| Farthingstone | |
|---|---|
 The old school, Farthingstone | |
.svg)  Farthingstone Location withinNorthamptonshire | |
| Population | 193 (2011 Census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | SP613550 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Towcester |
| Postcode district | NN12 |
| Dialling code | 01327 |
| Police | Northamptonshire |
| Fire | Northamptonshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | |
| |
Farthingstone is a village inWest Northamptonshire in England. It is close to the major trunk routes of theM1 junction 16,M40 motorway, andA5 road, at the head of a valley and is 7 miles (11 km) south of Daventry and 3.5 miles (5.6 km) south west ofWeedon Bec.[2]
The population at the 2001 census was 179,[3] increasing to 193 at the 2011 census.[1]
Theparish church, dedicated to theVirgin Mary, dates from the late 13th century and is now grade II* listed.[4] The church is constructed of ironstone, which was quarried locally, and the tower was added in the 13th century being located at the west end of the church.[5][6] The whole church renovated in the 1920s by the Agnew family, owners ofPunch magazine, as a memorial to family members killed in World War I.[7] Since 2006, the parish has formed part of the Lambfoldbenefice, together with the parishes ofBlakesley,Maidford,Litchborough andAdstone.[8]
The villages name probably means, 'Farthegn's farm/settlement'. Alternatively, perhaps less likely is, 'farm/settlement of Farndon's people'.[9]
To the north-east of the village, south of Castle Dykes Farm, is evidence of aunivallate hillfort and the buried remains of aBronze Age barrow. This is a recorded national monument.[10] To the north of Castle Dykes Farm is Castle Dykes, a Normanmotte castle with threebaileys. In 1712, workmen digging on the site of the castle found a "room with a vaulted stone roof, and another room beneath and rudely carved stones with human figures on them".[11][12]
Farthingstone was listed in theDomesday Book as Fordinestone. OtherMedieval spellings include Fardenston, Ferdingstone, Fardingestun and Fardyngton. The village was given to the Earl of Moreton by his half-brother,William the Conqueror. The land belonged to the FawsleyHundred.[13]
The village, which is about 472 feet (144 m) above sea level, lies at the headwaters of two streams that run east into theRiver Nene.[14] Farthingstone is 7 miles (11 km) equidistant from both Daventry to the north west, andTowcester to the south east.[15] To the north of the village, towards the village ofEverdon, there is extensive woodland.[16]
There used to be an 18 hole golf course but this was sold and then closed pending redevelopment into a high end lifestyle retreat.[17] Every summer, the Farthingstone Foot Fest takes place, which is a marathon and other shorter distance events, and aims to raise money for charity. The course takes walkers or runners over a number of stiles and throughkissing gates in a figure of eight loop around the village.[18]
