Discovering Wolverton: The Story Behind Our New Office

Set within a landscape steeped in history, the site offers a fascinating glimpse into the area’s past, forming part of what was once a thriving medieval village. The following, written by Tom Hough, Head of Archaeology & Heritage, explores the rich heritage of Wolverton and the historic significance of our new location.

Like our head office at Radbourne, Derby, the new office is located within an historic landscape, with the office being situated within the site of the deserted medieval village of Wolverton, from which the modern area of the city derives. The only remaining part of this village is the Grade II* Church of Holy Trinity, dating from the 12^th century. However, the former extent and character of the village is still clearly visible as earthworks on the ground, and on a LiDAR view, with their extent now being designated a Scheduled Monument.

The original village of Wolverton was likely founded in the early-medieval era, with the name deriving from the Old English for ‘Wulfheres settlement’. The village is recorded as Wluerintone in the 1086 Domesday Book, with around 50 households. A small motte and bailey castle was built just east of the site of the church in the Norman period, with a manor house also probably located in the vicinity. The extent of the village is now divided by the Grand Union Canal, though its plan appears to have been fairly linear, with central trackways surrounded by housing plots, and surrounding fields of ridge and furrow. Our new office forms part of a 19^th century farm complex, though the site is originally thought to have been the site of a monastic grange.

By the later medieval period the village was under the ownership of the Longville family. Though many deserted villages are commonly attributed to have declined due to the Black Death, Wolverton is thought to have declined due to the Longvilles enclosing the land for more profitable sheep pasture, or for deer hunting, with the inhabitants forced off the land.

Today, this historic landscape has taken on a new chapter as our presence at Manor Farm Court. While the setting reflects centuries of change, the site now supports a modern working environment, with our team bringing new purpose to this remarkable location. Throughout the office, our branding that has been thoughtfully incorporated into the space, with photos and video showcasing how our identity sits comfortably within the character of the historic farm complex.