Conservation Areas in Harborough district - Foxton Conservation Area

The village of Foxton is set in agricultural land. It slopes down from the church in the south to a small brook that skirts the north of the village. A major feature of the village is that it is bisected by the Grand Union Canal, which cuts along the slope and through the south end of the oval of roads enclosing most of the village. The existence of the canal has affected the character of the area and its development, with the area to the south of the canal differing from that to the north.

The Conservation Area embraces almost the whole of the village comprising the oval of roads (Main Street and Swingbridge Street). It also includes all the land between Main Street and North Lane, a back lane completing the village pattern. It includes to the south of the canal, the Manor House and its extensive grounds as well as the Black Horse Public House, which was rebuilt in 1900 from an older inn on the site, the church and churchyard to the far south.

Main Street and Swingbridge Street cross the canal via a hump-backed bridge and swing bridge respectively. Land south of the canal is less densely developed than the remainder of the village and rises noticeably. The medieval Church of St. Andrew, standing in its churchyard overlooks the village from its prominent position near the top of the hillside. Between it and the canal are the mature gardens and grounds of the 18th century stone and red brick Manor House and outbuildings. The Manor House itself fronts Swingbridge Street.

The main part of the village lies to the north of the canal and is basically comprised of three parallel streets, Swingbridge Street, Middle Street and Main Street with cross connecting roads and tracks. Swingbridge Street which crosses the canal by a low swing bridge has several older houses and farmsteads. It provides a vivid contrast between 17th and 18th century red brick houses to the east and inter and post-war public housing to the west. The older part of this street is enhanced by numerous mature garden trees. The southern end of Middle Street turns abruptly and rejoins Main Street just north of the canal. Middle Street contains some older cottages; whilst Woodgate (the canal end spur off Middle Street) includes the former 19th Century village school and an in-fill of small scale housing of 1991. Main Street again is a mix of older buildings, including the former Baptist Chapel and The Old Court House and more contemporary buildings including Farmyard House.

Although the canal is set apart from the village by not being connected to its road system, it is a significant feature affecting its development. The character of the village is the mixture of old and new buildings, the many roads and the dispersed open areas. These spaces are important and are predominantly large garden areas or paddocks. The latter are notably between Swingbridge Street and Middle Street. Paddocks and open areas lie at the fringe of the Conservation Area between North Lane and the developed area east of Main Street. Another significant open area lies between Main Street and The Shoulder of Mutton Public House which is set back from Main Street and at the edge of the fringe of paddocks. This space provides a setting for the Shoulder of Mutton and links it to the rest of the village as well as providing views to the open countryside beyond.

Foxton with its three parallel roads sloping downhill from the Church and canal presents a large village for the area, with a variety of older and 20th century buildings, mainly in brick with some stone (as the quality Robert Monk Memorial Hall) interspersed with open areas.

Foxton Conservation Area map