Apethorpe (pronounced "Ap-thorp") is a village, civil parish,[1] former manor and ecclesiastical parish in Northamptonshire, England (in the North Northamptonshire district), situated 11 miles west of the City of Peterborough. The 2001 census records a population of 130,[1] increasing to 160 at the 2011 census.[2]
The manor of Apethorpe is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Patorp. The village is compact, uniform and centred on Main Street. In the late 15th century the manor of Apethorpe was acquired by Sir Guy Wolston, an officer in the household of King Edward IV, who began the construction of the surviving Apethorpe Palace.
The villages name means 'Api's outlying farm/settlement'.[3]
In 1904 Leonard Brassey made many alterations to the village, a number of cottages were built and the old Westmorland Arms was replaced by a new public house, The King's Head.[6] The Pub is now owned by Baron Von Pfetten and operates under the name of "Willow and Brook" opened by lease holders James and Suzanne Millar.
Other structures
Stocks and Whipping Post
There is a stocks and whipping post just west of the church. The Dovecote on the palace ground is 18th century listed as Scheduled Monument. Pevsner also mentioned Blue Field Farm 0.5 miles (1 km) northeast as having an interesting barn with a cross-cartway through it.[4]
Roman villa
The remains of the villa lie about 500 yards (450m) southeast of the palace and were excavated in 1859.[4] A courtyard of ca.230 by 240 feet contained the main buildings. The main block on the north side had hypocausts and fine geometric mosaics with two other wings and a bath block. Slate from Collyweston was used for the roofs. Pottery found included terra sigillata and Castor ware. Coins located the main period of use as the 4th century AD.[4] There was a well in the centre of the courtyard. Two small un-inscribed house-altars were found. One coin of Septimius Severus, the remainder Constantinian (?), possibly indicating the date of the main phase of the villa. In successive phases of building there appears to have been at least one aisled building in the same position relative to a winged corridor house at Ickleton. The villa combines a dwelling house with an aisled house.[7]
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