately 200 years ago, the population of the village numbered about 240 inhabitants which increased to a peak in 1850 of about 300. It is predominantly a farming environment although the majority of the population are not directly involved in farming. The countryside is generally open with the odd patch of woodland.
There are 36 listed buildings in the village, all of which are within the designated Conservation Area that covers almost the entire built-up area. Most of the village is made up of 17th, 18th and 19th century attractive limestone buildings with roofs mainly of Collyweston slate tiles, pan tiles and a few with thatch. The marshy area along the banks of the river forms part of a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
There has been a settlement in Wadenhoe for at least 800 years and it is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The 13th century Church is located in a prominent position on a hill overlooking the meadowlands of the Nene valley and isolated from the main part of the village which lies below along the River Nene. In between the Church and the village is an early medieval settlement site, now a scheduled Ancient Monument.