Willoughby Today

At the 2021 census, the population was 410 and there were 199 dwellings. The distinctive ‘valley floor’ character of the village is enhanced by meandering street-side swales (ditches) and vegetation that provide linking green corridors through the settlement. The village is surrounded by farmland, much of which is ancient ridge and furrow.

There is an active social scene and strong community spirit in Willoughby. Activities during the year include keep fit classes of various kinds, concerts, monthly Soup and Social lunches, residents’ celebrations, meetings of different clubs and organisations, the Big Lunch in June and the annual Village Festival in the playing field with races for children and adults and an outdoor concert in the evening. The Village Hall provides the venue for many of these events.

Clubs and organisations in the village include the Allotment Association, the Willoughby Society, the Thursday Club, the Women’s Institute, the Art Group, the Gentlemen’s Coffee Morning and the Woolscott Flower Club. Sport and Keep Fit are catered for at the popular Cricket Club, the Playing Field with its children’s playground and football pitch, the Darts Team and regular Pilates and Popmo classes. St Nicholas’ Church provides both religious services and social events focused on the history and heritage of the local area. Everyone is kept informed about events each month in the parish newsletter, the Willoughby Monthly, which is delivered to every household.

But, it is not all fun! Willoughby also has a range of local businesses. These include businesses with specific premises (B Beautiful, The Rose Inn, Willoughby Cafe, Old Garage Car Wash and Reefkeeper), those run from home (e.g. acupuncture, JRCS Falconry, keep fit, builders, garden services, The Decking Tool, Willoughby Alpacas, window cleaning and software engineering) and farmers who work and live in the parish

For those who like to walk, there are footpaths and bridleways crisscrossing the parish and the opportunity to walk alongside the Oxford Canal. We have two marinas close by, Dunchurch Pools Marina and Braunston Marina, which offer the opportunity to hire or moor boats or just to make an interesting visit.

We are a small rural village but have an enormous amount to offer to residents and visitors alike. See Village Life for more information.