Pictures of Apethorpe

About Apethorpe

Apethorpe is a small, picturesque, East Northamptonshire village, a mile and a half from Kings Cliffe. St Leonard is an attractive looking church in a nice setting. Trees surround the church, and a war memorial stands on a small green nearby. On the opposite side of the road, in a specially built shelter. the last Apethorpe stocks and whipping post remind us of less tolerant days in the past.
In the ninetnneth century, a very large Roman Villa was excavated a few hundred yards from where the church stands.
It is thought that the present structure dates from the late 15th century, although there is stonework near a window on the north aisle which can be dated to the 12th century. It is therefore thought that an earlier structure stood on this site.
The perpundicular tower was built in 1633, with the clock being attributed to Stamford clockmaker John Watts, being dated at 1704. Another of Watts' clocks can be seen nearby at Nassington.
Gargoyles surround the tower, and the single church bell dates from the 15th century, and was made by the Newcombe foundry at Leicester.
The South chapel of this church was built in 1621 to house the Mildmay Monument, regarded as one of the finest of the period.