Newport Pagnell is a town in the traditional county of Buckinghamshire, England. It also lies within the Unitary District of Milton Keynes. It is situated about three miles north of the town of Milton Keynes itself.
The town was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Neuport, which is Old English meaning New Market Town. At that time it was fairly new, having been founded by Norman invaders. The suffixe Pagnell came later, when the manor passed into the hands of the Pagnell (Paynel) family.
Arms of the former Newport Pagnell Rural District Council
At one time Newport Pagnell was one of the largest towns in the County of Buckinghamshire (the assizes of the County were occasionally held here), though today it has been completely dwarfed by the growth of Milton Keynes. The two have joined up and there is no easy distinction to see where Newport Pagnell ends, and Milton Keynes begins.
The position of the old castle that was the home of the Pagnell family is where Castle Street is today, though no part of the castle remains. There were also at one time two hospitals in Newport Pagnell and six fairs were held for the townsfolk throughout the year.
Since 1954, Newport Pagnell has been the home of the Aston Martin site, where all Aston Martin cars are built.
Hamlets in the parish of Newport Pagnell include Broughton and Caldecote. The parish church is dedicated to St Peter and St Paul.
There is also a service station on the M1 motorway called Newport Pagnell Services. This is situated a short distance outside Newport Pagnell itself.
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