Newport Pagnell

Newport Pagnell is a town in the traditional county of Buckinghamshire, England and in the modern Borough of Milton Keynes. It is situated just the other side of the M1 motorway from Milton Keynes itself.

Related Topics:
Town - Traditional county of Buckinghamshire - England - Borough of Milton Keynes - M1 motorway - Milton Keynes

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The town was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Neuport, which is Old English meaning New Market Town. At that time it was fairly new, having been founded by Norman invaders. The suffix "Pagnell" came later, when the manor passed into the hands of the Pagnell (Paynel) family.

Related Topics:
Domesday Book - 1086 - Old English - Norman - Manor

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At one time Newport Pagnell was one of the largest towns in the County of Buckinghamshire (the assizes of the County were occasionally held here) though today, despite its own substantial expansion, it has been completely dwarfed by the growth of Milton Keynes. The two have joined up on either side of the M1 and there is little distinction between them.

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The position of the old castle that was the home of the Pagnell family is where Castle Street is today, though no part of the castle remains. There were also at one time two hospitals in Newport Pagnell and six fairs were held for the townsfolk throughout the year.

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Since 1954, Newport Pagnell has been the home of the Aston Martin site, where all Aston Martin cars were built, until the recent opening of the new Ford luxury division plant for Aston Martin built at Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Related Topics:
Aston Martin - Ford - Gaydon - Warwickshire

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The modern civil parish of Newport Pagnell stops at the M1, but the ecclesiastical parish extends to include Broughton and Caldecote. The parish church is dedicated to St Peter and St Paul.

Related Topics:
Broughton - Caldecote - St Peter - St Paul

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There is also a service station on the M1 motorway called Newport Pagnell Services. This is situated on the edge of the town, but access to it is restricted.

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