Southam is a small market town situated in the Stratford-upon-Avon district of Warwickshire where the A423 Coventry to Banbury road converges with the A426 from Rugby and crosses the A425 Daventry to Leamington Spa road.

At the 2001 census, the town had a population of approximately 6,500 but it has seen significant development in recent years. It retains a range of shops, banks, local services and facilities including three primary schools, a secondary school, children's centre, leisure centre, library, medical centre, police station and post office. In addition the town hosts a market each Tuesday and a farmers market on the second Saturday of every month.

The town centre has been designated as a conservation area whereby developments and changes of use should respect the special qualities and historic context of the area in terms of design and materials. The valley of the River Stowe from the town centre to the Holy Well has been designated as an area of restraint, which confirms its value as open space within the natural environment.

There are transport links which connect the town with Leamington Spa, the nearest town approximately eight miles away, Rugby, Coventry, Stratford-upon-Avon and nearby villages. Southam serves as a local centre for the villages around it, including Long Itchington, Stockton Napton, Ladbroke, Bishops Itchington, Harbury and Ufton.

The town centre and conservation area has, by its very nature, many landmarks in the form of listed buildings such as the Manor House (the subject of a remarkable renovation in 2007/08) the Olde Mint and St James Church (grade one listed and of exceptional interest).

In addition there are other features important to the identity of the area; open spaces and public areas such as Market Hill, the Library gardens, the Peace Garden, Park Lane Recreation Ground and Merestone Park which are visually important and provide venues for community activities such as the Mop Fair, May Day Fair, open-air services and celebrations as well as the annual Carnival.

Recent Updates to our Web