Little Ponton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Ponton |
|
|---|---|
 St Guthlac's Church, Little Ponton |
|
 Little Ponton
|
|
| Population | 135 |
| OS grid reference | SK925324 |
| • London | 95 mi (153 km) S |
| Civil parish | |
| District |
|
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GRANTHAM |
| Postcode district | NG33 |
| Dialling code | 01476 |
| Police | Lincolnshire |
| Fire | Lincolnshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
|
Little Ponton is a small village in Lincolnshire, England. It is located about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) south of the town of Grantham. The village sits about 60 meters (197 feet) above sea level.
Little Ponton is part of a larger local area called the civil parish of Little Ponton and Stroxton. This parish combines Little Ponton with the nearby village of Stroxton.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Little Ponton has a long and interesting history. An ancient Roman road called Ermine Street passes right through the parish. Locally, this old road is known as the "High Dyke."
In the 1870s, a book called Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Little Ponton. It mentioned that the village had a post office and about 208 people living in 43 houses. The book also noted that many Roman objects had been found in the area.
Historic Buildings and Changes
Little Ponton Hall is an important old building in the village. It was built in 1725, but parts of it were added later. Today, it is listed as a Grade II building, meaning it's historically significant.
In 1921, Little Ponton had a population of 202 people. Later, in 1931, the separate parish of Little Ponton was joined with Stroxton. This created the combined civil parish we know today as "Little Ponton and Stroxton."
Exploring Little Ponton's Geography
Little Ponton is located just off the B1174 road, which used to be part of the main A1 road. The area's boundaries follow different landmarks.
For example, the boundary of the church's parish crosses the A1 road. It also follows Tollemache Road South on an industrial estate. The boundary then crosses the East Coast Main Line, which is a major railway.
Further east, it meets Whalebone Lane and crosses the High Dike, or Ermine Street. To the south, the boundary includes areas like Woodnook and Woodnook Farm. It then runs towards the villages of Boothby Pagnell and Great Ponton.
The boundary also crosses the River Witham and goes near Gibbet Hill. These natural features and roads help define the edges of Little Ponton's area.
Discovering Woodnook Valley
Woodnook Valley is a very special place near Little Ponton. Since March 1986, it has been recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected because of its unique natural features.
Why Woodnook Valley is Special
Natural England, an organization that protects nature, describes Woodnook Valley as an excellent example of "calcareous grassland." This type of grassland grows on soils that come from limestone.
The valley has two fields where animals graze, one facing north and one south. The grass is usually short, which allows many special limestone plants to grow well. You can find several types of orchids here. These include the early-purple orchid and the bee orchid. Another rare orchid, the man orchid, also grows here. This is one of the most northern places in Britain where it can be found.
Community Life in Little Ponton
In 2001, the civil parish of Little Ponton and Stroxton had a population of 135 people. Little Ponton itself is a quiet village with no shops or other public facilities.
The Village Church
The local church in Little Ponton is dedicated to St Guthlac of Crowland. St Guthlac was a hermit who became a popular saint in Eastern England.
The church building dates back to the Norman period, which means it's very old. However, much of its design is from the later Decorated Gothic style. The front part of the church on the west side was rebuilt in 1657. Some parts, like the arch leading to the chancel, might even be from the Saxon period, making them incredibly ancient.
Famous People from Little Ponton
- Richard Todd (1919–2009) was a well-known actor from the 20th century. He lived in Little Ponton, and his grave is in the churchyard of St Guthlac's.
