Lutterworth
Lutterworth is a market town and civil parish in the Harborough district of Leicestershire, England, situated approximately 15 miles south of Leicester city centre and adjacent to Junction 20 of the M1 motorway.[1] The town, which received its market charter from King John in 1214, maintains a Thursday market tradition and recorded a population of 10,521 in the 2021 census.[2][3] Historically, Lutterworth is best known as the residence and parish of John Wycliffe, the 14th-century Oxford scholar and religious reformer who served as rector of St Mary's Church from 1374 until his death in 1384, during which time he directed the first full translation of the Bible into English.[4][5] In the 20th century, the town contributed to aviation history through the work of Frank Whittle, who developed early jet engines at the British Thomson-Houston facility in Lutterworth while addressing wartime propulsion challenges.[6] Today, Lutterworth functions as a commuter settlement with a mixed economy, including logistics, manufacturing, and retail sectors bolstered by its strategic transport links.[1]Geography and Demographics
Location and Physical Features
Lutterworth is a market town located in the Harborough district of Leicestershire, England, at coordinates 52°27′N 1°12′W.[7] It lies approximately 15 miles (24 km) south of Leicester city centre and 6.8 miles (11 km) north of Rugby in Warwickshire.[8] The town is positioned near the M1 motorway, facilitating connectivity to the Midlands conurbation.[9] The physical landscape of Lutterworth features gently rolling terrain typical of the Lutterworth Lowlands, an open area with flat to undulating topography dominated by arable farmland.[10] The town's elevation averages 125 metres (410 feet) above sea level, reflecting the broader lowland character of southern Leicestershire.[9] To the south, the River Swift marks a boundary with subtle inclines along its course, while the wider region includes river valleys and scattered rural features without prominent hills.[11] The underlying geology contributes to fertile soils supporting agriculture, with no significant urban elevation variations within the town itself.[12]Population Trends and Composition
The population of Lutterworth parish has exhibited steady growth in recent decades, driven by residential development and proximity to employment hubs like Magna Park. According to UK Census data, the population stood at 8,294 in 2001, rising to 9,353 in 2011—a 12.7% increase—and reaching 10,833 in 2021, reflecting a further 15.8% growth over the subsequent decade, or an average annual rate of 1.5%.[13] This expansion aligns with broader trends in Harborough district, where housing expansions and commuting patterns have contributed to population influx, though Lutterworth's growth rate exceeds the district average of approximately 10% from 2011 to 2021.[14]| Census Year | Population | Decade Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8,294 | - |
| 2011 | 9,353 | 12.7 |
| 2021 | 10,833 | 15.8 |