Repton

This village, by the tranquil waters of the River Trent, is steeped in history. The main core of Repton village was designated as a Conservation Area in 1969, and extended in 1982. There are some forty buildings listed as being of historical and architectural interest. However, the village is not just about its historical past, it is a vibrant community with many clubs, societies, shops and pubs.

The first mention of Repton came in the 7th century when it was established as the capital of the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia. A monastery, housing both monks and nuns, was founded here sometime after AD 653 but the building was sacked by the Danes in AD 874. Three Mercian kings were buried here - Merewahl in AD 686, Aethelbald in AD 757 and Wiglaf in AD 839, as well as St Wystan, who was Wiglaf’s grandson. He is supposed to have been interred alongside his grandfather. A battle-axe, now on display in the school museum, was excavated a little distance from the church. It had apparently lain undisturbed for well over 1,000 years. 

The Parish Church of St Wystan is famous for its distinctive Anglo-Saxon stonework, which can be admired from both inside and outside the church. Sir Nikolaus Pevsner wrote: “...the chancel....and the crypt form one of the most precious survivals of Anglo-Saxon architecture in England.” When the chancel and part of the nave were enlarged in 1854, the original Anglo-Saxon columns were moved to the 14th-century porch. The crypt claims to be one of the oldest intact Anglo-Saxon buildings in England and was rediscovered by chance in 1779 by a workman who was digging a hole for a grave in the chancel floor.

To read an interesting tale, turn right before you reach the south porch, go up to the stone wall and look at the headstones against it. One slate memorial is dedicated to a Samuel Marshall, aged 21. He was murdered in 1786, and his killer was caught but acquitted at trial for the lack of witnesses. If you examine the headstone, you will see it depicts a tree with five branches, one of which has been cut off with an axe, representing the dead man, and the others his surviving brothers.

The ancient but restored Cross, still at the central crossroads in the village, has been the focal point of life here for centuries and it has also stood at the heart of the Wednesday market. Right up until the late 19th century a Statutes Fair, for the hiring of farm labourers and domestics, was also held here at Michaelmas.

Parts of an Augustinian priory, founded in 1170, are incorporated in the buildings of Repton College, itself founded in 1557. Sir John Port had specifically intended the college to be a grammar school for the local poor children of Etwall, Repton and Burnaston. These intentions have somewhat deviated over the passing years and now Repton is one of the foremost public schools in the country. Interestingly, two of its headmasters, Dr Temple and Dr Fisher, went on to become Archbishops of Canterbury, while Dr Ramsey was a pupil at the school under Dr Fisher’s guiding light. Film buffs will recognise the 14th-century gatehouse and causeway, as they featured in both film versions of the popular story Goodbye, Mr Chips.

Just to the west of the village is Foremark Hall, built by Robert Adam in 1762 for the Burdett family. It is now a preparatory school for Repton College.