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Newport Pagnell is a small town located in Buckinghamshire. It has fifteen thousand people. As with a number of smaller towns throughout England, this town found in the Borough of Milton Keynes boasts history, architecture, and attractions that are out of proportion to its size.
History
Newport Pagnell does not receive mention until the time of the Domesday Book when it was called Neuport. This is an Anglo Saxon name that translates to New Market Town. The rest of the name Pagnell was added as the manor passed on to the Pagnell family. This town proved to be the main center of the Three Hundreds of Newport district. Medieval criminal courts held for all of England and Wales were hosted here from time to time. The era of the steam train saw the Newport Pagnell Railway station here from 1867 to 1967 as the train from Wolverton had a line to the town.
Though visitors today may not believe it, Newport Pagnell turned out to be among the biggest of the towns in all of the County of Buckinhamshire in the past. Every year, six fairs were put on for the inhabitants. Two hospitals were found here as well. It has been eclipsed by neighboring town Milton Keynes in the last century. Still, visitors will find plenty of interest in Newport Pagnell.
Architecture and Features
There is some interesting architecture that visitors will enjoy in the town. St. Peter and St. Paul parish church is a lovely and enormous parish church that stands out as the main feature of architecture for the town. The nave dates back to 1475, and the west tower goes back to 1540. The church is well worth a visit and several photos.
The town also has the only working iron bridge in all of Great Britain. Tickford Bridge crosses the River Ouzel. Constructed in 1810, this is the oldest iron bridge on earth that is still used continuously.
The River Ouse crossing is also at the town. This made it a place of strategic consequence, so that the town became fortified in the English Civil War. Travelers can look at the earthwork fortifications from the time that can still be seen in the 185 acres of the town's common area Bury Field.
Attractions
Newport Pagnell has some unique elements to the town. It is the only place in the whole of the U.K. where a visitor can see lace still made. This William Cowley factory is the last such vellum maker in Great Britain.
The town is also the historic host of the famed Aston Martin Factory from 1954. Classic car enthusiasts will be interested to see the plant. Until Ford Motors opened their recent new facotry in Gaydon, Warwickshire, this plant here built all of the Aston Martin's in the world.
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