Lapworth

A Warwickshire Village

The Village

Lapworth millenium sign

Lapworth is a village in Warwickshire situated between Warwick and Birmingham. It has a population of about 2000. Although there is some local employment in farming and service industries it is chiefly a commuter village for the larger surrounding towns of Coventry, Solihull and Birmingham. The village lies on the junction of two canals, the Stratford Canal, and the Grand Union Canal.

Lapworth is in "green belt" and the pleasure of living here is to be separate from the suburban sprawl, and so to be able to enjoy country walks from the doorstep but to be within 45 minutes or an hour's commute of work. The millenium sign can be seen on the roadside as one enters the village on the old warwick road from the direction of Hockley heath.

Although not a twee, picturesque village, of the type normally associated with Warwickshire the village does boast some fine old houses, including two National Trust properties,Packwood House and Baddesley Clinton.

The parish church of St Mary's in the West of the parish and the Lees Memorial Chapel on Station Lane provide for the spiritual needs of the village.

Lapworth Pre-school, a community nursery, provides care and education for young children between the ages of 2 and 4. Learning through play is encouraged and the atmosphere is relaxed. Lapworth Church of England Infant and Junior school   provides for the educational needs of the 5 to 11 year olds, with a little help from a very active PTA. The school's last OFSTED inspection resulted in a very favourable report. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read this report. Children above the age of 11 attend schools in surrounding towns including: Henley in Arden, Knowle, Stratford, and Alcester.

There is a strong community spirit in Lapworth and it is quite easy to find yourself out every night of the week at a village event in the village hall or the old school (converted to a venue) or socialising with friends at the local pubs.Activities indulged in locally include: line dancing, and tennis and socials put on by the Church such as the harvest supper and the Christian aid supper. The village has a tradition of providing it's own entertainment at these suppers. If you have a talent you can share such as acting, singing. poetry recitation, or playing a musical instrument you will find a willing and sympathetic audience ready to enjoy your talent. Clubs and societies include Lapworth Players, Local History Group, WI, Men of Lapworth Evening Society, Ladies Supper Club, Round Table, Elderberries, and Lapworth Old Peoples Association. Nor are the children forgotten. There is Pre-School, which is next to the school, and a brownie pack for the girls. There are also Saturday football, and speech and drama classes. For the teenagers there are CFCs run by the chapel and a youth section of the Lapworth Players.  There is also a youth club, re-started in 2007, that meets at the village hall on Fridays.