The following text is taken from the local footpaths leaflet which was sponsored by the Staverton Millennium Fund and Published in 2000 by the Staverton Playing Field Committee (a committee of the Staverton Parish Council). Prepared by Ralph Corns, Johns Golding, Alan Lacey & Catherine Wells.

Staverton

The name Staverton means ‘the settlement on the Hill Crest’.

The village of Staverton lies to the S.W of Daventry it’s boundary touching that of the neighbouring county of Warwickshire. The village itself sits on the edge of the Valley of the River Leam and the land falls away to the west with magnificent views over the open country. Both the Malvern and Shropshire hills are visible on fine days. Staverton also lies on the Jurassic way and the Three Rivers Circular Walk passes through the parish.

The manor of Staverton is mentioned in the Domesday Book. A fine manor house is situated at the end of Manor Road.

The church of Saint Mary the Virgin dates from c.1300 with some older parts. The list of Ministers goes back to 1220. The height of the church yard above the surrounding field level would seem to indicate that it has served as a burial ground for many centuries. The church also possesses a fine peal of six bells.

Prior to the early part of of 18th Century the original village was located behind the church. However in 1720 a serious fire broke out and caused considerable damage destroying many haystacks, stables, grain stores and twenty two houses. The total loss was though to be around £3,000 - a considerable sum! The result of this was that the village received, via a bequest from Elizabeth Darby, a fire engine. This engine came into commission in 1767 and was kept in the village until quite recently but it is now housed at the Daventry museum. A plaque can be seen on a door opposite the village green to this effect.

Within the village Well Lane runs parallel the the main A425. It has been conjectured that this was a much earlier approach to the village. The deeply banked sides to this fascinating lane bear testimony to it’s being an ancient right of way. Possibly with the increase in coaching traffic from the west the present A425 route was chosen in preference.
Along the Western boundary of the parish runs the now disused railway which has the distinction of being the last main line railway to be built in Britain. It was constructed by the Great Central Company between 1894 and 1899 and ran from Nottingham to London Marleybone. One can only imagine that the surrounding countryside must have been in chaos with all the contractors equipment of the times together with the many navvies. A mission was established for the navvies in the village in a barn situated on the corner of manor road and Glebe Lane. This is now part of a private residence.

Former Staverton pubs included ‘The Windmill’ in Windmill Lane and ‘The Crown’ now a private house. Opposite The Green. ‘The Countryman’ was formally known as the ‘New Inn’.

The Manor House is thought to have parts originating possibly from Anglo-Saxon times. It is only one of many fine examples of vernacular architecture that Staverton can boast of
Window detail at ‘The Stables’ in Manor Road. A date stone above this window reads R.R 1684.

The parish is on average 700ft. above sea level and includes the southern slopes of Arbury Hill thought to be one of the highest points in England in saxon times