Yelvertoft


Yelvertoft is a village in the Daventry district of the county of Northamptonshire in England. At the time of the 2001 census, the parish's population was 821 people, reducing to 764 at the 2011 Census.
Yelvertoft's main thoroughfare, called High Street, is approximately three quarters of a mile long, from the Parish Church of All Saints to the Village Hall. This linear street follows the course of an ancient Portway known as Salters Way.

History

The town was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086, where a priest was mentioned. The name is derived from differing sources: 'Yelver' from the Saxon personal name Ceolfrith, possibly evolving later to 'Gelver'. The '-toft' suffix denoted a small settlement in Danish. Yelvertoft has a maintained a more independent, rural character compared to other villages in the region, such as Crick, because no major transport routes pass through it.
Sites of historical interest include a monument built for the 13th century Rector of the All Saints Church, John Drycson, a charity school building constructed in 1792 which now serves as the Reading Room, and a town pump dating from 1900, which was renovated in 2000.

Demography

According to the figures obtained at the Census 2001 there are 851 people living in the village, in a total of some 356 houses.

Facilities

Yelvertoft has three churches, a primary school, a butcher's shop/delicatessen, a public house, an Equestrian centre and many small businesses.
Recreational facilities are mainly centred around the village hall and comprises a sports field with cricket and football pitches, a pocket park, children's play area, skate park and a basketball court.

Transport links

Yelvertoft has many accessible transport links.
;Bus
There are currently no regular bus services to or from Yelvertoft.
;Rail
Railway stations in towns near Yelvertoft include Long Buckby, Market Harborough, Rugby and Northampton.
;Road
Yelvertoft is linked by road with access to Junction 18 of the M1 motorway within 5 minutes drive from the village. Following improvements to Catthorpe interchange in 2016/17 it is no longer possible to leave or join either the M1 or M6 from local roads at Junction 19. Junction 1 of the M6 and J20 of the M1 are both within 15 minutes drive from Yelvertoft.
;Canal
The Grand Union Canal passes close to the village.