Newport Pagnell Tourist Information

Newport Pagnell is an established market town in Buckinghamshire, four miles north of Milton Keynes and close to the M1 motorway. It is well known as the home of the luxury Aston Martin Lagonda and for producing parchment.

The town was listed in the Domesday Book record in 1086 as "Neuport". The suffix "Pagnell" was added later when the Pagnell family took over the manor and built the abbey.

Although today it is overshadowed by the modern Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell was historically one of the largest towns in Buckinghamshire. Such was its importance, the Assize courts were held there, it had two hospitals and held six fairs a year.

During the Emglish Civil War there was a garrison at Newport Pagnell and traces of fortifications can be found on Bury Field.

In 1810 an iron bridge was constructed over the River Ouzel. Known as Tickford Bridge, it is the oldest iron bridge to still be in continuous use. It became a busy coaching route between London and Leicester.

From 1867 until 1967 the town was served by the branch line connecting it to Wolverton. The town was also connected to the Grand Junction Canal by the Newport Pagnell Canal.

In 1954 the Aston Martin factory opened in Newport Pagnell. All Aston Martin cars were built there until the company moved to the Ford division at Gaydon, Warwickshire in 2003.

Present Day Newport Pagnell

The town has a population of around 15,000 which has grown steadily since 1971 when it had just 6,000 residents.

Newport Pagnell is now the only place in the UK where traditional parchment or vellum is still made.

Along the traditional High Street are a variety of shops, restaurants, supermarkets and pubs with great charm and character. The town has a market and a monthly Farmers' Market.

The old parish church is dedicated to St Peter and St Paul.

Housing ranges from Victorian terraced housing to modern luxury detached homes which reflect how the town has expanded. There are good schools from nursery upwards, parks, tennis courts, a swimming pool, health centre, sports fields and an active youth club.

The nearest railway station is at Milton Keynes with regular trains to London and Birmingham. Luton airport is less than 30 minutes away.

Famous residents from Newport Pagnell include Championship driver James Nash, footballer Steve Brooker and author Nigel Benson.

Things to Do Around Newport Pagnell

Golfers can play at the Woburn Golf and Country Club or at the Bedfordshire Golf Course nearby.

Milton Keynes has some excellent attractions geared towards families with children. Activity Land Outdoor Adventure Park has a climbing wall, bungee jumps and a huge sandpit.

Si5 Spy Missions is ideal for developing logic as children learn code cracking and other skills on their secret mission. Similar skills for adults are displayed at Bletchley Park where codes were cracked in real life during World War II.

The City Discovery Centre is on a mediaeval site and offers historic exhibits and plenty of wildlife.

Woburn Safari Park gives an exciting look at safari animals including lions, giraffes, rhinos, wallabies and other wildlife. Zoo keeper talks and hands-on encounters make this a popular local attraction, nine miles southeast of Newport Pagnell.