Great Easton: Village History in the Welland Valley

Great Easton lies in the Welland Valley and is characterised by honey-coloured stone houses. Locally quarried ironstone shapes the character of the village; jitties link the streets within Great Easton. Between village history and landscape, you will find different points of interest to help you decide which holiday destination suits your interests.

Stone, roofs and pathways through the village

The village streetscape shows the variety of traditional buildings. Roofing materials include Collyweston stone slates, roof tiles, thatch and Welsh slate. The jitties are another feature of the streetscape: they connect streets within the village, rather than making Great Easton accessible only through individual buildings. These architectural details may matter when choosing where to stay, particularly if you are interested in historic village centres and their architecture.

From early traces to historic houses

The parish church of St Andrew dates mainly from the 13th century and was built from local ironstone. Its west tower dates from the late 13th century and contains a small section of Norman herringbone masonry. Iron Age pottery and a Romano-British site in the area of the church offer clues to Great Easton’s long history. Here, early archaeological traces and medieval architecture meet in one place.

The houses also reflect several periods. The oldest surviving houses in Great Easton date from around 1500. Furleigh Cottage dates from the 15th century and is among the oldest buildings. The Old Post Office probably dates from the late 16th century; Stonewalls is a house built in 1694 that once belonged to one of the village bakeries. Clock House adds to this picture as a red-brick Victorian villa dating from 1881. On its left side is the original workshop of the village clockmaker.

If you are travelling with children, the different periods can provide a thread for conversation: from the archaeological evidence around the church to medieval traces in the buildings and houses associated with former village trades. Local manufacturing tells its own story, too. The former building at 19 Crossbank opened in 1908 and was a corset factory for over 50 years; it is now privately occupied. The corsets made in Great Easton were handmade. A considerable proportion were produced by homeworkers in neighbouring houses.

Putting the landscape and places to explore into context

Around Great Easton, medieval ridge-and-furrow earthworks survive in the fields. A mile to the north lies Eyebrook Reservoir, an important wildlife refuge. Alongside the village’s architectural history, the surrounding area offers different themes to consider when planning your trip: traces of farming and a natural area.

The Great Easton heritage trail starts at the War Memorial in the village centre. For anglers, a private road in the vicinity of Great Easton leads from Caldecott Road to a fishing hut; it is open to anglers only, and day permits are available there. Check current operating conditions before travelling. This specific restriction is important when planning your activities.

When looking for a holiday cottage, you can decide whether Great Easton appeals to you mainly for its village streetscape and architectural history or for the surrounding landscape. The historic houses, church and corset-making tradition offer different cultural points of interest; the fields and Eyebrook Reservoir add a natural focus. This can help you weigh up what you want from your stay without confusing the village with its surroundings.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Castle Donington, Kirkby Mallory, Market Harborough, Sproxton, Croxton Kerrial, Sapcote, Hathern, Kegworth.

For the regional travel overview: Leicestershire.