Wappenham Village Hall has stood at the heart of our community for more than 160 years. It is where neighbours meet, friendships form and village life thrives. Today, this much-loved building needs essential structural repairs to secure its future.
The Hall is more than bricks and mortar. It provides a welcoming space for community events, coffee mornings, music evenings, pub nights, and village gatherings. In a rural community, it plays a vital role in bringing people together and reducing isolation.
Wappenham Village Hall was originally built in 1862 as the village school and was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, one of the most important Victorian architects of his generation.
His work includes St Pancras Station and Hotel, the Albert Memorial and numerous cathedrals and historic buildings across Britain. His connection to Wappenham was personal — his father served as rector here — making this building part of his family story as well as our village heritage.
The original description in The Building News (1862) noted the school’s “remarkably picturesque grouping” and its elegant central bell-turret.
Although the turret has since been lost, the character and architectural significance of the building remain.
Today, this former school continues to serve the village as our community hall — a rare example of nationally significant architecture still fulfilling its original purpose as a place of gathering and learning.
We have already taken important steps to protect the building:
Commissioned a professional structural assessment
Completed initial stabilisation works to the end gable in January 2026
Undertaken temporary weatherproofing to protect the building
Begun detailed design planning for the next phase of repairs
This ensures that preservation is being approached carefully and professionally.
Further structural works are required, including continued stabilisation, roof repairs and improved insulation. These improvements will safeguard the building for future generations while enhancing its long-term sustainability and energy efficiency.
Wappenham Village Hall belongs to the whole community. Protecting it is a shared responsibility.
By attending events, volunteering your time, spreading the word, or making a donation, you are helping to secure this historic building for future generations.
Every contribution, large or small, helps protect this remarkable building for future generations.
Support the project today via our JustGiving page: