Discover Thurning

Thurning can be explored from several specific perspectives: St James the Great represents architectural and church history, the Medieval Moat offers an archaeological connection, and the market and Old Tithe Barn reflect historic uses. Thurning Pocket Park adds a named place on the eastern edge of the village; the Oundle Pilgrimage Cycle Route places Thurning on its route. When planning your trip, you can focus on architecture, local history, a landscape feature or a cycling route.

St James the Great and its architectural history

St James the Great dates from the 12th to the 14th century; its first recorded mention dates to 1186 and is associated with a tithe dispute between the priest of Thurning and the rector of Hemington. The building period and first recorded mention mark two distinct historical milestones: the church dates from several centuries, while the 1186 mention concerns the tithe dispute.

The north arcade of the nave dates from around 1200. Its round arches have chamfered edges and round-moulded profiles; the round pier has corresponding responds. The semicircular chancel arch is also a 12th-century detail: it has semicircular responds and carved capitals with scallop ornament. The west wall and the spirelet were rebuilt; in 1880, Carpenter and Ingelow restored the church. St James is also considered a small, well-preserved example of Anglican High Church furnishings.

The church is usually locked. Therefore, contact the church before visiting.

The Medieval Moat and historic traces

West of St James lies the Medieval Moat, Thurning, a probable medieval moat. The ditch is shallow and no more than 0.5 metres deep; it encloses a rectangular island at the same ground level. The feature lies at the north-east end of a rectangular enclosure. The outer ditch can be traced for over 80 metres along the enclosure’s north-east side. Its medieval dating is probable, not certain. The island and outer ditch describe different parts of the site: one encloses the island, while the other can be traced along the north-east side of the enclosure.

Thurning’s market and fair history can also be placed in context using specific dates. Thurning Market was granted a charter for a Wednesday market in 1263. The market was probably replaced by Barnwell in 1270. St Michael’s Fair was granted a charter in 1263 for the eve, feast day and day following St Michael. The grants differ in their time frame: the market was intended for a Wednesday, while the fair ran for three days around the feast day.

The Old Tithe Barn and the Pocket Park

The Old Tithe Barn is a late medieval or early modern tithe barn with an outbuilding. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, it was used for various village events. In 1933, it burned down, resulting in the loss of part of the building fabric; it was rebuilt with alterations by 1937. In the late 20th century, the barn was converted into a tea room. Its history therefore includes both the fire and the altered reconstruction, as well as a later use.

Thurning Pocket Park is on the eastern edge of the village. It includes a very large pond, locally known as “The Weir”. Alongside the historic buildings and archaeological site, there is therefore also a named place in the village centred around a pond.

Thurning on the Oundle Pilgrimage Cycle Route

In Phase 2, the Oundle Pilgrimage Cycle Route passes along a road section to Thurning Village on its 12/14-mile stage from Barnwell to Wadenhoe. It is 3 miles from the pub car park opposite Berridges Farm to the village. From Thurning, the route continues, signposted, to Clopton, 2.5 miles away, and then a further 3 miles along the Roman Road to Titchmarsh. The distances refer to consecutive sections: from the car park to Thurning, from there to Clopton, and then on to Titchmarsh.

Discover more destinations: Nassington, Easton On The Hill, Ringstead, Ecton, West Haddon, Wellingborough, Blisworth, Upton.

For the main travel overview: Northamptonshire.