The Old Post Office stands at the corner of High Street and Well Lane, long serving as the village’s postal hub.
It opened in 1856, issuing an undated postmark that January. This mark was applied to the reverse of letters sent or received, while postage stamps themselves were date‑stamped later at the Head Office in Daventry.
Nationally, undated marks were withdrawn in 1860, and Welton did not receive a date‑stamp until 1896, when a rubber version was supplied, used mainly for postal orders.
The photo below taken around 1890 shows the post office as the tall building on the right with the hanging sign.
Kelly’s Directories of 1890, 1894 and 1898 list Richard Houghton as sub‑postmaster, baker, grocer and beer retailer. Born in 1824, he began his working life as a shoemaker before becoming a grocer by 1881. During his time at the post office, letters arrived from Daventry at 6.55am and were despatched at 6.10pm, with a Sunday arrival at 9.10am.
In September 1902, the office was upgraded to a Telegraph Office, enabling villagers to send telegrams. By 1906, Miss Annie Leeson, a stationer, had become sub‑postmistress, a role she is documented as holding until at least 1931. In 1911 Annie lived with her mother Betsy and brother Charles Benjamin; Annie and Charles were still there in 1939.
It seems that in 1910 there was an attempt to sell to property which has been owned by a Mr Houghton, likely a relative of Richard.
By this period, postal traffic had increased to two arrivals from Daventry at 6.55am and 11.55am, and three despatches at 7.00am, 11.55am and 6.30pm, with Sunday delivery at 9.05am.
By the early 1950s the office was run by Mr F. Woodward, followed by the Knights from at least 1955. Mr Knight is remembered for suffering a sizeable lump on his head after a robbery at the premises. Memories from Mr Knight’s time from villagers include:
Many villagers remember buying sweets from the post office, and in the photo below, taken in the late 1950s, you can see a Walls ice cream sign outside the building on the left.
Jack and Molly Brown are recalled as later occupants.
In the 1980s the post office was run by Mr and Mrs Doreen Loveridge, before relocating to The Gables at the corner of Well Lane and Ashby Road, when it was operated by Val Hamblin. When Val wished to retire in 1987 there was an attempt to find someone to take over:
For a while it looked like Irene Kitchener of Ashby Road would take on the role as post mistress, having done it on a temporary basis since Val retired, but alas plans must have fallen through as Welton finally lost its post office in 1887.
The original post office building is today known as The Old Post Office and is a family home. Photo below taken 2026.
