Farthingstone

The population at the 2001 census was 179,^[3] increasing to 193 at the 2011 census.^[1]

The parish church, dedicated to the Virgin 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 of Punch magazine, as a memorial to family members killed in World War I.^[7] Since 2006, the parish has formed part of the Lambfold benefice, together with the parishes of Blakesley, Maidford, Litchborough and Adstone.^[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 a univallate hillfort and the buried remains of a Bronze Age barrow. This is a recorded national monument.^[10] To the north of Castle Dykes Farm is Castle Dykes, a Norman motte castle with three baileys. 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 the Domesday Book as Fordinestone. Other Medieval 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 Fawsley Hundred.^[13]

The village, which is about 472 feet (144 m) above sea level, lies at the headwaters of two streams that run east into the River Nene.^[14] Farthingstone is 7 miles (11 km) equidistant from both Daventry to the north west, and Towcester to the south east.^[15] To the north of the village, towards the village of Everdon, 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 through kissing gates in a figure of eight loop around the village.^[18]